DG 
 
 McGill University Ubr.ries 
 
 210 G6 1823 
 
 MiiiiiMiu «.i!f npr0ved edi,ion of Dr- Goldsm 
 
 3 000 703 902 7 
 
PINNOCK’S IMPROVED EDITION 
 
 OP 
 
 DR. GOLDSMITH’S ABRIDGMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HISTORY OF ROME; 
 
 TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, 
 
 AN INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE 
 
 STUDY OF ROMAN HISTORY, 
 
 A GR-L AT \ ARIETY OF VALUABLE INFORMATION ADDED THROUGHOUT 
 THE WORK j WITH 
 
 A DICTIONARY, 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, &c. 
 
 EXPLAINING EVERY DIFFICULTY, FIXING THE PROPER SOUND AND 
 MEANING OF THE WORDS, AND THUS RENDERING THE 
 WHOLE EASY TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE 
 LOWEST CAPACITY. 
 
 ALSO 
 
 QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION 
 
 AT THE END OF EACH SECTION. 
 
 EIGHTH EDITION. 
 
 FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR G. & VV. B. WHITTAKER, 
 
 AVE-MARIA-LANE, LUDGATE-STREET. 
 
 1823. 
 
SUM'S 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE 
 
 HISTORY OF ROME. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of the City of Rome—its Divisions — Gates—the 
 Capital — Pantheon—Temple of Saturn—of Ja¬ 
 nus — Theatres — Amphitheatres — Circi — Nau - 
 machice—Campus Martius—Fora — Porticos — 
 Arches — Columns — Bagnios — Aqueducts — Cloa - 
 cce—Public Ways, &c. 
 
 1. Perspic'uous, a. clear, well arranged. 
 
 3. Mons, s. a mountain. 
 
 Col'lis, s. a hill. 
 
 4. Por'ta, 8. a gate. 
 
 Vi'a, s. a way, a road, a street. 
 
 Fo'rum, s . a square, or market-place. 
 
 Piscina Pubiiea, s. public fish ponds. 
 
 Transtiberi'na, s. beyond the Tiber. 
 
 14. Stat'ue, s. an image, usually of the natural size. 
 
 18. Ob'long, a. of greater length than breadth. 
 
 22. Panegyrics, s. praises, commendations. 
 
 20. Chapiters, s. the upper part of a pillar, usually called the 
 capital. 
 
 27. Edifices, s . grand buildings. 
 
 35. Cemen'ted. v. joined. 
 
 Colos'sal, a. larger than nature, gigantic. 
 
 34. Impediments, s. hindrances, obstacles. 
 
 35. Subterra'nean, a. under ground. 
 
 Detriment, s. injury. 
 
 Impreg'nable, a. unconquerable, not to be forced. 
 
 1. No history, however perspicuous in its style, or 
 faithful in its narration of events, can be well understood, 
 without a previous acquaintance with the manners, cus¬ 
 toms, religion, laws, and institutions of the people, whose 
 actions are recorded. 2. The high rank to which the an- 
 
IV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 cient Romans attained in the scale of nations, renders 
 this branch of knowledge, as it relates to them, particu¬ 
 larly desirable; not only for the purpose of clearing up 
 obscure passages in their history, but for the perfect en¬ 
 joyment of those admirable works they have left us; 
 which prove them to have been as renowned in arts as in 
 arms. 
 
 3. The city of Rome stood on seven hills, A/tmsPala- 
 ti'nus, Mons Tarpe'ius, Collis Quirina'lis, Mons Cce'lius, 
 Mons Esquili'nus, Mons Vimina'lis, and Mons Aventi'nus. 
 Though its origin was contemptible in the highest degree, 
 both as to its extent and the meanness of its buildings, it 
 
 rose by degrees to such a pitch of grandeur, that iu the 
 time of Vale'rian its walls surrounded a space of fifty 
 miles, and in its most flourishing state it reckoned a po¬ 
 pulation of four millions of inhabitants. 
 
 4. Rom'ulus divided his little city into three tribes, and 
 Ser'vius Tul'lus added a fourth, which division continued 
 till the time of Augustus. The great increase of buildings 
 having rendered a new arrangement necessary, the city 
 was, by that prince, divided into the following regions 
 or wards: 
 
 1. Porta Cape'na 
 *2. Ccelimon'tium 
 
 3. l'sis and Sera'pis 
 
 4. Via Sacra 
 
 5. Esquiliiia 
 
 6. Acta Semi'ta 
 
 7. Via Lata 
 
 8. Forum Roma'num 
 
 9. Circus Flamin'ius 
 
 10. Pala'tium 
 
 11. Circus Max'imus 
 1*2. Pisci na Publica 
 
 13. Aventi'nus 
 
 14. Transtiberi'na . 
 
 5. From the great extent of its walls, Rome had no 
 less than thirty-four gates in the time of Domi'tian; the 
 principal of which were Porta Flumenta'na, Porta Fla- 
 
 tniu ia. Porta Carmenta'iis, Porta Nafvia, Porta Salia'na, 
 and Porta Cape'na. 
 
 6. A city so extensive and wealthy, must naturally be 
 supposed to abound with magnificent buildings, both 
 public and private. Indeed a bare catalogue of them 
 
INTRODUCTION. T 
 
 would compose a volume. We shall, therefore, content 
 ourselves with describing those of the greatest import¬ 
 ance, and that are most frequently mentioned in history. 
 
 7. The temples, as dedicated to the immortal gods, 
 claim our first attention, and amongst these the capitol, or 
 temple of Jupiter Capitoli'nus, occupied the highest rank. 
 
 This structure was begun by Tarquin'ius Priscus, and 
 finished by Tarquin'ius Super bus, with the spoils taken 
 from the neighbouring nations. It stood on a rising 
 ground, and occupied a space of four acres. It was of a 
 square form, its front adorned with three rows of pillars, 
 and the sides with two. The ascent from the ground was 
 by a hundred steps. 9. The prodigious gifts and orna¬ 
 ments with which it was at several times endowed almost 
 exceed belief. Augustus is said to have presented at one 
 time two thousand pounds weight of gold, and jewels to 
 the value of five hundred sestertia*. Astonishing accounts 
 are found in different historians of its brazen thresholds, 
 noble pillars, gilded roof, shields and vases of solid silver 
 and of immense size, the golden chariot, and other pre¬ 
 cious gifts, bestowed by kings, princes, and victorious 
 generals. 10. It was several times destroyed by fire, 
 and as frequently rebuilt. Dorai'tian raised the last and 
 most glorious of all, in which the gilding alone amount¬ 
 ed to twelve thousand talents f. A small part of this 
 magnificent temple remains, which has been converted 
 into a Christian church. 
 
 11. The pantheon was built by Mar'cus Agrip'pa, and 
 dedicated to all the gods. It is of a circular form, and its 
 roof is in the shape of a cupola or dome. It has no win¬ 
 dows, but the light is admitted through a circular opening 
 in the roof, immediately under which is a curious gutter 
 to receive the rain. The top was originally covered with 
 silver plates, but their place is now supplied by lead. It 
 
 * Nearly four thousand pounds sterling. 
 
 + Two million two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, 
 b 3 
 
VI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 is at present a Christian church. So much has the ground 
 which surrounds this building been elevated in the lapse 
 of ages, that whereas heretofore they ascended twelve 
 steps, they now go down as many to the entrance. 
 
 12. There are two other temples particularly deserv¬ 
 ing notice, not so much for the magnificence of the 
 structures, as for the uses to which they were applied, 
 and the customs that depended on them. 
 
 13. The temple of Saturn, which served for the public 
 treasury, as being the strongest and most secure place 
 in the city. Here were deposited the public registers 
 and records, among which were the libri elephan'ti , or 
 great ivory tables, containing a list of all the tribes, and 
 the schemes of the public accounts. 
 
 14. The temple of Janus, built entirely of brass, and 
 containing a statue of that god. It had brazen gates, 
 which used always to be kept open in war, and shut in 
 time of peace. So continually, however, were the Ro¬ 
 mans engaged in hostilities, that it was shut but nine 
 times in the space of more than a thousand years. 
 
 15. The public buildings next in rank were theatres, 
 am phi theatres, circi, nauma'chiae *, aud others of in¬ 
 ferior note. 
 
 lf>. The theatres were built in the form of a semi, 
 circle, and designed for the representation of stage-plays. 
 
 i. The seena, which was a partition, reaching quite 
 across the theatre, made either to turn round or draw 
 up, for the purpose of presenting a new prospect to the 
 spectators. 
 
 ii. The prosee'nium, or stage, on which the actors per¬ 
 formed their pa^ts. 
 
 iii. The cavea, or middle part, which was considerably 
 lower thau the rest. In the amphitheatre it was generally 
 called the are'na, from being strewed with sand, to pre¬ 
 vent the performers from slipping. 
 
 * In this word the ch is pronounced like k„ 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 vii 
 
 iv. The seats for the spectators were divided into three 
 ranges, and appropriated to the three divisions of the 
 people, senators, knights, and commons; they were se¬ 
 verally called orchestra, eques'tra, and popula'ria. 
 
 17. The amphitheatres were of an oval shape, and ap¬ 
 propriated to the greater shows of gladiators, wild beasts, 
 &c. of which more in their proper place. 
 
 18. The circi were places set apart for the celebration 
 of chariot races, and other popular sports. They were 
 generally oblong, with ranges of seats for the convenience 
 of the spectators. The most remarkable of these was 
 the circus Maximus, first built by Tarquin'ius Pris'cus. 
 Its length was four stadia or furlongs, its breadth pro¬ 
 portionate, and it contained seats for one hundred and 
 fifty thousand spectators. It was extremely beautiful, 
 and adorned by succeeding princes, and so prodigiously 
 enlarged, that at last it would conveniently accommo¬ 
 date two hundred and fifty thousand men. 
 
 19. The nauma'chiae, or places for the shows of sea 
 engagements, differed but little from the amphitheatres 
 and circi. Some of these were of such an amazing ex¬ 
 tent, that whole fleets have gone through their evolu¬ 
 tions in them, without confusion or inconvenience. 
 
 20. The Campus Mar'tius, or Field of Mars, though 
 merely a large plain field, lying near the Tiber, deserves 
 notice, as being the place where the young noblemen 
 practised all kinds of feats of activity, and learned the 
 use of arms and weapons. Here the races, either with 
 chariots or single horses, were performed. Besides this, 
 it was adorned with the statues of famous men, and with 
 arches, columns, porticos, and other magnificent struc¬ 
 tures. Here stood the Villa Pub'lica, or palace for the 
 reception and entertainment of foreign ambassadors, who 
 were not allowed to enter the city. Several of the public 
 comi"tia* were held in this field, and for that purpose 
 
 * Assemblies of the people. 
 
 b 4 
 
viii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 there were septa or ovilia, (apartments enclosed with 
 rails) into which the tribes or centuries entered one by 
 one, to give their votes. 
 
 21. The Roman Fora were public places, surrounded 
 with arched porticos. Of these there were five very 
 considerable. 
 
 22. Fo'rum Roma'num, built by Rom'ulus, and called, 
 by way of eminence, simply Forum. In that part of it 
 called the comi'tium, stood the rostra, or pulpit, adorned 
 with the beaks of the ships taken from the inhabitants of 
 Anti'um, whence its name. In this causes were pleaded, 
 orations made, and funeral panegyrics pronounced. 
 
 23. Fo'rum Ju'lium, built by Julius Caesar, with the 
 spoils taken in the Gallic war. The area alone cost one 
 hundred thousand sesterces. 
 
 24. Fo'rum Augus'ti, built by Augustus Caesar, and 
 reckoned by Pliny among the wonders of the city. In the 
 two porticos were numerous statues, those on one side re¬ 
 presenting all the Latin kings, beginning with iEne'as, 
 on the other the kings of Rome, beginning with Romu¬ 
 lus, and the most eminent persons in the commonwealth, 
 among whom was Augustus himself, with an inscription 
 on the pedestal of every statue, expressing the chief ac¬ 
 tions of the persons it represented. 
 
 25. Fo'rum Ner'vae, begun by Domi"tian, but finished 
 and named by Ner'va. In this were the statues of the 
 emperors. 
 
 26. But the most celebrated for its admirable struc¬ 
 ture and contrivance, was the Fo'rum Traja'ni, built by 
 the emperor Trajan, with the spoils he had taken in his 
 wars. The covering of this edifice was brass, the porticos 
 exceedingly beautiful and magnificent, with pillars of 
 unusual height, and chapiters of extraordinary size. 
 
 27. The porticos were beautiful structures annexed to 
 public edifices, as well for ornament as use. They some¬ 
 times served for the assemblies of the senate; sometimes 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IX 
 
 jewellers, and such as dealt in precious wares, exposed 
 their goods to sale under them; but they were more ge¬ 
 nerally considered as places for walking or riding, alike 
 sheltered from the sun and rain, 
 
 28. Arches were public buildings, designed for the re¬ 
 ward and encouragement of noble enterprises; they w ere 
 originally plain rude structures of brick ; but in later 
 times no expences were spared to render them splendid 
 and magnificent in the highest degree: several remain 
 to this day. 
 
 29. Columns, or pillars, were likewise honourable me¬ 
 morials of some noble victory or exploit, and added not a 
 little to the beauty of the city. Those of the emperors 
 Trajan and Antoni'nus, deserve particular notice. 
 
 80. The former stands in the centre of the Fo'rum 
 Traja'ni, and is composed of twenty-four large blocks of 
 marble, so curiously cemented , as to appear one entire 
 stone* It is ascended on the inside by one hundred and 
 eighty-five winding stairs, and has forty little windows 
 for the admission of light. On this pillar are expressed, 
 in admirable sculpture, all the noble actions of the em¬ 
 peror, particularly in the Decian war. A colossal statue 
 of Trajan, twenty feet high, stood on the top of the co¬ 
 lumn ; he was represented in a general’s suit of armour, 
 holding in his left hand a sceptre, and in his right a hol¬ 
 low globe of gold, in which, some say, his ashes were 
 deposited after his death. 
 
 31. The column of Antoni'nus resembles this, though 
 of greatly inferior workmanship, as being undertaken in 
 the declining age of the empire; these pillars are still 
 standing. 
 
 32. The bagnios, or public baths, were among the most 
 remarkable displays of Roman luxury and magnificence. 
 They were generally of vast extent, and fitted up in a 
 style of luxurious splendour, of which we can form but a 
 faint idea. Sen'eca asserts that the floors were inlaid 
 
 b 5 
 
X 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 with precious stones, and Pliny mentions that many of 
 the seats were of solid silver. 
 
 33. The most remarkable bagnios were those of Dio- 
 cle'tian and Antoni'nus Caracal'la, great part of which 
 is still standing; the lofty arches, beautiful and stately 
 pillars, the profusion of costly marbles, the Curious 
 vaulting of the roofs, the prodigious number of spacious 
 apartments, and a thousand other ornaments and conve¬ 
 niences, fill the mind of the beholder with admiration 
 and astonishment. 
 
 34. The aqueducts, however, were, without question, 
 the noblest proofs of the grandeur of the empire. These 
 wonderful channels, by which water was brought from a 
 prodigious distance, were supported on arches, some¬ 
 times upw ards of a hundred feet high; mountains, and 
 other apparently insurmountable impediments, were cut 
 through to afford them a passage. Of these' magnificent 
 structures, Proco'pius reckons fourteen, and Victor not 
 less than twenty. 
 
 35. The cloa'cae, or common sewers, by Tarquin'ias 
 Pris'cus, for conveying away the filth of the city, were 
 worthy of the Roman greatness. These subterranean 
 channels were of very considerable size, and constructed 
 with amazing strength. M. Agrippa caused seven streams 
 to meet together under ground in one main channel, with 
 such a rapid current as to carry all before it. Sometimes, 
 when these streams were violently swelled with immode¬ 
 rate rains, they beat with excessive fury against the 
 paving at the bottom and sides. Sometimes huge pieces 
 of stone and timber were carried down the channel, and 
 vet the fabric received no detriment . Sometimes terri¬ 
 ble earthquakes shook the foundation of the city, and 
 yet these sewers still remained impregnable .. 
 
 36. Lastly, the public ways were but little inferior to 
 the works already described, either in utility or cost. The 
 most noble of these was the Via Ap'pia, which was carried 
 
INTRODUCTION* 
 
 XI 
 
 to a distance of three hundred and fifty miles. It was 
 made of huge stones, generally a foot and a half square; 
 and though it had been constructed more than one thou¬ 
 sand eight hundred years, many parts of it are as per¬ 
 fect now as when it was first made. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What is essential to the understanding of history ? 
 
 2. What occasions this to be peculiarly necessary as it re¬ 
 
 gards the Romans ? 
 
 3. What were the situation and magnitude of Rome ? 
 
 4. How was it divided ? 
 
 5. What were the principal gates of Rome? 
 
 6. Did Rome possess any magnificent buildings ? 
 
 7. Which of these demand our first attention? 
 
 8. Describe this temple. 
 
 9. Was it wealthy ? 
 
 10. Was it not the subject of several accidents? 
 
 11. Describe the Pantheon. 
 
 12. Are these the only temples worthy of notice? 
 
 13. What was the first? 
 
 14. . second ? 
 
 15. What were the public buildings next in rank ? 
 
 16. Describe the theatres. 
 
 17. amphitheatres. 
 
 18*...Cirei. 
 
 19. .. Naumachise. 
 
 20 . Campus Martius. 
 
 21 .Fora. 
 
 22 .. Forum Romanum. 
 
 23. .. ..;. Forum Julium. 
 
 24. »**.•-•-«.Forum Augusti. 
 
 25.Forum Nervae. 
 
 26. Which of the Fora was the most celebrated ? 
 
 27. What were the porticos ? 
 
 28 .. arches? 
 
 29 . columns? 
 
 30. Describe Trajan’s Pillar. 
 
 31.. the Pillar of Antoninus. 
 
 32. What other public buildings deserve notice ? 
 
 33. What were the most remarkable of these ? 
 
 34. What afforded the noblest proofs of Roman gr 
 
 35. What further deserves our attention? 
 
 3(i. What are the last things necessary to be described ! 
 
 b 6 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 OF THE RELIGION OF THE ROMANS. 
 
 Of the Gods of Rome—Roman Virtues — Vices —, 
 Lupercalia —Fratres —Ar vales — Divination — 
 the Augurs—their manner of Divination — Arus - 
 pices — Pontifices—Pontifex Maximus — Vestals — 
 Sacrifices , 
 
 1. Polytheists, s. worshippers of many gods. 
 
 Indispensable, a. absolutely necessary. 
 
 3. Avaricious, a. covetous, greedy of wealth, 
 t). Pry, v. to examine into. 
 
 Sootli'saying, part, foretelling future events. 
 
 Tus'cans, s. inhabitants of Tuscany, in Italy. 
 
 13. Unpropitious, a. unfavourable. 
 
 Pyramid'ical, a tapering upwards to a point. 
 
 Prognostics, s. signs. 
 
 19. Fas ces, s. bundles of rods, with an ax in the centre, carried 
 before the consuls, &c. as symbols of authority. 
 
 1. The Romans were polytheists to so great a degree, 
 that they are said to have worshipped thirty thousand 
 gods: to attempt an enumeration of even the chief of 
 these would be tedious and unnecessary, as mythology 
 is among those studies that are indispensable to a liberal 
 education. 
 
 2. In the early ages of the republic, the Romans rather 
 exceeded than fell short in their virtues. Thus they were 
 devout even to superstition : valiant to a contempt of life, 
 and an inconsiderate courting of danger; frugal and 
 temperate, to a voluntary abstinence from lawful plea¬ 
 sures and conveniences; constant, even to their own 
 ruin ; and rather rigorous than just 
 
 3. But, while they adopted the gods of the nations 
 whom they conquered, they adopted likewise their lux. 
 uries and their vices, so that at length, from being just, 
 temperate, and generous, they became extravagant, uu- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xiit 
 
 just, and avaricious . 4. Yet, in proportion as they de¬ 
 
 generated from their ancient virtues, they increased the 
 number and pomp of their religious ceremonies, until the 
 substance being gone, nothing but empty show remained. 
 
 6. It will be sufficient in this brief Introduction to 
 notice a few of the most remarkable of these. 
 
 6. —i. The Luperca'lia, or feast in honour of Pan. At 
 its commencement, a sacrifice was offered of some goats 
 and a dog ; then two children, noblemen’s sons, being 
 brought thither, the Luper'ci, or priests of Pan, stained 
 their foreheads with the bloody knife, while others wiped 
 it off with locks of wool, dipped in milk. This done, 
 having cut the goat’s skins into thongs, they ran about 
 the streets naked to the waist, and lashed all they met; 
 women in particular used to offer themselves to the 
 strokes, as supposing that they were thereby rendered 
 fruitful. History informs us, that Antony did not dis¬ 
 dain to celebrate these rites/ 
 
 7. —ii. The Poti"tii and Pina'rii were instituted by 
 Evander, in honour of Her'cules, after he had slain the 
 giaut Ca'cus, who had stolen some of his cattle*. Every 
 year a young bullock, that had never borne the yoke,, 
 was offered in sacrifice to that god, by the descendants 
 of the Poti"tii and Pina'rii, two noble families at the 
 court of Evan'der. 
 
 t>.—iii. Ac'ca Lauren tia, the nurse of Romulus, had a 
 custom once a year of making a solemn sacrifice fur a 
 blessing on the fields, her twelve sons always assisting 
 at the ceremony ; hence arose the order of Fratres Ar- 
 va'lcs, which was in great repute at Rome. The members 
 of this order wore crowns made of ears of corn at the 
 time of the solemnity. Their principal business was to 
 take care of the boundaries and divisions of lands, and 
 to decide all controversies that might arise concerning 
 them. 
 
 * Vide Eneidos, lib. 8> v. 268. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xiv 
 
 9. A desire to pry into futurity has always been a lead¬ 
 ing passion in the human breast: for its gratification a 
 number of methods have been invented. The origin of 
 soothsaying has been ascribed to the Chalde'ans; from 
 them the art passed to the Grecians, and from the Gre¬ 
 cians to the Tuscans , which latter taught it to the Latins 
 and Romans, 
 
 10. The professors of this art among the Romans were 
 called Augurs and Arus'pices. 
 
 11. The Augurs professed to interpret dreams, oracles, 
 prodigies, &c. and to say whether any action should be 
 fortunate or prejudicial to any particular person, or to 
 the whole commonwealth. This they did, 
 
 i. From appearances in the heavens, as thunder, light¬ 
 ning, comets, meteors, &c. 
 
 ii. From the flight or singing of birds. 
 
 iii. From the sacred chickens. The manner of divining 
 from them was as follows :*—the Augurs, whose duty it 
 was, threw down a handful of crumbs or corn, then or¬ 
 dering the coop to be opened, if the chickens did not 
 immediately run fluttering to their meat, if they took no 
 notice of it, or flew away, the omen was considered un¬ 
 fortunate : if, on the contrary, they picked it up with 
 greediness, the omen was particularly happy. 
 
 12. The business of the Aruspices was to observe the 
 beasts offered in sacrifice, and by them to divine the 
 success of any enterprise. This they did, 
 
 i. From the beasts themselves. 
 
 ii. From their entrails. 
 
 iii. From the flame of the sacrifice. 
 
 iv. From the flour, frankincense, wine, and water, 
 used in the sacrifice. 
 
 13. If the beasts were obliged to be dragged to the 
 altar, escaped from the stroke, or roared and struggled 
 much after receiving it, the omen was unpropitious; but 
 if they came without compulsion, received the blow with¬ 
 out struggliugor resistance, and sent out a great quantity 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XT 
 
 of blood, a prosperous event was confidently promised. 
 A double liver was reckoned highly unfortunate, so like¬ 
 wise was a little or lean heart; if the entrails fell out of 
 the priest’s hands, or if they were of a pale livid colour, 
 they portended sudden danger and ruin. If the flame of 
 the sacrifice arose freely, in a pyramidical form, clear, 
 and transparent, it was a favourable omen ; but if it was 
 kindled with difficulty, did not burn upright, if it was 
 slow in consuming the sacrifice, and sent forth a crack¬ 
 ling noise, it was considered unfortunate and unpropi- 
 tious. In the meal, frankincense, &c. prognostics were 
 taken from their taste, smell, colour, &c. 
 
 14. The Pontifices were priests whose duty it was to 
 give judgment in all causes relating to religion, to inquire 
 into the lives and manners of the inferior priests, aud to 
 punish them if they saw occasion : to prescribe rules for 
 public worship; to regulate the feasts, sacrifices, and 
 other religious institutions. The office of Pontifex Maxi¬ 
 mus, or chief of the Pontifices, was so honourable, that 
 all the emperors either actually took it upon them, or at 
 least assumed the name. 
 
 15. The institution of the vestal virgins is generally 
 ascribed to Numa; their office was to attend upon the 
 rites of Vesta, and to preserve the sacred tire, which was 
 never extinguished more than once a year, and then re¬ 
 lighted by the rays of the sun; should it by any negli¬ 
 gence be suffered to expire, it was considered as an un¬ 
 lucky omen for the state, and the vestal, whose inatten¬ 
 tion occasioned the misfortune, was severely punished. 
 1(>. These priestesses, who were always of noble fami¬ 
 lies, were obliged to make a vow of chastity for thirty 
 years, after which they were at liberty to marry; if they 
 broke this vow they were buried alive without the city 
 wall. These severities were, however, recompensed by 
 peculiar privileges. The fasces were carried before them 
 when they went abroad, as before the consul or praetor. 
 
Xvi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 and if they chanced * to meet a malefactor going to 
 execution, they could deliver him from the impending 
 punishment. 
 
 17. As every deity had some peculiar rites and institu¬ 
 tions, it will not be possible, in treating of sacrifices, to 
 give more than the general outline of this branch of the 
 Roman worship. 
 
 18. The priest, and the person by whom the victim was 
 presented, went before in white garments, to represent the 
 purity necessary to render the sacrifice acceptable. The 
 beast to be sacrificed, if an ox, bull, or cow, had its horns 
 gilded ; if of the lesser sorts, as a sheep, goat, or swine, 
 it was crowned with the leaves of the tree in which the 
 deity most delighted for whom the sacrifice was designed. 
 
 19. The procession usually advanced to the sound of 
 musical instruments, and these continued to play even 
 while prayers were offered to the gods, to prevent the 
 bearing of any unlucky noise. When the prayers were 
 finished, the priest threw some corn and frankincense, 
 together with the moia t or sacred cake, upon the head of 
 the beast; he then sprinkled some wine between the horns, 
 by way of libation. In the next place, he plucked off some 
 hair from the forehead of the beast, and threw it into the 
 fire; and lastly, turning himself to the east, he drew a sort 
 of crooked line with his knife from the forehead to the tail, 
 which was the signal for the public servants to slay the 
 victim. 20. When the aruspices had performed their part 
 of the ceremony, the priests laid what they thought fit for 
 the gods upon the altar, and went and regaled on the rest. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1 . What was the religion of the Romans? 
 
 2 . What was the character of the Romans ? 
 
 3 . Did they continue thus strict, in their conduct? 
 
 4 . Did they give up all appearance of religion ? 
 
 * If designedly done it was unavailing. 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 XVII 
 
 5. What religious festivals did they celebrate ? 
 
 <5. What was the first ? 
 
 7. ^.second ? 
 
 8.third? 
 
 9. What is man’s ruling passion, and with whom did sooth¬ 
 saying originate ? 
 
 10. What were its professors among the Romans called ? 
 
 11. What was the duty of Ihe augurs ? 
 
 12. What was the business of the ai uspices ? 
 
 13. How did they prognosticate from these ? 
 
 14. Who were the pontifices ? 
 
 15. Describe the vestal virgins and their duties? 
 
 10. W r hat farther obligations aud privileges belonged to 
 them ? 
 
 17. Describe the sacrifices of the Romans? 
 
 18. What was the usual order of procession ? 
 
 19. Describe the ceremony of the sacrifice? 
 
 20. Was the whole victim consumed ? 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 OF THE ROMAN DIVISION OF TIME. 
 
 Of the Regulators of the Roman Calendar—of the 
 divisions of the Months—the Roman manner of 
 Reckoning — Festivals — Calends of January — 
 Lupercalia — Terminalia — Cerealia — Florealia — 
 Saturnalia, &c. 
 
 4. Solar year, s. the time required for the earth to perform her 
 
 revolutions round the sun. 
 
 5. Eq'uinoxes, s. two periods of the year when the sun crosses 
 
 the equator, causing the days and nights to be equal. 
 
 1. Rom'ulus, Numa, and Julius Caesar, were the 
 principal regulators of the Roman calendar. The former 
 divided the year into ten months, commencing with 
 March. 2. Numa added those of January and Febru¬ 
 ary, aud by various means contrived to remedy the in¬ 
 equality between the solar and the lunar year; but his 
 regulations did not exactly answer the end proposed, so 
 that, in the lapse of ages, the festivals, and solemn 
 days for sacrifice, came to be kept at a season quite 
 contrary to that of their institution. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xviii 
 
 3. Julius Caesar, with the assistance of some of the 
 ablest mathematicians and astronomers of his time, un¬ 
 dertook to remedy these defects. In order, therefore, to 
 bring things to their orignal state, he added two months 
 of thirty-three and thirty-four days respectively to one 
 year, which was called the last year of confusion. 4. 
 After this he appointed the solar year , to consist of three 
 hundred and sixty-five days, six hours, which six hours 
 occasioned a day to be added every four years to the end 
 of February. 5. As this year of 365 days 6 hours ex¬ 
 ceeded the length of the real year eleven minutes. Pope 
 Gregory, in 1582, found that the equinoxes "had gone 
 back ten whole days ; he therefore cut off ten days from 
 the calendar to bring them to their proper places, and 
 this forms what is called the Gregorian, or New Style. 
 
 6. The months were divided into Calends, Nones, and 
 Ides. 
 
 7. The Nones were so called, because they reckoned 
 nine days from the Ides. 
 
 8. The Ides were generally about the middle of the 
 month. 
 
 9. The Calends were always fixed to the first of every 
 month, but the nones and the ides differed in different 
 months, for March, May, July, and October, had six 
 nones each, the other eight months only four. In the 
 former, therefore, the nones were the 7th, and the ides 
 the 15th ; in the latter the nones were the 5th, and the 
 ides the 13th. 
 
 10. In reckoning these, the Romans went backwards ; 
 thus, January 1, was the first of the calends of January. , 
 December the 31st was the day next before the calends 
 of January, and so on to the 13th, which was called Idus 
 Decembris, or the ides of December: the 12th was the 
 day before the ides of December; and so on to the 5th, 
 which was called the nones of December; the 4th was 
 the day before the nones of December ; and so on to the 
 1st, which was called the calends of December. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XIX 
 
 11. The festivals of the Romans were too numerous to 
 be minutely described ; let it suffice to mention a few of 
 the most remarkable. The calends of January, or new 
 year's day, was noted as the day on which the magistrates 
 entered on their offices; good wishes and presents were 
 likewise sent from friend to friend. February the fif¬ 
 teenth, or the fifteenth of the calends of March, was the 
 feast of Luperca'lia, already described. On the *22d or 
 •23d, was the Tcrminalia , sacred to Terminus, the guar¬ 
 dian of boundaries, or landmarks, on which they offer¬ 
 ed him cakes and fruits, and sometimes sheep and swine. 
 April 19th, or the 13th of the calends of May, was 
 the Cerea'lia , or feast of Ceres, celebrated by women 
 alone. April 27th, or the 5th of the calends of May, 
 was the Eloreot lia % or feast of Flora, goddess of flowers# 
 On the fourteenth of the calends of January, or the 18th 
 of December, and five following days, was celebrated 
 the Saturnalia , or feast of Saturn. During this feast 
 masters changed situations with their slaves, and suf¬ 
 fered themselves to be jested with or reproved with¬ 
 out resentment. No war was to be proclaimed, no of¬ 
 fender executed. The schools kept a vacation, aud 
 mirth and freedom where every where enjoyed. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Who were the principal regulators of the Roman calen- 
 
 2. What alterations did Numa make, and what was the 
 
 consequence? 
 
 3. By whom were these defects remedied? 
 
 4. What farther regulations did hF adopt ? 
 
 5. Did these improvements answer the desired end? 
 
 6. How were the ihonths divided ? 
 
 7. What were the Nones? 
 
 8.Ides ? 
 
 9. .Calends ? 
 
 10. How were these reckoned ? 
 
 11. Describe the Roman festivals. 
 
XX 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OF THE DIFFERENT ORDERS OF THE STATE. 
 
 Patricians and Plebeians—Patrons and Clients — 
 Senators , Knights , and Commons—Ingenui , Li- 
 berti and Libertini — Manumission—the Seriate — 
 Candidates —* Consuls — Dictator — P rectors — 
 Censors — Quecstors—Tribunes of the People — 
 JEdiles, fyc. 
 
 1. Pa'tres, s. fathers. 
 
 2. Ad'vocates, s. defenders in a court of law. 
 
 Def'erence, s. submission. 
 
 5. Progenitors, s. forefathers. 
 
 6. Pras'tor, s. a governor, or magistrate, next in dignity to the 
 
 consuLs. 
 
 7. Lie tor, s. one of the guards of a chief magistrate. 
 
 10. Exigencies, s. critical situations. 
 
 11. Protracting, part, lengthening. 
 
 20. Ex'piatory, a. having the power of atoning for crime. 
 
 I. No sooner had Rome arrived at some degree of con¬ 
 sequence as a state, than Roru'ulus made a distinction of 
 his subjects into nobles and commons, the former called 
 patresy or patricii, the latter plebeii; and as the patricii 
 were appointed to watch over, protect, and countenance 
 tlie plebeii, the former were likewise entitled patrones, 
 and the latter clientes. 2. Their obligations were mu¬ 
 tual : the patrons engaged to be the advisers and advo¬ 
 cates of their clients, while the clients were expected to 
 serve their patrons with fidelity, to pay them all possi¬ 
 ble deference and respect, and even to assist them with 
 money if necessary. 3. A new division, however, took 
 place about the time of Tarquin’s expulsion, into sena¬ 
 tors, knights, and commons. 4. The senators were 
 members of the supreme council of state. The knights 
 called equites, were allowed a gold ring, and a horse at 
 
INTRODUCTION. xx j 
 
 the public charge: and the commons were the remainder 
 of the population, not included in those two orders. 
 
 5. Such persons as were free of the city, were either 
 ingenui, liberti, or libertini. The ingenui were such as 
 had been born free, and of free progenitors ; the libertini 
 were the children of parents who had been made free; 
 liberti, such as had been slaves, but were now free. 
 
 C. Considerable ceremony was used in setting a slave 
 free. He was brought before the praetor, when his mas- 
 ter, laying his hand upon the slave’s head, said, I desire 
 that this man may be made free; then the prsetor, laying 
 a rod upon his head, said, I pronounce him to be free, 
 after the Roman manner. After this the lictor, taking 
 the rod from the praetor’s hand, struck the slave several 
 times on the head, face, and back, after which he re. 
 ceived a cap in token of liberty, and his name was en¬ 
 rolled among the freemen of the city. 
 
 7. The senate was the chief council of state, composed 
 both of patricians and plebeians, at first chosen by the 
 kings, afterwards by the consuls, but at last by the cen¬ 
 sors alone. 8. He that stood first on the censors’ foil, 
 had the honourable title of princeps senatus, or prince of 
 the senate; the rest were called patres conscripti , or con¬ 
 script fathers*. 9. The qualifications necessary for 
 those who wished to become members of this illustrious 
 body, were to have borne some office in the magistracy, 
 and to possess an estate of not less than twelve hundred 
 sestertia, 'or nine thousand one hundred and seventy-five 
 pounds sterling. 
 
 10. The senate met regularly on the calends, nones, 
 and ides of every month, except September and October! 
 At other times they were assembled by order of the dic¬ 
 tator, the consuls, the praetors, the tribunes of the com¬ 
 mons, or the interrex, whenever the exigencies of the state 
 required ; their decrees were called senatus consulta. 
 
 * From their names being written in the censors’roll. 
 
1 
 
 XXli INTRODUCTION. 
 
 11. There were several impediments to the passing of a 
 decree; the principal were, protracting the debate until 
 after sunset, when it was not lawful to proceed to a di¬ 
 vision; and the interposition of the tribunes, who had 
 the privilege by their veto (I forbid) to put an end to the 
 debate : both methods were frequently practised. 
 
 12. The magistrates of the Roman republic were elec¬ 
 tive, and previous to their election were called candidati, 
 candidates, from the toga candidata , or loose white gown, 
 which they wore while soliciting the votes of the people. 
 
 13. As human nature is in all ages the same, as many 
 arts were used by the Roman candidates to acquire po¬ 
 pularity, as in more modern times are practised to se¬ 
 cure a seat in parliament, they took the meanest person 
 by the hand, addressed him by the familiar title of fa. 
 ther, brother, or friend, and carefully abstained from 
 offending the most inconsiderable fellow who was master 
 of a vote, lest they should not only lose his, but the 
 votes of those who might espouse his cause, 
 
 14. The consular office was first established on the 
 expulsion of Tarquin, Anno Urbis* 244. There were 
 tw'O consuls chosen at first from the patricians, but, A. U. 
 387, the plebeians obtained the privilege of having one 
 of their own body alw ays an associate in the office ; their 
 power was the same as that of the kings, but they ex¬ 
 ercised it only one year, so that they seldom degenerated 
 into tyrants. 15. They wore a white robe edged with 
 purple, called praetexta, and were preceded, when they 
 appeared in public, by twelve lictors carrying the faces 
 and securis. 
 
 16. In times of great emergency a supreme magis¬ 
 trate, called a dictator, was appointed by the consuls, 
 with absolute power. He might proclaim war, levy 
 forces, lead them against the enemy, or disband them at 
 his pleasure ; the lives and fortunes of all were at his 
 
 * In the year of the city, that is, from the foundation of the city. 
 
INTRODUCTION. Xxin 
 
 disposal, and from his judgment there was no appeal. 
 He was always attended in public by twenty-four lictors* 
 with the fasces, and other ensigns of his dignity. 
 
 17. The praetors were magistrates chosen to administer 
 justice in the absence of the consuls, or to assist them 
 when at home. At first there was only one, but their 
 number rose by degrees to sixty-four; in the decline of 
 the empire, however, they'again fell as low as three. 
 
 18. The censors were magistrates of great power and 
 authority, being appointed not only to divide the people 
 into their proper classes and centuries, and to take an 
 exact account of their estates and goods, but likewise to 
 superintend the public morals, and to punish a breach of 
 them, even by persons of the highest dignity. 19. They 
 were two in number, were chosen every five years, but 
 continued in office only one year and a half. 20. On 
 performing the census, or numbering of the people, they 
 made a solemn lustration or expiatory sacrifice, whence 
 the space of five years was called a lustrum. 
 
 21. The quaestors were eight in number, and their 
 duty was to receive and lodge ambassadors, to take 
 charge of the decrees of the senate, and to act as trea. 
 surers. The quaestorship was the first office any person 
 could bear in the commonwealth, and might be under¬ 
 taken at the age of twenty.four or twenty-five years. 
 
 22. The tribunitial office owes its origin to a quarrel 
 between the patricians and plebeians *, in which the 
 latter departed from the city, and could not be induced 
 to return, till permission was granted them to choose 
 magistrates from their own body, who should defend 
 liberties, and remedy the grievances imposed on them 
 by their superiors. 
 
 23. These magistrates were called tribunes of the 
 people , and though at first they pretended to be only 
 the protectors of the commons, and redressers of public 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xxiv 
 
 grievances, yet by degrees they usurped almost absolute 
 power, imprisoning and otherwise punishing even the 
 consuls themselves, and occasioning far greater disorders 
 than those they were chosen to remedy. They were at 
 first five in number, but were afterwards increased to 
 ten. 
 
 24. The aediles were magistrates appointed to assist 
 the tribunes, to inspect the public games, to superintend 
 the building and reparation of temples, theatres, baths, 
 and other public edifices; they likewise had the super- 
 vision of the stores of corn and other provisions, of the 
 commodities brought to market, and the punishment of 
 delinquents in matters relating to buying and selling. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Into what classes were the Romans divided ? 
 
 2. What were the obligations of each ? 
 
 3. Was this division the only one? 
 
 4. Describe these. 
 
 5. Were there not other distinctions? 
 
 6. How were they made free ? 
 
 7. What was the senate? 
 
 8. How were its members denominated? 
 
 9 . What qualifications were necessary for the candidates? 
 
 10. When did they meet ? 
 
 11. Were there any impediments to the passing of a decree ? 
 
 12. How were the Roman magistrates appointed ? 
 
 13. By what means did they procure these? 
 
 14. When was the consular office first established, and who 
 
 w ere eligible ? 
 
 15. What was their dress, and how were they attended ? 
 
 16. Was there not sometimes a superior magistrate ? 
 
 17. Who were the praetors? 
 
 18...censors? 
 
 19. What was their number, and the duration of their office ? 
 
 20. What was remarkable in their administration ? 
 
 21. Who were the quaestors? 
 
 22. What was the origin of the tribunitial office? 
 
 23. What w ere they called, and how did they discharge their 
 
 duty ? 
 
 24. W r ho were the aediles ? 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XXV 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Of Judicial Proceedings and Punishments among 
 the Romans . 
 
 3. Default, s. failure. 
 
 Plain'tiff, s. the complainant. 
 
 4. Suffrages, s. votes. 
 
 Majority, s. the greater number. 
 
 12. lndicfment, s. charge of criminalty, 
 
 13. Ex'ile, s. banishment. 
 
 15. Fur'ca, s. a fork. 
 
 18. Jurisprudence, s. laws. 
 
 1. Judicial proceedings were either public or private: 
 the latter relating to controversies, the former to crimes. 
 
 2. The manner of carrying on private suits was as fol¬ 
 lows : the injured party summoned the offender to the 
 court, who was obliged either to appear immediately, or 
 give bond for his appearance at the proper season. 
 
 3. On the day appointed for hearing, the praetor caused 
 the parties to be summoned; upon the default of either 
 party, that party lost his cause; but if both appeared, the 
 plaintiff proceeded to prefer his suit, according to a set 
 form. Judges were then appointed by the praetor to hear 
 and determine the matter, and the number of witnesses 
 fixed, that the suit might not be unreasonably protracted; 
 then the parties proceeded to give security, that they 
 would abide by the judgment, and the judges took a 
 solemn oath to decide impartially- After this, the cause 
 was argued by lawyers on both sides, assisted by wit¬ 
 nesses, writings, &c. 
 
 4. In giving sentence, the suffrages of the majority of 
 the judges were necessary to decide against the defendant: 
 if the number was equally divided, the defendant was 
 cleared; and if half the judges condemned him to pay one 
 sum, and half another, the least sum was always exacted. 
 
 c 
 
XXVI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 5. The inquisition of criminal matters belonged at first 
 to the kings, afterwards to the consuls, but at length it 
 devolved on the praetors. 
 
 6. The criminal was first summoned to appear, as in 
 the former case ; his name was entered in the roll of cri¬ 
 minals, and a day appointed for the trial. 
 
 7. From the entry of the name till the trial was over, 
 the accused person wore a mourning habit, and assumed 
 every appearance of sorrow and concern. 
 
 8. Upon the appointed day, the court being met, and 
 the parties in waiting, a jury was impanelled to hear the 
 trial, and decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused. 
 
 9. The accuser then proceeded, in a studied oration, to 
 state the charge against the criminal, and to aggravate it 
 by all the powers of eloquence ; the advocates for the 
 accused then proceeded to make the best defence the cir¬ 
 cumstances of the case would admit; and lastly, the jury 
 delivered their verdict, by writing their opinion on a tablet, 
 and throwing it into a little box or urn, placed expressly 
 for the purpose; the accused person prostrating himself 
 at their feet while so doing, to excite their compassion. 
 
 10. The tablets being drawn, and the majority of opi¬ 
 nions collected, the praetor proceeded to give judgment, 
 either of condemnation or acquittal. 
 
 11. It sometimes happened, that the people at large 
 were constituted the judges, both of civil and criminal 
 matters, but more especially the latter. When any ma¬ 
 gistrate designed to impeach a person of a crime before 
 tiie whole people, he ascended the rostra *, gave notice 
 of his intention, and fixed the day of trial; the suspected 
 party giving sureties for his appearance, or in default of 
 this he was committed to prison. 
 
 12. On the appointed day, on the appearance of the 
 accused party, the accuser began his charge, and at the 
 
 * A kind of pulpit, so called from being adorned with beaks of 
 ships, called in Latin, rostra. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xxvii 
 
 end of the indictment, mentioned the particular punishment 
 appointed by the law for such an offence. After a number 
 of forms had been gone through, and the accused had made 
 his defence, either by himself or his advocates, a day was 
 appointed for the comitia to meet to pass sentence. 
 
 13. Sometimes, however, the criminal was relieved, 
 either by the interposition of the tribunes in his behalf, by 
 going into voluntary exile, by prevailing on the accuser to 
 relinquish his charge, or by ill omens appearing on the 
 appointed day, by which the assembly was prevented. 
 
 14. The Roman punishments authorised by law were, 
 
 i. Damnum, or fine. 
 
 ii. Vincula, imprisonment and fetters. 
 
 iii. Verbera, or stripes generally inflicted with rods. 
 
 iv. Talio, or the infliction of the same injury that had 
 been done to the accuser, as maiming, or the like. 
 
 v. Ignominia, public shame or penance. 
 
 vi. Exilium, banishment. 
 
 vii. Servitus, or selling into slavery. 
 
 Those which extended to the offender’s life were, 
 
 i. Percussio securi, beheading. 
 
 ii. Strangulatio, strangling, usually performed in prison. 
 
 iii. Praecipitatio de robore—iv. Dejectio e rupe Tar- 
 pei&, throwing the criminal headlong, either from that part 
 of the prison called robur, or from the Tarpeian Rock. 
 
 v. In crucem actio, crucifixion, usually inflicted on 
 slaves or very mean persons. 
 
 vi. Projectio in profluentem, was a punishment pecu¬ 
 liar to the crime of parricide; the criminal, after having 
 been scourged with rods, was sewed into a leathern sack, 
 together with a serpent, an ape, a cock, and a dog, and 
 thrown either into the sea, or a river. 
 
 15. Besides these there were, throwing to wild beasts, 
 scourging to death, the head being placed in a kind of 
 pillory or jurea , and many others devised by the inven¬ 
 tive cruelty of those who possessed power only to abuse it. 
 
 c 2 
 
xxviii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 16. It would not be consistent with the limits assigned 
 to this Introduction, to enter minutely into a descrip¬ 
 tion of the Roman code of laws. At first they were 
 engraved on ten tables of brass, and exposed to public 
 inspection *, and soon after two others were added. 
 
 17. But as the commonwealth increased, both in extent 
 of dominion and in refinement, laws multiplied, till in 
 the reign of Justin'ian there were more than two thou¬ 
 sand distinct volumes on the subject. 18. Thus ren¬ 
 dered almost useless by their immense numbers, that 
 emperor employed the wisest and most learned men in 
 his dominions, in selecting and arranging such as were 
 most valuable; thus composing a system of jurispru¬ 
 dence, which, for its comprehensiveness and utility, has 
 formed the ground-work of civil law in most of the 
 modern slates of Europe, 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. How were judicial proceedings distinguished ? 
 
 2. How were private suits carried on? 
 
 3. What occurred on the day of hearing? 
 
 4. How was sentence given? 
 
 5. To whom belonged judgment in criminal matters? 
 
 6. How was it conducted? 
 
 7. What was the deportment of the criminal ? 
 
 8. What was the first proceeding? 
 
 9. Describe the farther proceedings. 
 
 10. What was the final process? 
 
 11. Were not the people sometimes judges of criminal mat¬ 
 
 ters? 
 
 12. What was the form of proceeding? 
 
 13. Were there not methods of evading judgment ? 
 
 14. What were the Roman punishments? 
 
 15. Were there not others? 
 
 16. What were the Roman laws? 
 
 17. Did not these laws increase? 
 
 18. Was notan abridgment made? 
 
 * Vide History, Chap. xii. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XXIX 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 Of the Roman Art of War. 
 
 Levies of the Foot — Cavalry—Alteration in Us 
 Constitution—Military Oath—Manner of admi¬ 
 nistering it — Evocati — Velites—Hastati Prin- 
 cipes Triarii—Minor Divisions — Legion — Num¬ 
 ber of Horse — Centurions — Tribunes — Legati— 
 Imperator—Practice of devoting himself. 
 ++*-*•*■■*■•*-*■■*■*■*■*■*•'**• 
 
 2. Len'ity, s. mildness. 
 
 7. Affluence, s. riches, wealth. 
 
 1. As soon as tlie consuls were elected, they proceeded 
 to choose twenty-four military tribunes, fourteen from the 
 knights, and ten from the commons ; they then issued an 
 edict, commanding all persons above seventeen years of 
 age to assemble in the area before the capitol; this being 
 done, every tribe was directed to divide into its proper 
 centuries, and out of each century, soldiers were selected 
 by name, for which purpose tables were at hand, in 
 which the name, age, and wealth of every person were 
 exactly described. 2. None were exempt from this levy, 
 except from age, sickness, inability, or a release by 
 public authority. 3. Refusal to serve was usually pu¬ 
 nished by fine, imprisonment, or stripes, according to 
 the Unity or severity of the consul. 
 
 4. The Roman cavalry were called equites *, and their 
 order the equestrian order, from their being allowed a 
 horse at the public charge. Rom ulus originally chose 
 three hundred young men from the noblest families to 
 serve on horseback ; but after the institution of the cen- 
 
 * From equus, a horse. 
 
 c 3 
 
xxx INTRODUCTION. 
 
 sus by Ser'vius Tullus, all persons who were worth four 
 hundred sestertia *, and possessed an unblemished cha¬ 
 racter, had the honour of being admitted into the order 
 of the equiles. 5. On being enrolled, a horse and gold 
 ring were given to each, and he was obliged to appear for 
 the future on horseback, whenever the state had occasion 
 for his services. 6. Thus the Roman army, instead of 
 being composed of the dregs of the state, as is too fre¬ 
 quently the case in modern times, consisted of the most 
 respectable and most virtuous citizens, who fought for the 
 honour of their country, and felt an interest in its pros¬ 
 perity f. 
 
 7. This happy constitution of the cavalry continued till 
 the time of Ma rius ; after that period, the military affairs 
 being new modelled, the knights preferred the enjoyment 
 of ease and affluence at home, to the dangers and fatigues 
 of war abroad ; their places in the army, therefore, were 
 tilled by foreign horse, and the title became a mere ho¬ 
 norary appendage, unconnected with military duty. 
 
 8. The levies being completed, a solemn oath was ad¬ 
 ministered to each soldier in the following manner: 
 
 9. The tribunes of every legion chose one soldier, and 
 administered to him a solemn oath, that he would obey 
 his commanders in all things to the utmost of his power, 
 that he would at all times be ready to attend, and that 
 he would never leave the army without their consent; 
 after he had ended, the rest passing one by one, indivi¬ 
 dually swore to the same effect, exclaiming “ Idem in 
 me," I swear the same. 
 
 10. But besides these ordinary soldiers there were others 
 called evocati, who were held in superior estimation to the 
 others. These w'ere not compelled to remain in the army, 
 but were usually old and experienced soldiers, who had 
 served their legal time, or received particular marks of 
 favour as rewards of valour. In the field they usually 
 
 * *£3,125. f This will not apply to the latter ages of the empire. 
 
XXXI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 guarded the chief standard, being excused from all the 
 military drudgery to which the others were subject. 
 
 11. The whole Roman infantry was divided into four 
 sorts, velites, hastati, principes, and triarii. 
 
 12. The velites were young and inexperienced soldiers, 
 lightly armed, and stationed in loose order before the 
 artnyi to be employed in any occasional service that re. 
 quired swiftness and expedition. 
 
 13. The hastati were so called from the spears which 
 
 they used in battle. 
 
 14. The principes were generally men of middle age 
 and of great vigour ; they composed the second rank. 
 
 15. The triarii were commonly veterans , of long ex¬ 
 perience and approved valour, who composed the third 
 rank, and were considered the main strength and hopes 
 of the army; they are sometimes called pilarii, lrom 
 their weapon, the pilum or javelin. 
 
 1G. Each of these grand divisions, except the velites, 
 was made up of thirty manipuli or companies, and each 
 company of two centuries or ordiues. Three manipuli, 
 one of hastati, one of principes, and one of triarii, com¬ 
 posed a cohors or cohort, and ten cohorts made up a 
 legion. 
 
 17. The number of foot in a legion w as fixed by Rom - 
 ulus at three thousand, though he afterwards increased it 
 to six thousand ; the common number was from four to 
 five thousand, seldom exceeding that standard. 
 
 18. The horse required to every legion was three hun¬ 
 dred, divided into ten turmae or troops, and again every 
 turma into three decuriae, or bodies of ten men. 
 
 19. The principal officers were the centurions, the tri¬ 
 bunes, the legati or generals, and the imperator or com. 
 mander-iu-chief. 
 
 20. Of centurions, there were tw o to every manipulus 
 or company, who had the command of a century each, the 
 
 * Old soldiers. 
 
 c 4 
 
xxxii 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 most honourable of these was called primipilus, and en¬ 
 joyed many signal advantages. 
 
 21. Of tribunes, there were six in every legion, whose 
 business it was to decide all controversies in the army, 
 to give the word to the watch, to take care of the works 
 and camp, and to perform many other duties of an im¬ 
 portant nature ; they were generally of a senatorian or 
 equestrian rank, and had the honour of wearing a gold 
 ri-ng as the equites. 
 
 22. Of legati or generals, there was commonly one to 
 each legion, who commanded in chief under the impe- 
 rator or consul, and in his absence they had the honour 
 of using the fasces, and were intrusted with the whole 
 charge of the army. 
 
 23. The general-in-chief was usually intrusted with 
 great power, by which he was at liberty to carry on the 
 war in any way he thought proper; but the senate re¬ 
 served to itself the right of making peace and decreeing 
 war, unless on very extraordinary occasions. 
 
 24. So highly was the general-in-chief estimated by 
 the ancient Romans, that they firmly believed, if at any 
 time he would consent to be devoted or sacrificed to 
 Jupiter, Mars, the earth, and the infernal gods, certain 
 success would attend the army under his command. 
 
 25. In pursuance of this idea, the two Decii, father 
 and son, devoted themselves for their country’s good • 
 the former in the war against the Latins, the latter in 
 that against the Tuscans; and the event in both cases 
 w as such as to strengthen the idea of its efficacy *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. How were the levies made ? 
 
 2. Who were exempt from military service ? 
 
 3. What was the consequence of refusal to serve? 
 
 Vide History, Chap. xiii. 
 
xxxm 
 
 INTRODUCTION* 
 
 4. Describe the constitution of the Roman cavalry. 
 
 5. What marks of distinction did they enjoy ? 
 
 (5. What was the character of the Roman army ? 
 
 7. How long did this state of things continue ? 
 
 8. What followed the completion of the levies ? 
 
 9 . How was this oath administered ? 
 
 10. Were there not soldiers of superior rank in the army 
 
 11. How were the Roman infantry divided ? 
 
 12. What were the velites ? 
 
 13. ...... hastati? 
 
 . . principes? 
 
 ..triarii ? 
 
 16. Of what were these divisions composed ? 
 
 17. What number composed a legion ? 
 
 18. How many horse were attached to a legion ? 
 
 19. What were the principal officers? 
 
 20. How many centurions were there? 
 
 21.tribunes ? 
 
 22. .legati ? . ,. 
 
 23. What were the powers of the commander-in-chiet r 
 
 24. How was he estimated? 
 
 25. Was this ever practised ? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Of the Roman Arms, Weapons, Order of Battle, 
 Standards , Military Music, &c. 
 
 3. Hide, s. a skin, in this casfe made into leather. 
 i. Cubit, s. one foot nine-tenths. 
 
 8. Mar'shalling, part, setting in order. 
 
 Repul'se, s. a being driven back. 
 
 11. In tervals, s. openings. 
 
 Impetuous, a. tierce. 
 
 14. Tal'ons, s. claws. 
 
 17. Dn'bious, a. doubtful, uncertain* 
 
 22. Haran'gue, v. to make a. speech. 
 
 1. The arms of the legionaries consisted of the sword, 
 the shield, the pilum or dart, the galea or helmet, and 
 the lorica or coat of mail. 
 
 2. The sword was of different forms in different ages ot 
 the commonwealth ; the usual shape was that ot the 
 Turkish scimitar, only sharper at the point: contrary to 
 
 g 5 
 
xxx * v INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the custom of other nations, it was worn at the right side, 
 that it might not be in the way of the shield. 
 
 3. The scutum or shield was of wood, strengthened 
 with iron, and covered with bull’s hide ; in the middle 
 was an iron boss jutting out, which served to glance otf 
 stones or darts, and likewise to press violently upon the 
 enemy. The scutum was about four feet long, guarding 
 nearly the whole body. 
 
 4. The pilum was a kind of javelin, which in a charge 
 they darted at the enemy. Its staff w r as usually about 
 three cubits long, with an iron head hooked and jagged 
 at the end : these were sometimes thrown with such force 
 as to inflict terrible wounds, the hooks at their points 
 preventing their being drawn out. Even when they fixed 
 in the enemies’ shields only, they were a great encum¬ 
 brance, by hindering the free use of their arms. 
 
 5. The galea or helmet, was a head-piece of brass or 
 iron, on the top of which was the crista or crest, com¬ 
 posed of feathers or horse-hair. The helmets of the 
 officers were frequently very splendid and curious, and 
 adorned with gold and silver. 
 
 G. The Iorica, or coat of mail, w as generally of leather 
 covered with scales of iron, silver or gold : sometimes 
 these Iorica w ere composed of several folds of linen quilted 
 together, which formed a very effectual defence. 
 
 7. The arms of the cavalry differed but little from 
 those of the infantry; their shields were smaller and their 
 lances or javelins thicker, with spikes at each end. 
 
 8. In marshalling the army for battle, the hastati 
 were placed in front, in close and firm ranks ; behind 
 them the principes in looser order, and after them the 
 triarii, so w ide apart, that in case of a repulse they could 
 receive both the hastati and principes into their ranks. 
 
 9. The Roman cavalry was posted on the wings, or tw'o 
 extremities of the army, and fought sometimes on foot, 
 sometimes on horseback, as occasion required. 
 
XXXV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 10. The commander-in-chief commonly took his station 
 in the middle of the army, between the principes and tnarn, 
 as the place from whence he could best issue his orders. 
 The legatiand tribunes were usually near his person, unless 
 they were appointed to command any particular part of the 
 army, and the centurions stood, each at the head of his 
 century. The primipili or chief centurions had the honour 
 of standing with the tribunes near the general’s person. 
 
 11 . The engagement bgan with the velites, bowmen, 
 and slingers, who skirmished in flying parties without 
 order, and then fell back in the rear. The hastati next 
 advanced, and, if they found themselves overpowered, 
 gradually retiring, they sheltered themselves among the 
 principes, and in conjunction with them renewed the 
 fight. If the principes and hastati together were too 
 weak to sustain the fury of the battle, they all fell back 
 into the wider intervals of the triarii, and, with united 
 force, made another effort, much more impetuous than 
 before; if this also failed, the day was lost. 12. but 
 this method generally proved successful; for as most 
 other nations drew up their whole army in one front, 
 they must have had strength and resolution sufficient to 
 overcome the Romans in three successive encounters be¬ 
 fore a battle could be decided in their favour. 
 
 12. Besides the regular array already described, the 
 army was sometimes drawn up in the form of a cuneus or 
 wedge, for the purpose of penetrating and breaking the 
 enemy's order of battle. The globus or orb, when the 
 soldiers cast themselves into a round body facing every 
 way, practised usually in cases of extremity, and the forfex 
 or shears, when the ranks resembled that mstrumen 
 this was adopted to receive the cuneus when that form 
 
 was had recourse to by the enemy. 
 
 14. The military ensign common to the whole legion 
 was an eagle of gold and silver, fixed on a spear, holding 
 a thunderbolt in his talons, as just ready to launch it. 
 c 6 
 
XXXvi INTRODUCTION* 
 
 15. Those of the manipuli or companies, were spears 
 with a transverse piece like a cross, on which was a hand, 
 alluding to the word manipulus; beneath was a small 
 round shield, on which was sometimes placed an image 
 of some god, or, in later times, of the emperor. 
 
 16. The ensigns of the horse were like our colours, on 
 which were commonly the names of the emperors in golden 
 or purple letters. 
 
 17. These ensigns were held in the highest veneration 
 and guarded with the utmost care ; hence it was common 
 iu a dubious engagement, for the commanders to snatch 
 the ensigns out of the bearers’ hands and throw them 
 among the enemy, knowing that their men would en¬ 
 counter the extremest danger to recover them. 
 
 18. The military music of the Romans was composed 
 entirely of wind instruments, the principal of which were 
 the tuba, the cornua, and the buccina. 
 
 19. The tuba exactly resembled our trumpet, the cornua 
 and buccina were shaped like the horns of oxen, which 
 were put to the same use in the ruder ages. 
 
 20. In a battle, those belonging to the manipuli took 
 their station by the ensign of their particular company; 
 those common to the whole legiou stood near the chief 
 eagle, and on the word being given by the generals they 
 sounded the alarm, which was followed by all the rest. 
 
 21. Besides this classicum or alarm, the Roman soldiers 
 gave a general shout on making the attack, and increased 
 the dismal clamour, by clashing their arms with great vio¬ 
 lence, to intimidate and dishearten the enemy. 
 
 22. It was customary also, previous to a battle, for the 
 general to harangue his army; for this purpose he had a 
 tribunal erected of green turf, surrounded with the fasces, 
 ensigns, and other military ornaments, and from thence 
 reminded his soldiers of their former achievements, ani¬ 
 mated them by promises of honours and rewards, and set 
 before them the shame and disgrace attendant on cow- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xxxvu 
 
 ardice and neglect of duty : this practice was productive 
 of the most salutary effects, and contributed greatly to 
 the success of the Roman arms. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 1. What were the arms of the legionaries? 
 
 2. Describe the sword. 
 
 3. ........shield. 
 
 4. ..pilum. 
 
 5 . helmet. 
 
 6 .coat of mail. 
 
 7. Did the arms of the cavalry differ from those of the in¬ 
 
 fantry ? 
 
 8. How were the troops arranged for battle? 
 
 9. What was the situation of the cavalry ? 
 
 10. Where were the commander-in-chief, and other prin¬ 
 
 cipal officers, stationed ? 
 
 11. Describe the manner of the engagement. 
 
 12. Was this frequently the case? 
 
 13. Was the method of drawing up the army invariable P 
 
 14. What military ensigns were used ? 
 
 15. What were those of the manipuli? 
 
 16. What ensigns were used by the cavalry ? 
 
 17. Were these ensigns respected by the soldiers ? 
 
 18. Of what did the military music of the Romans consist? 
 
 19. Describe these instruments. 
 
 20. Where were the musicians stationed in a battle ? 
 
 21. Was this the only alarm? 
 
 22. By what means w as the courage of the soldiers excited? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Military Affairs — continued . 
 
 The Roman Camp — Prcetorium — Qucesiorium , Le - 
 gati and Tribunes — Principia—Remaining Divi¬ 
 sions — Fortifications—Duties of the Soldiers — 
 Military Punishments — Decimation—Minor Pu¬ 
 nishments — Military Rewards—Hasta pnra — 
 Armillce — Torques — Phalerce — Vexillce — Co - 
 Vona Civica—Corona Mur alls—Corona Cas• 
 
T 
 
 XXXViii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 trensis—Corona Navalis—Corona Obsidionalis — 
 Corona Triumphalis — Ovation — Triumph — 
 Triumph of Paulus JEmilius, fyc. 
 
 1. Pavirion, s. tent of a superior nature. 
 
 7. Intrench'mcnts, s. banks of earth thrown out from the ditches. 
 Vi"gilance, s. w atchfulness, care. 
 
 10. Mu'tiny, s. rebellion. 
 
 Mi'nor, a. lesser. 
 
 11. Delinquent, s. a criminal. 
 
 Aver'ted, part, prevented, turned aside. 
 
 15. Re"tinue, s. attendants. 
 
 20. Wains, s. waggons. 
 
 22. Magnitude, s. greatness, large size. 
 
 25. Di'adem, s. a crown ; sometimes it was only a fillet adorned 
 with jewels. 
 
 1. The Roman camp was usually square, in the upper 
 part of which were the general’s pavilion , and the lodg¬ 
 ment of the chief officers ; in the lower, the tents of the 
 common soldiers, both horse and foot. 
 
 2. The general’s tent was called the pra?torium, on the 
 right side of which stood the quaestorium, assigned to the 
 quaestor or treasurer of the army; near this was the forum, 
 serving, not only for the sale of commodities, but for the 
 meeting of councils, and giving audience to ambassadors. 
 
 3. On the other side of the praetorium, the legati or 
 lieutenant-generals were lodged, and below the praeto- 
 rium, the tribunes opposite their proper legions. 
 
 4. Between the tw o partitions was a spot of ground 
 about a hundred feet in length, called principia, where 
 stood the altars and statues of the gods. 
 
 5. The middle of the lower partition was assigned to 
 the Roman horse, next to them were the triarii, then the 
 principes, next the hastati, afterwards the foreign horse, 
 and lastly the foreign foot. 
 
 6. The camp was fortified with a ditch called fossa, 
 and a parapet called vallum. 
 
 7. The duties of the soldiers consisted principally in 
 keeping watch and guard, casting up intrenchments, and 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xxxix 
 
 other laborious services; and so strict was the Roman dis¬ 
 cipline, that a departure from the necessary vigilance was 
 punished with death: to detect this, the watch was visited 
 at uncertain times, either by a party of horse, by the tri¬ 
 bunes, and legati, or by the general himself. 
 
 8. Besides these employments, they were exercised in 
 walking, running, leaping, vaulting, swimming, and using 
 their weapons. 
 
 9. The military punishments were, beating with rods, 
 or bastinading with fustes or clubs; this latter was gene¬ 
 rally fatal, as the offender was obliged to run between 
 the soldiers, drawn up in two ranks, who had liberty to 
 kill him if they could, so that he was soon despatched. 
 
 10. When a whole company or legion had offended by 
 mutiny , deserting of their colours, or the like, it was 
 usual to decimate them, that is, to put every tenth man 
 to death without reprieve. 
 
 11. The minor punishments were, public shame, de¬ 
 gradation, giving the delinquent barley instead of wheat, 
 taking away his belt, &c. &c. 
 
 12. Military rewards were numerous, though not al¬ 
 ways of intrinsic value ; as. 
 
 The hasta pura or fine spear, made of wood without 
 any iron upon it; this was a very honourable reward 
 for him who had killed an enemy in a skirmish *. 
 
 The armillae or bracelets, given for some signal ser¬ 
 vice to native Romans only. 
 
 The torques, golden and silver collars, wreathed with 
 curious art and beauty. 
 
 The phalerae or rich horse trappings. 
 
 The vexillae, banners of different colours, worked in 
 silk, or some other curious materials. 
 
 13. Corona civica, a crown composed of oaken boughs, 
 and given to the soldier who had saved the life of a Roman 
 citizen ; it was the most honourable of crowns, and when 
 those who wore it entered any public place, the whole 
 
 * Vide History, Chapter xii. 
 
xi 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 assembly rose up to do them honour; they were per¬ 
 mitted likewise to take their place among the senators, 
 however low their station in life might be. 
 
 Corona muralis, a crown of gold given to him who in 
 an assault first scaled the walls of the city, and there¬ 
 fore it bore some resemblance to a wall. 
 
 Corona castrensis or vallaris, a crown of gold, the reward 
 of him who had first entered the enemy’s intrenchments. 
 
 Corona navalis or rostrata, a crown of gold set round 
 with figures resembling the beaks of ships, the reward of 
 those who had signalized themselves at sea. 
 
 Corona obsidionalis, a crown composed of the grass 
 growing in a besieged place, presented to the general 
 who had relieved it, or raised the siege. 
 
 Corona triumphalis, a crown of laurel, worn by those 
 generals who had enjoyed the honour of a triumph. It 
 was in after ages made of gold. 
 
 14. Of triumphal processions there were two kinds: one 
 called ovation, from ovis, the sheep usually offered in this 
 solemnity; the other, the triumph, by way of eminence. 
 
 15. The lesser triumph or ovation, was decreed to the 
 general who had averted a threatened war by negotiation, 
 or acquired any advantages without bloodshed. The pro. 
 cession generally commenced at the Albanian mountain, 
 from whence the general, with his reti'nue , entered the 
 city on foot, marching to the sound of flutes or pipes, 
 and wearing a garland of myrtle, the emblem of peace. 
 
 16. The greater triumph, by far the most noble and 
 splendid procession, was reserved for those generals, 
 wdio, by hard-earned victories and glorious achievements, 
 had added to the territories of the commonwealth, or 
 delivered the state from threatened danger. 17. Plu¬ 
 tarch having left us a circumstantial description of the 
 triumph of Paulus yEmifius, on putting an end to the 
 Macedonian war, it will serve to give the reader a just 
 idea of that pompous and imposing ceremony. 
 
 18 . The people erected scaffolds in the forum and 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xli 
 
 circus, and all other parts of the city where they could 
 best behold the pomp. The spectators were clad in 
 white garments, all the temples were open and full of 
 garlands and perfumes; the ways cleared and cleansed 
 by a great many officers, who drove away such as 
 thronged the passage, or straggled up and down. 
 
 19. The triumph lasted three days ; on the first, which 
 was scarce long enough for the sight, were to be seen the 
 statues, pictures, and images of an extraordinary size, 
 which were taken from the enemy, drawn upon seven hun¬ 
 dred and fifty chariots. 20. On the second was carried in 
 a great many wains , the fairest and richest armour of the 
 Macedonians, both of brass and steel, all newly furbished 
 and glittering: which, although piled up with the greatest 
 art and order, yet seemed to be tumbled on heaps care¬ 
 lessly and by chance ; helmets were thrown on shields, 
 coats of mail upon greaves ; Cretan targets and Thracian 
 bucklers, and quivers of arrows, lay huddled among the 
 horses’ bits; and through these appeared the points of 
 naked swords, intermixed with long spears. 21, All 
 these arms were tied together with such a just liberty, 
 that they knocked against one another as they were drawn 
 along, and made a harsh and terrible noise, so that the 
 very spoils of the conquered could not be beheld without 
 dread. 22. After these waggons loaded with armour, 
 there followed three thousand men, who carried the silver 
 that was coined, in seven hundred and fifty vessels, each 
 of which weighed three talents, and was carried by four 
 men. Others brought silver bowls, and goblets, and 
 cups, all disposed iu such order as to make the best show, 
 and all valuable, as well for their magnitude as the thick¬ 
 ness of their engraved work. 23. On the third day, early 
 in the morning, first came the trumpeters, who did not 
 sound as they were w ont in a procession or solemn entry, 
 but such a charge as the Romans use when they encou¬ 
 rage their soldiers to fight, Next followed young men. 
 
xlii 
 
 INTRODUCTION, 
 
 girt about with girdles curiously wrought, who led to the 
 sacrifice one hundred and twenty stalled oxen, with their 
 horns gilded, and their heads adorned with ribbons and 
 garlands, and with these were boys that carried dishes of 
 silver and gold. 24. After these was brought the gold 
 coin, which was divided into vessels that weighed three 
 talents each, like to those that contained the silver; they 
 were in number fourscore, wanting three. These were fol¬ 
 lowed by those that brought the consecrated bowl which 
 iEmil'ius caused to be made, that weighed ten talents, and 
 was adorned with precious stones. 25. Then were exposed 
 to view the cups of Antig onus and Seleu'cus, and such as 
 were made after the fashion invented by The'ricles, and all 
 the gold plate that was used at Per'seus’s table. Next to 
 these came Perseus’s chariot, in which his armour was 
 placed, and on that his diadem. 26. After a little inter¬ 
 mission the kings children were led captives, and with 
 them a train of nurses, masters, and governors, who all 
 wept, and stretched forth their hands to the spectators, | 
 and taught the little infants to beg and in treat their com¬ 
 passion. 27. There were two sons and a daughter, who, 
 by reason of their tender age, were altogether insensible of 
 vhe greatness of their misery ; which insensibility of their 
 condition rendered it much more deplorable, insomuch 
 that Perseus himself was scarce regarded as he went 
 along, whilst pity had fixed the eyes of the Romans upon 
 the infants, and many of them could not forbear tears; 
 all beheld the sight w r ith a mixture of sorrow and joy until 
 the children were past. 23. After his children and at. i 
 
 tendants came Per seus himself, clad in black, and wearing i 
 
 slippers after the fashion of his country; he looked like one 
 altogether astonished, and deprived of reason, through the 
 greatness of his misfortune. 29. Next followed a great 
 company of his friends and familiars, whose countenances ' 
 were disfigured with grief, and who testilied to all that 
 beheld them, by their tears, and their continual looking 
 
INTRODUCTION. xliii 
 
 upon Per seus, that it was his hard fortune they so much 
 lamented, and that they were regardless of their own. 
 30. After these were carried four hundred crowns of gold, 
 sent from the cities by their respective ambassadors to 
 /Emil'ius, as a reward due to his valour. 31. Then he 
 himself came seated on a chariot magnificently adorned, 
 (a man worthy to be beheld even without these ensigns of 
 power) clad in a garland of purple interwoven with gold, 
 and with a laurel branch in his right hand. 32. All the 
 army in like manner, with boughs of laurel in their hands, 
 and divided into bands and companies,followed the chariot 
 of their commander ; some singing odes according to the 
 usual custom, mingled with raillery, others songs of tri¬ 
 umph and the praises of iEtnil'ius’s deeds, who was admired 
 and accounted happy by all men, yet unenvied by every 
 one that was good. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was the form of the Roman camp? 
 
 2. What were the pavilions of the officers called, and in what 
 
 part of the camp were they situated ? 
 
 3. Who were lodged on the other side of the praetoriura? 
 
 4. What part of the camp was devoted to religious purposes? 
 
 5. How were the soldiers disposed? 
 fl. How was the camp fortified ? 
 
 7. What were the duties of the soldiers? 
 
 8. Had they no other employments? 
 
 9. What were the Roman military punishments? 
 
 10. How were mutiny and desertion punished? 
 
 11. Were there not minor punishments? 
 
 12. What were the military rewards? 
 
 13. Describe the honorary crowns. 
 
 14. How many kinds of triumph were there ? 
 
 15. Describe the lesser triumph. 
 
 16. For whom was the great triumph reserved ? 
 
 17. Who has left a circumstantial description of it? 
 
 18. What were the preparations for the ceremony ? 
 
 19. How long did it last, and in what way commence? 
 
 20. What was next displayed? 
 
 21. How were these arms fastened together? 
 
x ^ v INTRODUCTION. 
 
 22. What came next in the procession ? 
 
 23. How did tlie third daj r commence? 
 
 24. Proceed with the description. 
 
 25. What came next? 
 
 26. Hid not the captives form a part of the procession? 
 
 27. What rendered this sight particularly affecting-? 
 
 28. Who followed the children ? 
 
 29. By whom was he attended? 
 
 30. AVhat farther magnificent trophies were exhibited? 
 
 31. Who was the next personage that appeared? 
 
 32. By whom was he followed ? 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 Military and Naval Affairs continued. 
 
 Ceremony of denouncing War—making a League or 
 Alliance—Manner of besieging a Town — Resist¬ 
 ance of the Besieged— Turres Mobiles—Testudo— 
 Aries or Ram Balista, Catapulta, and Scorpio — 
 Origin of the Roman Navy—of the different Rates 
 of their Ships—of the Turrit a; and Rostra. 
 
 2. Atti'red, part, dressed. 
 
 Con'fines, s. borders. 
 
 Im'precating, part, calling down, desiring with heavy curses 
 4. Vouchsafe, v. to grant. 
 
 Vi'olent, v. to break. 
 
 6. Tu'telar, a. guardian. 
 
 7. Ramparts, $. walls, fortifications. 
 
 8. Countermined, part, dug mines opposed to those of the 
 
 besiegers. 
 
 10. Wicker work, s. basket work. 
 
 15. For inidable, a. to be feared, powerful. 
 
 17. Annoy, v. to injure. 
 
 1. The ceremonies of denouncing war, entering into an 
 alliance, or concluding a peace, were, among the Romans, 
 attended with many superstitious observances, performed, 
 for the most part, by the feciales or heralds, who were 
 public officers appointed for that particular purpose. 
 
 2. When any cause of complaint, either real or pre¬ 
 tended, arose against any neighbouring state, one of these 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xlv 
 
 officers, attired in a peculiar habit, repaired to the con¬ 
 fines of the enemy’s country, and there formally declared 
 the intention of his arrival, calling all the gods to witness 
 the justice of his cause, and imprecating the divine ven¬ 
 geance, if his assertions were false. 3. This was repeated 
 in the chief city of the enemy, with a demand of satisfac¬ 
 tion ; if this was obtained, he returned to Rome ; if time 
 to deliberate was required, he went away for ten days, 
 and then came again to hear their resolution : this was 
 sometimes repeated three times; but if at the end of thirty 
 days, no satisfaction was obtained, war was declared by 
 throwing a spear into the enemy’s country, and by a set 
 form of defiance. 4. In making a league or alliance, rhe 
 herald took up a stone, and pronounced these words, It 
 I keep my faith, may the gods vouchsafe their assistance 
 and give me success ; if, on the contrary, I violate it, then 
 may the other party be entirely safe, and preserved in 
 their country, in their possessions, and, in a word, in all 
 their rights and liberties; and may I perish and fall alone, 
 as now this stone does;” and then he let the stone fall 
 out of his hands. 
 
 5. The Romans seldom attempted the siege of strong 
 towns, as consuming too much time, but generally pre¬ 
 ferred the shorter, though more hazardous, method of tak¬ 
 ing them by storm*. 6. When, however, circumstances 
 rendered it desirable or necessary, they began by inviting 
 the tutelary deities of the place, to forsake it and come 
 over to their side, as thinking it a heinous act of impiety 
 to fight against the gods; this was called evocatio deorum 
 tutelarium. 7. They then made use of every means that 
 art could devise, to overcome the resistance of the be- 
 sieged: they battered the walls with rams and other 
 engines, they dug an entrance under the wall, which was 
 called mining, and built wooden towers from which they 
 
 * By a sudden and violent attack. 
 
HHpP^PPPiHH 
 
 xlvi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 laid'platforms to the top of the ramparts , and thus engaged 
 hand to hand with the enemy. 
 
 8. Nor were the besieged on their part idle; they 
 countermined, and thus frequently met with their enemies 
 and fought battles underground; they put the most 
 stinking combustibles that could be procured into barrels, 
 and having set them on fire, rolled them down among 
 the assailants, that the noisomeness of the stench might 
 oblige them to quit their stations. Their towers, rams, 
 and other engines, they frequently burnt. 
 
 9. The turres mobiles w 7 ere moveable towers, consist¬ 
 ing of several stories furnished with engines, ladders, 
 casting bridges, &c. and moving on wheels for the pur¬ 
 pose of being brought near the walls. 
 
 10. The testudo, the musculus, and the vinea, were 
 engines composed of wicker work, with a sloping roof to 
 shelter the soldiers in their approach to the walls; they 
 either went on wheels, or were supported by poles car¬ 
 ried with the hands. 11. The testudo was likewise a 
 figure into which the soldiers sometimes cast themselves, 
 the first rank standing upright, the next rank stooping a 
 little, and the others lower and lower, till the last rank 
 kneeled; then covering their heads with their shields, 
 they formed a kind of sloping roof, resembling the shell 
 of a tortoise, from whence its name. 
 
 12. The aries, or ram, was a long beam, like the mast 
 of a ship, having an iron head resembling that of a ram ; 
 this was hung from a cross beam supported by strong 
 posts, and being equally balanced, was violently driven 
 forward by a great number of men, and thus, by repeated 
 strokes, the firmest wall was beaten down. 13. The 
 balista was an engine for throwing great stones, which it 
 did with a force almost equal to that of cannon in modern 
 times. The catapulta threw a great number of very 
 large spears and darts with astonishing force and velocity, 
 
 while the scorpion discharged those of a smaller size. 
 
 * 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xlvii 
 
 14. Although Rome was conveniently situated for ma¬ 
 ritime affairs, she wholly neglected them for many ages; 
 and though at length An'cus Martius built Ostia at the 
 mouth of the Tiber, for a port, yet the Romans possessed 
 no naval force till the first Punic war. 15. Finding, how¬ 
 ever, from the continual depredations to which the coast 
 of Italy lay exposed, that a fleet w as essentially necessary 
 for their security, they set about building a number of 
 ships of war, taking for their model a Carthaginian vessel 
 that had been stranded on their shores *. From this time 
 they became as formidable by sea, as they had previously 
 been by land. 
 
 16. The ships of war, called naves longae, were deno¬ 
 minated from the number of banks of oars one above 
 another, which they contained ; thus a ship with three 
 banks was called a trireme, four banks quadrireme, and 
 five banks a quinquereme; these were the usual rates, 
 but we sometimes read of moneres, biremes, hexeres, 
 hepteres, and octeres. 
 
 17. Some of these ships were called turritae, from their 
 having turrets or towers built on their decks, from whence 
 to annoy the enemy ; others rostratae, from the rostra or 
 beaks, with which their prows were furnished for the 
 purpose of sinking the ships of their adversaries. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. In what manner did the Romans denounce war? 
 
 2. Describe the ceremonies observed on declaring war. 
 
 3. Was this the whole? 
 
 4. How did they form an alliance? 
 
 5. Were the Romans expert in sieges? 
 
 6. How did they conduct them when obliged to undertake 
 
 them ? 
 
 7. What were their next proceedings? 
 
 8. How were they opposed ? 
 
 9. What were the towers ? 
 
 Vide History, Chapter xiv. 
 
xlviii 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 10. What other engines were used ? 
 
 11. Was not another device called the testudo ? 
 
 12. Describe the ram. 
 
 13.balista, catapulta, and scorpion. 
 
 14. Were the Romans formidable at sea ? 
 
 15. What occasioned their becoming so? 
 
 1G. How were their ships denominated ? 
 
 17. Had they not other denominations ? 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 Of the Public Games . 
 
 Ludi Circenses and Ludi Scenici — Pentalhlum — 
 Discus — Cestus—Chariot Races — Bigce , Qua - 
 drigce , and Ludus Trojce—Wild Beasts — Bes - 
 tiarii — Naumachice — Gladiators — Reliarii — Se- 
 cut ores —Description of the Combats, fyc. 
 
 5. San'guinary, a. bloody. 
 
 6. Ve'hement, a. violent. 
 
 10. Evolutions, s. changes of form and place. 
 
 11. Celestial, a. heavenly. 
 
 16. Ma'ritime, a. belonging to the sea. 
 
 18. Im'molating, part, slaying for sacrifice. 
 
 19. Vi'ed, v . contended. 
 
 20. Refractory, a. troublesome, disobedient. 
 
 21. Pu'ny, a. small, trilling. 
 
 23. Tri'dent, s. a spear with three points. 
 
 24. Depicted, part, painted. 
 
 1. The public games of the Romans were divided into 
 the ludi circenses * and ludi scenici f. 
 
 2. Of the ludi circenses, the principal were the pentath- 
 lurn, chariot races, ludus trojae, combats of wild beasts. 
 
 * So called from their having originally been exhibited in the 
 circus. 
 
 f Theatrical representations. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xlhc 
 
 and of gladiators, and the naumachire. The pentathlum, 
 as well as most of the Roman sports, was borrowed from 
 the Grecian games, and consisted of running, wrestling, 
 leaping, throwing, and boxing. 
 
 3. As the three first mentioned sufficiently explain 
 themselves, a brief description of the last two will alone 
 be necessary. 
 
 4. Throwing was generally performed with a discus, or 
 quoit, of an oval shape, made of stone, iron, or copper, 
 five or six fingers broad, and more than a foot long; this 
 the player threw to a vast distance, by means of a leathern 
 thong fastened round his hand. This game appears to 
 have been of very ancient origin, as it was with a discus, 
 or quoit, that Apollo is said to have accidentally killed 
 his favourite Hyacinth *. 
 
 5. The cestus were leathern guards for the hands, com¬ 
 posed of thongs, and commonly loaded with iron or lead, 
 to add force and weight to the blow; this kind of combat 
 is most admirably described by Virgil f, and appears to 
 have been attended with very sanguinary consequences. 
 
 6. The chariot races w>ere in high request among the 
 people of Rome, and occasioned factions as vehement as 
 the most interesting political question ever did, some fa¬ 
 vouring one company of charioteers and some another. 
 
 7. These companies, of which there were four, were 
 distinguished by their colours, the green, the red, the 
 white, and the blue; to these Domit'ian added the 
 golden and the purple. 
 
 8. The chariots were named bigae, quadrigae, &c. from 
 the number of horses yoked to them : these were always 
 arranged abreast, however numerous; and Sueto'nius 
 assures us that, at the Olympic games, Nero made use 
 of a decemjugis, or a chariot drawn by ten horses thus 
 yoked; the same emperor likew ise caused camels to run 
 
 * Ovid. Metam. lib. 10. 
 
 d 
 
 f iEn. 5. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 i 
 
 in the circus; and Heliogab'alus made use of elephaftts 
 for the same purpose. 
 
 9. In these races the charioteers displayed great skill 
 in keeping at a just distance from the metae, or marks, 
 and from one another; for if they approached too near, 
 they were in danger of dashing their chariot in pieces, 
 and if they kept at too great a distance, it gave an op¬ 
 portunity for their bolder adversary to fetch a narrow 
 compass, and thus get before them. 
 
 10. The ludus trojae, or Trojan game, is said to have 
 been the invention cf Asca'nius, the son of iEne'as; it 
 was celebrated by boys, selected for the most part from 
 noble families, and furnished with horses and arms suited 
 to their age: their captain had the honourable title of 
 Priuceps Juventatis, or prince of the youth; and they 
 imitated all the evolutions of a regular battle. This sport 
 is beautifully described by Virgil, in his fifth lEneid. 
 
 11. The shows of wild beasts were chiefly in honour of 
 Diana, the goddess of hunting, and no cost was spared 
 to render them worthy of her celestial patronage; for 
 this purpose the rarest animals were procured from every 
 part of the world, as crocodiles, birds, &c. to gratify 
 curiosity; lions, tigers, leopards, &c. for the combat, 
 and other creatures for the amusement and use of the 
 people, who were allowed to catch as many as they 
 could; of this kind were deer, hares, and the like. 
 
 12. When the people were invited to this latter sport, 
 the middle of the circus was set all over with large trees > 
 removed thither at a vast charge for the purpose, so as 
 to make it resemble a forest. 
 
 13. The combats between wild beasts were exhibited 
 with great variety: sometimes a tiger being matched with 
 a lion, sometimes a lion with a bull, a bull with an ele¬ 
 phant, a rhinoceros with a bear, &c. sometimes a deer 
 was hunted in the arena with dogs, &c ; but the most 
 wonderful sight was, when, by bringing the water into 
 
 6 
 
INTRODUCTION. li 
 
 the amphitheatre, huge sea-monsters were introduced to 
 combat with wild beasts. 
 
 14. The men that engaged with wild beasts were called 
 bestiarii; some of whom were condemned persons, others 
 hired, as the gladiators; and sometimes even the nobility 
 and gentry voluntarily engaged in these dangerous en¬ 
 counters. 
 
 15. So splendid were these shows become in the latter 
 ages of the republic, and under the emperors, thatPom- 
 pey is said to have exhibited at once, five hundred lions 
 and eighteeu elephants ; and Julius Caesar to have op¬ 
 posed twenty unarmed elephants to five hundred foot, 
 and twenty elephants with turrets on their backs, de¬ 
 fended by sixty men each, to five hundred horse and as 
 many foot. 
 
 16. The naumachiae, or naval combats, were instituted 
 when the Romans began to turn their attention towards 
 maritime affairs, for the purpose of acquiring naval ex¬ 
 perience and discipline. 17. The places where these 
 shows were exhibited, are supposed to have resembled 
 the circi in shape, having a sufficient depth of water for 
 the largest vessels to ride in safety. The exhibition was 
 sometimes a bloodless one, but too frequently all the 
 horrors of a real fight were displayed, and the water be¬ 
 came distained with the blood shed for the amusement 
 of the Roman people. 
 
 18. The combats of gladiators owe their origin to the 
 barbarous custom of immolating human victims at the 
 funerals of great men; a custom that was supposed to 
 be pleasing to the manes of the deceased, but from 
 which humanity recoils with horror. 
 
 19. The people becoming, by degrees, exceedingly 
 delighted with these sanguinary entertainments, every 
 candidate for an office of importance, and the heir of 
 any rich citizen newly deceased, usually vied with each 
 other in gratifying this barbarous propensity; as for the 
 
 d 2 
 
lii 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 emperors, it was so much their interest to ingratiate 
 themselves with the commonalty, that they obliged them 
 with these shows almost upon ail occasions. 
 
 20. The gladiators were usually captives taken in war, 
 or refractory slaves sold by their masters to the lanistae, 
 or persons who trained them for the combat; yet, in the 
 more degenerate ages of the empire, it was not unusual 
 for freemen, and even senators, to engage in this dan¬ 
 gerous and disgraceful employment. 
 
 21. At first the numbers engaged were small, perhaps 
 not more than two or three pair; but as the appetite 
 for blood grows by feeding, it was not satisfied with so 
 puny a gratification: accordingly we are told that Julius 
 Csesar, in his aedileship, presented three hundred and 
 twenty pair. Titus exhibited a show of gladiators, nau- 
 machiae, and wild beasts, that lasted one hundred days; 
 and Trajan one of a similar kind, for one hundred and 
 twenty-three days, in which he brought out a thousand 
 pair of gladiators ; indeed, so numerous were they in the 
 time of Pompey, that Spartacus, one of their number, 
 was enabled to raise an army of seventy thousand men 
 among the gladiators only, and to maintain a war of 
 some years with the whole Roman state. 
 
 2*2. The several kinds of gladiators were denominated 
 from the arms they used. Of these the most remarkable 
 were the retiarii and the secutores. 
 
 23. The retiarius* was dressed in a short coat, having 
 a trident, or spear with three points, in his left hand, and 
 a net on his right, with which he endeavoured to en¬ 
 tangle his adversary, that with his trident he might dis¬ 
 patch him. On his head he wore a hat, tied under his 
 chin with a broad ribbon. 
 
 24. The secutorf was armed with a buckler and hel¬ 
 met, on which a fish was depicted , in allusion to the net; 
 his weapon w ? as a scimitar, and he w^as called Secutor, 
 
 * From rete, a net. 
 
 f Follower. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 liii 
 
 because if the retiarius should fail in casting his net, he 
 attempted by flight to gain time for another throw ; this 
 the secutor endeavoured to prevent by following him 
 with all possible speed. 
 
 25. On the day appointed for the show, the gladiators 
 were brought out altogether, and obliged to take a cir¬ 
 cuit round the arena, in a very solemn and pompous 
 manner. After this they were matched as equally as 
 possible, and proceeded to skirmish at first with harm¬ 
 less weapons, till, at the sound of the trumpet, they en¬ 
 tered upon more desperate and fatal encounters. 
 
 26. When either of the combatants received a serious 
 wound, his adversary, or the people, usually exclaimed, 
 with shouts, hoc habet , he has it ; and when any one 
 was disabled from continuing the fight, he suppli¬ 
 cated the pity of the spectators: if they accorded it, 
 and granted him his life, they expressed their assent by 
 clenching the fingers of both hands between one another, 
 and holding the thumbs upright; but if the spectators 
 considered that he had displayed little skill, courage, 
 and agility, they sealed his doom by bending back their 
 thumbs, when he was instantly stabbed by his adversary. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. How were the public games of the Romans divided ? 
 
 2. What were the ludi circenses? 
 
 3. Can you describe them? 
 
 4. How was throwing performed? 
 
 5. What was the cestus? 
 
 6. Were the chariot races admired hf the Romans? 
 
 7. How were these companies distinguished? 
 
 8. How were the chariots denominated ? 
 
 9. Was much skill requisite in these races ? 
 
 10. What was the lujus trqjae ? 
 
 11. Describe the shows of wild beasts ? 
 
 12. How was this latter sport prepared ? 
 
 13^ In what way were the combats of wild beasts exhibited „ 
 14. Who were the men that engaged with them? 
 
 d 3 
 
uv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 mucdl ma g n ificence displayed in these shows? 
 
 16. When were the naumachiae instituted ? 
 
 17. Where and in what manner were they exhibited ? 
 
 18. What was the origin of the combats of gladiators ? 
 
 ™ 5£ W dld they becorae th e amusement of the Romans? 
 
 20. Who were the the gladiators ? 
 
 21. Were many engaged at once? 
 
 22. How were they denominated? 
 
 23. Describe the retiarius. 
 
 24- .. secutor. 
 
 25. How did these sports commence ? 
 
 26. Proceed with a description of these games. 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Of the Public Games — continued . 
 
 Of Tragedy and Comedy—First rude Attempts— 
 Livius Andronicus — Cothurnus’-Sock—Persona 
 dhorus -Ludi Meg alenses — Ludi Cereulis — 
 Ludi Florales—Ludi Martiales—Ludi Apolli - 
 nares—Ludi Capitolini *—Ludi Romani —Ludi 
 Consuales—Ludi Sceculares, &c. 
 
 2. Cen turies, s. periods of one hundred years. 
 
 Extern pore, ad. without being previously studied. 
 
 3. Legit imate, a. regular, (lawful). 
 
 Subordinate, a, inferior, in a lower rank. 
 
 t' £PP er )' da &es, s. things attached to another. 
 
 6. Eflem mate, a. womanish, not manly. 
 
 17. Miner'va, s. the daughter of Jupiter, and goddess of war 
 and wisdom. 
 
 19. Plu to, s. brother of Jupiter, and god of hell. 
 
 Fros'erpine, 8 . daughter of Jupiter and Ceres, and wife of 
 Pluto. 
 
 Ju no, s. sister and wife of Jupiter, and queen of gods and 
 men. 
 
 Apol'lo, s. son of Jupiter and Latona, and god of music, 
 medicine, and poetry. 
 
 Dian a, s. sister of Apollo, and goddess of hunting. 
 
 Ce'res, s. goddess of agriculture, or the cultivation of the 
 
INTRODUCTION. lv 
 
 Par'c©, s. the Fates ; their names were Clotho, Lachesis, anti 
 Atropos, and they determined whatever was to happen. 
 Lato'na, «. tho mother of Apollo and Diana. 
 
 1. The ludi scenipi, or stage plays, are most properly 
 divided into tragedy and cornedy, all other kinds being 
 merely varieties of one or the other of these species. 
 
 2. For some centuries after the building of the city, 
 the Romans were unacquainted with scenic representa¬ 
 tions, and when at length they attempted something of 
 the kind, it was merely a rude sort of satirical dialogue, 
 framed extempore by the actors, in which, with no very 
 delicate or gentle hand, they lashed the vices of the age. 
 This by degrees became more refined, and adorned with 
 music and dancing. 
 
 3. About the year of Rome five hundred and fourteen, 
 Liv'ius Andron'icus, a Greek by birth, introduced the 
 legitimate tragedy and comedy; and from that time the 
 Romans abandoned their old diversions ot satires, or at 
 least rendered them subordinate to this more noble spe¬ 
 cies of amusement. 
 
 4. The Roman tragedy and comedy were wholly bor¬ 
 rowed from the Greeks : and though in many respects 
 they resembled ours, yet they had some appendages 
 which have long ceased to be in use; to these, the prin¬ 
 cipal were the buskin, the sock, the mask, and the 
 chorus. 
 
 5. The cothur'nus, or buskin, peculiar to tragedy, was 
 a high sort of boot, which made the actors appear above 
 the ordinary height of mortals, and by rendering them 
 incapable of moving otherwise than slowly, gave them 
 that grave and stately air, which subjects of that nature 
 required. 
 
 6. The soci, were a kind of light covering for the feet, 
 which, from their effeminate appearance, suited the cha¬ 
 racters usually represented in comedy. 7. That it was 
 
 d 4 
 
I?* JNTROOUCTION. 
 
 accounted scandalous for men to wear them, appears 
 from the severe censures bestowed by Sen'eca on Calig'- 
 ula, for sitting in judgment with a rich pair of socks on 
 his feet. 
 
 From the vast size of the Roman theatres, the spec¬ 
 tators could hot distinctly perceive the gestures of the 
 actors, nor hear their words. The persona, or mask, 
 therefore, was invented to remedy these defects, by re¬ 
 presenting the features on a larger scale, and by ren¬ 
 dering the voice clearer and fuller; for this latter rea¬ 
 son, the word persona is supposed to be derived from 
 persono , to sound through. Unlike the modern mask, 
 they covered the heads, and had hair fastened to them. 
 
 9. The chorus was usually a company of actors, which 
 remained on the stage during the performances, and 
 conversed on the subject in the intervals of the acts. 
 This is wholly dropped in the modern drama, and its 
 place supplied by music. 
 
 10. The sacred games were instituted in honour of 
 several deities, and were as follows : 
 
 11. The Lu'di Megalen'ses, were instituted in honour 
 of the mother of the gods, and lasted six days from the 
 day before the nones of April, to the ides. No servant 
 was allowed to bear a part in the celebration. 
 
 12. The Lu'di Cerea'les, in honour of Ceres, were 
 held from the day before the ides of April for eight days. 
 In these games the matrons represented the grief of Ce'res 
 for the loss of her daughter Proserpine, and her travels 
 in search of her. The games of the circus, and splendid 
 processions, formed part of the ceremony. 
 
 13. Lu'di FI or ales, sacred to Flo'ra, and celebrated 
 every spring, to beg a blessing on the grass, trees, and 
 flowers, were distinguished by the most indecent cere¬ 
 monies, women running up and down naked, sometimes 
 dancing, sometimes fighting, or acting the mimic. 
 
 14. Lu di Mar tiales, in honour of Mars, were held 
 
INTRODUCTION. • lvii 
 
 twice a year, on the fourth of the ides of May, and on 
 the calends of August. The sports of the circus alone 
 distinguished this festival. 
 
 15. Lu'di Apollina'res, in honour of Apollo, w ere held 
 on no particular day, but when the praetor thought fit. 
 On this festival, the people sat in the circus crowned 
 with laurel, the 'gates w'ere set open, and the day kept 
 sacred with all manner of ceremonies. 
 
 16. Lu'di Capitoli'ui, in honour of Jupiter Capitolinus, 
 on account of his temple having been preserved from the 
 Gauls. 
 
 17. Lu'di Ro'mani, w ere games instituted at the first 
 building of the circus, by Tarquinius Priscus, in honour 
 of Ju'piter, Juno, and Miner'va. 
 
 18. Lu'di Consua'les, were the games instituted by 
 Romulus for the surprise of the Sabine virgins. They 
 were celebrated yearly, on the twelfth of the calends ot 
 September, consisting principally of horse-races, and 
 encounters in the circus. 
 
 19. Lu'di Saecula'res, the most remarkable games 
 among the Romans, w ere celebrated once in one hundred 
 years, to the honour of Pluto, Pro 1 ser pine, Juno , 
 Apollo, Diana, Ct'res , and the Parce, or three sisters. 
 The manner of the solemnity was as follows : 
 
 20. In the first place, the heralds received orders to 
 make an invitation of the w hole world to come to a feast 
 which they had never as yet seen, and should never see 
 again. 21. Some few days before the beginning of the 
 games, the quindecemviri, taking their seats in the capi- 
 tol, and in the Palatine temple, distributed among the 
 people purifying compositions, as flambeaux and sulphur. 
 From henccf the people passed to Diana’s temple on the 
 A venture mountain, carrying wheat, barley and beans, 
 as an offering ; and after this they spent whole nights in 
 devotion to the destinies. 
 
 22. At length, when the time of the games was ac- 
 d 5 
 
lvm INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tually come, which continued three days and three nights, 
 the people assembled in the Cam'pus Mar'tius, and sacri¬ 
 ficed to Ju'piter, Ju'no, Apol'lo, Lato'na, Dia'na, the 
 Par cm, Ce res, Plu'to, and Pros'erpine. 23. On the first 
 night of the feast, the emperor, accompanied by the quin- 
 decemviri, commanded three altars to be raised on the 
 banks of the Tiber, which they sprinkled with the blood 
 of three lambs, and then proceeded to burn the offerings 
 and the victim. After this they marked out a space, 
 which served for a theatre, illuminating it with an innu¬ 
 merable multitude of flambeaux and fires: here they 
 sung certain hymns composed on this occasion, and ce¬ 
 lebrated all kinds of sports. 24. On the day after, when 
 they had been at the capitol to offer the victims, they 
 returned to the Campus Martius, and held sports to the 
 honour of Apol'lo and Dia'na; these lasted till the next 
 day, when the noble matrons, at the hour appointed by 
 the oracle, went to the capitol to sing hymns to Jupiter. 
 25. On the third day, which concluded the feast twenty- 
 seven boys, and as many girls, sung in the temple of 
 Palatine Apollo, hymns and verses in Greek and Latin, 
 to recommend the city to the protection of those deities 
 whom they designed particularly to honour by these sa¬ 
 crifices. 26. The famous Car'men Secula're of Ho r race 
 was composed for this last day, in the secular games 
 held by Augustus. 
 
 Lu'di Fune'bres, were combats of gladiators at the 
 funerals of great men, as has already been mentioned. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What were the ludi soenici ? 
 
 2. What were the early dramas of the Romans? 
 
 3. Who introduced legitimate tragedy and comedy ? 
 
 4. Were these dramas similar to ours? 
 
 5. What was the cothurnus? 
 
 6.sock? 
 
 7. Were they in general use? 
 
 8. Why was the mask used? 
 
 . What was the chorus? 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lix 
 
 10. What were the sacred games? 
 
 Ludi Megalenses? 
 
 13. 
 
 14. 
 
 15 . 
 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 
 18 . 
 
 19. 
 
 Cereales? 
 Flnrales ? 
 Martiales ? 
 
 Capitolini? 
 
 Romani? 
 
 Apollinares? 
 
 Consuales ? 
 Saeculares ? 
 
 20. How were the games introduced? 
 
 21. What was the next process? 
 
 22. How did the games commence? 
 
 23. What ceremonies were used? 
 
 24. What passed on the next day? 
 
 n • 11_* 
 
 third day ? 
 
 25. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Of the Roman Habit, Marriages, and 
 
 Funerals, 
 
 The Toga—Toga Preetexta— Toga Virilis—Toga 
 Palia— Toga Sordida—Toga Picta, he.—the Tu¬ 
 nica—Stola and Pallia — Perones—Calcei Lunati 
 —‘Mullei — Solece — Marriages —Fortunate and 
 Unfortunate Days—Description of the Cere¬ 
 mony-Funerals—Last Kiss—other Pradices 
 Order of the Procession—Funeral Oration — 
 Last Rites—Funeral of the Emperors. 
 
 11. Auspicious, a . favourable. 
 
 Rites, s. religious forms, ceremonies. 
 
 12. O'mens, s. signs of good or bad fortune. 
 
 13. Dis'taff, s. a machine for spinning flax. 
 
 16. Inter'red, part, buried. 
 
 17. Transfused, part, passed. 
 
 1. The most celebrated parts of the Roman dress 
 were the toga and the tunica. 
 
 2. The toga, or gown, appears to have been of a cir- 
 cular form, 'without sleeves, differing in size according 
 to the fancy or ability of the wearer. Its colour is sup. 
 
** INTRODUCTION. 
 
 posed to have been the natural whiteness of the wool, 
 to distinguish it from the toga Candida, the whiteness of 
 which was increased by artificial means. This gown was 
 disposed in graceful folds, and gave the wearer a ma¬ 
 jestic appearance. 
 
 3. I he toga praetexta was edged with purple, and 
 considered as an honourable distinction, at first appropri¬ 
 ated to magistrates, but afterwards bestowed on others 
 for some eminent service. Even boys, who were the sons 
 of noblemen, were permitted to wear it. 
 
 4. The toga virilis, or manly gown, was assumed by 
 young men at the age of seventeen. 
 
 o. .1 lie toga palla was a mourning gown, of black 
 cloth ; and the toga sordida, a gown become dirty by 
 long use, worn by prisoners at their trial. 
 
 6. the toga picta, purpurea, palmata, the consular 
 trabea, the paludamentum, and the chlamys, differed 
 very little except in their ornaments ; they w ere the robes 
 of state, w orn by kings, consuls, emperors, and all ge¬ 
 nerals during their triumph. 
 
 7. Ihe tunica, or close coat, was the common garment 
 v, orn by itself within doors, and abroad under the gowu. 
 The lower orders of people, however, who could not af¬ 
 ford to wear the toga, appeared in public with their 
 tunics only. This garment was at first made short, and 
 without sleeves, but by degrees it was lengthened till it 
 reached the ancles, and had sleeves to the wrist.. 
 
 3. The dress of the females consisted of the stola, or 
 ordinary vest, reaching to the ancles, over which, when 
 they went abroad, they threw the palla, or pallium, a long 
 open gown, which entirely covered them. They dressed 
 their heads with vittae and fasciae, ribbons and fillets. 
 
 9. I he ancient Romans wore no covering on their head, 
 to defend them from the rain and cold, but merely threw 
 over them the lappet of their gown. 
 
 10. 1 here w r ere several sorts of coverings for the feet, 
 the principal were the perones, rudely formed of raw 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lxi 
 
 hides, and reaching to the middle of the leg ; used only 
 by the common people. Calcei luuati, worn by Patri¬ 
 cians only, and distinguished by a crescent, or half. 
 
 1 moon of ivory, worn on them as an ornament. Mullei, 
 were red sandals, covering only the sole of the foot, and 
 bound with red straps as high as the mid-leg. Soleae, 
 were sandals covering only the soles of the foot, and fast¬ 
 ened with straps and buckles; they were peculiar to the 
 women. 
 
 I'j'he ceremonies practised at Roman marriages 
 may be thus briefly described :—Great care was taken to 
 choose an auspicious moment for the celebration of these 
 rites; and the most happy season in all respects,-was 
 that which followed the ides of June. Hie calends, 
 nones, and ides of every month, and the whole of May, 
 were considered as very unfortunate. 
 
 12. The ceremony began with the taking of omens by 
 the aruspices. In dressing the bride they always divided 
 her hair with the head of a spear ; then crowning her 
 with a chaplet of flowers, ihey put on her a veil or flam- 
 meum, provided for the occasion. Her tunic was bound 
 with a girdle, which the bridegroom was to unloose. 
 
 13. Thus habited, she was led in the evening to the 
 bridegroom’s house, by three boys wearing the praetexta, 
 whose parents were living. She was lighted by five torches, 
 and a distaff and spindle were carried before her. 
 
 14. On her arrival, she bound woollen fillets round 
 the door-posts (which were adorned with flowers for the 
 occasion,) and washed them over with melted tallow, as 
 a preservative against infection and sorcery. This being 
 done, she was lifted over the threshold, and on her en¬ 
 trance had the keys of the house delivered to her, while 
 the bridegroom presented her with tw-o vessels, one with 
 tire, the other with water, emblematic of the duties re¬ 
 quired in the marriage life. The ceremony was concluded 
 with a splendid feast, during which the bridegroom scat- 
 
♦ INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tered nuts about the room for the boys to scramble, in¬ 
 timating thereby, that he now relinquished all childish 
 diversions. 
 
 16. The funerals of the Romans were frequently cele¬ 
 brated with considerable pomp, whether the body was 
 to be interred or burnt; but as the latter was the most 
 prevailing practice, we shall confine ourselves to that, in 
 the following description 
 
 17. When a person was given over by the physicians, 
 and the soul, as it were, just about to take flight, the 
 friends and nearest relations used to kiss and embrace 
 him, as though they expected that his spirit would by 
 this means be transfused into their bodies. 18. As soon 
 as he expired they took off his rings, and closed his 
 eyes; the body was theu washed, anointed, and wrapped 
 in its most valuable garment; and, if the deceased had, 
 by his valour, obtained any honourable crowns, they 
 were placed on his head. The corpse was then laid out 
 by the nearest relation, at the entrance of the house, 
 with its feet towards the gate. At intervals, exclama¬ 
 tions of grief were uttered by persons stationed there 
 for the purpose. Branches of cypress likewise were placed 
 in front of the house, to notify the mournful event. 
 
 19. On the day of the funeral, the procession was led 
 by musicians playing on trumpets and flutes; after these 
 came the mourning women, singing the funeral song, filled 
 with the praises of the deceased ; next came the mimic 
 and players, who danced after the satiric manner. These 
 were followed by persons bearing couches, on which were 
 laid the images of the deceased’s ancestors, and statues 
 of other great men * ; then came the lictors, with their 
 fasces reversed, and next the body, borne by the nearest 
 relations. This was followed by a long train of mourners, 
 
 * Not less than six hundred funeral couches were carried be¬ 
 fore the Corpse of Marcei'lus, and a thousand before that of 
 Syl'la. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lxiii 
 
 who beat their breasts, tore their hair, and shewed every 
 appearance of extravagant grief. 
 
 20. On the arrival of the procession at the appointed 
 place, an oration was pronounced in praise of the de¬ 
 ceased ; the body was then placed on the funeral pile, 
 lying on its couch, and fire was applied by the next of 
 kin. Beasts were then slaughtered and cast on the pile, 
 as were likewise rich garments and perfumes. When 
 the whole was burnt, the embers were extinguished by 
 sprinkling them with wine, and the remaining bones care¬ 
 fully collected and placed in an urn provided for the 
 purpose. This was afterwards entombed in its sepulchre, 
 when the company, being sprinkled with holy water, 
 retired. 
 
 21, The funerals of the emperors we; e celebrated with 
 still greater splendour, and from the top of the pile an 
 eagle being let loose, was supposed to carry the prince s 
 soul to heaven. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Describe the Roman dress. 
 
 2. What was the toga? 
 
 3 . toga prastexta? 
 
 4 . toga virilis ? 
 
 5, ..toga pull a? 
 
 6. toga pi eta, &c. ? 
 
 7. ... tunica ? 
 
 8. What was the dress of the females ? 
 
 9. What was the covering for the head? 
 
 10.. the feet? 
 
 11. What ceremonies were used at marriages? 
 
 12. Dow di^l the ceremony begin ? 
 
 13. What followed ? 
 
 14. What happened on her arrival ? 
 
 15. How did the ceremony conclude? 
 
 16. How were the Roman funerals conducted? 
 
 17. How were dying persons treated ? 
 
 18. In what manner was the corpse prepared for the last 
 
 duties ? 
 
 19. Describe the fuueral processiou? 
 
 20.last ceremonies ? 
 
 21. How were the funerals of the emperors celebrated? 
 
lxiv 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Of the Roman Meals, Names, and Money• 
 
 2. Semicircular, a. in the shape of a half circle. 
 
 3. Sump'tuous, a. splendid, rich. 
 
 7. Initials, s. first letters. 
 
 13. Obscure, a . dark, difficult to be understood. 
 
 1. Thf. Romans usually made but one set meal, which 
 was about the ninth hour, or three o’clock P. M *. Before 
 this they took merely a little bread, a few raisins, or 
 nuts, or a little honey. 
 
 2. Their eating room was called triclinium, from the 
 number of couches it usually contained ; or stibadium, 
 after the custom was introduced of using only one large 
 semicircular couch, with a table of the same shape. 
 
 3. The couches on which they reclined were frequently 
 very sumptuous, as we may suppose, when we are in¬ 
 formed that the whole of the wealth found in Carthage, 
 when it was taken by the Romans, was not more than 
 was frequently expended for the furniture of one table. 
 
 4. On the arrival of the guests, they first bathed with 
 the master of the house, and then changed their usual 
 dress for a light kind of frock ; at the same time putting 
 off their solese, or shoes, that they might not soil the fine 
 carpets and furniture of the beds. 5. Then taking their 
 places, the first man lay at the head of the bed, reclining 
 on his left elbow, his back being supported by a pillow, 
 or bolster; the next lay with his head towards the feet 
 of the first, from which he was defended by his pillow, 
 or bolster : and the rest after the same manner. When 
 thus arranged, they were presented with garlands and 
 perfumes. The most honourable place was the middle 
 part of the middle bed. 
 
 5 
 
 * Post meridiem, or afternoon. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lxv 
 
 6. The several courses were generally brought in, ar¬ 
 ranged on tables, and not by single dishes, and the guests 
 were diverted during the entertainment with music and 
 dancing. Julius Cae'sar is said to have provided twenty- 
 two thousand triclinia, at a feast made by him for the 
 people. 
 
 7. The names most commonly in use among the Ro¬ 
 mans, with their initials , were the following:—A. Au'lus, 
 C. Cai'us, D. De'cius, C. Ca'eso *, L. Lu'cius, M. Man¬ 
 lius and Mar'c'tis, N. NumeTius, P. Publius, Q. Quiu- 
 ta'tus, T. Ti'tus, AP. Appius, CN. Cnei'us, SP. Spu- 
 rius, TI. Tibe'rius, MAM. Mam'ercus, SER. Ser'vius, 
 SEX. Sextius. 8. To these u'ere usually added the 
 family name, and sometimes a third, arising from a 
 particular occurrence, as Par'thicus, Africa'nus, &c , 
 
 9. Adopted persons assumed the three names of him 
 into whose family they were admitted, but retained their 
 own in addition f. 
 
 10. The money of the Romans was, at first, of brass 
 alone; but about the year of the city 484, silver began 
 to be coined, and gold about sixty years after. 
 
 11. The as, which was of brass, originally weighed one 
 pound, but it was reduced by degrees to half an ounce, 
 and thus continued; it had on one side the image of 
 Janus, and ou the other the beak of a ship ; its value was 
 about three farthings of our money. The semissis was 
 half an as, the triens one third, the quadrans one fourth ; 
 these had on them the impression of a boat. 
 
 12. A denarius was of the value of 10 uses, and a cen- 
 tussis of 100 ases, 10 denarii, or 65. 3d. of our money. 
 
 * Anciently the c was pronounced hard like k. 
 f When a person intended to adopt another into his family, 
 he presented his reason for so doing to the pontiiices ; if these 
 were approved, the consul, or some other principal magistrate, 
 brought, in a bill at the comitia, to render the adoption valid. 
 A sum of money was then paid to the parents of the young man, 
 as the price of their son. 
 
lxvi INTRODUCTION* 
 
 13. Of silver money, the old denarius was of the value 
 
 of 10 ases, or 8f d* but the new denarius, uttered about 
 the time of Claudius, was worth only 7 \d. \ tire victo- 
 ria'tus, so called from the image of Victory stamped on 
 it, was 3| d. or half a dena'rius; the sestertius was half 
 the victoria'tus, or lj \d . The o'bolus \ of the dena¬ 
 rius, and the libel'la The sem'bella, a corruption 
 
 of semilibel'la, was half this; and the terun'cius half the 
 sembel'la, or ^ of a dena'rius. 
 
 14. Of gold coins, the old aure'us dena'rius was worth 
 17s. 1| d.\ the new, 15 s. only. 
 
 15. The sums principally in use among the Romans, 
 were the sester'tium, the libra, and the talent; the ses- 
 tertium contained a thousand sestertii, or 7/. 165. 3d. 
 The libra was worth about 3/. and the talent 187/. 10s. 
 
 Thus have we endeavoured, in a plain and brief man¬ 
 ner, to render the customs, manners, religion, &c. of the 
 Roman people familiar to the reader, by which means 
 much light will be thrown on their history, and many 
 obscure passages in their poets, orators, and other 
 writers, rendered easy to every capacity. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. At what times did the Romans take their meals? 
 
 2. What was the name of their eating room? 
 
 3. Was the furniture rich ? 
 
 4. How were the guests received ? 
 
 5. In what way were they placed at table? 
 
 6. How were the courses served ? 
 
 7. What were the most usual Roman names ? 
 
 8. Had they no additional names ? 
 
 9. What names did adopted persons assume ? 
 
 10. What was the Roman money ? 
 
 11. Describe the several brass coins? 
 
 12. Were there not some of greater value ? 
 
 13. What was the silver money of the Romans? 
 
 14. Describe their gold coins? 
 
 15. What sums were principally in use ? 
 
■ 
 
THE 
 
 ROMAN HISTORY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Of the Origin of the Romans • 
 
 1, jEne'as, s. a Trojan prince. 
 
 Ve'nus, s. the goddess of love and beauty, who is said, in Pagan 
 £Tble, to have come down from heaven to enjoy the company 
 of Anchi'ses. 
 
 Anchi'ses, $. (pronounced An-hi-ses) the son of Ca'pys, by 
 Themis, daughter of Tlus, king of Troy. 
 
 2. Ru'tuli, s. a people of Italy. 
 
 Mezen'tius, s. king of the Tyrrhenians in Italy. 
 
 4. Usurpation, s. the act of wrongfully taking what belongs to 
 
 another. 
 
 Vestal, s, a virgin priestess of Vesta, the goddess of fire. 
 Posterity, s. succeeding generations. 
 
 5. Mars, s. the god of war among the ancients. 
 
 Sacerdotal, a. belonging to priesthood, priestly. 
 Functions, s. acts of an office, employment. 
 
 12. Divul'ged, part, made known. 
 
 Depo'sed, part, deprived of an office. 
 
 13. Otnen, s. any sign or token by which a future event may be 
 
 foretold. 
 
 Tutelar, a. having the guardianship and protection of any 
 person or thing. 
 
 1. XHE Romans were particularly desirous of being 
 thought descendants from the Gods ; as if to hide the 
 meanness of their real ancestry. JEne'as, the son of 
 Venus and Anchi'ses, having escaped from the destruc- 
 
 B 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 2 
 
 tion of Troy *, after many adventures and dangers, ar¬ 
 rived in Italy t—A. M. 2294—where he was kindly re¬ 
 ceived by Lati'nus, king of the Latins, who promised hina 
 his daughter Lavin'ia in marriage. 2. Tur'nus, king 
 of the Rutuli, was the first who opposed iEne'as, he 
 having long made pretensions to her himself. A war 
 ensued in which the Trojan hero was victorious, and 
 Tur'nus slain. In consequence of this, Lavin'ia became 
 the wife of iEne'as, who built a city to her honour, and 
 called it Lavin'ium. Some time after, engaging in a war 
 against Mezen'tius, one of the petty kings of the country, 
 he was vanquished in turn and died in battle, after a reign 
 of four years. 3. Asca'nius, his son, succeeded to the 
 kingdom ; and to him Sil'vius {, second son, whom he had 
 bv Lavin'ia. It would be tedious and uninteresting to 
 recite a dry catalogue of the kings that followed, of whom 
 we know little more than the names § ; it will be suffi¬ 
 cient to say, that the succession continued for nearly 
 four hundred years in the same family; and that Nu'mi- 
 
 * This famous city has had the names of Darda'nia, Il'ios, 
 Il'ion, Il'ium, Tro'ja, Per gama, Teu'cria, and Teu'crium. It is 
 said to have obtained its different names from the several kings 
 who governed it. This place has been greatly celebrated by the 
 poets. It was situated in Phry"gia, in Asia Mi nor, on the sea- 
 coast, somewhat north of the present Smyrna. 
 
 f The ancient names of Italy w ere, Satur'nia, (Eno'tria, Hes- 
 peria, and Auso'nia. This beautiful country, which has been 
 emphatically called the garden of Europe, is about nine hundred 
 miles long, from the foot of the Alps to Cape Leucopetra, now 
 Capo del Armi; in breadth, it varies from five hundred and 
 sixty, to about twenty-five. 
 
 \ So called because born in a wood, whither his mother Lavin ia 
 had fled for fear of Asca'nius. 
 
 k These kings were, Asca'nius, who reigned 8 years ; Syl vius 
 Posthu'mus 29 years; JEne'as Syl'vius 31 jears ; Lati'nus Sylvius 
 51 years: Alba 39 years; Cape'tus, or, as Livy styles him, A'tys 
 26* Capis 28; Cape'tus II. 13; Tiberi'nus 8 (this prince was 
 driven into the river Albu'la, in an engagement on its banks, and 
 drowned, and from that time the river lias borne the name ol 
 Tiber*) Agrippa 41; Alla'dius, or Item'ulus, 19; Aventi'nus, 
 whose name has been transferred to the hill where he was inter- 
 red 37 • Procas 23; Nu'mitor and Amu'lius. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 5 
 
 lor, the fifteenth from iEne'as, was the last king of 
 Alba *. 
 
 Nu'mitor, who took possession of the kingdom in con¬ 
 sequence of his father’s will, had a brother named Amu'- 
 lius, to whom were left the treasures which had been 
 brought from Troy. 4. As riches too generally prevail 
 against right, Amu'lius made use of his wealth to sup¬ 
 plant his brother, and soon found means to possess him¬ 
 self of the kingdom. Not contented with the crime of 
 usurpation , he added that of murder also. Numitors 
 sons first fell a sacrifice to his suspicions ; and to remove 
 all apprehensions of being one day disturbed in his ill - 
 got power, he caused Rhe r a Sifvia, his brothers ouly 
 daughter, to become a vestal f; which office obligiug 
 her to perpetual virginity, made him less uneasy as tto 
 the claims of posterity. 
 
 5. His precautions, however, were all frustrated in the 
 event. Rhea Sil'via was called to the performance of 
 some religious service in the temple of Mars , near the 
 town. A spring of water glided through the sacred 
 wood, in which the temple was enclosed, and the priestess, 
 in order to discharge one of her sacerdotal Junctions, 
 went thither to take the necessary water for her sacri¬ 
 fice ; where a man, disguised in a military habit, like 
 that in which Mars was commonly represented, surprised 
 and forced the vestal. Others are of opinion that she 
 met a young lover there by appointment. 6. When 
 Rhea Sil'via, however, could no longer conceal her 
 shame, she charged the God Mars with being the cause 
 of it. The circumstances of the temple, the sacred wood, 
 
 * Alba was founded by Asca'nius, who removed the seat of 
 government from Lavin'ium thither. 
 
 The vestals were ladies of noble families dedicated to the 
 service of the goddess Vesta, and devoted to perpetual virginity. 
 Their office was to attend and keep up the sacred nre in her 
 temple, lest by any accident it should be extinguished; such an 
 occurrence being supposed to forebode great calamities to the 
 state. For a breach of their vow of chastity, they were buried 
 alive. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 4 
 
 and the presence of that God, who was believed to make 
 his residence in the sanctuary consecrated to him, gave 
 a less odious colour to the affair, whether it was her 
 crime or her misfortune. Whoever this lover of hers 
 might have been ; whether some person who deceived 
 her by assuming so great a name; or Amu'lius himself, 
 whom some suspected of this violence to his niece, certain 
 it is, that in due time she was brought to bed of two boys, 
 who w ere no sooner born than devoted by the usurper to 
 destruction. 7. The mother was condemned to be bu¬ 
 ried alive, the usual punishment for vestals who had vio¬ 
 lated their chastity, and the twins were ordered to be 
 flung into the river Tiber. 8. It happened, however, at 
 the time this rigorous sentence was put into execution, 
 that the river had, more than usual, overflowed its banks, 
 so that the place where the children were thrown, being 
 distant from the main current, the water was too shallow 
 to drown them. It is said by some, that they were ex¬ 
 posed in a cradle, which, after floating for a time, was, 
 by the waters retiring, left on dry ground; that a wolf, 
 descending from the mountains to drink, ran, at the cry 
 of the children, and gave them suck under a fig-tree, 
 caressing and licking them as if they had been her own 
 young, the infants hanging on her dugs as if she had 
 been their mother, until Fau'stulus, the king’s shepherd, 
 struck with so surprising a sight, conveyed them home, 
 and delivered them to his wife Ac'ca Lauren'tia, to 
 nurse, who brought them up as her own. 9. Others, 
 however, assert, that from the vicious life of this woman, 
 the shepherds had given her the nick-name of Lupa *, 
 or wolf, which they suppose might possibly be the occa¬ 
 sion of this marvellous story. 
 
 10. Rom'ulus and Re'mus, the twins, in whatever man¬ 
 ner preserved, seemed early to discover abilities and de¬ 
 sires above the meanness of their supposed origin. From 
 
 * Lupa literally signifies a harlot as well as a she-wolf. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 5 
 
 their very infancy, an air of superiority and grandeur 
 seemed to discover their rank. They led, however, the 
 shepherd’s life like the rest; worked for their livelihood, 
 and built their own huts. But pastoral idleness dis¬ 
 pleased them, and, from tending their flocks, they betook 
 themselves to the chase. Then, no longer content with 
 hunting wild beasts, they turned their strength against 
 the robbers of their country, whom they often stript of 
 their plunder, and divided it among the shepherds. 
 
 11. The youths who continually joined them, so in¬ 
 creased in number, as to enable them to hold assemblies, 
 and celebrate games. In one of their excursions, the 
 two brothers were surprised. Re'mus was taken pri¬ 
 soner, carried before the king, and accused of being a 
 plunderer and robber on Nu'mitor’s lands. Rom'ulus 
 had escaped; but Re'rnus, the king sent to Numitor, 
 that he might do himself justice. 
 
 12. From many circumstances, Fau'stulus suspected 
 the twins under his care, to be the same that Amu'lius 
 had exposed on the Ti'ber, and at length divulged his 
 suspicions to Rom'ulus. Nu'mitor made the same dis¬ 
 covery to Re'mus. From that time nothing was thought 
 of but the tyrant's destruction. He was beset on all 
 sides; and, during the amazement and distraction that 
 ensued, was taken and slain ; while Nu'mitor, who had 
 been deposed for forty years, recognized his grandsons, 
 and was once more placed on the throne *. 
 
 13. The two brothers, leaving Nu'mitor the kingdom 
 of Alba, determined to build a city upon the spot where 
 they had been exposed and preserved. But a fatal de¬ 
 sire of reigning seized them both, and created a difter- 
 
 * The troops, if they deserve the name, with which Romulus 
 invested the palace, and at length slew the king, were merely a 
 tumultuary rabble from the country, whose ensigns were bundles 
 of hay suspended from long poles; these were called manipuli, 
 and hence came the name of manipulares, afterwards given to 
 the troops. 
 
 B 3 
 
6 
 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 rence between these noble youths, which terminated tra¬ 
 gically. Birth-right in the case of twins could claim no 
 precedence; they therefore were advised by the king to 
 take an omen from the flight of birds, to know to which 
 of them the tutelar gods would decree the honour of go¬ 
 verning the rising city, and consequently, of being the 
 director of the other. 14. In compliance with this advice 
 each took his station, on a different hill. To Re'mus 
 appeared six vultures; in the moment after, Rom'ulus 
 saw twelve. Two parties had been formed for this pur¬ 
 pose, the one declared for Re'mus, who first saw the vul¬ 
 tures; the other for Rom'ulus, who saw the greater number. 
 Each party called itself victorious; the one having the 
 first omen, the other that which was most complete. 
 This produced a contest, which ended in a battle, wherein 
 Re'mus was slain. It is even said, that he was killed by 
 his brother, who being provoked at his leaping contemp¬ 
 tuously over the city wall struck him dead upon the spot *. 
 
 15. Rom'ulus being now sole commander, and eighteen 
 years of age, began the foundation of a city that was one 
 day to give laws to the world. It was called Rome, after 
 the name of the founder, and built upon the Palatine hill, 
 on which he had taken his successful omen— [A. M. 3252, 
 ante c. 752 ] The city was at first nearly square, con¬ 
 taining about a thousand houses. It was almost a mile 
 in circumference, and commanded a small territory round 
 it of eight miles over 1. lfi. However, small as it appears, 
 it was yet worse inhabited ; and the first method made use 
 of to increase its numbers, was the opening of a sanctuary 
 for all malefactors and slaves, and such as were desirous 
 of novelty; these came in great multitudes, and contributed 
 to increase the number of our legislators new subjects. 
 
 * Some writers say that Remus did not fall in this contest, but 
 was killed subsequently by Romulus, for having, in derision, leapt 
 over the walls of the new city. 
 
 f In making out the boundaries of the city, Romulus made use 
 of a plough ; and as this plough was lifted out of the ground at 
 every place where a gate was intended to be set up, a city gate 
 was called porta, from port are to carry. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 7 
 
 Questions for the Examination of the Pupil , 
 
 On the most essential parts of the foregoing Chapter , to 
 be answered by him in writing . 
 
 1. What was the origin of the Romans? 
 
 2. Who first opposed ^Eneas, and what was the result 
 3 * Who were the successors of .Eneas ? 
 
 4 What was the conduct of Amulius? 
 
 5. Did these precautions prove successtul. 
 
 7 * What was°the^sentence on Rhea Silvia and her children l 
 
 i 
 
 10 . WhatwM tiic character and conduct of Romulus and 
 Remus? . 
 
 11 In what manner were they surprised. 
 
 la! How was the birth of Romulus and Remus discovered, 
 
 and what consequences followed! 
 
 13. What caused a difference between the brothers t 
 
 14. Relate the circumstances which followed. 
 
 lo. By whom was Rome built, and what was then its situa 
 
 tion? , . j 
 
 1^6. By what means was the new city peopled . 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 From the Building of Rome, to the Death of 
 Romulus. 
 
 f. Constitution, s. form of government. A . . 
 
 Lie tors, s. Roman officers employed in apprehending cn- 
 
 2. Senate**.’ an assembly of men met together to enact laws, 
 
 and to debate on matters which respect the state. 
 
 3 . Patn'eians, s. the nobility ; men of honourable birth. 
 
 Legislature, s. the power that makes laws. , 
 
 Suffrages, ». votes or voices given to determine a contro- 
 
 versy or matter in dispute. 
 
 4. Plebeians, s. the common people. 
 
 5. Sooth sayers, s. those who pretend to foretel future events. 
 
 B 4 
 
8 
 
 rp 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 6. Repu'diate, v. to divorce, to put away. 
 
 Nep'tune, s. (in heathen mythology) the god of the sea. 
 
 Glad'iator, s. a person trained to fight in the public games at 
 Rome. 
 
 1. Scarcely was the city raised above its foundation, 
 when its rude inhabitants began to think of giving some 
 form to their constitution . Rom'ulus, by an act of great 
 generosity, left them at liberty to choose whom they 
 would for their king; and they, in gratitude, concurred 
 to elect him for their founder. He accordingly was ac¬ 
 knowledged as chief of their religion, sovereign magistrate 
 of Rome, and general of the army. Beside a guard to 
 attend his person, it was agreed, that he should be pre¬ 
 ceded wherever he went, by twelve lictors , each armed 
 with an axe tied up in a bundle of rods; these were to 
 serve as executioners of the law, and to impress his new 
 subjects with an idea of his authority*. 
 
 2. The sen'ate, who were to act as counsellors to the 
 king, was composed of a hundred of the principal citizens 
 of Rome, consisting of men whose age, wisdom, or valour, 
 gave them a natural authority over their fellow-subjects. 
 The king named the first senator, who was called prince 
 of the senate, and appointed him to the government of 
 the city, whenever war required his own absence. 
 
 3. The Patri'cians , who composed the third part of the 
 legislature, assumed to themselves the power of autho¬ 
 rizing those laws which were passed by the king, or the 
 senate. All things relative to peace or war, to the ejec¬ 
 tion of magistrates, and even to the choosing a king, were 
 confirmed by suffrages in their assemblies. 
 
 4. The Plebe ians were to till the fields, feed cattle, and 
 follow trades; but not to have any share in the govern¬ 
 ment, to avoid the inconveniences of a popular power f. 
 
 * This symbol of sovereignty was borrowed from his neigh¬ 
 bours the Hetrurians, 
 
 + The Patri"cians and Plebeians were farther distinguished— 
 
KINGS OF ROME. y 
 
 5 The first care of the new-created king was, to attend 
 to the interests of religion. The precise form of their 
 worship is unknown; but the greatest part of the religion 
 of that age consisted in a firm reliance upon the credit 
 of their soothsayers, who pretended, from observations on 
 the flight of birds, and the entrails of beasts, to direct the 
 present, and to dive into futurity *. Rom'ulus, by an ex¬ 
 press law, commanded that no election should be made, 
 nor enterprize undertaken, without first consulting them. 
 
 6. Wives were forbidden, upon any pretext whatsoever, 
 to separate from their husbands ; while, on the contrary, 
 the husband was empowered to repudiate the wife, and 
 even, in some cases, to put her to death. The laws be¬ 
 tween children and their parents were still more severe ; 
 the father had entire power over his offspring, both of 
 fortune and life; he could imprison or sell them at any 
 time of their lives, or in any stations to which they 
 were arrived. 
 
 7. After endeavours to regulate his subjects by law, 
 Rom'ulus next gave orders to ascertain their numbers. 
 The whole amounted to no more than three thousand 
 foot, and about as many hundred horsemen, capable ot 
 bearing arms. These therefore were divided equally into 
 three tribes, and to each he assigned a different part ot 
 the city. Each of these tribes was subdivided into ten 
 curiae, or companies, consisting of a hundred men each, 
 with a centurion to command it; a priest called curio, 
 to perform the sacrifices ; and two of the principal inha¬ 
 bitants, called duumviri, to distribute justice. 
 
 the former as patrons, the latter ^s clients. The duty of the 
 patron was to advise his clients on points of law; to manage Ins 
 suits; and, by every means in his power, to promote his peace 
 and happiness ; in return for which, the client was to assist Ins 
 patron with money on certain occasions ; to ransom him or his 
 sons if taken prisoners ; and to bear the charges of their magis¬ 
 tracy, and other honourable employments. . 
 
 * For a mor$ particular account of these, vide Intro. Cap. 2. 
 B 5 
 
10 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 8. By these judicious regulations, each day added 
 strength to the new city ; multitudes of people flocked in 
 from all the adjacent towns, and it only seemed to want 
 women to ensure its duration. In this exigence, Rom'ulus, 
 by the advice of the senate, sent deputies among the 
 Sab'ines, his neighbours, entreating their alliance; and, 
 upon these terms, offering to cement the strictest confe¬ 
 deracy with them. The Sabines, who were at that time 
 considered as the most warlike people of Italy, rejected 
 the proposal with disdain. 9. Rom'ulus therefore pro¬ 
 claimed a feast in honour of Neptune *, throughout all 
 the neighbouring villages, and made the most magnificent 
 preparations for celebrating it. These feasts were 
 generally preceded by sacrifices, and ended in shows 
 of wrestlers, gladiators +, and chariot-courses. The 
 Sab'iues, as he had expected, were among the foremost 
 who came to be spectators, bringing their wives and 
 daughters with them, to share the pleasures of the sight. 
 10. In the mean time, the games began, and while the 
 strangers were most intent upon the spectacle, a number 
 of the Roman youth rushed in among them w ith drawn 
 swords, seized the youngest and most beautiful women, 
 and carried them oft* by violence. In vain the parents 
 protested against this breach of hospitality ; in vain the 
 virgins themselves at first opposed the attempts of their 
 ravishers; perseverance and caresses obtained those 
 favours which timidity at first denied; so that the ra¬ 
 vishers, from being objects of aversion, soon became 
 the partners of their dearest affections. 
 
 11. A bloody war ensued. The cities of Cai'ninaJ, 
 
 * Neptune was the son of Saturn and Ops, and brother of Ju¬ 
 piter, Pluto and Juno. In the division of the universe among the 
 brothers, the kingdom of the sea fell to the share of Neptune. 
 He is represented sitting in a chariot made of a shell, with a tri¬ 
 dent in his hand, and drawn by sea horses or dolphins, 
 f Yide Intro. Cap. 7. 
 
 X A town of Latium, near Rome. (LivyO 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 Antem'nae *, and Crustumi'num t, were the first who re. 
 solved to avenge the common cause, which the Sabines 
 seemed too dilatory in pursuing. But all these, by making 
 separate inroads, became an easy conquest to Rom ulus, 
 who made the most merciful use of his victories; instead 
 of destroving their towns, or lessening their numbers, he 
 only placed colonies of Romans in them, to serve as a 
 frontier to repress more distant invasions. 
 
 12. Ta'tius, king of Cu'res, a Sabine city, was the last, 
 although the most formidable, who undertook to revenge 
 the disgrace his country had suffered. He entered the 
 Roman territories at the head of twenty-five thousand 
 men, and, not content with a superiority of forces, he 
 added stratagem also. 13. Tarpe ia, who was daughtei 
 to the commander of the Capit oline hill, happened to 
 fall into his hands, as she went without the walls of the 
 city to fetch water. Upon her he prevailed, by means of 
 large promises, to betray one of the gates to his army. 
 The reward she engaged for, was what the soldiers wore 
 on their arms, by which she meant their bracelets. They, 
 however, either mistaking her meaning, or willing to 
 punish her perfidy, threw their bucklers upon her as they 
 entered, and crushed her to death. 14. The Sabines 
 being thus possessed of the Capifoline, after some time, 
 a general engagement ensued, which was renewed for 
 several days, with almost equal success, and neither ai my 
 could think of submitting; it was in the valley between 
 the Capit'oline and Quiri'nal hills that the last engage¬ 
 ment was fought between the Romans and the Sab ines. 
 15. The battle was now become general, and the slaugh¬ 
 ter prodigious; when the attention of both sides was 
 suddenly turned from the scene of horror before them to 
 another. The Sabine women, who had been carried ofi 
 
 * A city of the Sabines, between Rome and the Anio, from 
 whence its name. (Ante Amnem.) Dionys. Hal. 
 f A town of Etruria nearVeii. (Virg.) 
 
 B 0* 
 
12 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 by the Romans, flew in between the combatants, with 
 their hair loose, and their ornaments neglected, regard¬ 
 less of their own danger; and, with loud outcries, im¬ 
 plored their husbands and their fathers to desist*. Upon 
 this,the combatants, as if by mutual impulse, let fall their 
 weapons. 16. An accommodation ensued, by which it 
 was agreed, that Rom'ulus and Ta'tius should reign 
 jointly in Rome, with equal power and prerogative; that 
 a hundred Sab ines should be admitted into the senate, 
 that the city should retain its former name, but the citi¬ 
 zens should be called Quiri'tes, after Cures, the principal 
 town of the Sab'ines; and that both nations being thus 
 united, such of the Sab'ines as chose it, should be ad¬ 
 mitted to live in and enjoy all the privileges of citizens of 
 Rome. 17. The conquest of Came'ria was the only mi¬ 
 litary achievement under the two kings, and Ta'tius was 
 killed about five years after by the Lavin'ians, for having 
 protected some of his servants who had plundered them 
 and slain their ambassadors ; so that, by this accident, 
 Rom'ulus once more saw himself sole monarch of Rome. 
 18. Soon after the death of Ta'tius, a cruel plague and 
 famine having broken out at Rome, the Camerini em¬ 
 braced the opportunity to lay waste the Roman territory. 
 But Romulus gave them battle, killed six thousand on 
 the spot, and returned in triumph to Rome. He took like¬ 
 wise Fidenae, a city about forty furlongs distant from his 
 capital, and reduced the Veientes to submission. 
 
 19. Successes like these produced an equal share of 
 pride in the conqueror. From being contented with those 
 limits which had been wisely assigned to his power, he 
 
 * Some historians of eminence consider this incident as wholly 
 fabulous: the real fact appears to be, that the engagement having 
 proved by no means decisive, the women requested permission 
 to mediate between the hostile powers j laying aside, therefore, 
 their ornaments, and putting on mourning, they repaired to the 
 Sabine camp, and throwing themselves at the feet of their fathers 
 and brothers, sought and obtained a reconciliation. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 13 
 
 began to affect absolute sway, and to control those laws 
 to which he had himself formerly professed implicit obe¬ 
 dience. The senate was particularly displeased at his 
 conduct, as they found themselves used only as instru¬ 
 ments to ratify the rigour of his commands. 20. We are 
 not told the precise manner which they employed to get 
 rid of the tyrant. Some say that he was torn in pieces 
 in the senate-house; others, that he disappeared while 
 reviewing his army; certain it is, that from the secrecy 
 of the fact, and the concealment of the body, they took 
 occasion to persuade the multitude that he was taken up 
 into heaven; thus, him whom they could not bear as a 
 king, they were contented to worship as a god. Rom'ulus 
 reigned thirty-seven years; and, after his death, had a 
 temple built to him, under the name of Quiri'nus. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What were the first proceedings of the rude inhabitants 
 
 of Rome? 
 
 2. Of whom was the senate composed? 
 
 3. Who were the Patricians ? 
 
 4. Who were the Plebeians? 
 
 5. What was the first care of the new king ? 
 
 In what did the religion of Rome consist? 
 
 6. What were the laws between husband and wife, and be¬ 
 
 tween parents and children ? 
 
 7. What were the regulations directed by Romulus? 
 
 What was the result of these regulations ? 
 
 9. What conduct did Romulus adopt in consequence ? 
 
 10. What treatment did the Sabines experience? 
 
 11. Did they tamely acquiesce in this outrage ? 
 
 12. Who undertook to revenge the disgrace of the Sabines ? 
 
 13. What was this stratagem, and how was its perpetrator 
 
 rewarded ? 
 
 14. Did the possession of the Capitoline put an end to the 
 
 war? 
 
 15. What put a stop to this sanguinary conflict? 
 
 16. What were the terms of accommodation? 
 
 17. Was this joint *o\ ereignty of long continuance ? 
 
 18. Was Romulus successful in military affairs? 
 
 19. What was the consequence ? 
 
 20. What was the manner of his death ? 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 From the Death of Romulus, to the Death of Numa 
 Pompilius, the second King of Rome .— U.C . 38. 
 
 4. Conjuncture, s. a particular period, critical time. 
 
 Indu'ce,u. to lead, to persuade, 
 o. Ege'ria, s. the nymph who presides over pregnant women. 
 
 Ja nus, s. the most ancient of the kings of Italy j deified after 
 his death, and represented with two faces, to denote his 
 knowledge of the past and future. From him the month 
 of January takes its name. 
 
 1. Upon the death of Rom'ulus, the city seemed 
 greatly divided in the choice of a successor. The Sab'ines 
 were for having a king chosen from their body, but the 
 Romans could not endure the thoughts of advancing a 
 stranger to the throne. In this perplexity, the senators 
 undertook to supply the place of the king, by taking the 
 government each of them in turn, for five days, and during 
 that time enjoying all the honours and all the privileges 
 of royalty. 2. This new form of government continued for 
 a year; but the Plebe'ians who saw this method of trans¬ 
 ferring power was only multiplying their masters, insisted 
 upon altering that mode of government. The senate being 
 thus driven to an election, at length pitched upon Nu'ma 
 Pompil'ius, a Sab'ine, and their choice was received with 
 universal approbation by the people *. 
 
 3. Nu'ma Pompil'ius, who was now about forty, had 
 long been eminent for his piety, his justice, his moderation, 
 and exemplary life. He was skilled in all the learning and 
 philosophy of the Sab'ines, and lived at home at Cu'res, 
 contented with a private fortune ; unambitious of higher 
 honours. It was not, therefore, without reluctance, that 
 lie accepted the dignity; which when he did so, produced 
 
 * Nu'ma Pompil'ius w as the fourth son of Pompil'ius Pom'po, 
 ail illustrious Sab ine. lie had married Ta'tia, the daughter of 
 Tatius,the colleague of Romulus, and on the death of his wifo 
 gave himself up entirely to solitude and study. (Plutarch—Livy.) 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 such joy, that the people seemed not so much to receive 
 a king as a kingdom. 
 
 4. No monarch could be more proper for them than 
 Nu'ma, at a conjuncture when the government was com¬ 
 posed of various petty states lately subdued, and but ill 
 united to each other: they wanted a master who could, by 
 his laws and precepts, soften their fierce dispositions; and, 
 by his example, induce them to a love of religion, and 
 every milder virtue. 5. Numa’s whole time therefore was 
 spent in inspiring his subjects with a love of piety, and a 
 veneration for the gods. He built many new temples, in¬ 
 stituted sacred offices and feasts; and the sanctity of his 
 life gave strength to his assertion—-that he had a particu¬ 
 lar correspondence with the goddess Egt ria . By her advice 
 he built the temple of Janus , which was to be shut in time 
 of peace, and open in war. lie ordained four vestal vir¬ 
 gins, who had very great privileges allowed them*. 
 
 6. For the encouragement of agriculture, he divided 
 those lands, which Rom'ulushad gainedin war, among the 
 poorer part of the people; he regulated the kalendar, and 
 abolished the distinction between Romans and Sabines,by 
 dividing the people according to their several trades, and 
 compelling them to live together. Thus having arrived 
 at Jhe age of fourscore years, and having reigned forty- 
 three in profound peace, he died, ordering his body, con¬ 
 trary to the custom of the times, to be buried in a stone 
 coffin; and his books of ceremonies, which consisted ot 
 t welve in Latin, and as many in Greek, to be buried by 
 his side in another+. 
 
 ♦ These must have been distinct from those of whom Rhea 
 Sil'via, the mother of Romulus and Remus, made one. Among 
 other privileges, they had the fasces carried before them, when 
 they w ent abroad; and if they met a malefactor going to execu¬ 
 tion, they had the power of freeing him from death, on making- 
 oath that the meeting was accidental. 
 
 + For the religious rites and ceremonies instituted by Nln ma 
 and others, see Intro. Cap. II. The books here mentioned were 
 dug up about four hundred years after, and burnt by order of 
 the senate. 
 
16 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Upon the death of Romulus, what took place in regard 
 to his successor ? 
 
 2i How long did this order of things continue ? 
 
 3. What was the character of Numa Pompilius? 
 
 4. Was N urna a monarch suited to this peculiar conjuncture ? 
 
 5. Relate the acts of Numa. 
 
 6. What were the further acts of Numa ? 
 
 7. What orders did he leave at his death ? 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 From the Death of Numa, to the Death of Tullus 
 Hostilius, the third King of Rome.—U.C. 82. 
 
 2. Al'bans, s. a people of Alba in Italy. 
 
 3. Impetuous, a. hasty, violent, vehement. 
 
 If Cham'pions, s. heroes, great warriors. 
 
 5. Antagonists,s. adversaries,persons opposed to others in battle. 
 
 6. Manes, s. ghosts. 
 
 7. Embru'ed, part, dipped, steeped. 
 
 1* At the death of Nu'ma, the government once more 
 devolved upon the senate, and so continued, till the people 
 elected Tul lus Hostil'ius for their king, which choice had 
 also the concurrence of the other part of the constitution. 
 This monarch, the grandson of a noble Roman *, who had 
 formerly signalised himself against the Sabines, was every 
 way unlike his predecessor, being entirely devoted to war, 
 and more fond of enterprise than even the founder of the 
 empire himself had been ; so that he only sought a pre¬ 
 text for leading his forces into the field. 
 
 * Host'us, the grandfather of Hostil'ius, was originally of Me- 
 du'lia, a city of La'tium, but had settled at Rome about forty 
 years after its foundation. lie was the lirst who entered the 
 breach at Fi'denae, lor which Rom'ulus rewarded him with a 
 mural crown. See Intro. Cap. YI. sect. 3. (Piiny—Diony. Ha' ) 
 
 7 
 
17 
 
 KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 2 The Albans, by committing some depredations on the 
 Roman territory, were the first people that gave him an 
 opportunity of indulging his favourite inclinations. The 
 forces of the two states met about five mdes from Rome, 
 prepared to decide the fate of their respective kingdoms; 
 for, in these times, a single battle was generally decisive. 
 The two armies were for some time drawn out in array, 
 awaiting the signal to begin, both chiding the length of 
 that dreadful suspense, when an unexpected proposal from 
 the Alban general put a stop to the onset. 3. Stepping 
 in between both armies, he offered the Romans to decide 
 the dispute by single combat; adding, that the side whose 
 champion was overcome, should submit to the conqueror. 
 A proposal like this, suited the impetuous temper of the 
 Roman king, and was embraced with joy by his subjects, 
 each of whom hoped, that he himself should be chosen to 
 fight the cause of his country. 4. There were, at that 
 time, three twin brothers in each army; those of the Ro¬ 
 mans were called Hora'tii, and those of the Albans Cu- 
 ria'tii; all six remarkable for their courage, strength, and 
 activity; and to these it was resolved to commit the ma¬ 
 nagement of the combat*. At length the champions met, 
 and each, totally regardless of his own safety, only sought 
 the destruction of his opponent. The spectators, in horrid 
 silence, trembled at every blow, and wished to share the 
 danger, till fortune seemed to decide the glory of the field. 
 5. Victory, that had hitherto been doubtful, appeared to 
 declare against the Romans: they beheld two of their 
 champions laying dead upon the plain, and the three Cu¬ 
 ria'tii, who were wounded, slowly endeavouring to pursue 
 the survivor, who seemed by flight to beg for mercy. Too 
 soon, however, they perceived that his flight was only 
 
 •The Hora'tii and Curiatii were, according to Dionysius 
 Halicarnas'sus, the sons of two sisters, daughters o ' 
 
 an illustrious citizen of Alba. One married to Cmiatius a 
 citizen of Alba, and the other to Horatius, a Romau: so tha. 
 the champions were near relatives. 
 
18 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pretended, in order to separate his three antagonists , 
 whom he was unable to oppose united ; for, quickly after, 
 stopping his course, and turning upon the first, who fol¬ 
 lowed closely behind, he laid him dead at his feet: the 
 second brother, who was coming up to assist him that had 
 already fallen, shared the same fate. 6. There now re¬ 
 mained but the last Curia'tius to conquer, who, fatigued 
 and disabled by his w ounds, slowly advanced to offer an 
 easy victory. He was killed, almost unresisting, while the 
 conqueror exclaiming, (t Two have I already sacrificed to 
 the manes of my brothers; the third I will offer up to my 
 country”—despatched him as a victim to the superiority 
 of the Romans, whom now the Alban army consented to 
 obey *. 
 
 7. Rut the virtues of that age were not without alloy ; 
 that very hand that in the morning w'as exerted to save his 
 country, was, before night, embrued in the blood of a 
 sister: for, returning triumphant from the field, it raised 
 his indignation to behold her bathed in tears, and lament¬ 
 ing the loss of her lover, one of the Curia'tii, to whom she 
 had been betrothed. This so provoked him, beyond the 
 powers of sufferance, that in a rage he slew her: but the 
 action displeased the senate, and drew after it the condem¬ 
 nation of the magistrate. He was, however, pardoned, by 
 making his appeal to the people, butobliged to pass under 
 the yoke; an ignominious punishment, usually inflicted on 
 prisoners of war +. 
 
 8. Tul'ius having greatly increased the power and 
 wealth of Rome by repeated victories, now thought proper 
 to demand satisfaction of the Sab'ines, for the insults 
 which had been formerly offered to some Roman citizens 
 at the temple of the goddess Fero'nia, which w as common 
 
 * This obedience of the Albans was of short duration ; they 
 soon rebelled, and were defeated by Tul'ius, who razed the city 
 of Alba to the ground, and transplanted the inhabitants to Rome, 
 where he conferred on them the privileges of citizens. 
 
 f Livy, lib. i. cap. ‘26. Dion. Hal. 1. 3. 
 
ID 
 
 KINGS OF ROME, 
 to both nations. A war ensued, which lasted some years, 
 and ended in the total overthrow of the Sab ines. 
 
 Hostil'ins died after a reign of thirty two years; some 
 say by lightning ; others, with more probability, by trea- 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Ou whom devolved the government on the death ofNuma, 
 an«l what is the charaeter of his successor? > 
 
 •2. What opportunity first offered of indulging the new kings 
 inclinations? , , 
 
 3 . What proposal was offered, and accepted, tor deciding the 
 
 4_6. Relate the circumstances which attended the combat, 
 
 and the result of it. 
 
 7. What act followed the victory? 
 
 8. What conquest was next achieved ? 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 From the Death of Fullus Hostilius , to the Death 
 of Ancus Martius, the fourth King of Rome .— 
 U. C. 115. 
 
 Interregnum, s. the time in which a throne is vacant between 
 the death of one sovereign prince, and the accession ot 
 another. In England, there is no interregnum, the go- 
 vernment being hereditary. 
 
 Lineal, a. in a direct line. . , - . .. , . 
 
 , Ve'ii, «. the people of a once very rich and powerful city m 
 Tuscany, about twelve miles from Rome. 
 
 Fiden'ates, s. the people of Fidena, another once^ rich and 
 powerful city ofltaly. In this city, in the year of our Lord 
 27, the amphitheatre fell, when there were 50,000 people 
 in it; and most of whom were either killed or wounded. 
 
 Vol'sci, s. a once very considerable poeple ofltaly. 
 
 Adjacent, a. lying near. 
 
 1. After an interregnum , as in the former case, 
 An cus Mar tins, the grandson of Nu'ma, was elected king 
 by the people, and their choice was afterwards confirmed 
 
20 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 by the senate. As this monarch was a lineal descendant 
 from Nu'ma, so he seemed to make him the great object of 
 his imitation. He instituted the sacred ceremonies*, which 
 were to precede a declaration of war; but he took every oc¬ 
 casion to advise his subjects to return to the arts of agricul¬ 
 ture, and to lay aside the less useful stratagems of war. 
 
 2. rhese institutions and precepts were considered by 
 the neighbouring powers rather as marks of cowardice 
 than of wisdom. The Latins therefore began to make 
 incursions upon his territories, but their success was equal 
 to their justice: An'cus conquered the Latins, destroyed 
 their cities, removed their inhabitants to Rome, and in¬ 
 creased his dominions by the addition of part of theirs. He 
 quelled also an insurrection of the Ve'ii, the Fidenates , 
 and the Volsci ; and over the Sab ines he obtained a se¬ 
 cond triumph. 
 
 3. But his victories over the enemy were by no means 
 comparable to his works at home, in raising temples, 
 fortifying the city, making a prison for malefactors, and 
 building asea-port at the mouth of the Ti'ber, called Os'tia, 
 by which he secured to his subjects the trade of that 
 river, and that of the salt pits adjacent . Thus having en¬ 
 riched his subjects, and beautified the city, he died, after 
 a reign of twenty-four years. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 L Who was next elected by the people, and what measures 
 did he pursue ? 
 
 2. In what light did his enemies consider his institutions ? 
 With what success did they oppose him? 
 
 3. What were the other acts of Ancus? 
 
 * First an ambassador was sent to demand satisfaction for the 
 alleged injury ; if this were not granted within 33 days, heralds 
 were appointed to proclaim the war in the name of the gods and 
 people of Rome. At the conclusion of their speech, they threw 
 their javelins into the enemy’s coniines, and departed. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 21 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 From the Death of Ancus Martins, to the Death 
 of Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth King of Rome .— 
 U. C . 130. 
 
 1. Tarquin'ia, s. a city of Tuscany, in Italy. 
 
 2. Au'gury, s. the pretended art of fortelling future events. 
 
 This art was formerly much practised, but is now justly 
 exploded as inconsistent with reason and true philosophy. 
 Pre'sage, s. a token by which something future may be known. 
 
 3. Haran'gue, s. a set speech. 
 
 4. Intrig'ue, s. cunning contrivance. 
 
 9. Tar'dy, a. slow, late. 
 
 1. Lu'cius Tarquin'ius Pris'cus, whose original 
 name was Lucu'mon, and who was appointed guar¬ 
 dian to the sons of the late king, took the surname of 
 Tarquin'ius, from the city of Tarquinia , whence he last 
 came. His father was a merchant of Corinth *, who had 
 acquired considerable wealth by trade, and had settled in 
 Italy, upon account of some troubles at home. His son, 
 Lucu'mon, who inherited his fortune, married a woman 
 of family in the city of Tarquin'ia. 2. His birth, profes¬ 
 sion, and country, being contemptible to the nobles of 
 the place, he, by his wife’s persuasion, came to settle at 
 Rome, where merit alone gave a title to distinction. On 
 his way thither, say the historians, as he approached the 
 city gate, an eagle, stooping from above, took off his 
 hat, and flying round his chariot for some time, with 
 much noise, put it on again f. This, his wife Tan'aquil, 
 
 * Corinth (nowCorito) was a celebrated city of ancient Greece, 
 situated on the isthmus of that name, about^sixty stadia or fur¬ 
 longs from the sea. Its original name wasEphy're (Homer, Mar¬ 
 tial, Sueto'nius, Livy.) . 
 
 f Such relations as these are not to be put on a looting with 
 
•22 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 who it seems was skilled in augury , interpreted as a 
 presage, that he should one day wear the crown. Perhaps 
 it was this which first fired his ambition to pursue it. 
 
 An'cus being dead, and the kingdom, as usual, devolv¬ 
 ing upon the senate, Tarquin used all his power and arls 
 to set aside the children of the late king, and to get him¬ 
 self elected in their stead. For this purpose, upon the 
 day appointed for election, he contrived to have them sent 
 out of the city; and in a set speech, in which he urged 
 his friendship for the people, the fortune he had spent 
 among them, and his knowledge of their government, he 
 offered himself for their king. As there was nothing in 
 this harangue that could be contested, it had the desired 
 effect; and the people, with one consent, elected him as 
 their sovereign. 
 
 4. A kingdom thus obtained by intrigue , was, notwith¬ 
 standing, governed with equity. In the beginning of his 
 reign, in order to recompense his friends, he added a 
 hundred members * * more to the senate, which made them, 
 in all, three hundred. 
 
 5. But his peaceful endeavours were soon interrupted 
 by the inroads of his restless neighbours, particularly the 
 Lat'ins, over whom he triumphed, and whom he forced 
 to beg for peace. He then turned his arms against the 
 Sab'ines, who had risen once more, and had passed the 
 river Ti'ber; but, attacking them with vigour, Tar'quin 
 routed their army ; so that many who escaped the sword, 
 w^ere drowned in attempting to cross over, while their 
 bodies and armour, floating down to Rome, brought 
 news of the victory, even before the messengers could 
 
 the authentic parts of the history. They are, most probably, 
 fables invented by the ancient historians to do honour to some 
 favourite personage, or to give interest to their relation of facts. 
 
 * These members were chosen from the Plebeians. They were 
 not called Patres Conscripti, as the others, but Patres Minorum 
 Gentium. They had, however, the same authority in the senate 
 as the others, and their children ranked as Patricians. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 28 
 
 arrive that were sent with the tidings. These conquests 
 were followed by several advantages over the Latins, 
 from whom he took many towns, though without gaining 
 any decisive victory. 
 
 G. Tar'quin having thus forced his enemies into sub¬ 
 mission, was resolved not to let his subjects grow corrupt 
 through indolence. He therefore undertook and perfected 
 several public works for the convenience and embellish¬ 
 ment of the city *. 
 
 7. In his time it was, that the augurs came into a great 
 increase of reputation. He found it his interest to pro¬ 
 mote the superstition of the people ; for this was, in fact, 
 but to increase their obedience. Tan'aquil, his wife, was 
 a great pretender to this art; but Ac'cius Nae'vius was the 
 most celebrated adept of the kind ever known in Rome. 
 8. Upon a certain occasion, Tar'quin being resolved to try 
 the augur’s skill, asked him, whether what he was then 
 pondering in his mind could be effected. Nee'vius having 
 consulted his auguries, boldly affirmed that it might: 
 “ Why then,” cries the king, with an insulting smile, 
 c< I had thoughts of cutting this whetstone with a razor.” 
 “ Cut boldly,” replied the augur; and the king cut it 
 through accordingly f. Thenceforward nothing was un- 
 
 * Preparations for building the Capitol were made in this reign. 
 The city was likewise fortified with stone walls, and the cloacae, 
 or common sewers, constructed by the munificence of this prince. 
 Seelntrod. Cap. i. p. 35. 
 
 f Tarquin, finding the number of horse appointed by Romulus 
 too small, so that he was frequently prevented from pursuing a 
 victory when gained, resolved to add some new bodies of knights 
 to those of the first institution ; but in this he was opposed by 
 Nonius, who affirmed that the original number had been fixed by 
 auguries. To bring these auguries therefore into contempt, 
 Tar'quin made the experiment related in the text. This event, 
 however, though attested by all the writers of Roman history, 
 bears evident marks of a fabulous origin. Even Cicero, him¬ 
 self an augur, says to his brother Quintus, “Look with con¬ 
 tempt on the razor and flint of the famous Accius ; when we 
 reason as philosophers, we must lay no stress on fables.” Cic^ 
 1. i. do div. 
 
 6 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 dertaken in Rome without consulting the augurs, and ob¬ 
 tained their advice and approbation. 
 
 9. Tar'quin was not content with a kingdom, wit out 
 having also the ensigns of royalty *. In imitation of the 
 Lyd'ian kings, he assumed a crown of gold, an ivory 
 throne, a sceptre with an eagle on the top, and robes of 
 purple. It was, perhaps, the splendour of these royalties 
 that first raised the envy of the late king’s sons, who had 
 now, for above thirty-seven years, quietly submitted to 
 his government. His design also of adopting Ser'vius 
 Tul'lius, his son-in-law, for his successor, might have 
 contributed to inflame their resentment. 10. Whatever 
 was the cause of their tardy vengeance, they resolved to 
 destroy him; and, at last, found means to effect their 
 purpose, by hiring two ruffians, who demanding to speak 
 with the king, pretending that they came for justice, 
 struck him dead in his palace, with the blow of an axe. 
 The lictors, however, who waited upon the person of the 
 king, seized the murderers as they were attempting to 
 escape, and put them to death: but the sons of An'cus, 
 who were the instigators, found safety in flight f. 
 
 11. Thus fell Lu'cius Tarquin'ius, surnamed Pris'cus, 
 to distinguish him from one of his successors of the same 
 name. He was eighty years of age, and had reigned 
 thirty-eight years. 
 
 * These ensigns of royalty were sent him by the Sabines, as 
 
 tokens of submission. . . , . . 
 
 + They had before attempted to render the king detestable 
 in the eyes of his subjects, by imputing to him the murder of 
 Naevius, who had suddenly disappeared. As this calumny failed 
 of its intended effect, they were pardoned by Tarquin ; but this 
 clemency by no means lessened their inveterate hatred, nor ren¬ 
 dered them less anxious to effect his destruction. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 25 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Who was Lucius Tarquinius Priscus? 
 
 2. What occasioned his removal to Rome, and what circum¬ 
 
 stances attended it? 
 
 3. Was this presage fulfilled, and by what means? 
 
 4. In what manner did he govern ? 
 
 5. Was Tarquin a warlike prince? 
 
 6. How did he improve his victories? 
 
 7. By what acts did he ensure the obedience of his subjects? 
 
 8. What contributed to increase the reputation of the augurs? 
 
 9. What part of his conduct is supposed to have raised the 
 
 envy of the late king’s sons ? 
 
 10. What was the consequence of this envy and resentment ? 
 
 11. What was his age, and how long did he reign? 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 From the Death of Tarquinius Priscus to the Death 
 of Servius Tullius , the sixth King of Rome .— 
 U. C. 176. 
 
 2. Dissimulation, s. the act of putting on a false appearance, 
 
 in order to conceal one’s intention or endeavour. 
 
 3. Sack'ing, part . the taking of a town by storm, and deliver¬ 
 
 ing it up to be plundered by the soldiers. 
 
 7. Lus trum, s. a space of five years. 
 
 10. Sympathetic, a. having mutual sensation. 
 
 11. Illegal, a. unlawful. 
 
 1. The report of the murder of Tar'quin filled all his 
 subjects with complaint and indignation, while the citi¬ 
 zens ran from every quarter to the palace, to learn the 
 truth of the account, or to take vengeance on the assas¬ 
 sins. 2. In this tumult, Tan'aquil, widow of the late 
 king, considering the danger she must incur, in case the 
 conspirators should succeed to the crown, and desirous 
 of seeing her son-in-law his successor, with great art dis¬ 
 sembled her sorrow, as well as the king’s death. She as 
 
 c 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 26 
 
 sured the people, from one of the windows of the palace, 
 that he was not killed, but only stunned by the blow; 
 that he would shortly recover; and that in the mean 
 time, he had deputed his power to Ser'vius Tullius, his 
 son-in-law. Ser'vius accordingly, as it had been agreed 
 upon between them, issued from the palace, adorned with 
 the ensigns of royalty, and, preceded by his Victors, went 
 to dispatch some affairs that related to the public safety ; 
 still pretending that he took all his instructions from the 
 king. This scene of dissimulation continued for some 
 days, till he had made his party good among the nobles; 
 when, the death of Tarquin being publicly ascertained, 
 Ser'vius came to the crown, solely at the senate’s ap¬ 
 pointment, and without attempting to gain the suffrages 
 of the people *. 
 
 3. Ser'vius was the son of a bondwoman, who had 
 been taken at the sacking of a town f belonging to the 
 Latins, and was born whilst his mother was a slave. 
 While yet an infant in his cradle, a lambent flame | is 
 said to have played round his head, which Tan'aquil con¬ 
 verted into an omen of future greatness. 
 
 4. Upon being acknowledged king, the chief object 
 of his reign was to increase the power of the senate, by 
 depressing that of the people. 5. The populace, who w ere 
 unable to see into his designs, conferred upon him the full 
 power of settling the taxes as he should think proper. 
 6. Accordingly, as he insisted that they should pay their 
 taxes by centuries, he commanded that by centuries also 
 they should give their votes, in all public transactions. 
 
 * Dionysius Halicarnas'sus tells us, that he assumed the so¬ 
 vereignty, without waiting for the suffrages, either of the senate 
 or people. 
 
 f Cornic'ulum (Dion. Hal.) His father is said to have been 
 one Tullius, an officer of royal extraction, who was killed in 
 the defence of his country. The name of his mother was Ocri- 
 sia. Ibid. 
 
 % A flame of fire gliding about without doing any harm. 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 27 
 
 In former deliberations, each citizen gave his suffrage 
 singly, and the numbers of the poor always carried it 
 against the power of the rich ; but by the regulations of 
 Ser'vius, the senate was made to consist of a greater 
 number of centuries than all the other classes put toge¬ 
 ther, and thus entirely outweighed them in every con. 
 tention. -j 
 
 7. In order to ascertain the increase or decay of his 
 subjects, and their fortunes, he instituted another regula¬ 
 tion, which he called a lustrum . By this, all the citizens 
 were to assemble in the Cam'pus Mar'tius *, in complete 
 armour ; and in their respective classes, once in five 
 years ; and there to give an exact account of their fami¬ 
 lies and fortune. 
 
 8. Having enjoyed a long reign, spent in settling the 
 domestic policy of the state, and also not inattentive to 
 foreign concerns, he conceived reasonable hopes of con¬ 
 cluding it with tranquillity and ease +. He even had 
 thoughts of laying down his power; and, having formed 
 the kingdom into a republic, to retire into obscurity; but 
 so generous a design was frustrated ere it could be put 
 into execution. 
 
 9. In the beginning of his reign, to secure the throne 
 by every precaution, he had married his two daughters to 
 the two grandsons of Tar'quin : and as he knew that the 
 women, as well as their intended husbands, were of oppo- 
 
 * A large plain at Rome, without the walls of the city, where 
 the Roman youth performed their exercises. Cam'pus is the 
 Latin word for field; and this field or plain was called Mar'tius, 
 because it was dedicated to Mars, the god of war. 
 
 f Though no mention is made in the text of his military ex¬ 
 ploits, he performed some worthy of record. The Hetru'rians, 
 encouraged by his pacific disposition, revolted ; but Ser'vius, 
 taking the field, quickly subdued them anew, and divided their 
 lands among the Roman citizens. For this victory he enjoyed 
 the honours of a splendid triumph. Still restless, the Hetru'- 
 rians revolted a second and a third time, and a second and athird 
 time Ser'vius triumphed on their reduction. (Dion. Hal.) 
 
 C 2 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 site dispositions, he resolved to cross their tempers, by 
 giving each to him of a contrary turn of mind ; her that 
 was meek and gentle, to him that was bold and furious; 
 her that was ungovernable and proud, to him that was re¬ 
 markable for a contrary character; by this he supposed 
 that each would correct the failings of the other, and that 
 the mixture would be productive of concord. 10. The 
 event, however, proved otherwise. Lu'cius, the haughty 
 son-in-law, soon grew displeased with the meekness of 
 his consort, and placed his whole affections upon his bro¬ 
 ther’s wife, Tul'lia, who answered his passion with sym¬ 
 pathetic ardour. As their wishes were ungovernable, 
 they soon resolved to break through every restraint that 
 prevented their union; they both undertook to murder 
 their respective consorts ; they succeeded, and w ere soon 
 after married together. 11. A first crime ever produces a 
 second ; from the destruction of their consorts, they pro¬ 
 ceeded to conspiring that of the king. They began bv 
 raising factions against him, alleging his illegal title to 
 the crown, and Lu'cius’s claiming it as his own, as heir 
 to Tarquin. At length, when he found the senate ripe 
 for seconding his views, he entered the senate-house, 
 adorned with all the ensigus of royalty, and, placing him¬ 
 self upon the throne, began to harangue them on the 
 obscurity of the king's birth, and the injustice of his title. 
 12. While he was yet speaking, Ser'vius entered, attended 
 by a few followers, and seeing his throne thus rudely in¬ 
 vaded, offered to push the usurper from his seat; but 
 Tar quin being in the vigour of youth, threw the old 
 king down the steps which led to the throne; some of his 
 adherents, who w'ere instructed for that purpose, followed 
 him, as he was feebly attempting to get to the palace, 
 dispatched him by the way, and threw his body, ail 
 inangled aud bleeding, as a public spectacle, into the 
 street. 13. In the mean time, Tul'iia, burning, with im¬ 
 patience for the event, was informed of what her hus- 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 20 
 
 band had done, and, resolving to be among the first who 
 should salute him as monarch, ordered her chariot to 
 the senate house. But as her charioteer approached the 
 place where the body of the old king, her father, lay ex¬ 
 posed and bloody, the man, amazed at the inhuman spec¬ 
 tacle, and not willing to trample upon it with his horses, 
 offered to turn another way ; this serving only to increase 
 the fierceness of her anger, she threw the footstool at his 
 head, and ordered him to drive over the body without 
 hesitation *. 
 
 14. This was the end of Ser'vius Tullius, a prince of 
 eminent justice and moderation, after an useful and pros¬ 
 perous reign of forty-four years. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What effect had the murder of Tarquin on his subjects? 
 
 2. By what means was the succession assured to Servius 
 
 Tullius? 
 
 3. Who was Servius? 
 
 4. What was the chief object of his reign? 
 
 5. Was this object opposed ? 
 
 6. By what means did he accomplish this object ? 
 
 7. What other important measure did he adopt? 
 
 — 8. What hopes did he entertain in his old age? 
 
 9. By what means did he hope to secure tranquil possession 
 of the throne? 
 
 10. Did the event answer his expectations? 
 
 11. To what farther crimes did this commencement lead? 
 
 12. What followed? 
 
 13. What was the conduct of his daughter on this melancholy 
 
 occasion ? 
 
 14. What was the character of Servius, and how long did he 
 
 reign ? 
 
 * The blood of the good old king is said to have dyed the 
 chariot wheels, and even the clothes of the inhuman daughter; 
 from that time, the street where it happened was called vicus 
 sceleratus , the wicked or accursed street. 
 
 C 3 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OF THK 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 From the Death of Servius Tullius to the Banish¬ 
 ment of Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last 
 King of Rome .— U. C. 220. 
 
 1. Hereditary, a. descending by inheritance. 
 
 2. Inefficient, a. that does not answer the end proposed. 
 
 6. Confiscate, v. to seize on private property, and convert it to 
 public use, by way of punishment. 
 
 9. Sib'ils, s. (in Pagan history), a certain number of women, 
 w r ho were supposed to have been endowed with a pro¬ 
 phetic spirit, and to have foretold the revolutions and 
 fates of kingdoms. 
 
 11. Quindecem'viri, s. Jjterally the fifteen men. 
 
 12. Friv'olous, a. slight, trifling. 
 
 Malefactors, s. (from malt, wickedly ; and facia, to do ;) 
 criminals, offenders against the law. 
 
 13. Sed'ulously, ad. busily, assiduously. 
 
 14. Unanimously, ad „ with one mind. 
 
 17. Inexorable, a. not to be moved by any entreaty. 
 
 18. Achiev'ed, v. performed, accomplished. 
 
 19. Indelible, a. not to be effaced or blotted out. 
 
 21. Poig'nant, a. severe or painful. 
 
 Poniard, $. a dagger or short sword. 
 
 24. Inflexible, a. not to be bent, or moved from a purpose. 
 
 25. Fo'rum, s. a public place at Rome, where lawyers, &c. made 
 
 their speeches in matters of property, or in criminal cases. 
 Etruria, s. an extensive country of Rome, now called Tus¬ 
 cany. 
 
 1. Lu'cius Tarquin'ius, afterwards called Super¬ 
 bus, or the Proud, having placed himself upon the throne, 
 in consequence of this horrid deed, was resolved to sup¬ 
 port his dignity with the same violence with which it was 
 acquired. Regardless of the senate or the people’s ap¬ 
 probation, he seemed to claim the crown by an heredi¬ 
 tary right, and refused burial to the late king's body, 
 under pretence of his being an usurper. 2. All the good 
 part of mankind, however, looked upon his accession witli 
 detestation and horror: and this act of inefficient cruelty 
 only served to confirm their hatred. 3. Conscious of this, 
 
31 
 
 KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 he ordered all such as he suspected to have been attached 
 to Ser'vius, to be put to death j and tearing the natural 
 consequences of his tyranny, he increased the guard round 
 his person. 
 
 4. His chief policy seems to have been to keep the 
 people always employed either in wars or public works, 
 by which means he diverted their attention from his un¬ 
 lawful method of coming to the crown. He first marched 
 against the Sab'ines, who refused to pay him obedience ; 
 and he soon reduced them to submission. 5. In the mean 
 time, many of the discontented patricians abandoning 
 their native country, took refuge at Gabii, a city of La'- 
 tium, about twelve miles from Rome, waiting an oppor¬ 
 tunity to take up arms, and drive Tarquin from his throne. 
 To escape this danger, Tarquin had recourse to the fol¬ 
 lowing stratagem. 6. He caused his son Sex'tus to 
 counterfeit desertion, upon pretence of barbarous usage, 
 and to seek refuge among the inhabitants of the place. 
 There, by artful complaints and studied lamentations, 
 Sex'tus so prevailed upon the pity of the people, as 
 to be chosen their governor, and, soon after, general of 
 their army. 7. At first, in every engagement, he ap¬ 
 peared successful; till, at length, finding himself en¬ 
 tirely possessed of the confidence of the state, he sent a 
 trusty messenger to his father for instructions. Tarquin 
 made no answer; but, taking the messenger into the 
 garden, he cut down before him the tallest poppies. 
 Sex'tus readily understood the meaning of this reply, and 
 found means to destroy or remove, one by one, the prin¬ 
 cipal men of the city; taking care to confiscate their 
 effects among the people. 8. The charms of this dividend 
 kept the giddy populace blind to their approaching ruin, 
 till they found themselves, at last, without counsellors or 
 head; and, in the end, fell uuder the power of Tarquin 
 without even striking a blow. 
 
 9. But, while he was engaged in wars abroad, he took 
 C 4 
 
32 history of the 
 
 care not to suffer the people to continue in idleness at 
 home. He undertook to build the Capitol \ the founda¬ 
 tion of which had been laid in a former reign; and an 
 extraordmary event contributed to hasten the execution 
 ot his design. A woman, in strange attire, made her ap¬ 
 pearance at Rome, and came to the king, offering to sell 
 nine books, which she said were of her own composing. 
 10. Not knowing the abilities of the seller, or that she 
 was, in fact, one of the celebrated Syb'ils, whose pro¬ 
 phecies were never found to fail, Tar'quin refused to buy 
 hem. Upon this she departed, and burning three of her 
 books, returned again, demanding the same price for the 
 six remaining. 11. Being once more despised as an im¬ 
 postor, she again departed, and burning three more, she 
 returned with the remaining three, still asking the same 
 price as at first. Tar quin, surprised at the inconsistency 
 of her behaviour, consulted the augurs, to be advised 
 what to do. These much blamed him for not buying the 
 mne and commanded him to take the three remaining, at 
 whatsoever price they were to be had. 12. The woman 
 says the historian, after'thus selling and delivering the’ 
 three prophetic volumes, and advising him to have a 
 special attention to what they contained, vanished from 
 before him, and was never seen after. A trick this, in¬ 
 vented probably by Tar'quin himself, to impose upon 
 the people; and to find in the Sybil’s leaves whatever 
 the government might require. However this was, he 
 
 those proper persons to keep them, who, though but two 
 
 at first were afterwards increased to fifteen, under the 
 name of Qmndecemviri. The important volumes were 
 put into a stone chest, and a vault in (he newly designed 
 
 augurs inter b .Lt h P l ^ orkmcn ; *“ di SS iD S the foundation The 
 be 8 the h'ad a P nd mlstr’eTs 5? 1®“®’ R * sh °" ,d one da > 
 
KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 building was thought the properest place to secure 
 them.* 
 
 13. The people having been now for four years toge¬ 
 ther employed in building the capitol, began, at last, to 
 wish for something new to engage them; Tar'quin, there¬ 
 fore, to satisfy their wishes, proclaimed war against the 
 Ru'tuli, upon & frivolous pretence of their having enter¬ 
 tained some malefactors , whom he had banished ; and 
 invested their chief city, Ar’dea, which lay about sixteen 
 miles from Rome. 14. While the army was encamped 
 before this place, the king’s son, Sextus Tarquin'ius, 
 Collati'nus, a noble Roman, and some others, sitting in a 
 tent drinking together, the discourse turned upon wives, 
 each man preferring the beauty and virtue ot his own. 
 Collati'nus offered to decide the dispute by putting it to 
 an immediate trial, whose wife should be found possessed 
 of the greatest beauty, and most sedulously employed at 
 that very hour : being heated with wine, the proposal 
 was relished by the whole company; and, taking horse 
 without delay, they posted to Rome, though the night 
 was already pretty far advanced. 
 
 15. There they found Lucretia, the wife of Collati'nus, 
 not like the other women of her age, spending the time 
 in ease and luxury, but spinning in the midst of her 
 maids, and cheerfully portioning out their tasks. Her 
 modest beauty, and the easy reception she gave her 
 husband and his friends, so charmed them all, that they 
 unanimously gave her the preference; but kindled, in 
 the breast of Sextus Tarquin'ius, a detestable passion, 
 that nothing but possession could satisfy. 
 
 16. For that purpose he went from the camp to visit 
 her privately, a few days after, and found the same kind 
 reception which he had met with before. As his inten¬ 
 tions were not suspected, Lucre tia sate with him at sup- 
 
 * The capitol, or temple of Jupiter Capitoli nus. 
 C 5 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 34 
 
 per, and ordered a chamber to be got ready for him. 
 Midnight was the time in which this ruffian thought it 
 safest to put his designs in execution. 17. Having found 
 means to convey himself into her chamber, he approached 
 the bed-side with a drawn sword, and rudely laying his 
 hand upon her bosom, threatened her with instant death 
 if she offered to resist his passion. 18. Lucre'tia affright¬ 
 ed out of her sleep, and seeing death so near, was yet 
 inexorable to his desire; but was told, that if she would 
 not yield he would instantly kill her, lay his own slave 
 dead in her bed by her, and then report that he had 
 found and killed them both in the act of adultery. 19. 
 The terror of infamy achieved what the fear of death 
 could not obtain, and she consented. The next morning 
 he returned to the camp, exulting in his brutal victory. 
 20. In the mean time, Lucre'tia, detesting the light, and 
 resolving not to pardon herself for the crime of another, 
 demanded her husband Collati'nus, and Spu'rius her fa¬ 
 ther, to come to her; an indelible disgrace having be¬ 
 fallen the family. 21. They instantly obeyed the sum¬ 
 mons, bringing with them Valerius, a kinsman of her 
 father, and Junius Bru'tus, a reputed idiot, whose father 
 Tar'quin had murdered, and who had accidentally met 
 the messenger by the way. 22. Their arrival only served 
 to increase Lucre'tia’s poignant anguish; they found 
 her in a state of the deepest desperation, and vainly at¬ 
 tempted to give her relief. “ No,” said she, <c never 
 shall I find any thing worth living for in this world, under 
 the loss of virtue. You see, my Collati'nus, a polluted 
 wretch before you; one whose person has been the spoil 
 of another, but whose affections were never estranged 
 from you. Sextus Tarquin'ius, under the pretended veil 
 of friendship, has this night violated that honour which 
 death only can restore; but, if you have the hearts of 
 men, remember to avenge my cause, and let posterity 
 know, that she who has lost her virtue, hath only death 
 
35 
 
 KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 for her best consolation.” So saying, she drew a poni¬ 
 ard from beneath her robe, and instantly plunging it into 
 •her bosom, expired without a groan.* 23. Struck with 
 sorrow, pity, and indignation, Spu'rius and Collati'nus 
 gave vent to their grief; but Bru'tus, drawing the poni¬ 
 ard reeking from Lucre'tia’s wound, and lifting it up to¬ 
 wards heaven, “ Be witness, ye gods,” he cried, “ that, 
 from this moment, I proclaim myself the avenger of the 
 chaste Lucre'tia’s cause; from this moment 1 profess 
 myself the enemy of Tar'quin, and his lustful house; 
 from henceforth this life, while life continues, shall be 
 employed in opposition to tyranny, and for the happiness 
 and freedom of my much-loved country.” 24. A new 
 amazement seized the hearers: he, whom they had 
 hitherto considered as an idiot, now appearing in hi> 
 real character, the friend of justice, and of Rome. He 
 told them, that tears and lamentations were unmanly, 
 when vengeance called so loudly; and, dclheiing the 
 poniard to the rest, imposed the same oath upon them 
 which he himself had just taken. 
 
 •25. Junius Bru'tus was the son of Mavcus Junius, 
 who was put to death by Tar'quin the Proud, and the 
 grandson of Tar'quin the elder. He had received an ex¬ 
 cellent education from his father, and had, from nature, 
 strong sense and an inflexible attachment to virtue; but 
 
 knowing that Tar'quin had murdered his father and Ins 
 
 eldest brother, he counterfeited a fool, in order to escape 
 the same danger, and thence obtained the surname of 
 Bru'tus. Tar'quin, thinking his folly real, despised the 
 man ; and having possessed himself of his estate, kept 
 him as an idiot in his house, merely with a view o 
 making sport for his children. 
 
 * However this action 
 
 triumph of injured virtue, suicide ought ah ) 
 as a heinous crime. 
 
 C 6 
 
36 
 
 history of the 
 
 26. Brutus, however, only waited this opportunity to 
 avenge the cause of his family. He ordered Lucretia’s 
 < ead body to be brought out to view, and exposing it in 
 e pu \c forum, inflamed the ardour of the citizens by a 
 display of the horrid transaction* He obtained a decree 
 ot the senate, that Tar'quin and his family should be for 
 ever banished from Home, and that it should be capital 
 
 ^ t0 , P ‘ ead f ° r ’ ° r t0 attem P l his f uture return. 
 • ms t is. monarch, who had now reigned twenty- 
 ve years, being expelled his kingdom, went to take re- 
 uge with 1ns family at Ci'ra, a little city of Etru'ria. In 
 die mean time, the Roman army made a truce with the 
 
 enemy, and Bru tus was proclaimed deliverer of the 
 people. 
 
 Thus ended with Tar'quin, after a continuance of two 
 hundred and forty-five years, the Regal State of llome.f 
 
 questions for Examination . 
 
 2. V\ as lus claim quietly acquiesced in » 
 f ” ha ‘ ® eans did he adopt for his security ? 
 
 . By what means did he divert the people’s attention r 
 
 5. What happ^enS'the"mean'fime? 6 the Cr °™" ? 
 
 8. What were the effects of this measure » ° 
 
 rendered Tar’. 
 
 ther and wife, murdered his lawful iover^i^'Tnd fi M' S | ” br °' 
 
 mon sewers with the bodies of the nobilitv? t’ha ^ ° d the com - 
 rousto his best friends, and inhuman to’alfh* h<5 k* S treache - 
 tbmr prospect in a successor was equally dim sub J e . c ? s ^ th »t 
 sous were of as tyrannical a temnnr o £/ 00n H> as his tbree 
 Wdest had just given them aspecimen. tbe 
 
 fonX7tLirryrofd Romc at tbL -iittasu. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME, 
 
 37 
 
 10. Did he accept her offer? 
 
 11. Was her second application successful, and what fol¬ 
 
 lowed? 
 
 12. What became of the Sybil, and what is the general opi¬ 
 
 nion respecting this transaction ? 
 
 13. Did the building of the Capitol entirely engross the atten¬ 
 
 tion of the people ? 
 
 14. What remarkable event took place at the siege of A i dea ? 
 
 15. What was the consequenee of this intemperate frolic ? 
 
 16. What method did Sextus take to accomplish his vile 
 
 design? 
 
 17. How did he proceed? 
 
 18. Did Lucretia yield to his desires ? 
 
 19. What was the effect of this threat ? 
 
 20. How did Lucretia support the loss of her honour? 
 
 21. Did they obey her summons? 
 
 22. What was the consequence of their arrival ? 
 
 23. What effect had this dreadful catastrophe on those pre¬ 
 
 sent ? 
 
 24. How was this unexpected resolution received ? 
 
 25. Give some account of Brutus. 
 
 26. Tor what reason, and by what means, did Brutus endea¬ 
 
 vour the abolition of royalty ? 
 
 27. What became of Tarquin after his expulsion ? 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The Commonwealth . 
 
 From the Banishment of Tarquin, to the Appoint¬ 
 ment of the Dictator .— U.C. 245. 
 
 Dictator, s. a Roman magistrate, invested with absolute 
 authority, in times of extraordinary emergency* 
 
 I. Republican, a. a state of governments which the supreme 
 
 power is lodged in a select number of persons. 
 
 Monarchy, s. the government of a single person, called a 
 king 
 
 3. Grate'ful, a agreeable. 
 
 5. Intrig'ues, s. plots, secret contrivances. 
 
 7. Impel'led, v . obliged, driven. 
 
 9. Repress', v. to conquer, to subdue. 
 
 10. Sto'ic, a. destitute of mental feeling. 
 
 II. Insurrection, s. a seditious rising. 
 
 Ve'ians, s. the inhabitants of Veii, about twelve miles from 
 Rome: these people were sometimes called Yeientes. 
 
 12. Remiss', a. slow, slothful. 
 
 5 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Cav'alry, s. horse-soldiers. 
 
 13. Assa'il, v. to attack. 
 
 18. Sally, s. a sudden issuing from a besieged place to attack 
 the besiegers. 
 
 Block'ade, s. a shutting up a besieged place, so that none 
 can come out or go in. 
 
 22. He'inous, a. highly criminal. 
 
 24. Hos'tages, s. persons given in pledge as securities for the 
 performance of certain conditions. 
 
 28. Abridging, part, shortening, lessening. 
 
 29. Col'league, s. a partner or associate in the same office. 
 
 30. Irk'some, a. disagreeable, not easily to be borne. 
 
 Coincides, v. agrees with, concurs. 
 
 Stable, a. firm, well settled. 
 
 Extenua'tion, s. mitigation. 
 
 1. The regal power being overthrown, a republican 
 form of government was substituted in its room. The 
 senate, however, reserved by far the greatest share of 
 the authority to themselves, and decorated their own 
 body with all the spoils of deposed monarchy. The cen¬ 
 turies of the people chose from among the senators, in¬ 
 stead of a king, two annual magistrates, whom they 
 called Consuls,* with power equal to that of the regal, 
 and with the same privileges and the same ensigns of 
 authority. 
 
 2. Bru'tus, the deliverer of his country, and Colla- 
 ti'nus, the husband of Lucretia, where chosen the first 
 consuls in Rome. 
 
 3. But this new republic, however, which seemed so 
 grateful to the people, had like to have been destroyed 
 in its very commencement. A party was formed in favour 
 of Tar'quin. Some young men of the principal families 
 in the state, who had been educated about the king, and 
 had shared in all the luxuries and pleasures of the court, 
 undertook to re-establish monarchy. 4. This party 
 
 * These were first called Praetors, next Judices, and after¬ 
 wards Consuls: a Consulendo, from their consulting the good 
 of the commonwealth. They had the royal ornaments, as the 
 golden crown, sceptre, purple robes, lictors, and the ivory and 
 curule chairs. The crowns and sceptres were, however, used 
 only on extraordinary days of triumph. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 39 
 
 secretly increased every day; and, what may create sur¬ 
 prise, the sons of Bru'tus himself, and the Aqui'iii, the 
 nephews of Collati'uus, were among the number. 5. Tar'- 
 quin, who was informed of these intrigues in his favour, 
 sent ambassadors from Etru ria to Rome, under a pre¬ 
 tence of reclaiming the estates ot the exiles; but, in 
 reality, with a design to give spirit to his faction. 6. 
 The conspiracy was discovered by a slave, who had ac¬ 
 cidentally hid himself in the room where the conspirators 
 used to assemble. + 7. Few situations could have been 
 
 more terribly affecting than that of Bru'tus: a father 
 placed as a judge upon the life and death of his own 
 children, impelled, by justice to condemn, and by nature 
 to spare them. 8. The young men pleaded nothing for 
 themselves; but, with conscious guilt, awaited their sen¬ 
 tence in silence and agony. 9. The other judges, who 
 were present, felt all the pangs of nature; Collati nus 
 wept, and Vale'rius could not repress his sentiments ot 
 pity. Bru'tus, alone, seemed to have lost all the softness 
 of humanity; and, with a stern countenance, and a tone 
 of voice that marked his gloomy resolution, demanded ot 
 his sons, if they could make any defence to the crimes 
 with which they had been charged. This demand he 
 made three several times ; but receiving no answer, he, 
 at length, turned himself to the executioner, “ Now,” 
 cried he, “ it is your part to perform the rest.” 10. Thus 
 saying, he again resumed his seat with an air of deter¬ 
 mined majesty; norTould all the sentiments of paternal 
 pity, the imploring looks of the people, nor yet the tears 
 of his sons, who were preparing for execution, alter the 
 tenor of his resolution. Bru'tus, unmoved by any motive 
 
 * Their demand was agreed to, and a decree passed, that the 
 Tarquins should be put in possession of their paternal estates. 
 (Livy, 1. ii. c. 3. 5.—Dion. Hal.) , , ,, , 
 
 + They all bound themselves by solemn oaths, and by the de¬ 
 testable ceremony of drinking the blood of a murdered man, 
 while the body lay panting at their feet, to do all in their power 
 to destroy the consuls and restore the king. (Plut. in Poplic.) 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 but the public good, pronounced upon them the sentence 
 of death, and by his office was obliged to see it put in 
 execution. The prisoners were scourged, and then be¬ 
 headed ; and Bru'tus beheld the cruel spectacle ; but, in 
 spite of his stoic firmness, could not stifle the sentiments 
 of nature, which he sacrificed to the necessity of his office. 
 
 11. Tar'quin’s hopes of an insurrection in his favour 
 being thus overset, he now resolved to force himself upon 
 his former throne by foreign assistance. He prevailed 
 upon the Veians to assist him, and, with a considerable 
 army, advanced towards Rome. 
 
 12. The consuls were not remiss in preparations to op- 
 U.C. I pose him. Valerius commanded the foot, and 
 246 J Bru'tus being appointed to head the cavalry , went 
 out to meet him on the Roman borders. 13. A'runs, the 
 son of Tar'quin, who commanded the cavalry for his 
 father, seeing Bru'tus at a distance, resolved, by one great 
 attempt, to decide the fate of the day before the engag¬ 
 ing of the armies; when, spurring his horse, he flew to 
 him with fury. Bru'tus perceived his approach, and, 
 singled out from the ranks, they met with such ungo¬ 
 verned rage, that, eager only to assail , and thoughtless 
 of defending, they both fell dead upon the field together. 
 14. A bloody battle ensued, with equal slaughter on both 
 sides; but the Ptomans, remaining in possession of the 
 field of battle, claimed the victory.* In consequence, 
 Valerius returned in triumph to Rome. 
 
 15. In the mean time, Tar'quin, no way intimidated by 
 his misfortunes, prevailed upon Porsen'na, one of the kings 
 of Etruria, to espouse his cause, and in person to under¬ 
 take his quarrel. 16. This prince equally noted for cou¬ 
 rage and conduct, marched directly to Rome, with a nu¬ 
 merous army, and laid siege to the city; while the terror 
 
 * The loss of the enemy was eleven thousand three hundred 
 men, and that of the Romans nearly the same number. (Dion 
 Hal.) 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 41 
 
 of his name and arms filled all ranks of the people with dis¬ 
 may. The siege was earned on with vigour; a furious 
 attack was made upon the place ; the consuls opposed in 
 vain, and were carried off wounded from the field ; while 
 the Romans, flying in great consternation, were pursued 
 by the enemy to the bridge, o\er which both victors and 
 vanquished were about to enter the city in the contusion. 
 17. All now appeared lost, when Hora'tius Co'cles, who 
 had been placed there as sentinel to defend it, opposed 
 himself to the torrent of the enemy, and, assisted only by 
 two more*, for some time sustained the whole fury of the 
 assault, till the bridge was broken down behind him. 
 When he found the communication thus cut oft, plunging 
 with his arms into the torrent of the Tiber, he swam back 
 victorious to his fellow-soldiers, and was received with 
 just applause f. 
 
 18. Still, however, Porsen'na was determined upon tak¬ 
 ing the city; and though five hundred of his men were 
 slain in a sally of the Romans, he reduced it to the great¬ 
 est straits, and turning the siege into a blockade , resolved 
 to take it by famine. 19. The distress of the besieged 
 soon began to be insufferable, and all things seemed to 
 threaten a speedy surrender, when another act of tierce 
 bravery, still superior to that which had saved the city 
 before, again brought about its safety and freedom. 
 
 20. Mu'tius, a youth of undaunted courage, was re¬ 
 solved to rid his country of an enemy, that so continued to 
 oppress it; and, for this purpose, disguised in the habit ot 
 an Etru'rian peasant, entered the camp of the enemy, re¬ 
 solving to die or to kill the king. 21. With this resolution 
 he made up to the place where Porsen'na was paying his 
 
 * Hermin'ius and Lar'tius, who retired in safety a few moments 
 before the bridge was completely demolished. 
 
 f For this heroic act, Hora'tius was crowned on his return ; 
 his statue was erected in the temple of Vul'can ; as much land 
 was given him as a plough could surround with a furrow in one 
 day, and a tax was voluntarily imposed to make him a present, 
 in some degree suitable to the service he had performed. 
 
42 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 troops, with a secretary by his side ; but, mistaking the 
 latter for the king, he stabbed him to the heart, and was 
 immediately apprehended, and brought into the royal pre- 
 sence. 22. Upon Porsenna’s demanding who he was, and 
 the cause of so heinous an action, Mu'tius, without re. 
 serve, informed him of his country and his design, and at 
 the same time thrusting his right hand into afire that was 
 burning upon the altar before him, “ You see,*’cried he, 
 “ how little I regard the severest punishment your cruelty 
 “ can inflict. A Rc-nian knows, not only how to act, but 
 (t how to suffer; I am not the only person you have to 
 “ fear ; three hundred Roman youths, like me, have eon- 
 “ spired your destruction; therefore prepare for their 
 “ attempts.” 23. Porsen'na, amazed at so much intrepi¬ 
 dity, had too noble a mind not to acknowledge merit, 
 though found in an enemy; he, therefore, ordered him to 
 be safely conducted back to Rome, and offered the be¬ 
 sieged conditions of peace*. 24. These were readily 
 accepted on their side, being neither hard nor disgraceful, 
 except that twenty hostages were demanded; ten young 
 men, and as many virgins, of the best families in Rome. 
 25. But even in this instance also, as if the gentler sex 
 were resolved to be sharers in the desperate valour of the 
 times, Cle'lia, one of the hostages, escaping from her 
 guards, and pointing out the way to the rest of her female 
 companions, swam over the Tiber on horseback, amidst 
 showers of darts from the enemy, and presented herself 
 to the consul. 26. This magistrate fearing the conse¬ 
 quences of detaining her, sent her back ; upon which 
 Porsen'na, not to be outdone in generosity, not only gave 
 her liberty, but permitted her to choose such of the host¬ 
 ages, of the opposite sex, as she should think fit to attend 
 her. 27. On her part, she, with all the modesty of a 
 Roman virgin, chose only such as were under fourteen. 
 
 * From this time he obtained the additional name of Scaevola, 
 or left-handed, from having lost the use of his right hand by the 
 
43 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 alleging, that their tender age was least capable ot sus¬ 
 taining the rigours of slavery. 28. lhe year after the 
 departure of Porsen'na, the Sab'ines invading the Roman 
 territories, committed great devastations. The war that 
 ensued was long and bloody ; but at length the Sab ines 
 were compelled to purchase a peace, with corn, money, 
 and the cession of part of their territory. 
 
 29. Tar quin, by means of his son-in-law, Man lius, once 
 more stirred up the Latins to espouse his interest, and took 
 the most convenient opportunity when thePlebe ians weie 
 at variance with the senators concerning the payment of 
 their debts*. These refused to go to war, unless their 
 debts were remitted upon their return: so that the con¬ 
 suls, finding their authority insufficient, offered the people 
 to elect a temporary magistrate, who should have absolute 
 power, not only over all ranks of the state, but even ovei 
 the laws themselves. To this the Plebeians readily con¬ 
 sented, willing to give up their own power for the sake 
 of abridging that of their superiors. 30. In consequence 
 of this, LaPtius was created the first dictator of Rome, 
 for so was this high office called, being nominated to it by 
 his colleague in the consulship. 31. Thus the people, who 
 could not bear the very name of king, readily submitted to 
 a magistrate possessed of much greater power ; so much 
 do the names of things mislead us, and so little is any 
 form of government irksome to the people, when it coin¬ 
 cides with their prejudices. 
 
 * Besides this, by his emissaries, he engaged the meaner sort 
 of citizens and the slaves in a conspiracy. The former were, at 
 an appointed time, to seize the ramparts, and the latter to mur- 
 der their masters at the same instant. The gates were then to be 
 opened to the Tar'quins, who were to enter Rome while it was 
 yet reeking with the blood of the senators. This conspiracy was 
 discovered to the consul by two of Tar'quin’s principal agents. 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What form of government was substituted for the regal ? 
 
 2. Who were the first consuls ? 
 
 3. Did this new government appear stable at its commence¬ 
 
 ment ? 
 
 4. Was this party formidable, and who were the most re¬ 
 
 markable of its members ? 
 
 5. What share had Tarquin in this conspiracy ? 
 
 6. By what means was it discovered ? 
 
 7. In what unhappy situation was Brutus placed? 
 
 8. What had the criminals to say in extenuation of their 
 
 offences ? 
 
 9. What effect had this scene on the judges? 
 
 10. Did not paternal affection cause him to relent ? 
 
 11. What measures did Tarquin next pursue ? 
 
 12. What steps were taken to resist him? 
 
 13. What remarkable event attended the meeting of the 
 
 armies? ° 
 
 14. Did this decide the fate of the day? 
 
 15. Did Tarquin relinquish his hopes? 
 
 16. In what manner did Porsenna attempt the restoration of 
 
 Tarquin ? 
 
 17. By what heroic action was the city saved ? 
 
 18. Did Porsenna persevere in bis attempt? 
 
 19. What was the consequence ? 
 
 20. What was this act of heroism ? 
 
 21. Did he succeed ? 
 
 22. What followed ? 
 
 23. How did Porsenna act on the occasion ? 
 
 24. WeVe these conditions accepted ? 
 
 25. What remarkable circumstance attended the delivery of 
 
 the hostages ? 
 
 26. How did the consul act on the occasion? 
 
 27. Whom did she choose? 
 
 28. What happened after the departure of Porsenna? 
 
 29. What measures did Tarquin next resort to ? 
 
 30. What was the consequence ? 
 
 31. What inference may be drawn from this ? 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 From the Creation of the Dictator, to the Election 
 of the Tribunes . JJ> C. 255. 
 
 3. Lcn'itv, s. mildness, mercy. 
 
 5, Defec tion, s. a falling away, a revolt. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 45 
 
 Oblivion, s. forgetfulness, a general pardon for offences 
 against a state. 
 
 8. Or atory, s . a tine and persuasive manner of speaking. 
 
 Aggravated, v. heightened, represented as worse than they 
 really were. 
 
 10. Aver'red, v. declared positively. 
 
 11. Ob'vious, a. easily discovered, clear. 
 
 13. Annulling, part, abolishing, making void. 
 
 Validity, s. force, effect. 
 
 1. Lar'tius being created dictator % entered upon 
 his office, surrounded with lictors and all the ensigns of 
 ancient royalty ; and, seated upon a throne in the midst 
 of the people, ordered the levies to be made in the man¬ 
 ner of the kings of Rome. 2. The populace looked with 
 terror upon a magistrate whom they had invested with 
 uncontrollable power, and each went peaceably to range 
 himself under his respective standard. 3. Thus going 
 forth to oppose the enemy, he, after concluding a truce 
 for a year, returned witli his army, and, in six months, 
 laid down the dictatorship, with the reputation of having 
 exercised it with blameless lenity f. 
 
 4. But, though for this time the people submitted to be 
 led forth, they yet resolved to free themselves from the 
 yoke; and, though they could not get their grievances; 
 redressed, yet they determined to fly from those whom 
 they could not move to compassion. The grievances, 
 therefore, continuing, they resolved to quit a city which 
 gave them no shelter, and to form a new establishment 
 without its limits. They, therefore, under the conduct of 
 
 * The power of the dictator was absolute $ he could of his own 
 will make peace or war, levy forces, lead them forth, disband 
 them, and even dispense with the existing laws at his pleasure, 
 without consulting the senate. 
 
 f At the expiration of the truce with the Latins, Posthu'mius, 
 at that time dictator, marched against them, obtained a complete 
 victory over them at the Lake Regil'lus, and concluded an ad¬ 
 vantageous peace. About this time died Tar'quin, which put an 
 end to any farther contests for the crown. 
 
 J The principal of these grievances, was the intolerable seve¬ 
 rity of creditors, who seized their debtors as slaves, notwith¬ 
 standing many of them had fought and bled for their country. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 46 
 
 a Plebe'ian, named Sicin'ius Bellu'tus, retired to a moun¬ 
 tain, hence called the Mons Sacer*, within three miles 
 of Rome. 
 
 5. Upon the news of this defection , the city was filled 
 with tumult and consternation: those who wished well to 
 the people made every attempt to scale the walls, in order 
 to join itf« 6. The senate was not less agitated than the 
 rest; some were for violent measures, and repelling force 
 bv force; others were of opinion that gentler arts were to 
 be used, and that even a victory over such enemies would 
 he worse than a defeat. At length, it was resolved to 
 send a messenger, entreating the people to return home, 
 and declare their grievances; promising, at the same 
 time, an oblivion of all that had passed. 
 
 7. This message not succeeding, Mene'nius Agrip'pa, 
 one of the wisest and best of the senators, was ot opinion, 
 that the demands of the people were to be complied with. 
 It was resolved, therefore, to enter into a treaty, and to 
 make them such offers as should induce them to return. 
 
 8. Ten commissioners were deputed. The dignity and 
 popularity of the ambassadors procured them a very 
 respectable reception among the soldiers, and a confer¬ 
 ence began. They employed all their oratory ; while 
 Sicin'ius and Lucius Junius, who were speakers for the 
 soldiery, aggravated their distresses with all that mas¬ 
 culine eloquence which is the child of nature. 
 
 9. The conference had now continued for a long time, 
 when Mene'nius Agrip'pa, who had been originally a 
 Plebe'ian himself, a shrewd man, and who, consequently, 
 knew r what kind of eloquence was most likely to please 
 the people, addressed them with that celebrated fable 
 which is so finely told by Liv'y. 10. “ In times of old, 
 when every part of the body could think for itself, and 
 
 * Sacred mountain. 
 
 f The gates had been shut by order of the senate, to prevent 
 farther defection. 
 
47 
 
 i » 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 each had a separate will of his own, they all, with com¬ 
 mon consent, resolved to revolt against the belly. Thev 
 knew no reason, they said, why they should toil from 
 morning till night in its service, while the belly, in the 
 mean time, lay at his ease in the midst of them all, and 
 indolently grew fat upon their labours : accordingly, one 
 and all, they agreed to befriend it no more. The feet 
 vowed they would no longer carry the load; the hands 
 vowed they would not feed it; and the teeth averred thev 
 would not chew its food. Thus resolved, they all, for 
 some time, shewed their spirit, and kept their word ; but 
 soon found, that instead of mortifying the belly by these 
 means, they only undid themselves; they languished for 
 a while, and perceived, when too late, that it was owing 
 to the belly, that they had strength to work, or courage 
 to mutiny 
 
 11. This fable, the application of which is obvious , had 
 an instantaneous effect upon the people. They unani¬ 
 mously cried out, that Agrip’pa should lead them back to 
 Rome; and were making preparations to follow him, 
 when Lu'cius Ju'nius withheld them ; alleging, that 
 though they ought gratefully to acknowledge the kind 
 offers of the senate, yet they had no safeguard against 
 their future resentments; that therefore, it was necessary, 
 for the security of the people, to have certain officers 
 created annually from among themselves, who should 
 have power to give redress to such of them as should be 
 injured, and plead the cause of the community. 12. The 
 people, who are generally of opinion with the last speaker, 
 highly applauded this proposal, with which however the 
 commissioners had not power to comply ; they, therefore, 
 sent to Rome to take the instructions of the senate ; who, 
 distracted with divisions among themselves, and harassed 
 by complaints from without, were resolved to have peace, 
 at whatever price it should be obtained ; accordingly, as 
 
 6 
 
48 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 if with one voice, they consented to the creation of these 
 new officers, who were called Tribunes * of the People. 
 
 13. The Tribunes of the people were at first five in 
 number, though afterwards their body was increased by 
 five more. They were always annually elected by the 
 people, and almost always from their body. They at first 
 had their seats placed before the doors of the senate house, 
 and, when called in, they w ere to examine every decree, 
 annulling it by the word “ Veto , Iforbid it or confirm¬ 
 ing it by signing the letter T, which gave it validity. 
 14. This new' office being thus instituted, all things were 
 adjusted both on the one side and the other, and the peo¬ 
 ple, after having sacrificed to the gods of the mountain, 
 returned back once more in triumph to Rome. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What were the first acts of the dictator ? 
 
 2. W ere his decrees peaceably obeyed ? 
 
 3. What were his exploits? 
 
 4. Were the discontents of the people entirely appeased ? 
 
 5. How was the news of this defection received? 
 
 6. What was its effect on the senate ? 
 
 7. Was this offer accepted? 
 
 8. In what manner was this done, and how were they re¬ 
 
 ceived? 
 
 9. What was the result of this conference? 
 
 10. Repeat this fable. 
 
 11. What effect did this apology produce? 
 
 12. How was this obstacle removed ? 
 
 13. Who were the tribunes of the people, and what was their 
 
 authority ? 
 
 14. Did this new regulation answer the desired end? 
 
 * They were called tribunes, because chosen by the tribes. 
 The first tribunes were L. Ju'nius Brutus, C. Siein'nius Bellu'- 
 tus, Publius Licin'ius, C. Licin'ius, and Sp. Icil'ius Ruga. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 49 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 From the Creation of the Tribunes, to the Appoint - 
 ment of the Decemviri .— U. C. 260. 
 
 2. Patri'cians, s. (pro. pa-trish-ans f ) noblemen. 
 
 Aboli'tion, s. the act of destroying or extinguishing any 
 thing, so that no part shall remain. 
 
 6. Adja'cent, a, lying near, neighbouring. 
 
 Intrepid'ity, s. courage, boldness. 
 
 Auditors, s. hearers. 
 
 6. Embez'zled, v. appropriated to his own use. 
 
 8. An'tium, s. a maritime city of the Vol'sci, in Italy, which 
 sustained a war against the Romans for 200 years, and 
 was at last taken by Camil'lus. 
 
 Exile, 8. banishment. 
 
 Vol'sci, s. the people of La'tium, in Italy. 
 
 11. Infraction, s. a breaking. 
 
 13. Lev'ies, s. the enlisting of soldiers. 
 
 Allie's, s. nations united in friendship. 
 
 18. Conjur'ing, part, earnestly entreating, or adjuring in the 
 
 name of God. 
 
 19. Pon'tifis, s. the highest order of priests. 
 
 21. Adjuration, s. a solemn entreaty. 
 
 22. Em'bassy, s. a message of business between princes and 
 
 states. 
 
 Ma tron, s. an elderly lady or old woman, a mother. 
 
 23. Tribunal, s. the seat of a judge. 
 
 27. Despotic, a. absolute in power, able to do any thing by his 
 own will alone. 
 
 Note. Ambusca'de, s. the place where an enemy is concealed. 
 
 1. During the late separation, all tillage had been 
 entirely neglected, and a famine was the consequence the 
 ensuing season. 2. The senate did all that lay in their 
 power to remedy the distress; but the people, pinched 
 with want, and willing to throw the blame on any but 
 themselves, ascribed the whole of their distress to the 
 avarice of the patricians; who, having purchased all the 
 corn, as was alleged, intended to indemnify themselves 
 for the abolition of debts, by selling it out to great ad- 
 
 D 
 

 5D HISTORY OF THE 
 
 vantage. 3. But plenty soon after appeased them for a 
 time. A fleet of ships, laden with corn, from Sicily, 
 once more raised their spirits. 
 
 4. But Coriola'nus * incurred their resentment, by in¬ 
 sisting that the corn should not be distributed till the griev¬ 
 ances of the senate were removed. For this, the Tribunes 
 summoned him to a trial before the people. 5. When the 
 appointed day was come, all persons were filled with the 
 greatest expectations, and a vast concourse from the ad¬ 
 jacent country assembled and filled the forum. Coriola'nus 
 presented himself before the people, with a degree of in¬ 
 trepidity that merited better fortune. His graceful person, 
 his persuasive eloquence, and the cries of those whom he 
 had saved from the enemy, inclined the auditors to relent. 
 6. But, being unable to answer what was alleged against 
 him to the satisfaction of the people, and utterly con¬ 
 founded with a new charge, of having embezzled the plun¬ 
 der of Antium, the Tribunes immediately took the votes, 
 and Coriola'nus was condemned to perpetual exile. 
 
 7. This sentence against their bravest defender, struck 
 the senate with sorrow, consternation, and regret. Corio¬ 
 la'nus alone, in the midst of the v tumult, seemed an uncon¬ 
 cerned spectator. 8. He returned home, followed by the 
 lamentations of the most respectable senators and citizens, 
 to take leave of his wife, his children, and his mother 
 VetuTia. Thus recommending all to the care of Heaven, 
 he left the city, without followers or fortune, to take re¬ 
 fuge with TuTlus At'tius f, a man of great power among 
 
 * This man’s name was originally Ca'ius Mar'cius. lie re¬ 
 ceived the surname of Coriola'nus as a reward for having, by his 
 valour, occasioned the taking of Cori'oli, the capital of the^ 
 Yol'sci. Previous to the occurrence mentioned in the text, he 
 had been condemned to death by the tribunes, but saved by the 
 interference of his friends. 
 
 f Tul'lus At'tius was a most determined enemy to the Romans, 
 and to Corio'lanus in particular,for the share he had in humbling 
 the power of the Vol'sci. It was probable more from a hope of 
 revenge, by means of this valiant soldier, than any noble prin¬ 
 ciple, thathe offered him his countenance and protection. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 51 
 
 the Vol'sci , who took him under his protection, and es¬ 
 poused his quarrel. 
 
 9. Some pretence was necessary to induce the Vol'sci 
 to break the league which had been made with Rome; and, 
 for this purpose, Tul'lus sent many of his citizens thither, 
 apparently for the purpose of seeing some games at that 
 time celebrating; but gave the senate private information, 
 that the strangers had dangerous intentions of burning the 
 city. 10. This had the desired effect; the senate issued 
 an order, that ail strangers, whoever they were, should 
 depart from Rome before sun-set. 11. This order Tul'lus 
 represented to his countrymen as an infraction of the 
 treaty, and procured an embassy to Rome, complaining of 
 the breach, and re demanding all the territories belonging 
 to the Vol'sci, of which they had been violently dispos¬ 
 sessed ; declaring war in case of refusal. This message, 
 however, was treated by the senate with contempt. 
 
 12. War being in consequence declared on both sides, 
 Coriola'nus and Tul'lus were made generals of the Vol'sci, 
 and accordingly invaded the Roman territories; ravaging 
 and laying waste all such lands as belonged to the ple¬ 
 beians, but letting those of the senators remain untouched. 
 
 13. In the mean time, the levies went on but slowly at 
 Rome ; the two consuls, who w ere re-elected by the peo¬ 
 ple, seemed but little skilled in war, and even feared to 
 encounter a general whom they knew to be their superior 
 in the field. The allies also shewed their fears, and slowly 
 brought in their succours: so that Coriola'nus continued 
 to take their towns one after the other. 14. Fortune fol¬ 
 lowed him in every expedition, and he was now so famous 
 for his victories, that the Vol'sci left their towns defence¬ 
 less to follow him into the field. The very soldiers of his 
 colleague’s army came over to him, and would acknow¬ 
 ledge no other general. 15. Thus finding himself unop¬ 
 posed in the field, and at the head of a numerous army, he 
 at length invested the city of Rome itself, fully resolved 
 
 D 2 
 
52 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to besiege it. 16. It was then the senate and the people 
 unanimously agreed to send deputies to him, with pro¬ 
 posals for his restoration, in case he would draw off 
 his army. 17. Coriola'nus received these proposals at the 
 head of his principal officers, and, with the sternness of 
 a general that was to give the law, refused their offers *• 
 
 18. Another embassy was now sent, conjuring him not 
 to exact from his native city aught but what became 
 Romans to grant. Coriola'nus, however, naturally severe, 
 still persisted in his former demands, and granted them 
 only three days for deliberation. 19. In this exigence, all 
 that was left to be done, was another deputation still more 
 solemn than either of the former, composed of thepontiffs, 
 priests, and augurs. These, clothed in their habits of 
 ceremony, and with a grave and mournful deportment, 
 issued from the city, and entered the camp of the con¬ 
 queror: but all in vain, they found him severe and inflexible. 
 
 20. When the people saw them return without success, 
 they began to give up the commonwealth as lost. Their 
 temples were filled with old men, with women, and chil¬ 
 dren, who, prostrate at the altars, put up their ardent 
 prayers for the preservation of their country. Nothing 
 was to be heard but anguish and lamentation; nothing to 
 be seen but scenes of affright and distress. 21. At length, 
 it was suggested to them,-that what could not be effected 
 by the intercession of the senate, or the adjuration of the 
 priests, might be brought about by the tears of a wife, or 
 the commands of a mother. 22. This deputation seemed 
 to be approved by all, and even the senate themselves gave 
 it the sanction of their authority. Vetu'ria, the mother of 
 
 * “Is a bare re-establishment in Rome/’ said he, “ a sufficient 
 satisfaction for the affronts I have received ? Can there be any 
 safety for me, while a Sicin'nius or a De'cius is able to arm the 
 populace against my life? No, Rome is an unnatural mother, 
 who has cast off a son that was useful to her, and zealous for her 
 glory. She shall soon know, by the effects of my resentment, 
 whose cause it is that the gods espouse.” 
 
53 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 Coriola'nus, at first hesitated to undertake so pious a work, 
 knowing the inflexible temper of her son, and fearing only 
 to shew his disobedience in a new point of light, by his 
 rejecting the commands of a parent; however, she at last 
 undertook the embassy , and set forward from the city, ac¬ 
 companied by many of the principal matrons of Rome, 
 with Volum'nia his wife and his two children. 23. Co¬ 
 riola'nus, who at a distance discovered this mournful 
 train of females, was resolved to give them a denial, and 
 callecLhis officers round him to be witnesses of his reso¬ 
 lution ; but, when told that his mother and his wife were 
 among the number, he instantly came down from his 
 tribunal , to meet and embrace them. 24. At first, the 
 women’s tears and embraces took away the power of 
 words, and the rough soldier himself, hardy as he was, 
 could not refrain from sharing their distress. Coriola'nus 
 now seemed much agitated by contending passions; 
 while his mother, who saw him moved, seconded her 
 words by the most persuasive eloquence, that of tears: his 
 wife and children hung around him, entreating for protec¬ 
 tion and pity : while the female train, her companions, 
 added their lamentations, and deplored their own and 
 their country’s distress. 25. Coriola'nus, for a moment, 
 was silent, feeling the strong conflict between honour and 
 inclination ; at length, as if roused from a dream, he flew 
 to raise his mother, who had fallen at his feet, crying out, 
 “ O, my mother, thou hast saved Rome, but lost thy son.” 
 He accordingly gave orders to draw off the army, pre¬ 
 tending to the officers, that the city was too strong to 
 be taken. 26. Tul'Ius, who had long envied Coriola'nus, 
 was not remiss in aggravating the lenity of his conduct 
 to his countrymen. Upon their return, Coriola'nus is 
 said to have been slain by an insurrection of the people, 
 and honourably buried, after a late and ineffectual re¬ 
 pentance. 
 
 27. Great and many were the public rejoicings at 
 D 3 
 

 54 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Rome, upon the retreat of theVol'scian army* ; but they 
 were clouded soon after by the intrigues of Spu'rius Cas ¬ 
 sius, who, wanting to make himself despotic , by means of 
 the people, was found guilty of a number of crimes, all 
 tending towards altering the constitution; and was thrown 
 headlong from the Tar pe fan rockf, by those very people 
 whose interests he had endeavoured to extend J. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What were the consequences of the late separation? 
 
 2. What measures were taken to remedy these misfortunes, 
 
 and to whom was the blame of them attributed ! 
 
 3. What happened to remove the popular discontent ? 
 
 4. What circumstance raised a fresh commotion? 
 
 5. Did Coriolanus obey the summons? 
 
 6. What was the issue of the trial? 
 
 7. To what sensations did this sentence give rise ? 
 b. What circumstance attended his departure? 
 
 9. In what manner did he commence his revenge? 
 
 10. Was this information believed ? 
 
 11. What use did Tullus make of this order ? 
 
 12. To whom was the conduct of the war committed ? 
 
 13. Was this invasion vigorously opposed ? 
 
 14. Was Coriolanus uniformly successful? 
 
 15. What did this good fortune induce him to undertake ? 
 
 16. What measures did the senate adopt on this emergency ? 
 
 17. How were these proposals received? 
 
 18. Were they repeated ? 
 
 * The senate commanded a temple to be erected oil the spot 
 where the interview between Coriola'nus and his mother took 
 place, which saved Rome ; and dedicated it to maternal influence. 
 
 f Tarpei'an Rock, or Tarpei'us Mons, a hill at Rome, about 
 80 feet in perpendicular height, whence the Romans threw down 
 their condemned criminals. 
 
 + Soon after the death of Cas'sius, the Vein'tes made incursions 
 almost to the walls of Rome. As the discontents, respecting the 
 Agrarian law, and the low state of the treasury, rendered the 
 senate incapable of effectually resisting them, the noble family of 
 the Fa'bii, voluntarily offered themselves for this service. These, 
 with their clients, amounted to above 4000 men. They fortified 
 themselves in a castle, called Crenfera j and, for some time, 
 proved themselves able defenders of their country , but, having 
 been enticed into an ambuscade , they were all destroyed. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 55 
 
 19 . 
 
 20 . 
 21 . 
 22 . 
 
 23. 
 
 24. 
 
 25. 
 
 26. 
 27. 
 
 What was the next step adopted ? 
 
 Did the Romans boldly resolve to oppose force by loi e • 
 What new expedient was proposed? 
 
 Was this proposal adopted ? . 
 
 What was the conduct of Coriolanus on the occasion . 
 Describe this interview? 
 
 What was the result? 
 
 Did the Volscians approve of this measure? 
 
 What followed this happy deliverance ? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 
 1. Ci'ted, v. summoned. 
 
 7 Ex'ijrence, s. pressing necessity, critical situation. 
 
 S. De'fC*. narrow pass, a kind of lane, where but few men 
 can march abreast. 
 
 Ctill lliaiou ~. . 
 
 E'gress, s passage out of a place. 
 9. Hcm'med, part, surrounded. 
 
 11. Consternation, * excessi ve fear. , , j 
 
 17. EntrencU'ments, «. fortifications composed of banks a ,U 
 
 ditches. . . 
 
 18. Cessation, s. a respite, a stop, an interval. 
 
 21. Inevitable, a. not to be escaped, certain. 
 
 Proffers, s. otfers made. . 
 
 Competence, s. a moderate sutneiency. 
 
 22 Ostentation, s. a boast, outward show. . 
 
 26. Bariotting Urns, s. urns in which the lots were contained 
 which were to decide any proposed question. 
 
 1. The year following, the two consuls of the former 
 year, Man'lius and Fa'bius, were cited by the tribunes to 
 appear before the people. The Agra'rian law, which had 
 been proposed some time before, for equally dividing the 
 lands of the commonwealth among the people, was the 
 object invariably pursued, and they were accused of 
 having made unjustifiable delays in putting it oft. 
 
 2. The Agrarian law was a grant the senate could not 
 think of making to the people. The consuls therefore, 
 made many delays and excuses ; till at length they " c| e 
 once more obliged to have recourse to a dictatoi , an 
 
 * Cincinnati^ was chosen consul only, m the T0 °i" 
 
 Valerius, who died during his consulship He was after w ards p 
 pointed dictator, in the war with the *'qui and Vol S cu-EdUo ,. 
 
 D 4 
 
56 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 they fixed upon Quin'tus Cincinna'tus, a man who had, 
 for some time, given up all views of ambition, and retired 
 to his little farm, where the deputies of the senate found 
 him holding the plough, and dressed in the mean attire 
 of a labouring husbandman. 3. He appeared but little 
 elevated with the addresses of ceremony, and the pompous 
 habits they brought him ; and, upon declaring to him the 
 senate’s pleasure, he testified rather a concern that his aid 
 should be wanted. He naturally preferred the charms of 
 a country retirement, to the fatiguing splendours of ofiice, 
 and only said to his wife, as they were leading him away, 
 “ I fear, my Attil'ia, that for this year, our little fields 
 must remain unsown.” 4. Then, taking a tender leave, 
 he departed for the city, where both parties were 
 strongly enflamed against each other. However, he re¬ 
 solved to side with neither; but, by a strict attention to 
 the interests of his country, instead of gaining the con¬ 
 fidence of faction, to seize the esteem of all. 5. Thus, 
 by threats and well timed submission, he prevailed upon 
 the tribunes to put off their law for a time, and con¬ 
 ducted himself so as to be a terror to the multitude 
 whenever they refused to enlist; and their greatest en- 
 courager whenever their submission deserved it. 6. 
 Having, by these means, restored that tranquillity to the 
 people, which he so much loved himself, he again gave 
 up the splendours of ambition, to enjoy it with a greater 
 relish in his little farm. 
 
 7. Cincinna'tus had not long retired from his ofiice, 
 tJ. C. when a fresh exigence of the state once more re- 
 295. quired his assistance; and ^qui and the Volsci 
 who, though always worsted, were still for renewing the 
 war, made new inroads into the territories of Rome. 
 8. Minu'tius, one of the consuls who succeeded Ciucinna'- 
 tus, was sent to oppose them ; but being naturally timid, 
 and rather more afraid of being conquered than desirou* 
 of victory, his army was driven into a defile between two 
 
57 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 mountains, from which, except through the enemy, there 
 was no egress . 9. This, however, the iE qui had the pre¬ 
 caution to fortify, by which the Roman army was so 
 hemmed in on every side, that nothing remained but 
 submission to the enemy, famine, or immediate death. 
 10. Some knights, who found means of getting away pri¬ 
 vately through the enemy’s camp, were the first that 
 brought the account of this disaster to Rome. 11. No¬ 
 thing could exceed the consternation of all ranks of peo¬ 
 ple when informed of it: the senate at first thought of 
 the other consul; but not having sufficient experience of 
 his abilities, they unanimously turned their eyes upon 
 Cincin'natus, and resolved to make him dictator. 12. Cin¬ 
 cin'natus, the only person on w'hom Rome could now 
 place her whole dependence, was found, as before, by the 
 messengers of the senate, labouring in his field with 
 cheerful industry. 15. He was at first astonished at the 
 ensigns of unbounded power, witii which the deputies 
 came to invest him; but still more at the approach of 
 the principal of the senate, who came out to attend him. 
 11. A dignity so unlooked for, however, had no effect 
 upou the simplicity or integrity of his manners; and, 
 being now possessed of absolute power, and called upon 
 to nominate his master of the horse, he chose a poor man 
 named Tarquit'ius, one who, like himself, despised riches, 
 when they led to dishonour. Thus the saving a great 
 nation was devolved upon a husbaudman taken from the 
 plough, and an obscure centinel found among the dregs 
 of the army *. 15. Upon entering the city, the dictator 
 
 put on a serene look, and entreated all those who were 
 able to bear arms, to repair before sun-set to the Cam pus 
 
 * Though Tarquit'ius was poor, and served as a private cen¬ 
 tinel, he was a patrician by birth, and of uncommon 
 Cincinna'tus, therefore, did justice to his merit, and notwith¬ 
 standing his poverty, raised him to that high station. 
 
 D 5 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 58 
 
 MarTius (the place where the levies were made) with ne¬ 
 cessary arms, and provisions for five days. 10. He put 
 himself at the head of these, and, marching all night with 
 great expedition, arrived early the next day within sight 
 of the enemy. Upon his approach, he ordered his soldiers 
 to raise a loud shout, to apprise the consul’s army of the 
 relief that was at hand. 17. The AL'qui were not a little 
 amazed when they saw themselves between two ene¬ 
 mies ; but still more when they perceived Cincinna'tus 
 making the strongest entrenchments beyond them, to 
 prevent their escape, and enclosing them as they had en¬ 
 closed the consul. 18. To prevent this, a furious combat 
 ensued; but the Ai/qui, being attacked on both sides, and 
 unable longer to resist or fly, begged a cessation of arms. 
 19. They offered the dictator his own terms; he gave 
 them their lives, and obliged them in token of servitude, 
 to pass under the yoke, which w'as two spears set up¬ 
 right, and another across, in the form of a gallows, be¬ 
 neath which the vanquished were to march. Their cap¬ 
 tains and generals he made prisoners of war, being 
 reserved to adorn his triumph. 20. As for the plunder of 
 the enemy’s camp, that he gave entirely up to his own 
 soldiers, without reserving any part for himself, or per¬ 
 mitting those of tile delivered army to have a share. 
 21. Thus having rescued a Roman army from inevitable 
 destruction, having defeated a powerful enemy, having 
 taken and fortified their city, and still more, having re¬ 
 fused any part of the spoil, he resigned his dictatorship, 
 after having enjoyed it but fourteen days. The senate 
 would have enriched him, but he declined their proffers, 
 choosing to retire once more to his farm and his cottage, 
 content with competence and fame *. 
 
 * About this time, the number of the tribunes was increased 
 from five to ten. 
 
59 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 22. But this repose from foreign invasion did not lessen 
 the tumults of the city within. The clamours for the 
 Agrarian law still continued, and still more fiercely, 
 when Sic'cius Denta'tus, a plebe'ian, advanced in years, 
 but of an admirable person and military deportment, 
 came forward to enumerate his hardships and his merits. 
 This old soldier made no scruple of extolling the various 
 achievements of his youth ; indeed his merits more than 
 supported his ostentation. 23. He had served his country 
 in the wars forty years; he had been an officer thirty,first 
 a centurion, and then a tribune ; he had fought one hun- 
 dred and twenty battles, in which, by the force of his 
 single arm, he had saved a multitude of lives; he had 
 gained fourteen civic*, three mural"f, and eight golden 
 crowns; besides eighty-three chains, sixty biacelets, 
 eighteen gilt spears, and twenty-three horse-trappings, 
 whereof nine were for killing the enemy in single combat; 
 moreover, he had received forty-five wounds in front, and 
 none behind. 24. These were his honours; yet, not¬ 
 withstanding all these, he had never received any share 
 of those lands which were won from the enemy, but con¬ 
 tinued to drag on a life of poverty and contempt, while 
 others w ere possessed of those very territories w hich his 
 valour had won, without any merit to deserve them, or 
 ever having contributed to the conquest25. A case of 
 so much hardship had a strong effect upon the multitude, 
 they unanimously demanded that the law might be 
 passed, and that such merit should not go unrewarded. 
 
 * A civic crown, among the Romans, was made of oaken 
 leaves, and given to those who had saved the life ot a citizen. 
 
 f A mural crown was an honorary reward, given by the 
 ancient Romans to the soldiers who first scaled the walls ol the 
 
 enemv’s city. 
 
 X “ These military toys,” said he, “ are the only rewards I have 
 hitherto received. No lands, no share ofthe conquered countries. 
 Usurpers, without any title but that of a patrician extraction, 
 possess them. Is this to be endured ? Shall they alone possess 
 the fruits of our conquests ? The purchase of our blood . 
 
 D 6 
 
60 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It was in vain that some of the senators rose up to speak 
 against it, their voices were drowned by the cries of the 
 people. 26. When reason, therefore, could no longer be 
 heard, passion, as usual succeeded; and the young pa¬ 
 tricians, running furiously into the throng, broke the 
 balloting urns , and dispersed the multitude that offered' 
 to oppose them. 27. For this they were some time after 
 fined by the tribunes *; their resolution, however, for the 
 present, put off the Agrarian law. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What happened the following year? 
 
 2. Was this law passed, and what measures did the senate 
 
 adopt? 
 
 3. What effect had this new dignity on Cincinnatus? 
 
 4. How did he conduct himself? 
 
 6. Were his measures successful? 
 
 6. Did Cincinnatus continue in office ? 
 
 7. Was he permitted to continue in retirement? 
 
 8. What was the exigence that required his return to office? 
 
 9. What prevented the Romans from forcing their way 
 
 through ? 
 
 10. How was this news received at Rome ? 
 
 11. Whom did they resolve to appoint dictator? 
 
 12. How was Cincinnatus employed when the messenger ar¬ 
 
 rived ? 
 
 13. What was his behaviour on the occasion ? 
 
 14. How was he affected by this exaltation ? 
 
 15. What were his first measures? 
 
 16. What followed? 
 
 17. How were the enemy affected by his approach? 
 
 18. What was the consequence ? 
 
 19. What were the terms of peace ? 
 
 20. What became of the plunder ? 
 
 21. What were his rewards for this important service ? 
 
 22. Was domestic tranquillity the consequence of foreign 
 
 conquest? 
 
 23. What were these achievements? 
 
 24. How was he rewarded ? 
 
 25. What was the consequence of his appeal to the people ! 
 
 26. Did the people obtain their demand ? 
 
 27. How was this outrage punished ? 
 
 * They were afterwards reimbursed the amount of their Sue* 
 by the voluntary contributions of the senate. 
 
COMMONWEALTH, OP ROME. 
 
 61 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 From the Creation of the Decemviri, to the Extinc¬ 
 tion of that Office. — U. C. 302. 
 
 ) Fluctuating, part, changing, wavering. 
 
 men,) ten magistrates, chosen annually at Rome, o g 
 vern the commonwealth, and to make laws. 
 
 a kc—.—- **• 
 
 Troy, and was killed by Paris with an arrow. 
 
 29. Detestable, a. hateful, odious. 
 
 1. THE commonwealth of Rome had now, for nearly 
 sixty years, been fluctuating between the contending 
 orders that composed it, till at length, each side, as if 
 weary, was willing to respire a while from the mutual 
 exertions of its claims. The citizens, of every rank, be- 
 wan to complain of the arbitrary decisions of their ma¬ 
 gistrates, and wished to be guided by a written body of 
 laws, which, being known, might prevent wrongs, » 
 well as punish them. 2. In this both the senate and the 
 people concurred, as hoping that such laws would put 
 an end to the commotions that so long had harassed the 
 ttate. 3. It was thereupon agreed that ambassadors 
 should be sent to the Greek cities in Italy, and to Athens, 
 to bring home such laws from thence, as, by experience, 
 had been found most equitable and useful. For tint 
 purpose three senators, Posthu'mus, Sulpi'c.us, and 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Man lius, were fixed upon, and gallies assigned to con-i 
 voy them, agreeably to the majesty of the Roman people. 
 4. While they were upon this commission abroad, a 
 dreadful plague depopulated the city at home, and sup¬ 
 plied the interval of their absence with other anxiety than 
 that of wishes for their return. 5. In about a year the 
 plague ceased, and the ambassadors returned, bringing 
 home a body of laws, collected from the most civilized 
 states of Greece and Italy, which, being afterwards 
 formed into ten tables, and two more being added, made 
 that celebrated code called The Laws of the Twelve 
 Tables *. 
 
 6. The ambassadors were no sooner returned, than the 
 tribunes requii^d that a body of men should be chosen 
 to digest their new laws into proper form, and to give 
 weight to the execution of them. 7. After long debate, 
 whether this choice should not be made from the people, 
 as well as the patricians, it was at last agreed that ten of 
 the principal senators should be elected, whose power, 
 continuing for a year, should be equal to that of kings 
 and consuls, and that without any appeal. 8. Thus the 
 whole constitution of the state at once took a new form, 
 and a dreadful experiment was about to be tried, of 
 governing one nation by laws formed from the manners 
 and customs of another. 
 
 9. These Decemviri being now invested with absolute 
 power’, agreed to take the reins of government by turns, 
 each to administer justice for a day. 10. For the first 
 year they wrought with extreme application : and their 
 work being finished, it was expected that they would be 
 content to give up their office; but, having known the 
 charms of power, they were unwilling to resign: they 
 pretended that some laws were yet wanting to complete 
 
 * These laws were engraven on brass, and hung up in the 
 most conspicuous part of the Forum. 
 
03 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 their design, and entreated the senate tor a continuance 
 in office ; which request was readily granted. 
 
 11. But they soon threw oft the mask of moderation, 
 and, regardless of the approbation of the senate or the 
 people, resolved to coutinue, against all order, in the 
 decemvirate. 12. A conduct so tyrannical produced 
 discontents, and these were as sure to produce fresh acts 
 of tyranny. The city was become almost a desert, with 
 respect to all who had any thing to lose, and the rapacity 
 of the decemvirs was then only discontinued when they 
 wanted fresh subjects to exercise it upon. 13. In this 
 state of slavery, proscription, and mutual distrust, not 
 one citizen was found to strike for his country’s freedom ; 
 these tyrants continued to rule without controul, being 
 constantly guarded, not by the lictors alone, but by a 
 numerous crowd of dependants, clients, and even patri¬ 
 cians, whom their vices had confederated round them. 
 
 14. In this gloomy situation of the state, the iEqui and 
 Vol'sci, those constant enemies of the Romans, renewed 
 their incursions, and, resolving to profit by the intestine 
 divisions of the people, advanced within about ten miles 
 of Rome. 
 
 l£ The decemviri being in possession of all the mili¬ 
 tary as well as of the civil power, divided their army into 
 three parts; whereof one continued with Ap'pius in the 
 city, to keep it in awe; the other two were commanded 
 by his colleagues, and were led, one against the iE'qui, 
 and the other against the Y r ol'sci. 16. The Roman sol¬ 
 diers had now r adopted a method of punishing the gene¬ 
 rals whom they disliked, by suffering themselves to be 
 vanquished in the field. They put it in practice upon 
 this occasion, and shamefully abandoned their camp upon 
 the approach of the enemy. 17. Never was victorious 
 news more joyfully received at Rome, than the tidings 
 of this defeat; the generals, as is always the case, were 
 blamed for the treachery of their men; some demanded 
 
64 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 that they should be deposed , others cried out for a dic¬ 
 tator to lead the troops to conquest. 18. Among the rest, 
 Old Sic'cius Denta'tus, the tribune, spoke his sentiments 
 with his usual openness; and, treating the generals with 
 contempt, pointed out the faults of their discipline in the 
 camp, and their conduct in the field. 19. Ap'pius, in 
 the mean time, was not remiss in observing the disposi¬ 
 tion of the people. Denta'tus in particular was marked 
 out for vengeance; and, under pretence of doing him 
 particular honour, he was appointed legate, and put at 
 the head of the supplies which were sent from Rome, to 
 reinforce the army. 20. The office of legate was held 
 sacred among the Romans, as in it was united the autho¬ 
 rity of a general, with the reverence due to the priest* 
 hood. 21. Denta'tus, no way suspecting the design, went 
 to the camp with alacrity , where he was received with 
 all the external marks of respect. But the generals soon 
 found means of indulging their desire of revenge. He 
 was appointed at the head of a hundred men to go and 
 examine a more commodious place for encampment, as 
 he had very candidly assured the commanders, that 
 their present situation was wrong. 23, The soldiers, 
 however, who were given as his attendants, were a#as- 
 sins; wretches who had long been ministers of the ven¬ 
 geance of the decemviri, and who now’ engaged to mur¬ 
 der him, though with all those apprehensions, which his 
 reputation (for he was called the Roman Achilles) might 
 be supposed to inspire. 24. With these designs they led 
 him into the hollow bosom of a retired mountain, where 
 they began to set upon him behind. 25. Denta'tus too 
 late perceived the treachery of the Decemviri, and was 
 Tesolved to sell his life as dearly as he could; he there¬ 
 fore set his back against a rock, and defended himself 
 against those who pressed most closely. Though now 
 grown old, he had still the remains of his former valour, 
 and, with his own hand, killed no less than fifteen of the 
 
65 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 assailants, and wounded thirty. 26. The assassius now, 
 therefore, terrified at his amazing bravery, showered 
 their javelins upon him at a distance, all which he re¬ 
 ceived in his shield with undaunted resolution. 27. The 
 combat, though so unequal in numbers, was managed, 
 for some time with doubtful success, till at length hit* 
 assailants bethought themselves of ascending the rock, 
 against which he stood, and pouring down stones upon 
 him from above. 28. This succeeded; the old soldier 
 fell beneath their united efforts; after having shewn, by 
 his death, that he owed to his fortitude, and not his 
 fortune, that he had come off so many times victorious. 
 29. The decemviri pretended to join in the general sor¬ 
 row for so brave a man, and decreed him a funeral with 
 the first military honours; but their pretended grief, 
 compared w'ith their known hatred, only rendered them 
 still more detestable to the people *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was at this time the state of the Roman Common¬ 
 
 wealth? 
 
 2. Was this assented to by the nation at large ? 
 
 3. What means were adopted for this purpose? 
 
 4. What happened during their absence? 
 
 5. How long did this calamity last? 
 
 6. What steps were taken on the return of the ambassadors . 
 
 7. Who were chosen for this purpose? 
 
 8. Was this proceeding an important one ? 
 
 9. In what manner did the decemviri govern ? 
 
 * Previous to this, and soon after his arrival at the camp, an 
 attempt had been made to cut him off, which failed, from his 
 superior bravery and military skill. The consul Romil rus, 
 being about to engage the enemy in the plain, gave it in charge 
 to Denta'tus to attack their camp, situate on an a most inacces¬ 
 sible rock, but allotted him a force utterly inadequate to the 
 attempt. Denta'tus remonstrated, but at length °] )e y®“> and » 
 contrary to general expectation, took the camp, and, falling on 
 the rear of the main army, contributed greatly to the vmtory. 
 For this base attempt Romil'ius and Vetu rius were lined by th 
 senate. (Liv. 1,3. c. 31). 
 
f,G 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 10. How did they discharge the duties of their office ? 
 
 11. Did they continue in the conscientious discharge of their 
 
 duties? 
 
 12. What was the consequence of this conduct? 
 
 13. TV as no patriot to he found bold enough to be a cham¬ 
 
 pion in his country's cause? 
 
 14. What added to the miseries of the Romans? 
 
 15. What steps were taken to oppose them ? 
 
 16. What was the conduct of the Roman soldiers on this oc¬ 
 
 casion? 
 
 17. How was this news received at Rome ? 
 
 18. Who appeared most conspicuous on this occasion ? 
 
 19. How was this honest sincerity received l 
 
 20. Was the office of legate a respectable one ? 
 
 21. Did Dentatus suspect treachery? 
 
 22. What plan of revenge was adopted ? 
 
 23. What was the character of his attendants ? 
 
 24. How did they commence their base design ? 
 
 25. Was Dentatus aw are of their treachery, and what resist¬ 
 
 ance did he make? 
 
 26. Did the assassins boldly engage the hero? 
 
 27. What new r method of attack did they attempt? 
 
 28. Was this plan successful ? 
 
 29. What was the conduct of the decemvir on this occasion? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 1. Atro'cious, a. horrid, wicked. 
 
 4. CentuTion, s. an officer w ho commanded a hundred men. 
 Espou'se, v. to marry. 
 
 5. Infrin'ge, v. to violate, to break. 
 
 Enactor, s. the framer or passer of a law. 
 
 10. Credible, a. worthy of belief. 
 
 11. Pater'nity, s. the relationship of a father. 
 
 14. Sedition, s. tumult, commotion. 
 
 18. Notorious, a . publicly known. 
 
 22. Acquies'ec, v. to submit to, to yield. 
 
 29. Predispo'sed, part, disposed before. 
 
 30. Quell, v. to subdue, to put down. 
 
 31. Incen'sed, a. enraged. 
 
 33. Ignomin'iously, ad. with marks of contempt, disgracefully. 
 Ultimately, ad. in the end. 
 
 Catastrophe, s. event, fatal conclusion. 
 
 1. But a transaction still more atrocious than the 
 former, served to inspire the citizens with a resolution 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 67 
 
 to break all measures of obedience, so as at last to re¬ 
 store freedom *. 
 
 2. Ap'pius, sitting one day on his tribunal to dispense 
 justice, saw a maiden of exquisite beauty, aged about 
 fifteen, passing to one of the public schools, attended by 
 a matron, her nurse. The charms of the damsel, height¬ 
 ened by all the innocence of virgin modesty, caught his 
 attention, and fired his heart. The day following, as she 
 past, he found her still more beautiful, and his breast 
 still more inflamed. 3. He now therefore resolved to 
 obtain the gratification of his passion, whatever should 
 be the consequence, and found means to inform himself 
 of the virgin’s name and family. 4. Her name was Vir¬ 
 ginia; she was the daughter of Virgin'ius, a centurion , 
 then with the army in the field, and had been contracted 
 to Icil ius, formerly a tribune of the people, who had 
 agreed to marry her at the end of the present campaign. 
 
 5. Ap'pius, at first, resolved to break off this match, 
 and to espouse her himself; but the laws of the Twelve 
 Tables had forbidden the patricians to intermarry with 
 the plebeians, and he could not infringe these, as he 
 was the enactor of themf. 6. Nothing therefore re¬ 
 mained but a criminal enjoyment, which, as he was long 
 used to the indulgence of his passions, he resolved to 
 obtain. 7. After having vainly tried to corrupt the fide¬ 
 lity of her nurse, he had recourse to another expedient, 
 still more wicked. He fixed upon one Clau'dius, who 
 had long been the minister of his pleasures, to assert 
 
 * The Decemviri had, by this time, so strengthened them¬ 
 selves, as they supposed, by filling all the offices of state with 
 their creatures, and by mutually supporting each other, that 
 they ventured to throw off the mask, and announce their inten¬ 
 tion of perpetuating themselves in the government. Accord¬ 
 ingly each Decemviri appeared in the Forum, preceded by 
 twelve lictors bearing the fasces and securis, a sure prognostic 
 of tyranny and injustice., (Liv. iii. c. 38.) 
 
 f Besides this, he was already married ; and though divorces 
 were allowed by the law, yet no instance of the kind had yet 
 occurred. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 68 
 
 that the beautiful maid was his slave, and to refer the 
 cause to Ap'pius’s tribunal for decision, 8. Claudius 
 behaved exactly according to his instructions ; for, taking 
 with him a band of ruffians like himself, he entered into 
 the public school, where Virginia was found among her 
 female companions, and seizing upon her, under pre¬ 
 tence that she was the daughter of one of his slaves, 
 was dragging her away, when he was prevented by the 
 people, drawn together by her cries. 9. At length, after 
 the first heat of opposition was over, he led the weeping 
 virgin to the tribunal of Ap'pius, and there plausibly ex¬ 
 posed his pretensions. 10. Clau'dius asserted that she 
 was born in his house, of a female slave, who sold her to 
 the wife of Virgin'ius, who had been childless. That he 
 had credible evidences to prove the truth of what he had 
 advanced ; but that, until they could come together, it 
 was but reasonable the slave should be delivered into his 
 custody, he being her proper master. 11. Ap'pius pre¬ 
 tended to be struck with the justice of his claim ; he 
 observed, that if the reputed father himself were pre¬ 
 sent, he might indeed be wilfing to delay the delivery of 
 the maid, but that it was not lawful for him, in the pre¬ 
 sent case, to detain her from her master. He therefore 
 adjudged her to Clau'dius, as his slave, to be kept by 
 him till Virgin ius should arrive, and be able to prove 
 his 'paternity . 12. This sentence was received with loud 
 clamours and reproaches by the multitude, particularly 
 by the women, who came round the innocent Virginia, 
 desirous to protect her from the judge's fury; while 
 Icii'ius, her lover, boldly opposed the decree, and 
 obliged Clau'dius to take refuge under the tribunal of 
 the decemvir. 13. All things now threatened an open 
 insurrection, when Ap'pius, fearing the event, thought 
 proper to suspend his judgment, under pretence of wait¬ 
 ing the arrival of Virginius, who was then about eleven 
 miles from Rome, with the army. 14. The day follow- 
 
69 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 jng was fixed for the trial. In the mean time Ap'pius 
 privately sent letters to the general to confine Virgin'ius, 
 as his arrival in town might only serve to kindle sedition 
 among the people. 15. These letters *, however, being 
 intercepted by the centurion’s friends, they sent him a 
 full relation of the design laid against the liberty and the 
 honour of his only daughter. 16. Virgin'ius, upon this, 
 pretending the death of a near relation, got permission 
 to leave the camp, and hastened to Rome, inspired with 
 indignation and revenge. 17. Accordingly, the next 
 day, to the astonishment of Ap'pius, he appeared be¬ 
 fore the tribunal, leading bis weeping daughter by the 
 hand, both of them habited in deep mourning. 18. Clau¬ 
 dius, the accuser, began by making his demand. Vir¬ 
 gin'ius next spoke in turn : he represented, that his wife 
 married young; had early borne a child ; had been seen 
 pregnant by numbers. That, if he had had intentions 
 of adopting a supposititious child, he should have fixed 
 upon a boy rather than a girl; that it was notorious to 
 all, that his wife had herself suckled this daughter; and 
 that it was surprising such a claim should be made alter 
 a fifteen years’ silence; and not till Virginia was be¬ 
 come marriageable, and acknowledged to be exquisitely 
 beautiful. 10. While the father spoke this with a stern 
 air, the eyes of all were turned on Virgin'ia, who stood 
 trembling with looks of persuasive eloquence and ex¬ 
 cessive grief, which added weight to his remonstrances, 
 and excited compassion. 20. The people, satisfied of 
 the cruelty of his case, raised an outcry, expressive of 
 their indignation. 21. Ap'pius, fearing that what had 
 been said might have a dangerous effect upon the multi- 
 
 * The messengers sent by the friends of Virgin'ius were more 
 expeditious than those of Ap'pius; and Virgin'ius, setting out 
 for Rome immediately on hearing of his daughter’s danger, was 
 fortunate enough to escape two parties which were sent, one 
 from the city, and the other from the camp, to arrest him. 
 (Diod. Sic. 1. xii. c. 86, 89; Lwy, 1. iii. c. 44, 49.) 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 70 
 
 tude, and under a pretence of being sufficiently instructed 
 in the merits of the cause, with rage interrupted him. 
 “ Yes/’ said he, “ my conscience obliges me to declare, 
 that I myself am a witness to the truth of the deposition 
 of Clau'dius. Most of this assembly know that I was 
 left guardian to him. I was early apprized that he had 
 a right to this young slave ; but public affairs, and the 
 dissensions of the people, have prevented my doing him 
 justice. However, it is not now too late ; and by the 
 power vested in me for the general good, I adjudge Vir¬ 
 ginia to be the property of Clau'dius, the plaintiff. Go, 
 therefore, lictors, disperse the multitude, and make 
 room for the master to repossess himself of his slave.** 
 22. The lictors, in obedience to his command, drove off 
 the throng that pressed round the tribunal; they seized 
 upon Virginia, and were delivering her up into the hands 
 of Clau'dius ; the multitude were terrified, and with¬ 
 drew ; and Virgin ius, who found that all was over, 
 seemed to acquiesce in the sentence. 23. He, however, 
 mildlv entreated of Ap'pius to be permitted to take a 
 last farewell of a child whom he had at least considered 
 as his own, and, so satisfied, he w'ould return to his 
 duty w ith fresh alacrity. 24. Ap'pius granted the favour 
 upon condition that their endearments should pass in his 
 presence. But Virgin ius was then meditating a dreadful 
 resolution. 25. The crowd made way, and Virgin'ius, 
 with the most poignant anguish, taking his almost ex¬ 
 piring daughter in his arms, for a while supported her 
 head upon his breast, and wiped away the tears that 
 trickled down her cheeks. 26. He most tenderly em¬ 
 braced her, and drawing her insensibly to some shops 
 which were on the side of the forum, snatched up a 
 butcher’s knife: “My dearest lost child,” cried Vir- 
 gin'ius, “ thus, thus alone is it in my power to preserve 
 your honour and your freedom !” So saying, he plunged 
 the weapon into her heart. ^Then drawing it out, reek- 
 
 3 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 71 
 
 ing with her blood, he held it up to Ap'pius : “ Tyrant/’ 
 cried he, “ by this blood I devote thy head to the infer¬ 
 nal gods!” 27. Thus saying, and covered with his 
 daughter’s blood, the knife remaining in his hand, threat¬ 
 ening destruction to whosoever should oppose him, he ran 
 through the city, wildly calling upon the people to strike 
 for freedom. By the favour of the multitude he then 
 mounted his horse, and rode directly to the camp. 
 
 28. He no sooner arrived, followed by a number of his 
 friends, than he informed the army of all that had been 
 done, still holding the bloody knife in his hand. He 
 asked their pardon and the pardon of the gods, for having 
 committed so rash an action, but ascribed it to the 
 dreadful necessity of the times. 29. The army, already 
 predisposed to revolt by the murder of Denta'tus, and 
 other acts of tyranny and oppression, immediately with 
 shouts echoed their approbation, and decamping left 
 the generals behind, to take their station once more upon 
 mount Aven'tine, whither they had retired about forty 
 years before*. The other army, which had been to op¬ 
 pose the Sab ines, felt a like resentment, and came over 
 in large parties to join them. 
 
 30. Ap'pius, in the mean time, did all he could to 
 quell the disturbances in the city; but finding the tumult 
 incapable of contronl, and perceiving that his mortal 
 enemies, Valerius and Hora'tius, were the most ac¬ 
 tive in opposition, at first attempted to find safety by 
 flight; nevertheless, being encouraged by Op'pius, who 
 was one of his colleagues, he ventured to assemble the 
 
 * Three commissioners were sent by the senate to ask, why 
 they had lelt the camp, and what was their intent in possessing 
 themselves of mount Aventine. No satisfactory answer being 
 returned, the commissioners departed, and the army proceeded 
 to elect ten commanders, whom they denominated Military Tri¬ 
 bunes Virginius was offered the chief command, which he de¬ 
 clined; wishing rather to continue in a private station, till he 
 had avenged his daughter’s death. Soon alter, the army re¬ 
 moved their camp from Mons Aventinus to Mons Sacer. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 *37 
 
 72 
 
 senate, and urged the punishment of all deserters. 31. 
 The senate, however, were far from giving him the re¬ 
 lief he sought for; they foresaw the dangers and miseries 
 that threatened the state, in case of opposing the in- 
 censed army; they therefore despatched messengers to 
 them, offering to restore their former mode of govern¬ 
 ment. 32. To this proposal all the people joyfully as- 
 sented, and the army gladly obeying, now returned to the 
 city, if not with the ensigns, at least with the pleasure 
 of a triumphant entry. 33. Ap'pius and Op'pius both 
 died by their own hands in prison *. The other eight 
 decemvirs went into exile; and Clau'dius, the pretended 
 master of Virginia, was ignominiously banished. 
 
 Questions for Examination • 
 
 • i. Did the Romans tamely submit to the tyranny of the 
 decemviri ? 
 
 2. Relate the particulars of this transaction. 
 
 3. What resolution did Appius form ? 
 
 4. Who was this maiden ? 
 
 5. What was Appius’s first determination? 
 
 (>. On what did he next resolve? 
 
 7. To what means did he have recourse for the accomplish¬ 
 
 ment of his purpose ? 
 
 8. Did Claudius undertake this base commission? 
 
 9. Was the opposition of the people ultimately successful? 
 
 10. How did Claudius attempt to make good his claims ? 
 
 11. What was the conduct of Appius on this occasion ? 
 
 12. How was this sentence received ? 
 
 13. What consequences were likely to ensue, and how were 
 
 they averted ? 
 
 14. Was not this pretence a false one ? 
 
 15. By what means was his design frustrated? 
 
 16. Under what pretence did Yirginius obtain leave of ab¬ 
 
 sence ? 
 
 17. What measures did he take on his arrival ? 
 
 18. How was the trial conducted? 
 
 19. How did Y irginia support this trying scene ? 
 
 20. What was the general opinion of the auditors ? 
 
 * So it was reported, but many suspected that both he and 
 Op'pius were privately despatched by order of the tribunes. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 73 
 
 21. Did the arguments ofVirginius induce Appius to forego 
 
 his iniquitous design? 
 
 22. Were his commands obeyed? 
 
 23. What was the request of Yirginius? 
 
 24. Was this favour granted? 
 
 25. Describe this affecting scene. 
 
 26. What was the catastrophe? 
 
 27. What followed? 
 
 28. What use did he make of this dreadful circumstance? 
 
 29. W 7 hat was the effect of his address on the army ? 
 
 30. How was Appius employed in the mean time ? 
 
 31. Did the senate second his designs? 
 
 32. Did the people accede to this proposal ? 
 
 33. What was the fate of the tyrants ? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 3. Turbulent, a. violent, tumultuous. 
 
 8. Aver'red, v. positively asserted. 
 
 9. Invectives, s. railing speeches, abusive expressions, 
 
 10. Preconcerted, a. agreed on beforehand. 
 
 11. Fickle, a. changeable. 
 
 Candidates, s. from Candida lus, clothed in white, (because 
 they wore white garments,) persons who aspire to any 
 office or post of honour. 
 
 14. Depo'sed, v. removed from office. 
 
 15. Misdemea'nor, s. an offence, a crime not very heinous. 
 
 21. Dem'agogue, s. the leader of a faction, or the head of a 
 
 rabble. 
 
 Asy'lum, s. a place of refuge or safety. 
 
 22. Partisans, s. followers, adherents. 
 
 24. Impending, part . hanging over, approaching. 
 
 25. Demol'ished, v. destroyed, pulled down. 
 
 I. In the mean time, these intestine tumults produced 
 weakness within the state, and confidence in the enemy 
 abroad. The wars with the iE'qui and the Vol'sci still 
 continued; and, as each year some trifling advantage was 
 obtained over the Romans, they, at last, advanced so 
 U.C. 7 far, as t0 make their incursions to the very walls 
 309. $ 0 f Rome *. 2. But not the courage only of the 
 
 * They were, however, defeated, first by the consul Yale'rius, 
 and next, still more decisively, by the consuls Quinc'tius aud 
 Fu'rius. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 
 
 74 
 
 Romans, their other virtues also, particularly their jus¬ 
 tice, seemed diminished by these contests. 
 
 3. The tribunes of the people now grew more turbu¬ 
 lent; they proposed two laws; one to permit plebeians to 
 iutermarry with the patricians; and the other, to permit 
 them to be admitted to the consulship also. 4. The se¬ 
 nators received these proposals with indignation, and 
 seemed resolved to undergo the utmost extremities, rather 
 than submit to enact these laws. However, finding their 
 resistance only increased by the commotions of the state, 
 they, at last, consented to pass that concerning marriages, 
 hoping that this concession would satisfy the people, 
 5. But they were to be appeased for a very short time 
 only; for, returning to their old custom of refusing to 
 enlist upon the approach of an enemy, the consuls were 
 obliged to hold a private conference with the chief of the 
 senate, where, after many debates, Clau'dius proposed an 
 expedient, as the most probable means of satisfying the 
 people in the present conjuncture. 6. This was to create 
 six or eight governors in the room of consuls, whereof 
 one half at least should be patricians. 7. This project, 
 which was, in fact, granting what the people demanded, 
 pleased the whole meeting, and it was agreed, that the 
 consuls should, contrary to their usual custom, begin by 
 asking the opinion of the youngest senator. 8. Upon as¬ 
 sembling the senate, one of the tribunes accused them of 
 holding secret meetings, and managing dangerous designs 
 against the people. The consuls, on the other hand, 
 averred their innocence; and, to demonstrate their sin¬ 
 cerity, gave leave to any of the younger members of the 
 house to propound their opinions. 9. These remaining 
 silent, such of the older senators, as were known to be 
 popular, began by observing that the people ought to be 
 indulged in their request; that none so well deserved 
 power, as those who were most instrumental in gaining 
 it; and that the city could not be free until all were re- 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 75 
 
 dueed to perfect equality. Clau'dius spoke next, and 
 broke out into bitter invectives against the people; as¬ 
 serting that it was his opinion that the law should not 
 pass. 10. This produced some disturbance among the 
 Plebeians; at length, Genu'tius proposed, as had been 
 preconcerted , that six governors should be annually 
 chosen, with consular authority; three from the senate, 
 and three from the people; and that, when the time of 
 their magistracy should be expired, it would be seen 
 whether they would have the same office continued, or 
 whether the consulship should be established upon its 
 former footing. 11. This project was eagerly embraced 
 by the people; yet, so fickle were the multitude, that, 
 though many of the plebeians stood candidates , the 
 choice wholly fell upon the patricians who hud offered 
 U.C. 7 themselves. 12. These new magistrates were 
 31 °- j called Military Tribunes ; they were, at first, 
 but three : and afterwards they were increased to four, 
 and at length to six ; they had the power and ensigns of 
 consuls: yet, that power being divided among a number, 
 each singly was of less authority. 13. The first that 
 were chosen continued in office only about three months, 
 the augurs having found something amiss in the cere¬ 
 monies of their election *. 
 
 14. The military tribunes being deposed , the consuls 
 once more came into office ; and in order to lighten the 
 weight of business which they were obliged to sustain, a 
 new office was created; namely, that of Censorsf, who 
 were to be chosen every fifth year. 15. Their business 
 was to take an estimate of the number and estates of the 
 people, and to distribute them into their proper classes; 
 
 * This was an election subsequent to that mentioned in the 
 preceding note. 
 
 f The duty of the censors, at iirst, was merely to perform the 
 Census, or numbering of the people. It was by degrees that 
 they became Magistri Morum, or inspectors and regulators of 
 mens lives and manners. 
 
 E 2 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 76 
 
 to inspect into the lives and manners of their fellow citi¬ 
 zens ; to degrade senators for misconduct; to dismount 
 knights, and to remove plebeians from their tribes into 
 an inferior class, in case of misdemeanor. 16. The first 
 censors were Papir'ius and Sempro'nius, both patricians ; 
 and from this order censors continued to be elected for 
 nearly a hundred years. 
 
 17. This new creation served to restore peace for some 
 time among the orders ; and a triumph, gained over the 
 Vol'scians, by Gega'nius, the consul, added to the uni¬ 
 versal satisfaction that reigned among the people. 
 
 18. This calm, however, was but of short continuance; 
 
 U.C. 7 for, some time after, a famine pressing hard upon 
 313, 5 the poor, the usual complaints against the rich 
 were renewed; and these, as before, proving ineffectual, 
 produced new seditions. 19. The consuls were accused 
 of neglect, in not having lain in proper quantities of 
 corn: they, however, disregarded the murmurs of the 
 populace, content with using every exertion to supply the 
 pressing necessities *. 20. But, though they did all that 
 
 could be expected from active magistrates, in procuring 
 provisions, and distributing them to the poor; yet Spu'- 
 rious Mae'lius, a rich knight, who had bought up all the 
 «orn of Tuscans, by far outshone them in liberality. 
 21. This demagogue, inflamed with a secret desire of be¬ 
 coming powerful by the contentions in the state, distri¬ 
 buted corn in great quantities among the poorer sort each 
 day, till his house became the asylum of all such as 
 wished to exchange a life of labour, for one of lazy de¬ 
 pendence. 22. When he had thus gained a suflicient 
 number of partisans , he procured large quantities of arms 
 to be brought into his house by night, and formed a con- 
 
 * They appointed an extraordinary magistrate, under the 
 title of superintendant of provisions , and the person named lor 
 this office, L. Minutius, an active and prudent man, immedi¬ 
 ately sent his agents into the neighbouring countries to buy 
 corn ; but little, however, was procured, as Mselius had been 
 beforehand with him, (Liv. 1. iv. c. 13, 14) 
 
77 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME, 
 spiracy, by which he was to obtain the command, while 
 some of the tribunes, whom he had found means to cor¬ 
 rupt, were to act under him, in seizing upon the liberties 
 of his country. 23. Minu'cius soon discovered the plot, 
 and, informing the senate, they immediately resolved to 
 create a dictator, who should have the power of quelling 
 the conspiracy, without appealing to the people. 24. Cm- 
 cinnatus, who was now eighty years old, was chosen 
 once more to rescue his country from impending danger. 
 25. He began by summoning Mae'lius to appear; who 
 refused to obey. He next sent Ahala, the master of the 
 horse, to compel his attendance; when, meeting him in 
 the forum, Ahala, on his refusal, killed him upon the 
 spot. The dictator applauded the resolution of his officer, 
 and commanded the conspirator s goods to be sold, his 
 house to be demolished , and his stores to be distributed 
 among the people. 
 
 26. The tribunes of the people were much enraged at 
 the death of Manlius. In order, therefore, to punish the 
 senate at the next election, instead of consuls, they in- 
 U.C. 7 sisted upon restoring the military tribunes, and 
 3 the senate were obliged to comply. The next 
 year, however, the government returned to its ancient 
 channel, and consuls were chosen. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What was the consequence of these intestine tumults? 
 
 2. Was it their courage only that was impaired by them ? 
 
 3. How did the tribunes conduct themselves ? 
 
 4. How were these proposals received? 
 
 5. Did it answer the desired end ? 
 
 6. What was this expedient? 
 
 7. How was it received? 
 
 8. What happened on assembling the senate? 
 
 9. Did they avail themselves of this permission, and what 
 
 farther passed on this occasion? 
 
 10. Was his opinion agreeable to the people, and what was 
 
 the next expedient proposed ? 
 
 11. Was this plan adopted, and acted upon ? 
 
 E 3 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 78 
 
 12. What were the name, number, and powers of these new 
 
 magistrates? 
 
 13. How long did they continue in office? 
 
 14. AY hat government was substituted? 
 
 15. What were the duties of the censors ? 
 
 16. Who were the first censors ? 
 
 17. What was the consequence of this new creation ? 
 
 18. Was this satisfaction lasting? 
 
 19. How were the consuls affected by it? 
 
 20. Were their exertions successful ? 
 
 21. Wliat measures did he pursue? 
 
 22. What end did he propose by this ? 
 
 23. By what means was the plot frustrated? 
 
 24. Who was chosen dictator? 
 
 25. What steps did he take ? 
 
 26. How were these rigorous measures received? 
 
 SECT. IY. 
 
 4. Annoy'ed, v. molested, injured, disturbed, 
 
 5. Depopulation, s. ruin, destruction of the inhabitants. 
 
 (>. Protract'ed, part, spun out, made to last. 
 
 12. Breach, s. an opening. 
 
 13. Disgust, v. to offend, to cause dislike. 
 
 16. Decoy', v. to allure, to entice. 
 
 21. Migration, s. the act of changing the place of abode, a re¬ 
 
 moval. 
 
 22. Detcst'ing, part, hating, abhorring, lothing. 
 
 24. Redoubt'able, a. formidable. 
 
 26. Sta'ture, s height, tallness. 
 
 Emigration, s. a change of habitation from one country to 
 another. 
 
 31. Complaisan'ce, s. civility, politeness. 
 
 32. Till, v. to cultivate. 
 
 33. Despoil'ing, part, plundering. 
 
 36. Impet'uosity, s. violence, fury. 
 
 38. Fo'rum, s. a place at Rome, where the courts of justice were 
 
 held, and public business transacted. 
 
 39. Exult'ing, part, greatly rejoicing. 
 
 40. Strat'agem, s. an artifice, trick, attempt to deceive. 
 
 41. Tutelar, a. guarding, protecting. 
 
 Ob'viated, v: prevented. 
 
 Comport', v. to behave. 
 
 Note. —Circumvalla'tion and Contravalla't.ion, s. lines and 
 trenches round a besieged city. 
 
 1. The Ve'ians had long been the rivals of Rome, they 
 had even taken the opportunity of internal distresses to 
 
79 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 ravage its territories, and had even threatened its ambas¬ 
 sadors, sent to complain of these injuries, with outrage. 
 
 2. It seemed now therefore determined that the city of 
 Veii, whatever it might cost, should fall; and the Romans 
 accordingly sat down regularly before it, and prepared for 
 along and painful resistance *. 3. The strength of the 
 
 place may be inferred from the continuance of the siege, 
 which lasted for ten years ; during which time, the army 
 continued encamped round it, lying, in winter, under tents 
 made of the skins of beasts, and, in summer, driv ing on 
 the operations of the attack f. 4. Various were the suc¬ 
 cesses, and many were the commanders that directed the 
 siege; sometimes all their works were destroyed, and 
 many of their men cut off by sallies from the town; some¬ 
 times they were annoyed by an army of Veians, who 
 attempted to bring assistance from without %. 5. A siege 
 
 so bloody seemed to threaten depopulation to Rome itself^ 
 by a continual drain of its forces ; so that a law was 
 obliged to be made, for all bachelors to marry the widows 
 of the soldiers who were slain §. 6. Fu rius Gamil lus was 
 
 now created dictator, and to him was intrusted the sole 
 power of managing the long protracted war. 7. Camil'lus, 
 who, without intrigue or solicitation, had raised himself 
 to the first eminence in the state, had been made one of 
 
 * Hitherto the Romans had carefully avoided long sieges, be¬ 
 cause their troops, serving without pay, could not be kept to¬ 
 gether a sufficient time. But. a law having passed, about this 
 time, allowing pay to the soldiers, they were encouraged to un¬ 
 dertake this tedious and difficult enterprize. 
 
 + The city of Veii was larger and much more magnificent than 
 Rome, and so eligibly situated, that, after the destruction of the 
 latter by the Gauls, the citizens determined to remove thither. 
 From tnis they were dissuaded by Camillus. „ 
 
 + It was at this siege that the Romans first invented lines of 
 circumv dilation and contravdilation ,* at least, this is the first 
 
 time we find them mentioned in history. 
 
 & The oracle at Delphi having declared that Veil should not 
 be taken till all the water had run out of the lake of Alba, the 
 senate employed a number of persons to cut a canal, and distri¬ 
 bute the water over the fields in trenches. (Liv. 1. V. c. 15, lb.) 
 This wonderful work remains to this day. 
 
 $4 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the censors some time before, and was considered as the 
 head of that office; he was afterwards made a military 
 tribune, and had, in this post, gained several advantages 
 over the enemy. 8. It was his great courage and abi- 
 lities in the above offices that made him be thought most 
 worthy to serve his country on this pressing occasion. 
 9. Upon his appointment, numbers of the people flocked 
 to his standard, confident of success under so experi¬ 
 enced a commander. 10. Conscious, however, that he 
 was unable to take the city by storm, he, with vast la- 
 bour, opened a passage under ground, which led into 
 the very midst of the citadel. 11. Certain thus of suc¬ 
 cess, and finding the city incapable of relief, he sent 
 to the senate, desiring, that all who chose to share in 
 the plunder of the Veii, should immediately repair to 
 the army. 12. Then, giving his directions how to enter 
 at the breach, the city was instautly filled with his le- 
 gions, to the amazement and consternation of the be¬ 
 sieged, who, but a moment before, had rested in perfect 
 security. 13. Thus, like a second Troy *, was the city 
 of V e ii taken, after a ten years siege, and, with its 
 spoils, enriched the conquerors; while Camil'lus him¬ 
 self, transported with the honour of having subdued the 
 rival of his native city, triumphed after the manner of 
 the kings of Rome, having his chariot drawn by four 
 milk-white horses ; a distinction which did not fail to 
 disgust the majority of the spectators, as they consider¬ 
 ed those as sacred, and more proper for doing honour 
 to their gods than their generals 
 
 14. His usual good fortune attended Camil'lus in an- 
 
 Troy was a large and strong city in Asia Minor, famous for 
 having withstood the whole power of the Greeks for 10 years.— 
 It was taken at last by stratagem, not by force. Homer has im- 
 mortalized the siege of this city in bis exquisite poem of the Iliad, 
 tpntt , d 'T easur ? w: * s - greatly increased by his demanding a 
 ln i,l,.' I!;'A °,t ,le . of Veii, to discharge a vow which he had 
 made to Apollo, just before the assault. 
 
81 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 other expedition against the Falis'ci. He routed their 
 army, and besieged their capital city Fale'rii, which threat- 
 ened a long and vigorous resistance. 10. The reduction 
 of this little place would have been scarcely worth men¬ 
 tioning in this scanty page, were it not for an action of 
 the Roman general, that has done him more credit with 
 posterity, than all his other triumphs united. 10. A 
 school-master, who had the care of the children belong¬ 
 ing to the principal men in the city, having found means 
 to decoy them into the Roman camp, offered to put them 
 into the hands of Camillus, as the surest means of induc¬ 
 ing the citizens to a speedy surrender. 17. The general, 
 struck with the treachery of a wretch, whose duty it was 
 to protect innocence, and not to betray it, for some time 
 regarded the traitor with a stern silence: but, at last, 
 finding words, “ Execrable villain !” cried the noble Ro¬ 
 man, “ offer thy abominable proposals to creatures like 
 thyself, and not to me; what, though we be the enemies 
 of your city, are there not natural ties that bind all 
 mankind, which should never be broken'? There are du¬ 
 ties required from us in war, as well as in peace ; we fight 
 not against the age of innocence, but against men—men 
 who have used us ill indeed ; but yet, whose crimes are 
 virtues, when compared to thine. Against such base arts, 
 let it be my duty to use only the Roman ones—valour 
 and arms.” 18. So saying, he ordered him to be stript, 
 his hands to be tied behind him, and, in that ignominious 
 manner, to be whipped into the town by his own scholars. 
 19. This generous behaviour in Camil lus effected more 
 than his arms could do; the magistrates of the tow*i 
 submitted to the senate, leaving to Camil'lus the condi¬ 
 tions of their surrender; who only fined them a sum of 
 money to satisfy his army, and received them under the 
 protection, and into the alliance, of Rome. 
 
 20. Notwithstanding the veneration which the virtues 
 of Camil lus had excited abroad, they seemed but little 
 E 5 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 adapted to command the respect of the turbulent tribunes 
 at home, who raised fresh accusations against him every 
 day. 21. To the charge of being an opposer of their 
 intended emigration from Rome to Ve'ii *, they added 
 that of i.is having concealed a part of the plunder of that 
 city, particularly two brazen gates, for his own use ; and 
 appointed him a day on which to appear before the peo¬ 
 ple. 22. Camil'lus, finding the multitude exasperated 
 against him upon many accounts, and detesting their ingra¬ 
 titude, resolved not to await the ignominy of a trial; but 
 embracing his wife and children, prepared to depart from 
 Rome. 28. He had already passed as far as one of the 
 gates, unattended and unlamented. There he could sup¬ 
 press his indignation no longer, but, turning his face to 
 the Capitol, and lifting up his hands to heaven, he en¬ 
 treated all the gods, that his countrymen might one day 
 be sensible of their injustice and ingratitude. So saying, 
 he passed forward to take refuge at Ar'dea, a town at a 
 little distance from Rome, where he afterwards learned 
 that he had been fined fifteen thousand ases f by the 
 tribunes at home. 
 
 24. The tribunes were not a little pleased with their 
 triumph over this great man ; but they soon had reason 
 to repent their injustice, and to wish for the assistance of 
 one, who alone was able to protect their country from ruin: 
 for now a more terrible and redoubtable enemy than the 
 Romans had ever yet encountered, began to make their 
 appearance. 25. The Gauls, a barbarous nation, had 
 about two centuries before made an irruption from beyond 
 the Alps, and settled in the northen parts of Italy. They 
 had been invited over by the deliciousness of the wines, 
 and the softness of the climate. 26. Wherever they came 
 
 * It had been proposed, after the capture of Ve'ii, to divide 
 the senate and the people of Rome into two parts • one of which 
 should inhabit the conquered city. Rut the proposal, by the 
 influence of CamiHus, was overruled. 
 
 + The as was a brass coin, about three farthings of our monej . 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 83 
 
 they dispossessed the original inhabitants, as they were 
 men of superior courage, extraordinary stature, fierce in 
 aspect, barbarous in their manners, and prone to emigra¬ 
 tion. 27. A body of these, wild from their original habi¬ 
 tations, was now besieging Clu'sium, a city of Etruria, 
 under the conduct of Bren'nus, their king. 28. The inha¬ 
 bitants of Clu'sium, frightened at their numbers, and still 
 more at their savage appearance, entreated the assist¬ 
 ance, or, at least, the mediation of the Romans. 29. The 
 seuate, who had long made it a maxim, never to refuse 
 succour to the distressed, were willing, previously, to 
 send ambassadors to the Gauls, to dissuade them from 
 their enterprize, and to show the injustice of the irruption. 
 30. Accordingly, three young senators were chosen out 
 of the family of the Fabii, to manage the commission, 
 who seemed more fitted for the field than the cabinet, 
 til. Bren'nus received them with a degree of complaisance 
 that argued but little of the barbarian, and desiring to 
 know the business of their embassy, was answered, ac¬ 
 cording to their instructions, that it was not customary in 
 Italy to make war, but on just grounds ot provocation, 
 and that they desired to know what offence the citizens 
 of Clu'sium had given to the king of the Gauls. 32. To 
 this Bren'nus sternly replied, that the rights of valiant 
 men lay in their swords; that the Romans themselves 
 had no right to the many cities they had conquered; and 
 that he had particular reasons of resentment against the 
 people of Clu'sium, as they refused to part with those 
 lands, which they had neither hands to till, nor inhabit¬ 
 ants to occupy. ' 33. The Roman ambassadors, who were 
 but little used to bear the language of a conqueror, for a 
 while dissembled their resentment at this haughty reply ; 
 but, upon entering the besieged city, instead of acting as 
 ambassadors, and forgetful of their sacred character, 
 they headed the citizens in a sally against the besiegers. 
 In this combat, Fa'bius Ambus'tus killed a Gaul with his 
 
 E 6 
 
84 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 own hand, but was discovered in the act of despoiling 
 him of his armour. 34. A conduct so unjust and unbe¬ 
 coming excited the resentment of Bren'nus, who, having 
 made his complaint by an herald to the senate, and, find¬ 
 ing no redress *, broke up the siege and marched away 
 with his conquering army directly for Rome. 35. The 
 countries through w hich the Gauls made their rapid pro¬ 
 gress, gave up all hopes of safety upon their approach ; 
 being terrified at their numbers, the fierceness of their 
 natures, and their dreadful preparations for war. 36. But 
 the rage and impetuosity of this wild people were directed 
 solely against Rome. They went on without doing the 
 least, injury in their march, breathing vengeance only 
 agaiust the Romans. A terrible engagement soon after 
 ensued, in which the Romans were defeated near the river 
 Allia, with the loss of about forty thousand men +. 
 
 37. Rome, thus deprived of succour, prepared for every 
 extremity. The inhabitants endeavoured to hide them¬ 
 selves in the neighbouring towns, or resolved to await the 
 conqueror's fury, and end their lives with the ruin of their 
 native city J. 38. But, more particularly, the ancient se¬ 
 nators and priests, struck with a religious enthusiasm, on 
 this occasion, resolved to devote their lives to atone for the 
 crimes of the people, and, habited in their robes of cere- 
 mony, placed themselves in the Forum , on their ivory 
 chairs. 39. The Gauls, in the mean time, were giving a 
 loose to their triumph, in sharing and enjoying the plun¬ 
 der of the enemy’s camp. Had they immediately marched 
 to Rome, upon gaining the victory, the Capitol had been 
 
 * On the contrary, the Romans, to shew their approbation at 
 what their ambassadors had done, instead of delivering them up 
 to Bren nus, as was demanded, elected them military tribunes. 
 
 f This day was from henceforth marked as unlucky in their 
 calendar, and called Allien sis. 
 
 + Among others, the Vestals fled from the city, carrying with 
 them the two Palladiums and the sacred lire. They took shelter 
 at Caere, a town of Etruria, where they continued to celebrate 
 their religious rites: from this circumstance religious rites ac¬ 
 quired the name of ceremonies. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF HOME, 
 
 85 
 
 taken ; but they continued two days feasting upon the 
 field of battle, and, with barbarous pleasure, exulting 
 amidst their slaughtered enemies. 40. On the third day 
 after this easy victory, Bren nus appeared with all his 
 forces before the city. He was at first much surprised 
 to find the gates open to receive him, and the walls de¬ 
 fenceless ; so that he began to impute the unguarded 
 situation of the place to a Roman stratagem . After pro¬ 
 per precaution, he entered the city, and, marching into 
 the Forum, beheld there the ancient senators sitting in 
 their order, observing a profound silence, unmoved and 
 undaunted. 41. The splendid habits, the majestic gra¬ 
 vity, and the venerable looks of these old men, who, in 
 their time, had all borne the highest offices of state, awed 
 the barbarous enemy into reverence ; they mistook them 
 for the tutelar deities of the place, and began to offer 
 blind adoration; till one, more forward than the rest, 
 putting forth his hand to stroke the beard of Papyr' ius, 
 an insult the noble Roman could not endure, he lifted up 
 his ivory sceptre, and struck the savage to the ground. 
 42. This proved to be a signal for general slaughter. 
 Papyr'ius fell first, and all the rest shared his fate with¬ 
 out mercy or distinction *. The fierce invaders pursued 
 their slaughter for three days successively, sparing nei¬ 
 ther sex nor age ; then, setting fire to the city, burnt 
 every house to the ground. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was the conduct of the Yeians? 
 
 2. What resolution was adopted in consequence ? 
 
 3. Was Yeii a strong place ? 
 
 * This self-devotion was in consequence of a vow made by 
 these brave old men, which Fa'bius, the pontifex maximus, pro¬ 
 nounced in their names. The Romans believed that, by thus 
 devoting themselves to the infernal gods, disorder and confusion 
 were brought among the enemy. \ 
 
 7 
 
86 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 4. Did the besieged make a vigorous resistance? 
 
 5. What consequences were likely to ensue, and how were 
 
 they obviated? 
 
 6. To whom was the conduct of the war now committed? 
 
 7. Who was Camillus? 
 
 8. By w'hat means did he attain his present dignity ? 
 
 9 What was the consequence of his appointment ? 
 
 10. What plan did he adopt to take the city? 
 
 11. How did he next proceed? 
 
 12. What followed? 
 
 13. What w as the consequence of this capture, and how did 
 
 Camillus comport himself? 
 
 14. What was Camillus’s next exploit ? 
 
 15. Was this a conquest of importance? 
 
 16. Belate the particulars. 
 
 17. How was his proposal received? 
 
 18. How was the traitor punished? 
 
 19. What w as the consequence of this conduct? 
 
 20. Was Camillus universally respected ? 
 
 21. What charges were brought against him? 
 
 22. Did'Camillus abide the event of a trial ? 
 
 23. Was he resigned to his fate, and whither did he retire? 
 
 24. What followed his departure? 
 
 25. Who w r as the enemy ? 
 
 26. What were the conduct and character of the Gauls? 
 
 27. How were they employed at this conjuncture? 
 
 28. What measures did the Clusians adopt for their defence ? 
 
 29. Was their application successful? 
 
 30. Who were appointed for this purpose ? 
 
 31. How r w r ere they received? 
 
 32. What w'as the reply of Brennus? 
 
 33. What was the conduct of the ambassadors? 
 
 34. What was the consequence of this improper conduct ? 
 
 35. W r hat sensations were excited in the countries through 
 
 which they passed? 
 
 36. Did the Gauls commit any ravages on their march? 
 
 37. What measures w r ere adopted at Rome? 
 
 38. Who more particularly displayed their devotedness on 
 
 this occasion ? 
 
 39. What use did the Gauls make of their victory ? 
 
 40. What happened on their arrival before the city ? 
 
 41. What was the effect of this spectacle? 
 
 42. What was the consequence of this boldness? 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 87 
 
 SECT. Y. 
 
 2. Repelled, part, driven back, successfully resisted. 
 
 3. Capitula'tion, s. terms or conditions of peace and surrender. 
 Futility, s. vanity, folly. 
 
 6. Sen'tinel, s. a soldier set to watch. 
 
 7. Assail'ants, s. those who attack. 
 
 8. Celerity, s. swiftness, speed, haste. 
 
 9. Con'gress, s. a meeting. 
 
 11. Expostulate, r. to dispute, to argue, to remonstrate. 
 
 16. Yen'erable, a. deserving of reverence from age. 
 
 20. Curb, v. to restrain. 
 
 22. Lar'gesses, s. gifts, presents. 
 
 26. Ra'zed, v. demolished, destroyed. 
 
 28. Implicit, a. complete, real, undisputing. 
 
 Patriotism, s. a love of one’s country. 
 
 Note. —Invin'cible, a. unconquerable. 
 
 1. All the hopes of Rome were now placed in the 
 U.C. I Capitol; every thing without that fortress formed 
 361. *an extensive scene of misery, desolation, and 
 despair. 
 
 2. Bren'nus first summoned it, with threats, to sur¬ 
 render, but in vain; then resolving to besiege it in form, 
 hemmed it round with his army. The Romans, however, 
 repelltd the attempt with great bravery; despair had 
 supplied them with that perseverance and vigour, which 
 they seemed to want when in prosperity. 
 
 3. In the mean while, Bren'nus carried oil the siege 
 with extreme ardour. He hoped to starve the garrison 
 into a capitulation ; but they, sensible of his intent, 
 although in actual want, caused loaves to be thrown into 
 his camp, to convince him of the futility of such expec¬ 
 tations. 4. His hopes were soon after revived, when 
 some of his soldiers came to inform him, that they had 
 discovered footsteps *,.which led up to the rock, by which 
 
 * These were the footsteps of Pon'tius Cominlus, who, with 
 great prudence and bravery, found means to carry a message 
 from Camillus to the Romans in the Capitol, aud to retuin with 
 the appointment of dictator for Camil lus. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 “ 
 
 88 
 
 
 they supposed the Capitol might be surprised. 5. Ac¬ 
 cordingly, a chosen body of his men were ordered by 
 night upon this dangerous service, which, with great la. 
 hour and difficulty, they almost effected. 6. They were 
 got upon the very wall: the Roman sentinel was fast 
 asleep; their dogs within gave no signal, and all pro. 
 mised an instant victory, when the garrison was awakened 
 by the gabbling of some sacred geese, that had been kept 
 in the temple of Juno. 7. The besieged soon perceived 
 the imminence of their danger, and each, snatching the 
 weapon that first presented itself, ran to oppose the as¬ 
 sailants. 8. M. Man'lius, a patrician of acknowledged 
 bravery, was the first who opposed the foe, and inspired 
 courage by his example. He boldly mounted the ram¬ 
 part, and, at one effort, threw two Gauls headlong down 
 the precipice; his companions soon came to his assist¬ 
 ance, and the walls were cleared of the enemy with a 
 most incredible celerity *, 
 
 9. From this time the hopes of the barbarians began to 
 decline, and Brennus wished for an opportunity of raising 
 the siege with creditf. His soldiers had often conferences 
 with the besieged while upon duty, and proposals for an 
 accommodation were wished for by the common men, 
 before the chiefs thought of a congress . At length, the 
 commanders on both sides came to an agreement, that the 
 Gauls should immediately quit the city and territories. 
 
 * As a reward for this essential service, every soldier gave 
 Man'lius a small quantity of corn and a little measure of wine, 
 out of his scanty allowance ; a present of no mean value in their 
 then distressed situation. On the other hand, the captain of the 
 guard, who ought to have kept the sentinels to their duty, was 
 thrown headlong from the Capitol. In memory of this event, a 
 goose was annually carried in triumph on a soft litter, finely 
 adorned; whilst dogs were held in abhorrence, and one impaled 
 every year on a branch of elder. 
 
 f As the Gauls suffered the bodies of the Romans, who were 
 slain in their frequent encounters, to lay unburied, the stench 
 of their putrefaction occasioned a plague to break out, which 
 carried off great numbers of the army of Brennus. 
 
89 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 upon being paid a thousand pounds weight of gold. 
 10. This agreement being confirmed by oath on either 
 side, the gold was brought forth. But, upon weighing, 
 the Gauls fraudulently attempted to kick the beam, of 
 which the Romans complaining, Bren'nus insultingly cast 
 his sword and belt into the scale, crying out, that the 
 only portion of the vanquished was to suffer. 11. By 
 this reply, the Romaus saw that they were at the victor’s 
 mercy; and knew it was in vain to expostulate against 
 any conditions he should be pleased to impose. 12. But, 
 while they were thus debating upon the payment, it was 
 told them, that Camil'lus *, their old general, was at the 
 head of a large army, hastening to their relief, and enter¬ 
 ing the gates of Rome. 13. Camil'lus actually appeared 
 soon after, and entering the place of controversy, with 
 the air of one who was resolved not to suffer imposition, 
 demanded the cause of the contest; of which being in¬ 
 formed, he ordered the gold to be taken and carried back 
 to the Capitol: “ For it has ever been,” cried he, “ the 
 manner with us Romans, to ransom our country, not with 
 gold, but with iron; it is I only that am to make peace, 
 as being the dictator of Rome, and my sword alone shall 
 purchase it.” 14. Upon this a battle ensued, the Gauls 
 were entirely routed, and such a slaughter followed, that 
 the Roman territories were soon cleared of their formid¬ 
 able invaders. Thus, by the bravery of Camil'lus was 
 Rome delivered from its enemy. 
 
 15. The city being one continued heap of ruins, except 
 the Capitol, and the greatest number of its former in¬ 
 habitants having gone to take refuge in Ve'ii, the tribunes 
 of the people urged for the removal of the poor remains 
 of Rome to that city, where they might have houses to 
 shelter, and walls to'defend them. 16. On this occasion 
 
 * Camil'lus had previously, with the assistance ofthc Ar'deans, 
 defeated a body of the Gauls. This success had tended to in¬ 
 spirit the Romlns, and to render them less afraid to encounter 
 an enemy whom they had hitherto considered as invincible. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 90 
 
 Camil'lus attempted to appease them, with all the arts of 
 persuasion; observing, that it was unworthy of them, 
 both as Romans and as men, to desert the venerable seat 
 of their ancestors, where they had been encouraged by 
 repeated marks of Divine approbation, in order to inhabit 
 a city which they had conquered, and which wanted even 
 the good fortune of defending itself. 17. By these, 
 and such like remonstrances, he prevailed upon the peo¬ 
 ple to go contentedly to work ; and Rome soon began 
 to rise from its ashes *. 
 
 18. We have already seen the bravery of Manlius in 
 defending the Capitol, and saving the last remains of 
 Rome. For this, the people were by no means ungrateful. 
 They built him a house near the place where his valour 
 was so conspicuous, and appointed him a public fund for 
 his support. 19. But he aspired at being more than equal 
 to Camil'lus, and to be sovereign of Rome. With this 
 view he laboured to ingratiate himself with the populace, 
 paid their debts, and railed at the patricians, wffiom he 
 called their oppressors. 20. The senate was not ignorant 
 of his speeches or his designs, and created Cornelius 
 Cos sus dictator, with a view to curb the ambition of 
 Manlius. 21. The dictator soon called Manlius to an 
 account for his conduct. Manlius, however, was too 
 much the darling of the populace to be affected by the 
 power of Cos'sus, who was obliged to lay down his office, 
 and Manlius was carried from confinement in triumph 
 through the city. 22. This success only served to inflame 
 his ambition. He now began to talk of a division of the 
 lands among the people, insinuated that there should be 
 no distinctions in the state ; and, to give weight to his 
 discourses, always appeared at the head of a large body 
 of the dregs of the people, whom largesses had made his 
 followers. 28. The city being thus filled with sedition 
 
 So little taste, however, for order and beauty, did those dis- 
 piay who had the direction of the works, that the city, when 
 rebuilt, was even less regular than in the time of Romulus. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 91 
 
 and clamour, the senate had recourse to another expe¬ 
 dient, which was, to oppose the power of Camil'lus to 
 that of the demagogue. Camirius accordingly, being 
 made one of the military tribunes, appointed Man'lius a 
 day to answer for his life. 24. The place in which he 
 was tried was near the Capitol, whither, when he was 
 accused of sedition, and of aspiring at sovereignty, he 
 turned his eyes, and pointing to that edifice, put them in 
 mind of what he had there done for his country *• 55. 
 
 The multitude, whose compassion or whose justice seldom 
 springs from rational motives, refused to condemn him, 
 so long as he pleaded in sight of the Capitol; but when 
 he was brought from thence to the Pe'teline grove, where 
 the Capitol was no longer in view, they condemned him 
 to be thrown headlong from the Tarpe'ian rock. 26. Thus, 
 the place which had been the theatre of his glory, be¬ 
 came that of his punishment and infamy. His house, in 
 which his conspiracies had been secretly carried on, and 
 which had been built as the reward of his valour, was 
 ordered to be razed to the ground, and his family were 
 forbidden ever after to assume the name of Man'lius* 
 
 27. Thus the Romans went gradually forward, with a 
 mixture of turbulence and superstition within their walls, 
 and successful enterprizes without +. 
 
 * Man'lius omitted nothing that was likely to move his judges 
 to compassion ; he appeared in deep mourning ; he produced 
 above four hundred plebeians, whose debts he had paid; he shewed 
 the people thirty suits of armour, the spoils of thirty enemies, 
 whom he had killed in single combat; he had been honoured 
 with one mural and eight civic crowns, and been seven-and 
 thirty times rewarded for his extraordinary valour : the people, 
 unwilling either to acquit or condemn, put off his trial Irom 
 day to day, but at length determined as in the text. Scarcely, 
 however, was Man'lius dead, when his loss was generally lament¬ 
 ed, and a plague, which soon followed, was ascribed to the anger 
 of Jupiter against the authors of his death. (Plut. in Camillo.) 
 
 f The principal of these were, their wars with theVolsci, 
 Preenes'tines *, the Latins, the Veliterni f, and the Gauls ; the 
 
 * The inhabitants of Praeneste, a town of Latium, about 21 
 miles from Rome. 
 
 f The inhabitants of Velitra?, an ancient town of Latium, on 
 the Appian road, 20 miles E. of Rome. 
 
92 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 28. With what implicit obedience they submitted to 
 their pontiffs, and how far they might be impelled to en¬ 
 counter even death itself, at their command, will evidently 
 appear from the behaviour of Cur'tius, about this time. 
 U.C. 7 Upon the opening of a gulf in the forum, which 
 392, J the augurs affirmed would never close till the most 
 precious things in Rome were thrown into it, this heroic 
 man, clad in complete armour, and mounted on horse¬ 
 back, boldly leaped into the midst, declaring, that no¬ 
 thing was more truly valuable than patriotism and mili¬ 
 tary virtue. 
 
 29. The gulf, say the historians, closed immediately 
 upon this, and Cur'tius was seen no more *. 
 
 U. C. 7 30. This year died the great Camil'lus, deserv- 
 
 396. 3 edly regretted by all. He was styled a second 
 Romulus, the first having founded, and he restored the 
 city. He is said never to have fought a battle without 
 gaining a victory; never to have besieged a city without 
 taking it. He was a zealous patriot, ever ready to dismiss 
 his just resentments for the affronts he received, when 
 the necessities of his country required his services. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was the state of Rome at this period? 
 
 2. What was the next step taken by Brennus, and how did 
 
 it succeed ? 
 
 3. In what manner was the siege carried on ? 
 
 4. Did he consider the attempt as hopeless ? 
 
 5. What advantage did he take of this information ? 
 
 6. Was the attempt successful ? 
 
 7. What was the consequence ? 
 
 chief domestic occurrence was, the law which permitted one of 
 the consuls to be chosen from among the plebeians ; this con¬ 
 cession was not obtained by that order without much opposition, 
 U * 1U c an< ? con f us ion. L. Sextius was first plebeian consul. 
 
 Some judicious writers, however, acknowledge, that the 
 chasm was afterwards filled np with earth and rubbish. (Livy, 
 L "> c - >al. Maximus, 1. 5, c. 6, et alii.) ' 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 93 
 
 8. Was there any particular instance of valour? 
 
 9. What effect had this failure on the mind of Brennus ? 
 
 10. In what manner was this agreement carried into execu¬ 
 
 tion? 
 
 11. What inference did the Romans draw from this insolent 
 
 speech ? 
 
 12. What agreeable news did they now hear ? 
 
 13. Was this information correct? 
 
 14. What followed? 
 
 15. What was the first measure proposed after this deliver¬ 
 
 ance? 
 
 16. Was this proposal carried into effect? 
 
 17. Were his remonstrances successful? 
 
 18. Was the bravery of Manlius rewarded ? 
 
 19. Was he content with these favours? 
 
 20. What measures were taken to oppose his designs ? 
 
 21. Was this expedient attended with success? 
 
 22. What was the conduct of Manlius after this ? 
 
 23. What farther measures were taken to punish his ambition? 
 
 24. What defence did he set up? 
 
 25. Was his plea successful? 
 
 26. What is remarkable in his punishment? 
 
 27. How did the Roman affairs proceed at this time? 
 
 28. Relate a memorable instance of the obedience paid by 
 
 the Romans to their pontiffs or priests? 
 
 29. What was the consequence of this heroic act? 
 
 30. What happened this year, and what was the character of 
 
 Camillus? 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 From the Wars with the Samnites, and those with 
 Pyrrhus , to the beginning of the first Punic 
 War; when the Romans began to extend their 
 Conquests beyond Italy . 
 
 3. Gigan'tic, a very large, like a giant. 
 
 5. Athlet'ic, a. strong, vigorous. 
 
 8. Unwarily, ad. incautiously, unawares. 
 
 9. Mu tinying, part, rising against lawful authority. 
 
 12. Hos'tile, a. as an enemy. 
 
 13. Defection, s. a revolt, a falling away. 
 
 18. Intimidated, part, rendered afraid. 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 21. Deplo'rable, a. lamentable, sad. 
 
 Alternative, $. choice. 
 
 22. Man'date, s. a command. 
 
 Executions, s. curses. 
 
 23. Animos'ity, s. extreme hatred, rage. 
 
 29. Car'nage, s . slaughter, havoc. 
 
 1. The Romans had triumphed over the Sab ines, the 
 Etru'rians, the Latins, the Her'nici, the iE'qui, and the 
 Vol'sci; and now began to look for greater conquests *. 
 They accordingly turned their arms against the Sam'nites, 
 a people descended from the Sab'ines, and inhabiting a 
 large tract of southern Italy, which, at this day, makes a 
 considerable part of the kingdom of Naples f. 2. Vale¬ 
 rius Cor'vus, and Corne'lius were the two consuls, to 
 whose care it first fell to manage this dreadful contention 
 between the rivals. 
 
 3. Valerius was one of the greatest commanders of his 
 time; he was surnamed Cor vus, from a strange circum¬ 
 stance of being assisted by a crow in a single combat, in 
 which lie killed a Gaul of gigantic stature. 4. To his 
 colleague’s care it was consigned to lead an army to 
 Sam'nium, the enemy’s capital, while Cor'vus was sent to 
 relieve Cap'ua, the capital of the Capin'ians. 5. Never 
 was a captain more fitted for command than he. To a 
 habit naturally robust and athletic , he joined the gentlest 
 manners; he was the fiercest, and yet the most good- 
 natured man in the army; and, while the meanest sentinel 
 was his companion, no man kept them more strictly to 
 their duty; but to complete his character, he constantly 
 
 * About this time, (A.U.-4I5: A. C. 333.) ambassadors arrived 
 from Carthage, to conclude an alliance with the Romans. 
 
 f The occasion of the war was this: the Sam'nites having at¬ 
 tacked the Campa'nians, the latter threw themselves upon the 
 protection of the Homans. The Romans immediately sent am¬ 
 bassadors to the Sam'nites, requesting them to desist from hos¬ 
 tilities against a people under the protection of Rome; this the 
 Sam'nites haughtily refused, in consequence of which, war was 
 immediately declared against them. (Liv. 1. 7. c. 31,32.) 
 
 5 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 95 
 
 endeavoured to preserve his dignity by the same arts by 
 which he gained it. 6. Such soldiers as the Romans then 
 were, hardened by their late adversity, and led on by such 
 a general, were unconquerable. The Samnites were the 
 bravest men they ever had yet encountered, and the con¬ 
 tention between the two nations was managed on both 
 sides with the most determined resolution. 7. But the 
 fortune of Rome prevailed ; the Samnites at length fled, 
 averring, that they were not able to withstand the fierce 
 looks, and the fire-darting eyes of the Romans. 8. Cor¬ 
 nelius, however, was not at first so fortunate ; for having 
 unwarily led his army into a defile, he was in danger of 
 * being cut off, had not De'cius possessed himself of a hill 
 which commanded the enemy ; so that the Samnites, 
 being attacked on both sides, were defeated with great 
 •slaughter; not less than thirty thousand of them being 
 left dead upon the field. 
 
 9. Some time after this victory, the forces stationed at 
 Cap'ua mutinying *, compelled Qnin'tius, an eminent old 
 soldier, to be their leader; and, conducted by their rage, 
 more than their general, came within six miles of the city. 
 
 10. So terrible an enemy, almost at the gates, not a little 
 alarmed the senate, who immediately created Vale'rius 
 dictator, and sent him forth with an army to oppose them. 
 
 11. The two armies were now drawn up against each other, 
 while fathers and sons beheld themselves prepared to 
 engage in opposite causes. 12. Any other general than 
 Cor'vus would, perhaps, have brought this civil war to 
 extremity ; but he, knowing his influence among the 
 soldiery, instead of going forward to meet the mutineers 
 in an hostile manner, went with the most cordial friend¬ 
 ship to embrace, and expostulate with his old acquaint- 
 
 * Delighted with the charming climate, and the pleasures of 
 Cap'ua, these soldiers formed a design of destroying the inha¬ 
 bitants, and settling in the city; but the plot having been dis¬ 
 covered and frustrated by the vigilance of the officers, gave oc¬ 
 casion to this mutiny. 
 
98 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ances. 13. His conduct had the desired effect. Quin'tius, 
 as their speaker, solicited no more than to have their de¬ 
 fection from their duty forgiven; and for himself, as he 
 was innocent of their conspiracy, he had no reason to 
 solicit pardon for offences. 14. Thus, this defection, 
 which threatened danger to Rome, was repaired by the 
 prudence and moderation of a general, whose ambition 
 it was to be gentle to his friends, and formidable only to 
 his enemies. 
 
 15. A war between the Romans and Latins followed 
 soon after. 19. As their habits, arms, and language were 
 the same, the exactest discipline was necessary, to pre¬ 
 vent confusion in the engagement. Orders, therefore, 
 were issued, that no soldier should leave his ranks upon 
 pain of death. 17. With these injunctions, both armies 
 were drawn out and ready, when Me'tius, the general of 
 the enemy’s cavalry, pushed forward from his lines, and 
 challenged any knight in the Roman army to single combat. 
 18. For some time there was a general pause, no soldier 
 daring to disobey his orders, till Ti tus Man lius, son of 
 the consul Mau'lius, burning with shame to see the whole 
 body of the Romans intimidated, boldly advanced against 
 his adversary. 19. The soldiers, on both sides, for a while 
 suspended the general engagement, to be spectators of 
 this fierce encounter. The two champions drove their 
 horses against each other with great violence : Me'tius 
 wounded his adversary’s horse in the neck; but Man'lius, 
 with better fortune, killed that of Me'tius. 1 he Latin 
 general, fallen to the ground, for a while attempted to 
 support himself upon his shield ; but the Roman followed 
 his blows, and laid him dead, as he was endeavouring to 
 rise; then, despoiling him of his armour, returned in tri¬ 
 umph to his father’s tent, where he was preparing for, and 
 giving orders relative to, the engagement. 20. However 
 he might have been applauded by his fellow-soldiers, being 
 as yet doubtful what reception he should find with his 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 97 
 
 father, he came with hesitation, to lay the enemy’s spoils 
 at his feet, and with a modest air insinuated, that what he 
 had done was entirely from a spirit of hereditary virtue. 
 21. Alas! lie was soon dreadfully made sensible of his 
 error; when his father, turning away, ordered him to be 
 led publicly forth before his army. Being brought for¬ 
 ward, the consul, with a stern countenance, and yet with 
 teaj’s, spoke as follows: “ Ti'tus Man'lius, as thou hast 
 regarded neither the dignity of the consulship, nor the 
 commands of a father; as thou hast destroyed military 
 discipline, and set a pattern of disobedience by thy ex¬ 
 ample, thou hast reduced me to the deplorable extremity 
 of sacrificing my son or my country. But let us not he¬ 
 sitate in this dreadful alternative; a thousand lives were 
 well lost in such a cause ; nor do I think, that thou thy¬ 
 self wilt refuse to die, when thy country is to reap the 
 advantage of thy sufferings. Lictor, bind him, and let 
 his death be our future example.” 22. At this unnatural 
 mandate the whole army was struck with horror; fear, for 
 a while, kept them in suspense; but when they saw their 
 young champion’s head struck off, and his blood stream¬ 
 ing upon the ground, they could no longer contain their 
 execrationsy and their groans. His dead body was car¬ 
 ried forth without the camp, and, being adorned with the 
 spoils of the vanquished enemy, was buried with all the 
 pomp of military solemnity. 
 
 23. In the mean time, the battle began with mutual 
 fury; and as the two armies had often fought under the 
 same leaders, they combated with all the animosity of a 
 civil war. The Latins chiefly depended on bodily strength; 
 the Romans on their invincible courage and conduct. 
 24. Forces so nearly matched, seemed only to want the 
 aid of their deities to turn the scale of victory; and in 
 fact the augurs had foretold, that whatever part of the 
 Roman army should be distressed, the commander of that 
 part should devote himself for his country, and die as a 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sacrifice to the immortal gods. Man lius commanded the 
 right wing, and De'cius the left. 25. Both sides fought 
 with doubtful success, as their courage was equal; but, 
 after a time, the left wing of the Roman army began to 
 give ground. 26. It was then that De'cius resolved to 
 devote himself for his country; and to offer his own life, 
 as an atonement to save his army *. 
 
 27. Thus determined, he called out to Manlius with a 
 loud voice, and demanded his instructions, as he was the 
 chief pontiff, how to devote himself, and what form of 
 words he should use. 28. By his directions, therefore, 
 being clothed in a long robe, his head covered, and his 
 arms stretched forward, standing upon a javelin, he de¬ 
 voted himself to the celestial and infernal gods, for the 
 safety of Rome. Then arming himself, and mounting 
 his horse, he drove furiously into the midst of the enemy, 
 striking terror and consternation wherever he came, till 
 he fell covered with wounds. 29. In the mean time the 
 Roman army considered his devoting himself in this man¬ 
 ner, as an assurance of success ; nor was the superstition 
 of the Latins less powerfully influenced by his resolution; 
 a total rout began to ensue: the Romans pressed them 
 on every side, and so great was the carnage , that scarcely 
 a fourth part of the enemy survived the defeat. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Against whom did the Romans next turn their arms ? 
 
 2. Who were appointed commanders in this war? 
 
 3. Who was Valerius ? 
 
 4. What separate commands were entrusted to the consuls? 
 
 5. What was the character of Valerius? 
 
 6. What was the character of the hostile armies ? 
 
 7. To whom did the advantage belong ? 
 
 * Livy says, (1. 8. c. 6.) that the two consuls had a dream the 
 night preceding the battle, in which a man ol a gigantic stature 
 appeared to them, and assured them, that the victory was de¬ 
 creed to that army whose general should devote himself to the 
 Dii Manes, or Infernal Gods. 
 
 5 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 99 
 
 8. Was not the division under Cornelius led into a difficulty , 
 
 and how was it extricated ? 
 
 9. What important event next occurred? 
 
 10. How were the senate affected by their approach . 
 
 1 What are the peculiar evils attendant on civil wars . 
 
 12*. What steps did Corvustake on this occasion 
 13 ! What was the consequence of this mildness. 
 
 14. What reflection may be drawn from this incident. 
 
 15. ’ What was the next occurrence of note? 
 
 16. What precautions were necessary m this war . 
 
 17. In what way was the discipline of the Romans put to the 
 
 proof? 
 
 18. Was his challenge disregarded? 
 
 19. Relate the particulars of the combat. 
 
 20. What reception did he expect from his father . 
 
 21. What was the consequence of this rashness. 
 
 22. How was this sentence received by the army. 
 
 23. Did a battle ensue? . 
 
 24. What was wanting to insure the victory . 
 
 05 To whom did success incline ? , 
 
 2G. What heroic act turned the scale in favour of the Romans 
 
 27. In what way did he do this ? 
 
 28. What followed? 
 
 29. What effect had this sacrifice on the hostile aimies. 
 
 SECT. II. 
 U. C. 431. 
 
 6. Confederacy, s. a league, an alliance. 
 
 7. Retrieving, part, recovering. 
 
 9. Transitory, a. short., not lasting. 
 
 Diminution, s. a lessening. 
 
 12. Predecessor, s. an ancestor, one going belore. 
 
 14. Dispersed, v. scattered. 
 
 22 Ford'able. a. not too deep to be passed on t°°t; 
 
 23 Reinfor'ced, v. strengthened by the addition of fresh troops. 
 Phalanx, s. a body of men drawn up in a wedge-like form, 
 
 with their spears protruded, and their shields closely 
 
 I^Vion^ aljodyof 6,100 foot, divided into ten cohorts and 
 fifty-five companies, and726 cavalry generally attached to 
 the infantry, but sometimes detached on separate servico. 
 
 30. Nego'ciate, v. to treat for, to manage. 
 
 1. But a signal disgrace which the Romans sustained 
 about this time, in their contest with the Sammtes, made n 
 pause in their usual good fortune, and turned the scale 
 F 2 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 100 
 
 for a while in the enemy’s favour *. 2. The senate having 
 denied the Samnites peace, Pon'tius, their general, was 
 resolved to gain by stratagem, what he had frequently lost 
 by force. 3. Accordingly, leading his army into the neigh¬ 
 bourhood of a defile, called Clau'dium, and taking posses¬ 
 sion of all its outlets, he sent ten of his soldiers, habited 
 like shepherds, with directions to throw themselves into 
 the way which the Romans were to march. 4. Exactly 
 to his wishes, the Roman consul, Posthu'mius, met them, 
 and taking them for what they appeared, demanded the 
 route the Samnite army had taken: they, with seeming 
 indifference replied, that they were gone to Luce'ria, a 
 town in Apu'lia, and were then actually besieging it. 
 5. The Roman general, not suspecting the stratagem that 
 was laid against him, marched directly by the shortest 
 road, which lay through the defile, to relieve that city; and 
 was not undeceived till he saw his army surrounded, and 
 blocked up on every side f. 0. Pon'tius, thus having the 
 Romans entirely in his power, first obliged the army to 
 pass under the yoke, after having stript them of all but 
 their under garments. He then stipulated, that they should 
 wholly quit the temtdfies of the Samnites, and that they 
 should continue to live upon the terms of their former 
 
 * An additional instance of the severity with which military 
 discipline was maintained among the Romans, happened a short 
 time previous to this : L. Papir'ius Cursor, the dictator, having 
 occasion to quit the army and repair to Rome, strictly forbade 
 Q. Fa'bius Ruliia nus, his master of the horse, to venture a battle 
 in his absence. This order Fa bius disobeyed, and gained a 
 complete victory. Instead, however, of finding success, a palli¬ 
 ation of his offence, he was immediately condemned by the stern 
 dictator to expiate his breach of discipline by death In spite 
 of the mutinous disposition of the army ; in spite of the inter¬ 
 cessions and threats, both of the senate and people, I’apir'ius 
 persisted in his resolution : but what menaces and powerful in¬ 
 terposition could not obtain, was granted to the prayers and 
 tears of the criminal’s relatives; and Fa'bius lived to fill some 
 of the highest offices of the state, with honour to himself and 
 infinite advantage to his country. (Liv. J. 8. c. 30. 35.) 
 
 t This gives but an indifferent idea of the military skill of 
 those ages. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 101 
 
 confederacy . 7. The Romans were constrained to submit 
 to this ignominious treaty, and marched into Cap'ua dis¬ 
 armed, half naked, and burning with a desire of retrieving 
 their lost honour. 8. When the army arrived at Rome, 
 the whole city was most sensibly afflicted at their shame¬ 
 ful return ; nothing but grief and resentment were to be 
 seen, and the whole city was put into mourning. 
 
 9 . This was a transitory calamity ; the state had suf¬ 
 fered a diminution of its glory, but not of its power *. 
 The war was carried on as usual, for many years ; the 
 power of the Samnites declining every day, while that of 
 the Romans gained fresh vigour from every victory. 
 
 10 . Under the conduct of Papir'ius Cur'sor, repeated 
 triumphs were gained. Fa'bius Max'imus also had his 
 share in the glory of conquering the Samnites; and De'- 
 cius, the son of that Decius whom we saw devoting him¬ 
 self for his country about forty years before, followed 
 the example of his noble father, and, rushing into the 
 midst of the enemy, saved the lives of his countrymen 
 with the loss of his own f. 
 
 11 . The Samnites being driven to the most extreme 
 distress, and unable to defend themselves,were obliged to 
 call in the assistance of a foreign power, and have recourse 
 to Pyr'rhus, king of Epi'rus to save them from impending 
 ruin. 12. Pyr'rhus, a man of great courage, ambition, and 
 pow er, who had always kept the example of Alexander, 
 
 * It appears, however, to have suffered a diminution of its 
 houour on this occasion, by breaking every article of the treaty 
 of peace extorted from Posthumius. As some atonement for 
 this breach of faith, they delivered Posthumius, and those who 
 signed the treaty, into the hands of the Sam'nitcs, to do with 
 them as they thought fit; but this generous people instantly set 
 them at liberty. (Liv. 1. 9, c. 8—11.) 
 
 f U. C. 447. About this time Appius Claudius, the censor, 
 constructed an aqueduct, seven miles long, for supplying Rome 
 with water, and that famous road from Rome to Capua, which 
 still remains, the admiration of all Europe. 
 
 I Epi'rus, a country situate between Macedonia, Achaia, and 
 the Ionian sea. (Strabo.) 
 
 F 3 
 
10 2 history of the 
 
 his great predecessor, before his eyes, promised to come to . 
 their assistance; and, in the mean time, dispatched a body 
 of three thousand men, under the command of Cm eas, 4- 
 experienced soldier, and a scholar of the great orator De- 
 mos'thettes*. 13. Nor did he himself remain long behind, 
 but soon after put to sea with three thousand horse, twenty 
 thousand foot, and twenty elephants, in which tl * e cora - 
 manders of that time began to place very great confidence. 
 14. However, only a small part of this great armament 
 arrived in Italy with him; for many of his ships were 
 dispersed, and some were totally lost, in a storm. 
 
 15. Upon his arrival at Taren'tum f, his first care was 
 to reform the people whom he came to succour. Observ¬ 
 ing a total dissoluteness of manners in this luxurious city, 
 and that the inhabitants were rather occupied with the 
 pleasures of bathing, feasting, and dancing, than the care 
 of preparing for war, he gave orders to have all their 
 places of public entertainment shut up, and that they 
 should be restrained in such amusements as rendered sol¬ 
 diers unfit for battle. 16. In the mean time the Romans 
 did all which prudence could suggest, to oppose so for¬ 
 midable an enemy: and the consul Lae'vinus w r as sent with 
 a numerous force to interrupt his progress. 17. Pyr rhus, 
 though his whole army was not yet arrived, drew out to 
 meet him; but previously sent an ambassador, desiring 
 to be permitted to mediate between the Romans and the 
 people of Tarentum. 18. To this Lae'vinus answered, 
 that he neither esteemed him as a mediator, nor feared him 
 as an enemy: and then leading the ambassador through 
 the Roman camp, desired him to observe diligently what 
 he saw, and to report the result to his master. 
 
 * Demos'thenes, famous for his bold and nervous style of ora¬ 
 tory, flourished at Athens about 320 years before the Christian 
 
 ^-l' Taren'tum, now Taren'to, was a town of Calabria, in Italy, 
 situate on a bay of the same name, near the mouth ol the river 
 
 Gale'sus: it was celebrated for its fine harbour. (Strabo.) 
 
103 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 19. In consequence of this, both armies approaching, 
 pitched their tents in sight of eacli other, upon the oppo¬ 
 site banks of the river Ly'ris. Pyrrhus was always ex¬ 
 tremely careful in directing the situation of his own camp, 
 and in observing that of the enemy. 20. Walking along 
 the banks of the river, and surveying the Roman method 
 of encamping, he was heard to observe that these bar¬ 
 barians seemed to be no way barbarous, and that he 
 should too soon find their actions equal to their resolution. 
 21 . In the mean time he placed a body of men in readi¬ 
 ness to oppose the Romans, in case they should attempt 
 to ford the stream before his whole army was brought 
 together. 22. Things turned out according to his ex¬ 
 pectations ; the consul, with an impetuosity that marked 
 his inexperience, gave orders for passing the river where 
 it wus fordable ; and the advanced guard, having attempt¬ 
 ed to oppose him in vain, was obliged to retire to the 
 whole body of the army. 23. Pyr'rhus being apprised of 
 the enemy’s attempt, at first hoped to cut off their ca¬ 
 valry, before they could be reinforced by the foot, which 
 were not as yet got over; and led on in person a chosen 
 body of horse against them. 24. The Roman legions 
 having, with much difficulty, advanced across the river, 
 the engagement became general; the Greeks fought with 
 a consciousness of their former fame, and the Romans 
 with a desire of gaining fresh glory: mankind had seldom 
 seen two such differently disciplined armies opposed to 
 each other; nor is it to this day determined whether the 
 Greek phalanx, or the Roman legion, were preferable. 
 25. The combat was long in suspense; the Romans had 
 seven times repulsed the enemy, and were as often driven 
 back themselves; but at length, while the success seem¬ 
 ed doubtful, Pyrrhus sent his elephants into the midst 
 of the engagement, and these turned the scale of victory 
 in his favour. 26. The Romans, who had never before 
 encountered creatures of such magnitude, were terrified 
 
 ? 4 
 
104 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 not only at their intrepid fierceness, but at the castles 
 that were fastened on their backs, filled with armed men, 
 27 . It was then that Pyr'rhus saw the day was his own ; 
 and, sending his Thessalian cavalry to charge the enemy 
 in disorder, the rout became general. A dreadful slaughter 
 of the Romans ensued, fifteen thousand men being killed 
 on the spot, and eighteen hundred taken prisoners. 28. 
 Nor were the conquerors in a much better state than the 
 vanquished, Pyr'rhus himself being wounded, and thirteen 
 thousand of his forces slain. Night coming on, put an 
 end to the slaughter on both sides, and Pyr'rhus was heard 
 to exclaim, that one such victory more would ruin his 
 whole army. 29. The next day, as he walked to view the 
 field of battle, he could not help regarding with admiration 
 the bodies of the Romans who were slain. Upon seeing 
 them all with their wounds in front, their countenances 
 even in death, marked with noble resolution, and a stern¬ 
 ness that awed him into respect, he was heard to cry out, 
 in the true spirit of a military adventurer, “ Oh! with 
 what ease could I conquer the world, had I the Romans 
 for soldiers, or had they me for their king !’* 
 
 30. Pyr'rhus, after this victory, was still unwilling to 
 drive them to an extremity, and considering that it was 
 best to treat with an humbled enemy, he resolved to send 
 his friend Cin'eas *, the orator, to negotiate a peace; of 
 whom he often asserted, that he had won more towns by 
 the eloquence of Cin'eas, than by his own arms. 31. But 
 Cin'eas, with all his art, found the Romans incapable of 
 being seduced, either by private bribery, or public per¬ 
 suasion ; with a haughtiness little expected from a van¬ 
 quished euemy, they insisted that Pyr'rhus should eva¬ 
 cuate Italy, previous to a commencement of a treaty of 
 peace. 
 
 * Cin'eas is said to have possessed so retentive a memory, 
 that, the day after his arrival at Rome, he could salute every 
 senator and knight by name. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 105 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Were the Romans uniformly successful? 
 
 2. What occasioned this disaster ? 
 
 3 . By what means did he effect it? 
 
 5 * Was the Roman general deceived by this stratagem? 
 
 6. What advantage did the Samnite commander take of the 
 
 situation of the Romans? 
 
 7. Were these terms accepted ? 
 
 8. How was this news received at Rome . 
 
 9. Did this event put an end to the war. ? 
 
 10 Who signalized themselves against the Sammtes . 
 
 U. What measures did the Samnites adopt in this extremity? 
 
 12. What was the character of Pyrrhus, and what effort 
 
 he make for their relief? 
 
 13. Did he follow in person ? 
 
 14. Did this great force arrive in salety f 
 
 15. What was his first care ? « 
 
 16. What measures did the Romans adopt? 
 
 17. Did Pyrrhus immediately commence hostilities . 
 
 18. What answer was returned? 
 
 19 . What followed? 7 
 
 20. What opinion did Pyrrhus form of the Romans . 
 
 21. What were his first measures? 
 
 22. Were his precautions justified ? 
 
 23. In what way did Pyrrhus resist this attack . 
 
 24. What is worthy of observation in this engagement. 
 
 25. To whom did the victory fall ? 
 
 26. How did the elephants decide the victory . 
 
 27. What completed the rout ? 
 
 28. W as this victory cheaply purchased ? 
 
 29. What were his sensations on viewing the fie*d oi battle 
 
 30. Did Pyrrhus follow up his victory ? 
 
 31. W'ere the arts of Cineas successful ? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 1. Extoliing, part, greatly praising. 
 
 8. Pan ic, s "violent fear. 
 
 15. Alleging, part, affirming, mentioning. 
 
 17. Schooled, part, trained, instructed. 
 
 18- Magnanimity, s. greatness of mind, bravery, elevation ot souk 
 27. Cit adel, s. a fortress, a castle. 
 
 Invet erate, a. obstinate, not to be appeased. 
 
 1. Being frustrated, therefore, in his expectations, 
 C'm'eas returned to his master, extolling both the virtues 
 
 F 5 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 106 
 
 and the grandeur of the Romans. The senate, he said, 
 appeared a reverend assembly of demi-gods; and the city, 
 a temple for their reception. 2. Of this Pyrrhus soon after 
 became sensible, by an embassy from Rome, concerning 
 the ransom and exchange of prisoners. 8. At the head of 
 this venerable deputation was Fabn'cius, an ancient sena¬ 
 tor, who had long been a pattern to his countrymen of the 
 most extreme poverty, joined to the most cheerful content. 
 4. Pyr'rhus received this celebrated old man with great 
 kindness; and willing to try how far fame had been just 
 in his favour, offered him rich presents; but the Roman 
 refused. 5. The day after, he was desirous of examining 
 the equality of his temper, and ordered one of his largest 
 elephants to be placed behind the tapestry, which, upon 
 a signal given, being drawn aside, the huge animal raised 
 its trunk above the ambassador’s head, making a hideous 
 noise, and using other arts to intimidate him. 6. But Fa- 
 bri"cius, with an unchanged countenance, smiled upon 
 the king, and told him, that he looked with an equal eye 
 on the terrors of that day, as he had upon the allurements 
 of the preceding. 7. Pyr r rhus, pleased to find so much 
 virtue in one he had considered as a barbarian, was will¬ 
 ing to grant him the only favour which he knew could 
 make him happy; he released the Roman prisoners, en¬ 
 trusting them to Fabri"cius alone, upon his promise, that, 
 in case the senate were determined to continue the war, 
 he might reclaim them whenever he thought proper *. 
 
 8. By this time the Roman army was recovered from its 
 U.C. } la.te defeat, and Sulpi"cius and De'cius, the con- 
 474 * S suls for the following year, were placed at its head. 
 9 . The panic which had formerly seized it, from the ele¬ 
 phants, now' began to w'ear off; and both armies met 
 
 * So great an enemy was Fabri"cius to luxury, that all his 
 household utensils were of the meanest materials. He banished 
 from the senate, Cornelius Rufi'nus, who bad been twice consul 
 and dictator, because he kept in his house more than ten 
 pounds weight of silver plate. (Flor. 1. 1. c. 18 in nota.) Such 
 a man was not easily corrupted ! 
 
107 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OP SOME. 
 
 near the city of As'culum, pretty nearly equal in numbers. 
 10. Here again, after a long and obstinate fight, the Gre¬ 
 cian discipline prevailed. The Romans, pressed on every 
 side, particularly by the elephants, were obliged to retire 
 to their camp, leaving six thousand men upon the field of 
 battle. 11. But the enemy had no great reason to boast 
 of their triumph, as they had four thousand slain. Pyr'rhus 
 again observed, to a soldier who was congratulating him 
 upon his victory, “ Another such a triumph, and I shall 
 be undone.” This battle finished the campaign. 12. The 
 next season began with equal vigour on both sides; 
 Pyr'rhus having received new succours from home. 13. 
 While the two armies were approaching, and yet but a 
 small distance from each other, a letter was brought to 
 old Fabri''cius, the Roman general, from the king’s phy¬ 
 sician, importing that, for a proper reward, he would 
 take him off by poison, and thus rid the Romans of a 
 powerful enemy, and a dangerous war. 14. Fabn' cius 
 felt all the honest indignation at this base proposal, that 
 was consistent with his former character; he communi¬ 
 cated it to his colleague, and instantly gave it as his opi- 
 pion, that Pyr'rhus should be informed of the treachery 
 that was plotted against him. 15. Accordingly, letters 
 were dispatched for that purpose, informing Pyr'rhus of 
 the affair, and alleging his unfortunate choice of friends 
 and enemies; that he had trusted and promoted mur¬ 
 derers, while he directed his resentment against the ge¬ 
 nerous and brave. 16. Pyr'rhus now began to find that 
 these bold barbarians were, by degrees, schooled into re¬ 
 finement, and would not suffer him to be their superior, 
 even in generosity. He received the message with as much 
 amazement at their candour, as indignation at his physi¬ 
 cian’s treachery. “ Admirable Fabri cius ! cried he, 
 “ it would be as easy to turn the sun from its course, as 
 thee from the path of honour.” 17. Then, making the 
 proper inquiry among his servants, and having discovered 
 F 6 
 
108 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the treason, he ordered his physician to be executed. 18. 
 Not to be outdone in magnanimity , he immediatly sent to 
 Rome all his prisoners without ransom, and again desired 
 to negociate a peace ; but the Romans still refused, upon 
 any other conditions than had been offered before *. 
 
 19. After an interval of two years, Pyr'rhus, having 
 increased his army by new levies, sent one part of it to 
 oppose the march of Len'tulus, while he, with the other, 
 went to attack Cu'rius Denta'tus, before his colleague 
 could come up. 20. His principal aim was to surprise the 
 enemy by night; but unfortunately, passing through 
 woods, and the lights failing him, his men lost their way; 
 so that at the approach of morning he saw himself in 
 the sight of the Roman camp, with the enemy drawn 
 out ready to receive him. The vanguard of both armies 
 soon met, in which the Romans had the advantage. 21* 
 Soon after, a general engagement ensuing, Pyr'rhus, 
 finding the balance of the victory turning still against 
 him, had once more recourse to his elephants. 22. 
 These, however, the Romans were now too well acquaint¬ 
 ed with, to feel any vain terrors from ; and having found 
 that fire was the most effectual means to repel them, they 
 caused a number of balls to be made, composed of flax 
 and rosin, which were lighted and thrown against them 
 as they approached the ranks. 23. The elephants, ren¬ 
 dered furious by the flame, and boldly opposed by the 
 soldiers, could no longer be brought on; but ran back 
 on their own army, bearing down their ranks, and filling 
 all places with terror and confusion : thus victory, at 
 length, declared in favour of Rome. 24. Pyr'rhus, "in 
 vain, attempted to stop the flight and slaughter of his 
 troops; he lost not only twenty-three thousand of his best 
 soldiers, but his camp was also taken. 25. This served 
 as a new lesson to the Romans, who were ever open 
 to improvement. They had formerly pitched their tents 
 
 * 'l hey however released an equal number of Tarentine and 
 bamnite prisoners. 
 
109 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 without order; but, by this new capture, they were taught 
 to measure out their ground, and fortify the whole with 
 a trench; so that many of their succeeding victories are 
 to be ascribed to their improved method of encamping. 
 
 26. Pyrrhus, thus finding all hopes fruitless, resolved 
 to leave Italy, where he found only desperate enemies, 
 and faithless allies; accordingly, calling together the 
 Taren'tines, he informed them, that he had received as- 
 surances from Greece of a speedy assistance, and desiring 
 them to wait the event with tranquillity, the night follow¬ 
 ing he embarked his troops, and returned undisturbed 
 into his native kingdom, with the remains of his shattered 
 forces, leaving a garrison in Taren'tum merely to save 
 appearances : and in this manner ended the war with 
 Pyr rhus after six years’ continuance. 
 
 27. As for the poor luxurious Taren'tines, who were the 
 original promoters of the war, they soon began to find a 
 worse enemy in the garrison that was left for their de¬ 
 fence, than in the Romans who attacked them from with¬ 
 out. The hatred between them and Milo, who commanded 
 their citadel for Pyr'rhus, was become so great, that no¬ 
 thing but the fear of their old inveterate enemies, the 
 Romans, could equal it. 28. In this distress they applied 
 to the Carthaginians, who, with a large fleet, came and 
 blocked up the port of Taren'tum; so that this unfortunate 
 people, once famous through Italy for their refinements 
 and pleasures, now saw themselves contended for by three 
 different armies, without the choice of a conqueror. 29. 
 At length, however, the Romans found means to bring 
 over the garrison to their interest; after which they easily 
 became masters of the city, and demolished its walls, 
 granting the inhabitants liberty and protection. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1 . What report did Cineas give of the Romans ? 
 
 2 . By what means did Pyrrhus become convinced of its 
 
 truth? 
 
110 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 3. Who headed this disputation ? 
 
 4. What reception did he experience? 
 
 5. What farther trial was made of his disposition? 
 
 6. What effect did this produce in Fabricius ? 
 
 7. In what way did Pyrrhus evince his satisfaction? 
 
 8. In what state was the Homan army at this time? 
 
 9. Were the Romans still afraid of the elephants ? 
 
 10. What was the event of the engagement ? 
 
 11. Did it cost the enemy dear? 
 
 12. Was the war continued ? 
 
 13. What proposal was made to Fabricius ? 
 
 14. How was this proposal received? 
 
 15. How was this done? 
 
 16. What effect had this conduct on Pyrrhus? 
 
 17. What followed ? 
 
 18. What return did he make to the Romans ? 
 
 19. How was this war carried on? 
 
 20. What view had he in this, and how did they succeed? 
 
 21. What expedient did Pyrrhus have recourse to, to ensure 
 
 the victory ? 
 
 22. Did it succeed? 
 
 23. What was the consequence ? 
 
 24. What loss did Pyrrhus sustain? 
 
 25. What advantage did the Romans gain from this victory ? 
 
 26. W hat resolution did Pyrrhus form, and how did he effeet.it? 
 
 2 7. What became of the Tarentines ? 
 
 28. To whom did they have recourse ? 
 
 29. How did this terminate? 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 From the beginning of the first Punic War , to the 
 beginning of the second , when the Romans began 
 to grow powerful by Sea .— U. C. 493. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 2. Embroiling, part, setting at enmity, putting in confusion. 
 
 9. Unsurmount'able, a. that cannot be overcome. 
 
 11. Persever'ance, s. constancy. 
 
 14. Consum'mate, a. perfect, complete, accomplished. 
 
 16. Grapple, v. to fight close, hand to hand, to lay hold of their 
 ships with grappling irons. 
 
 Mercenary, a. serving for hire. 
 
 23. Despondence, s. dejection, despair. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. Ill 
 
 1. The Romans having destroyed all rival pretensions 
 at home, began to pant after foreign conquests. 2. The 
 Carthaginians were at that time in possession of the 
 greatest part of Sicily, and, like the Romans, only wanted 
 an opportunity of embroiling the natives, in order to be¬ 
 come masters of the whole island. 3. This opportunity 
 at length offered. Hi'ero, king of Syracuse, one of the 
 states of that island, which was as yet unconquered, en¬ 
 treated their aid against the Mam'ertines, a little people 
 of the same country, and they sent him supplies both by 
 sea and land *. 4. The Mam'ertines, on the other hand, 
 
 to shield off impending ruin, put themselves under the 
 protection of Rome. 5. The Romans, not thinking the 
 Mam'ertines worthy of the name of allies, instead of pro¬ 
 fessing to assist them, boldly declared war against 
 Carthage; alleging as a reason, the assistance which 
 Carthage had lately sent to the southern parts of Italy 
 against the Romans. In this manner a war was declared 
 between two powerful states, both too great to continue 
 patient spectators of each other’s increase. 
 
 6 . Carthage, a colony of the Phoenicians, was built on 
 the coast of Africa, near the place where Tunis now 
 stands, about a hundred and thirty seven years before 
 the foundation of Rome. 7. As it had been long growing 
 into power, so it had extended its dominions all along the 
 coasts: but its chief strength lay in its fleets and com¬ 
 merce. 8. Thus circumstanced, these two great powers 
 began what is called the First Punic war. The Cartha- 
 gin'ians were possessed of gold and silver, which might 
 
 * Hi'ero had been, for many years, a firm friend to the Ro¬ 
 mans; and though their protecting a city which would otherwise 
 have fallen into his hands, occasioned a temporary interruption 
 of that friendship, it was soon resumed, and continued unshaken 
 during the remainder of a long reign. The happy effects of this 
 prudent conduct, were experienced by his subjects ; for, while 
 the other states of the island witnessed scenes of carnage and 
 ruin, Syracuse enjoyed the sweets ol tranquillity and affluence. 
 (Polyb. et alii.) 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 112 
 
 be exhausted; the Romans were famous for perseve¬ 
 rance, patriotism, and poverty, which gathered strength 
 by every defeat. 
 
 9. But there seemed tobe an unsurmountable obstacle to 
 the ambitious views of Rome, as they had no fleet, or at 
 least none that deserved the title; while the Carthaginians 
 had the entire command at sea, and kept all the maritime 
 towns in obedience *. 10. In such a situation, under dis¬ 
 advantages which nature seemed to have imposed, any 
 people but the Romans would have rested; but nothing 
 could conquer or intimidate them. 11. A Carthaginian 
 vessel happened to be driven on shore, in a storm, and 
 this was suflicicnt to serve as a model. They began to 
 apply themselves to maritime affairs; and though without 
 shipwrights to build, or seamen to navigate a fleet, they 
 resolved to surmount every obstacle with inflexible per- 
 severance . 12. The consul Duil'ius was the first who 
 
 ventured to sea with his new constructed armament; and, 
 though far inferior to the enemy in the management of 
 his fleet, yet he gained the first naval victory, the Car¬ 
 thaginians losing fifty of their ships, and the undisturbed 
 sovereignty of the sea, which they valued more f. 
 
 13. But the conquest of Sicily was to be obtained only 
 
 * The vessels in which they had hitherto transported their 
 troops, were principally hired from their neighbours the Lo'- 
 crians, Taren'tines, &c. It is certain that the Romans had ships 
 of war before this period, but from the little attention they had 
 hitherto paid to naval affairs, they were, probably, badly con¬ 
 structed and ill managed. 
 
 f While the heroic conduct of Leonidas and his little band of 
 Spartans has met with deserved applause in all ages, a similar 
 devotedness for his country in Calpurnius Flem'ma, a military 
 tribune, has been scarcely noticed : the Consul Calati'nus having 
 carelessly suffered himself to be entrapped by the Carthaginians, 
 in a place from whence there was no hope of being extricated, 
 Calpurnius, with 300 resolute men, possessed himself of a neigh¬ 
 bouring eminence, and with incredible courage so engaged the 
 attention of the Carthaginians, that the Roman army escaped 
 with very little opposition. This band of heroes was slaughtered 
 to a man, and Calpurnius himself fell, dreadfully wounded, but 
 afterwards recovered of his wounds. He was rewarded with a 
 corona graminis, or crown made of grass, 
 
 7 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 113 
 
 by humbling the power of Carthage at home. For this 
 reason the senate resolved to carry the war into Africa 
 itself, and accordingly they sent Reg'ulus and Manlius, 
 with a fleet of three hundred sail, to make the invasion. 
 44 , Reg'ulus was reckoned the most consummate warrior 
 that Rome could then produce; and a professed example 
 of frugal severity. His patriotism was still greater than 
 his temperance : all private passions seemed extinguished 
 in him, at least they were swallowed up in one great ruling 
 affection, the love of his country. 15. The two generals 
 set sail with their fleet, which was the greatest that had 
 ever yet left an Italian port, carrying a hundred and forty 
 thousand men. They were met by the Carthaginians 
 with a fleet equally powerful, and men more used to the 
 sea. 16. While the fight continued at a distance, the 
 Carthaginians seemed successful; but when the Romans 
 came to grapple with them, the diflerence between a mer - 
 cenary army, and one that fought for fame, was apparent. 
 17. The resolution of the Romans was crowned with 
 success; the enemy’s fleet were dispersed, and fifty-four 
 of their vessels takeu. 18. The consequence of this vic¬ 
 tory was an immediate descent upon the coast of Africa, 
 and the capture of the city Clu'pca* ; together with 
 twenty thousand men who were made prisoners of war +. 
 
 19. The senate being informed of these great suc¬ 
 cesses, and applied to for fresh instructions, commanded 
 Man'lius back to Italy, in order to superintend the Sicilian 
 war; and directed that Reg'ulus should continue in 
 Africa, to prosecute his victories there. 
 
 * Clu'pea, or Cly'pca, now Aklib'ia, is a town of Africa Proper, 
 22 miles from the site of Carthage. (Strabo.) It very con¬ 
 veniently situated to serve as a magazine ot arms and provisions 
 for the Romans, and there were several ports near it, to shelter 
 
 While Reg'ulus lay encamped here, near the river 
 he is said to have slain a monstrous serpent by the* help ; of h.s 
 battering engines. Its skin which was 120 feet long, *a* sent 
 to Rome, and preserved for along time with great cai . 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 114 
 
 20 . A battle ensued, in which Carthage was once more 
 defeated, and 17,000 of its best troops were cut off. This 
 fresh victory contributed to throw them into the utmost 
 despair; for more than eighty of their towns submitted to 
 the Romans *. 21. In this distress, the Carthagin'ians, 
 
 destitute of generals at home, were obliged to send to 
 Lacedae'mon, offering the command of their armies to 
 Xaotip pus, a general of great experience, who undertook 
 to conduct them. 
 
 22 . This general began by giving the magistrates proper 
 instructions for levying their men ; he assured them that 
 their armies were hitherto overthrown, not by the strength 
 of the enemy, but by the ignorance of their own com¬ 
 manders ; he therefore required a ready obedience to his 
 orders, and assured them of an easy victory. 23. The 
 whole city seemed once more revived from despondence, by 
 the exhortations of a single stranger; and soon, from 
 hope grew into confidence. 24. This was the spirit the 
 Grecian general wished to excite in them ; so that when 
 he saw them thus ripe for the engagement, he joyfully 
 took the field. 25. The Laced anno'niau made the most 
 skilful disposition of his forces ; he placed his cavalry in, 
 the wings; he disposed their elephants at proper intervals, 
 behind the line of the heavy.armed infantry; and, bring¬ 
 ing up the light-armed troops before, he ordered them 
 to retire through the line of infantry, after they had 
 discharged their weapons. 26. At length both armies 
 engaged ; after a long and obstinate resistance, the Ro¬ 
 mans were overthrown with dreadful slaughter, the 
 
 * To complete their misfortunes, the Numid'ians entered their 
 territory, laid waste their fields, and committed such dreadful 
 devastations, that a severe famine ensued, with all its attendant 
 horrors. At this critical juncture, Reg ulus, who had advanced 
 to the very gates of the city, sent the Carthagin'ians proposals 
 of peace. The deputies were received with transports of joy 
 till the conditions were known, when they were found so severe, 
 that the senators protested they would rather die a thousand 
 deaths than submit to them. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. ll£> 
 
 greatest part of their army destroyed, and Reg'ulus him¬ 
 self taken prisoner *. 27. Several other distresses of the 
 
 Romans followed soon after. They lost their fleet in a 
 storm+ ; and Agrigen'tum t, their principal town in Si¬ 
 cily, was taken by Karth'alo, the Carthagin'ian general. 
 They built a new fleet, which shared the fate of t e 
 former ; for the mariners, as yet unacquainted with the 
 Mediterra'nean shores, drove upon quicksands, and soon 
 after the greater part perished in a storm $. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Were the Romans content with their s " c ^ css ,®? ! , 
 
 2. What state afforded them an opportunity for this purpose . 
 
 3 . Were their wishes gratified, and how . 
 
 4. What measures did the Mamertines adopt. 
 
 5. Did the Romans afford them the assistance they requested. 
 6 Where was Carthage situated, and when was it built. 
 
 i -»“■* 
 
 „ wSoT"iTcSS.».»«.,«•' «■'»« >»»«■» 
 
 10. DidThe Romans attempt to overcome this obstacle? 
 
 11. Whatassisted their endeavours? , h is 
 
 1 2 . Who was their first naval commander, and 
 
 13. What were the means adopted to conquer Sicil} ? 
 
 14. What was the character of Reguhis . _ 
 
 * Vantin'mis met with a very ungrateful return for the signal 
 
 services he had'rendered the (farthaginMans, for the^se^en who 
 
 i;» oi ot^ tbe ,w * 
 
 n0 + Ur A° f fi ne S ^r^ thus lost; all thenches that h^been 
 
 “"T^GTrS^irlutunshing situation it contained 
 200,000 inhabitants. (Polyb Strabo ) indications 
 
 §'The Romans, considering these.twomade 
 of the will of the gods thattiievsi^^^ shou , dfortlie future, be 
 
 equipped.^T his°dec°r ee) howeverf did not continue long in foree. 
 
110 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 15. What was the amount of the force on both sides? 
 
 16. On which side did the advantage lie ? 
 
 17. With whom did the victory remain? 
 
 18. What was the consequence of this victory ? 
 
 19. What were the orders of the senate ? 
 
 20. What was the next event deserving notice, and its con¬ 
 
 sequences? 
 
 21. To what expedient were the Carthaginians obliged to 
 
 have recourse ? 
 
 22. What were the first acts of this general ? 
 
 23. What were the effects his arrival produced? 
 
 24. What was the consequence ? 
 
 25. In what way was the Carthaginian army drawn up ? 
 
 26. What was the event of the battle ? 
 
 27. Was this their only disaster ? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 1. Solicitor, s. one who solicits, or asks for another. 
 
 8. Terminate, v. to end. 
 
 9. Embarrassment, s. perplexity, difficulty. 
 
 16. Exhausted, part . drained of their resources. 
 Subscribed, r, agreed to, signed. 
 
 1. The Carthaginians being thus successful, were 
 desirous of a new treaty for peace, hoping to have better 
 terms than those insisted upon by Reg'ulus *. They sup¬ 
 posed that he, whom they had now for four years kept in 
 a dungeon, confined and chained, would be a proper so¬ 
 licitor. It was expected, that, being wearied with impri¬ 
 sonment and bondage, he would gladly endeavour to per¬ 
 suade his countrymen to a discontinuance of the war 
 which prolonged his captivity. 2. He w ? as accordingly 
 sent with their ambassadors to Rome, under a promise, 
 previously exacted from him, to return in case of being 
 unsuccessful. He was even given to understand, that 
 his life depended upon the success of his negociation f. 
 
 * These are subsequently mentioned. 
 
 f Though the Carthaginians had been partially successful, 
 their condition fully justified their anxiety for peace. The war 
 had already lasted fourteen years ; they had lost their best com- 
 
 \ 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 117 
 
 8 . When this old general, together with the ambas¬ 
 sadors of Carthage, approached Rome, numbers of his 
 friends came out to meet him, and congratulate him on 
 his return. 4. Their acclamations resounded through the 
 city; but Reg'ulus refused, with settled melancholy, to 
 enter the gates. In vain he w r as entreated on every side 
 to visit once more his little dwelling, and share in that 
 joy wdiich his return had inspired. He persisted in saying 
 that he was now a slave belonging to the Carthagin'ians, 
 and unfit to partake in the liberal honours of his country. 
 5. The senate assembling without the walls, as usual, to 
 give audience to the ambassadors, Reg'ulus opened his 
 commission as he had been directed by the Carthagin'ian 
 council, and their ambassadors seconded his proposals. 
 8 . The senate themselves, who were weary of a war 
 which had been protracted above fourteen years, were no 
 way disinclinable to a peace. It only remained for Reg'u¬ 
 lus himself to give his opinion. 7. When it came to his 
 turn to speak, to the surprise of the whole, he gave his 
 voice for continuing the war. 8. So unexpected an ad¬ 
 vice not a little disturbed the senate : they pitied, as w ell 
 as admired a man who had used such eloquence against 
 his private interest, and could conclude upon a measure 
 which was to terminate in his ow n ruin. 9. But he soon 
 relieved their embarrassment by breaking off the treaty, 
 and by rising, in order to return to his bonds and his con¬ 
 finement. 10. In vain did the senate and his dearest 
 friends entreat his stay ; he still repressed their solicita¬ 
 tions. Mar'cia, his w ife, with her children, vainly en¬ 
 treated to be permitted to see him : he still obstinately 
 persisted in keeping his promise ; and though sufficiently 
 apprised of the tortures that aw aited his return, without 
 
 raanders, their elephants, and their ileets; their iinanees were 
 exhausted, their armies diminished, and the only towns they had 
 now left in Sicily were Lilybae'um (now Boco) and Drepa'num 
 (now Trapa ni,) the former of which was invested by the Roman 
 army. 
 

 118 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 embracing his family, or taking leave of his friends, he 
 
 departed with the ambassadors for Carthage. 
 
 11 . Nothing could equal the fury and the disappointment 
 of the Carthagin'ians, when they were informed by their 
 ambassadors that Reg'ulus, instead of hastening a peace, 
 had given his opinion for continuing the war. 12. They 
 accordingly prepared to punish his conduct with the most 
 studied tortures. His eye-lids were cut off, and he was 
 remanded to prison. After some days, he was again brought 
 out from his dark and dismal dungeon, and exposed with 
 his face opposite the burning sun. At last, when malice 
 was fatigued with studying all the arts of torture, he was 
 put into”a sort of barrel, stuck full of spikes, and in this 
 painful position he continued till he died *. 
 
 13. Both sides now took up arms with more than former 
 animosity. At length the Roman perseverance was 
 crowned with success, one victory followed on the back 
 of another +. Fa'bius Bu'teo, the consul, once more 
 shewed them the way to naval victory, by defeating a 
 large squadron of the enemy’s ships ; but Luta'tius Cat'- 
 ulus gained a victory still more complete, in which the 
 power of Carthage seemed totally destroyed at sea, by the 
 
 * Tliis cruelty was retaliated by his wife Mar cia, on some 
 
 Carthaginian captives of the highest quality. rian'dins 
 
 + They met, however, with some sad reverses. P. Claudius 
 Pul'clier encasing Ath'erbal,the commander of the Carthagin mil 
 flet ^s deSel with the loss of ninety gaUies. eight thousand 
 men killed, and twenty thousand taken prisoners. The loss ol 
 this engagement was partly owing to the consul s c ° ntc “P*;“"“ s 
 disregarded 1 the auspices held in such veneration by the Romans, 
 for when the sacred chickens refused to feed, u fV V j? C0 "' 
 sidered an ill omen) he threw them, coop and all, into the sea, 
 saying, if they will not eat, let them drink. 1 Ins supposed im¬ 
 piety so disheartened his troops, that they made but a faint.re¬ 
 sistance to the enemy, and suffered themselves to be out down 
 like cowards. (Polyb. c. 49. 53.) They likewise lost another 
 fleet iu a storm. Of one hundred and twenty gallies, and eight 
 hundred transports laden with stores, not one vessel escaped. 
 (II,id. 1. i. c. 54—56.) After the loss of this fleet, the Roman 
 senate encouraged their subjects to lit out privateers to harass 
 and plunder the enemy. 
 
119 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 loss of a hundred and twenty ships *. 14. This loss com¬ 
 pelled the Carthaginians again to sue for peace, which 
 Rome thought proper to grant; but, still inflexible in its 
 demands, exacted the same conditions which Reg ulus 
 had formerly offered at the gates of Carthage. 15. These 
 were, that they should lay down a thousand talents of 
 silver, to defray the charge of the war, and should pay 
 two thousand two hundred more + within ten years ; that 
 they should quit Sicily, with all such islands as they pos¬ 
 sessed near it; that they should never make war against 
 the allies of Rome, nor come with any vessels of war 
 within the Roman dominions; and lastly, that all their 
 prisoners and deserters should be delivered up without 
 ransom. 16. To these hard conditions, the Car- c u. C. 
 thagin'ians, now exhausted , readily subscribed ;t 513 
 and thus ended the first Punic war, which had lasted 
 twenty-four years; and in some measure, had drained 
 both nations of their resources J. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What measures did the Carthaginians adopt in conse¬ 
 
 quence of these successes ? 
 
 2. Was Regulus employed for this purpose? 
 
 3. How was Regulus received by the Romans? 
 
 4. What was the conduct of Regulus on this occasion? 
 
 5. How did the negociation commence? 
 
 6. Were the Romans inclined for peace? 
 
 7. What was the opinion of Regulus? 
 
 8. What was the effect of this advice ? 
 
 9. How did Regulus put an end to their embarrassment? 
 
 10. Could he not be prevailed on to remain at Rome? 
 
 11. How did the Carthaginians receive an accouut of his 
 
 conduct? 
 
 * The fleet commanded by L. Cat'uluswas built and equipped 
 at the expense of private persons. The ships were far superior 
 in construction to any Rome had ever before sent out. (Zonara* 
 1.8. c. 6.) 
 
 f 437,250Z. sterling. 
 
 t The Romans lost seven hundred ships in this war, the Cartha- 
 gin'ians only five hundred. But Roman perseverance prevailed. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 120 
 
 12. In what way did they punish him ? 
 
 13. With what success was the war continued ? 
 14 ! What was the consequence of this loss? 
 
 15. What were these terms ? 
 
 16. Were they agreed to? 
 
 chapter xv. 
 
 From, the end of the first Punic War to the end of 
 the second . 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 3. Rail'lcry, s. satirical mirth, jesting. 
 
 4. Deri"sion, s. contempt, mockery, scorn. 
 
 6. Mod'el, s. copy, pattern. 
 
 Elegiac, a. mournful, sad, solemn. 
 
 Pas'toral, a . relating to shepherds, rural. 
 
 Didac'tic, a. perceptive, doctrinal. 
 
 7. Intrepid'ily, s. courage, boldness, bravery. 
 
 8. Restitution, s. a restoration of any thing unjustly taken. 
 
 9. Ce'ded, v . given up to, transferred. 
 
 Prohibition, s. a forbidding, or hindering. 
 
 10. Incur red, v. became liable to, brought on themselves. 
 
 13. Evolutions, s. exercises, manoeuvres. 
 
 16. Retrieved, v. recovered, repaired. 
 
 22. Sustenance, s. food. 
 
 Antiq'uity, s. ancient times, of old. 
 
 25. Intim'idate, v. to alarm, to frighten, to deter. 
 
 Cur'rent, s. stream. 
 
 Undaunted, a. bold, courageous, firm. 
 
 1. The war being ended between the Carthaginians 
 and Romans, a profound peace ensued, and in about six 
 years after, the temple of Ja'nus was shut for the second 
 time since the foundation of the city *. 2. The Romans 
 
 being thus in friendship with all nations, had an oppor¬ 
 tunity of turning to the arts of peace ; they now began to 
 have a relish for poetry, the first liberal art which rises 
 in every civilized nation, and the first also that decays. 
 
 * The first was in the reign of Numa. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 121 
 
 3. Hitherto they had been entertained only with the rude 
 drolleries of their lowest buffoons, they had sports called 
 Fescen'nia, in which a few debauched actors invented their 
 own parts, while raillery and indecency supplied the place 
 of humour. 4. To these a composition of a higher kind 
 succeeded, called satire; a sort of dramatic poem, in 
 which the characters of the great were particularly 
 pointed out, and made an object of derision to the vulgar. 
 5. After these, came tragedy and comedy, which were 
 borrowed from the Greeks: indeed, the first dramatic 
 poet of Rome, whose name was Liv'ius Andro- r u q 
 ni'cus, was by birth a Grecian. 0. The instant 2514. 
 these finer kinds of composition appeared, this great 
 people rejected their former impurities with disdain. 
 From thenceforward they laboured upon the Grecian 
 model i and, though they were never able to rival their 
 masters in dramatic composition, they soon surpassed 
 them in many of the more soothing kinds of poetry. 
 Elegiac , pastoral , and didactic compositions began to 
 assume new beauties in the Roman language; and satire, 
 not that rude kind of dialogue already mentioned, but a 
 nobler sort, was all their own *. 
 
 7. While they were thus cultivating the arts of peace, 
 they were not unmindful of making fresh preparations for 
 war: intervals of ease seemed to give fresh vigour for new 
 designs, rather than relax their former intrepidity . 8 . The 
 Illyrians* were the first people upon w'hom they tried 
 their strength *h That nation happened to make depreda¬ 
 tions upon some of the trading subjects of Rome; c u. C. 
 which being complained of to Teuta, the queen t 527 • 
 of the country, she, instead of granting redress, ordered 
 the ambassadors, who were sent to demand restitution y to 
 
 * About this time flourished En'nius, who wrote the history of 
 Rome in verse. He was the inventor of the Latin Hexameter. 
 (Yassius.—Valerius Maximus, 1. 8. c. 15.) 
 
 flllyriumor Illyria, a country bordered on one side by Mace- 
 don and Epi'rus, and on the other by the Adriatic sea. (Strabo.) 
 
 G 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 122 
 
 be murdered. 9. A war ensued, in which the Remans 
 were victorious; most of the Illyr'ic towns were surren¬ 
 dered to the consuls, and a peace at last concluded, by 
 which the greatest part of the country was ceded to Rome; 
 a yearly tribute was exacted for the rest, and a. prohibition 
 added, that the Illyr'ians should not sail beyond the river 
 Lis sus with more than two barks, and those unarmed* 
 
 10. The Gauls were the next people that incurred the 
 displeasure of the Romans. 11. A time of peace, when 
 the armies were disbanded, was the proper season for new 
 irruptions; accordingly these barbarians invited fresh 
 forces from beyond the Alps, and entering Etru'ria, wasted 
 all with fire and sword, till they came within about three 
 days’journey of Rome. 12. A prsetor and a consul were 
 sent to oppose them, who, now instructed in the improved 
 arts of war, w r ere enabled to surround the Gauls. 13. It 
 was in vain that those hardy troops, who had nothing but 
 courage to protect them, formed tw o fronts to oppose their 
 adversaries; their naked bodies and undisciplined forces 
 were unable to withstand the shock of any enemy com¬ 
 pletely armed, and skilled in military evolutions. 14. A 
 miserable slaughter ensued, in w hich forty thousand were 
 killed, and ten thousand taken prisoners *. 15. This 
 
 victory was followed by another, gained by Marcel'lus, 
 in which he killed Viridoma'rus, their king, with his own 
 hand. 16. These conquests forced them to beg for peace, 
 the conditions of which served greatly to enlarge the 
 empire. Thus the Romans went on with success; re¬ 
 trieved their former losses, and only wanted an enemy 
 worthy of their arms to begin a new warf. 
 
 * Polybius (1. 2. c. III.) says, that the troops raised by the re¬ 
 public on this occasion, were eight hundred thousand men; of 
 which two hundred and seventy thousand were Romans or 
 Campanians. 
 
 Deme trius, who had succeeded Teuta in the government 
 of Illy r'icum, having violated the articles of the late treaty, a 
 Roman army was sent against him, which conquered the remain¬ 
 ing part of the kingdom, and obliged Demetrius to fly into 
 Macedon. (Livius.) 
 
123 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 17. The Carthagin ians had made peace solely because 
 they were no longer able to continue the war. They there¬ 
 fore took the earliest opportunity of breaking the treaty, 
 and besieged Sagun'tum, a city of Spain, which had been 
 in alliance with Rome; and, though desired to desist, pro¬ 
 secuted their operations with vigour*. 18. Ambassadors 
 were sent, in consequence, from Rome to Car thage, com¬ 
 plaining of the infraction of their articles, and required 
 that Han nibal, the Carthagin'ian general, who had ad¬ 
 vised this measure, should be delivered up : which being 
 refused, both sides prepared for a second Punic war. 
 
 It). The Carthaginians trusted the management of it to 
 Han'nibal. 20. This extraordinary man had been made the 
 sworn foe of Rome, almost from his infancy ; for, while 
 yet very young, his father brought him before the altar, 
 and obliged him to take an oath, that he would never be 
 in friendship with the Romans, nor desist from opposing 
 their power, until he or they should be no more. 21. On 
 his first appearance in the field, he united in his own 
 person the most masterly method of commanding, with 
 the most perfect obedience to his superiors. Thus he was 
 equally beloved by his generals, and the troops he was 
 appointed to lead. 22. He was possessed of the greatest 
 courage in opposing danger, and the greatest presence of 
 mind in retiring from it. No fatigue was able to subdue 
 his body, nor any misfortune to break his spirit; he was 
 equally patient of heat and cold, and he took sustenance 
 merely to content nature, not to delight his appetite. He 
 was the best horseman, and the swiftest runner, of the 
 time. 23. This great general, who is considered as the 
 most skilful commander of antiquity , having overran all 
 Spain, and levied a large army composed of various na¬ 
 tions, resolved to carry the war into Italy itself, as the 
 
 * It appears, however, that the Romans had, by their haughty 
 behaviour, their repeated extortions, and their unjust invasions 
 of Cor sica and Sardin'ia, given the Car'tbagiu'ians just cause 
 of complaint. 
 
 G 2 
 

 124 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Romans had before carried it into the dominions of Car'- 
 tliage. 24. For this purpose, leaving Hanno with a suffi¬ 
 cient force to guard his conquests in Spain, he crossed 
 the Pyrenean mountains into Gaul, with an army of fifty 
 thousand foot, and nine thousand horse. He quickly 
 traversed that country, which was then wild and exten¬ 
 sive, and filled with nations that were his declared enemies. 
 25. In vain its forests and rivers appeared to intimidate; 
 in vain the Rhone with its rapid current , and its banks 
 covered with enemies, or the Dura branched out into 
 numberless channels, opposed his way ; he passed them 
 all with undaunted spirit, and in ten days arrived at the 
 foot of the Alps, over which he was to explore a new 
 passage into Italy. 26. It was in the midst of winter, 
 when this astonishing project was undertaken. The sea¬ 
 son added new horrors to the scene. The prodigious 
 height and tremendous steepness of these mountains, 
 capped with snow ; the people barbarous and fierce, 
 dressed in skins, with long and shaggy hair ; presented a 
 picture that impressed the beholders with astonishment 
 and terror. 27. But nothing was capable of subduing the 
 courage of the Carthagin'ian general. At the end of 
 fifteen days, spent in crossing the Alps, he found himself 
 in the plains of Italy, with about half his army; the other 
 half having died of cold, or been cut off by the natives *. 
 
 1 . 
 
 2 . 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 What was the consequence of the conclusion of the fu st 
 Funic War? 
 
 What advantage did the Romans derive from this interval 
 of peace ? 
 
 What species of entertainment had they hitherto enjoyed ? 
 What succeeded these low buffooneries ? 
 
 What was the next species, and from whom was it bor¬ 
 rowed? 
 
 * Some historians assert, that Han'nibal caused the rocks to 
 be made red hot, and then softened with vinegar ; but the story 
 is too absurd to be credited. 
 
 7 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 125 
 
 0. Did their former amusements still continue to please ? 
 
 7. Were the Romans attentive only to the arts of peace? 
 
 8. Who first incurred their resentment, and what was their 
 
 offence? 
 
 9. What was the consequence? 
 
 10. Who next incurred the displeasure of the Romans? 
 
 11. What was their offence, and what favourable opportunity 
 
 did they choose? 
 
 12. What steps were taken to oppose them ? 
 
 13. Did the Gauls make any effectual resistance? 
 
 • 14. What was the result of the battle? 
 
 15. Did this victory decide the contest ? 
 
 If). What advantages occurred to the Romans from this war? 
 
 17. Were the Carthaginians sincere in theiroverture for peace? 
 
 18. What was the consequence of this refusal? 
 
 19. To whom was the conduct of the war committed by the 
 
 Carthaginians ? 
 
 20. What rendered Hannibal particularly eligible to this post? 
 
 21. Was he a favourite with the army? 
 
 22. Describe his corporeal and mental qualifications. 
 
 23. What resolution did he adopt? 
 
 24. What measures did he take for that purpose ? 
 
 25. Was he not deterred by the dangers of the way ? 
 
 26. What rendered this passage peculiarly difficult? 
 
 27. Did these horrors render the attempt unsuccessful ? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 2. Alacrity,s. cheerfulness, readiness. 
 
 7. Opponents, s. adversaries, enemies. 
 
 9. AUay'ed, v. quieted, abated. 
 
 11. Harassing, part, wearying, annoying. 
 Inaccessible, a. not to be approached, or reached. 
 
 12. Impracticable, a. impossible, not to be done. 
 Extricate, v. to set free, to disentangle. 
 
 13. Extgence, s. difficulty, distress. 
 
 19. Competent, a. sufficient, equal to the occasion. 
 
 1. As soon as it was known at Rome, that Han'nibal, 
 at the head of an immense army, was crossing the Alps, 
 the senate sent Scip'io to oppose him ; but he was obliged 
 to retreat with considerable loss. 2. In the mean time, 
 Han'nibal, thus victorious, took the most prudent pre¬ 
 cautions to increase his army ; giving orders always to 
 
 G 3 
 
126 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 spare the possessions of the Gauls, while depredations 
 were committed upon those of Rome; and this so pleased 
 that simple people, that they declared for him in great 
 numbers, and flocked to his standard with alacrity *. 
 
 3. The second battle was fought upon the banks of the 
 river Tre'bia. 4. The Carthagin ian general, being ap¬ 
 prised of the Roman impetuosity, of which he availed 
 himself in almost every engagement, had sent off a thou¬ 
 sand horse, each with a foot soldier behind, to cross the 
 river, to ravage the enemy’s country, and provoke them 
 to engage. The Romans quickly routed this force. Seem¬ 
 ing to be defeated, they took to the river; and were as 
 eagerly pursued by Sempro'nius, the consult. No sooner 
 had his army attained the opposite bank, than he per¬ 
 ceived himself half conquered, his men being fatigued 
 with wading up to their arm-pits, and quite benumbed 
 by the intense coldness of the water. 5. A total rout 
 ensued; twenty-six thousand of the Romans were either 
 killed by the enemy, or drowned in attempting to repass 
 the river. A body of ten thousand men were all that 
 survived ; who, fiuding themselves enclosed on every 
 side, broke desperately through the enemy's ranks, and 
 fought, retreating, till they found shelter in the city of 
 Placentia J:. 
 
 * About two thousaud foot and two hundred horse of those 
 Gauls who served in Scip'io’s army, in the night, when all was 
 quiet in the Roman camp, entered the tents next them, murder¬ 
 ed the Romans while they were asleep, and cutting off their 
 heads, went over to Han'nibal, who, contrary to true magnani¬ 
 mity, gave them a kind reception. 
 
 f Scip'io, his colleague, was then ill of a wound received in 
 the former battle. 
 
 X Now Piacenza, a tow n of Italy, at the confluence of the 
 Trebia and the Po. (Livius.)—After this victory, Han'nibal de¬ 
 termined to penetrate farther into Italy. The route he chose w as 
 through the Fens, as being shorter and less likely to be occupied 
 by the enemy, than any other. But the hardships his army en¬ 
 countered are almost incredible, being obliged to march three or 
 four days and nights through mud and water, without sleep or 
 rest. Many of the beasts were left dead in the mud, and the 
 hoofs came off the feet of many horses. 
 
127 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 6. The third defeat the Romans sustained was at the 
 lake of Thrasitne'ne, near to which was a chain of moun¬ 
 tains, and, between these and the lake, a narrow passage 
 leading to a valley that was embosomed in hills. It was 
 upon these hills that Han'nibal disposed his best troops, 
 and it was into this valley that Flamin'ius, the Roman 
 general, led his men to attack him. 7. A disposition 
 every way so favourable for the Carthagin ians, was also 
 assisted by accident; for a mist rising from the lake, kept 
 the Romans from seeing their enemies; while the army 
 upon the mountains, being above its influence, saw the 
 whole disposition of their opponents. 8. The fortune of 
 the day was such as might be expected from the conduct 
 of the two generals. The Roman army was slaughtered, 
 almost before they could perceive the enemy that destroy¬ 
 ed them. About fifteen thousand Romans, with Flamin'ius 
 
 himself, fell in the valley, and six thousand more were 
 obliged to yield themselves prisoners of war. 
 
 9. Upon the news of this defeat, after the general 
 consternation was allayed, the senate resolved to elect a 
 commander with absolute authority, in whom they might 
 repose theirlast and greatest expectations. 10. Thechoice 
 fell upon Fa'bius Max'imus, a man of great courage, with 
 a happy mixture of caution. 11. He was apprised that 
 the only way to humble the Carthagin'ians at such a dis¬ 
 tance from home, was rather by harassing than fight- 
 ing. For this purpose, he always encamped upon the 
 highest grounds, inaccessible by the enemies’ cavalry. 
 Whenever they moved, he watched their motions, strait¬ 
 ened their quarters, and cut off their provisions *. 
 
 12. By these arts, Fa'bius had actually, at one time. 
 
 * T lion eh this was the most judicious conduct that Fabius 
 could have adopted, and such as, if followed, would have cffec- 
 tuallv destroyed Hannibal’s army, yet it met with the disappro¬ 
 bation of the senate and the people, who had not sufheient 
 wisdom to perceive its propriety. 
 
 a 4 
 
t 
 
 128 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 enclosed Hannibal among mountains, where it was im¬ 
 possible to winter; and from which it was almost imprac¬ 
 ticable to extricate his army without imminent danger*. 
 13. In this exigence, nothing but one of those stratagems 
 of war, which only men of great abilities invent, could 
 save him. 14. He ordered a number of small faggots and 
 lighted torches to be tied to the horns of two thousand 
 oxen, which should be driven towards the enemy. These, 
 tossing their heads, and running up the sides of the 
 mountain, seemed to fill the whole neighbouring forest 
 with fire ; w'hile the sentinels that were placed to guard 
 the approaches to the mountain, seeing such a number 
 of flames advancing towards their posts, fled in conster¬ 
 nation, supposing the whole body of the enemy was in 
 arms to overwhelm them. 15. By this stratagem, Han'- 
 nibal drew off his army, and escaped through the defiles 
 that led beneath the hills, though with considerable da¬ 
 mage to his rear. 
 
 16. Fa'bius, still pursuing tlie same judicious measures, - 
 followed Han'nibal in all his movements, but at length 
 received a letter from the senate, recalling him to Rome, 
 on pretence of a solemn sacrihce, requiring his presence. 
 17. On his departure from the army, he strictly charged 
 Minu'tius, his general of the horse, not to hazard an en. 
 gagement in his absence. This command he disobeved, 
 and Fa'bius expressed his determination to punish so fla¬ 
 grant a breach of military discipline. 18. The senate, 
 however, favouring Minu'tius, gave him an equal autho¬ 
 rity with the dictator. 19. On the arrival of Fa'bius at 
 the camp, he divided the army with Minu'tius, and each 
 
 ^, an . u i^ a **ad ordered his guides to conduct him to Cas'i- 
 num, out from the imperfect manner in which he spoke the Ro¬ 
 man language, they understood him to mean Casirinum. On 
 entering the defile, Hannibal, who iancied himself betrayed, 
 ordered one of the guides to be scourged, and crucified as a 
 warning to the rest. (Plut. Liv.) 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 129 
 
 pursued his own separate plan. 20. By artful manage¬ 
 ment, Han nibal soon brought the troops of the latter to 
 an engagement, and they would have been cut off to a 
 man, had not Fa'bius sacriticed his private resentment 
 to the public good, and hastened to the relief of his 
 colleague. 21. By their united forces, Hannibal was re¬ 
 pulsed, and Minu'tius, conscious of his rashness, resigned 
 the supreme command into the hands of the dictator. 
 
 22. On the expiration of his year of office, Fa'bius 
 resigned, and Teren'tius Var'ro was chosen to the com¬ 
 mand. 23. Var'ro was a man sprung from the dregs of 
 the people, with nothing but confidence and riches to re¬ 
 commend him. 24. With him was joined iEmil'ius Pau lus, 
 of a disposition entirely opposite ; experienced in the 
 field, cautious in action, and impressed with a thorough 
 contempt for the abilities of his plebeian colleague. 
 
 2r>. The Romans finding themselves enabled to bring a 
 competent force into the field, being almost ninety thou¬ 
 sand strong, now again resolved to meet Han nibal, who 
 was at this time encamped near the village of Can'na} 
 with a wind in his rear, that, for a certain season, blows 
 constantly one way, which raising great clouds of dust 
 from the parched plains behind, he knew must greatly 
 distress an approaching enemy. In this situation he 
 waited the coming of the Romans with an army of forty 
 thousand foot, and half that number of cavalry. 20. The 
 consuls soon appeared to his wish, dividing their forces 
 into tw'o parts, and agreeing to take the command each 
 day by turns. 2On the first day of their arrival, 
 iEmil'ius was entirely averse to engaging. Tne next 
 day* however, it being Varro’s turn to command, he. 
 
 * Cannoe was originally a city of Apulia (Polybius,) but having 
 been razed by the Romans, was at this time a poor village (Livius^ 
 Appian, Florus;) it was afterwards rebuilt. (Plinius.) 
 
 G 5 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 without asking his colleague’s concurrence, gave the sig¬ 
 nal for battle: and passing the river Au'fidus, that lay 
 between both armies, put his forces in array. 27. The 
 battle began with the light-armed infantry ; the horse en¬ 
 gaged soon after ; but the cavalry being unable to stand 
 against those of Numid'ia, the legions came up to reinforce 
 them. It was then that the conflict became general; the 
 Roman soldiers endeavoured, in vain, to penetrate the 
 centre, where the Gauls and Spaniards fought; which 
 Hannibal observing, ordered part of those troops to give 
 way, and to permit the Romans to embosom themselves 
 within a chosen body of his Africans, whom he had 
 placed on their wings, so as to surround them: upon that 
 a terrible slaughter of the Romans ensued, fatigued with 
 repeated attacks of the Africans, who were fresh and vi¬ 
 gorous. 28. At last the rout became general in every 
 part of the Roman army ; the boastings of VarTo were 
 now no longer heard: while iEmil'ius, who had been 
 wounded by a slinger, feebly led on his body of horse, 
 and did all that could be done to make head against the 
 enemy. 29. Unable to sit on horseback, he was forced 
 to dismount. It was in these deplorable circumstances, 
 that one Len'tulus, a tribune of the army, flying from the 
 enemy, who at some distance pursued him, met iEmil'ius, 
 sitting upon a stone, covered with blood and wounds, and 
 waiting for the coming up of the pursuers. 30. “ iEmir* 
 ius,” cried the generous tribune, “ you, at least, are 
 guiltless of this day's slaughter; take my horse, and fly." 
 “ I thank thee, Len'tulus,” cried the dying consul, “ all 
 is over, my part is chosen. Go, and tell the senate to 
 fortify Rome against the approach of the conqueror. Tell 
 Fa'bius, that ^Emil'ius, while living, ever remembered his 
 advice; and, now dying, approves it.” 31. While he 
 was yet speaking, the enemy approached ; and Len'tulus 
 at some distance saw the consul expire, feebly fighting 
 
 e 
 
COMMONWEALTH OE ROME. 131 
 
 in the midst of hundreds. 32. In this battle the Romans 
 lost fifty thousand men, and so many knights that it is 
 said Hau'nibal sent three bushels of gold rings to Car. 
 thage, which those of tins order wore on their fingers *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What measures were adopted by the Romans? 
 
 2. What precautions did Hannibal take ? 
 
 3. ’ Where was the next battle fought ? 
 
 4. What was the stratagem employed by Hanmbal. 
 
 5. What followed ? 
 
 6. Where was the next engagement? 
 
 7. Was this a judicious disposition of the Roman general . 
 
 8 What was the result? , 
 
 9. What expedient did the senate adopt on this occasion 
 10 Who was chosen to his office ? 
 
 11 . What method of fighting did he adopt. 
 
 12. What was the success of this plan . 
 
 13 ! Was his situation hopeless? 
 
 14. Describe his stratagem and its consequences. 
 
 15. Did it answer his purpose? 
 
 16. Was Fabius continued in office ? 
 
 *** Who was Yarro? , . , . „ 
 
 Who was his colleague, and what was his character. 
 
 ? 4 4 ^ What resolution did the Romans adopt, and m what si- 
 tuation was Hannibal ? 
 
 26 . What arrangement was made by the consuls. 
 cH What was the conduct of these commanders . 
 dfc Describe the battle. 
 
 2 ® What was the result? 
 
 2 (L What happened to him after this* 
 
 What passed between the consul and the tribune 
 juj What was the fate of iEmilius? 
 
 Was the loss of the Romans severe? 
 
 ♦ Had Han nibal made the best use of his victory, and marcb- 
 od directly to Rome, he might, in all probability, have put an 
 Isnd to the war, and to the Roman state at once. But thu great 
 commander, though he knew how to conquer, did not know how 
 to improve his victories. 
 
 G 6 
 
 I 
 
132 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 1. Consternation, s. fear, astonishment. 
 
 2. Reprima'nd, v. reprove, to blame. 
 
 5. Vet'erans, s. old soldiers, experienced warriors. 
 
 7. Accumulated, part, added, increased, heaped up. 
 
 8. Feint, s. a pretence. 
 
 13. Fatig'ued, part, wearied. 
 
 14. Mathematician, s. a person versed in the mathematics. 
 
 17. Complexion, s. former appearance. 
 
 Procon'sul, s. a Roman officer, who governed a province 
 with consular authority. 
 
 18. Requisite, a. necessary. 
 
 24. Infa"tuated, part, deprived of understanding. 
 
 26. Explore, v. to examine. 
 
 1* When the first consternation was abated after this 
 dreadful blow, the senate came to a resolution to create 
 a dictator, in order to give strength to their government. 
 
 2. A short time after Var'ro arrived, having left behind 
 him the wretched remains of his army *. As he had been 
 the principal cause of the late calamity, it was natural to 
 suppose, that the senate would severely reprimand ftre* t. 
 rashness of his conduct. But far otherwise ! The Romans* 
 went out in multitudes to meet him; and the senate \f 
 returned him thanks, that he had not despaired of tl^e 
 safety of Rome. 3. Fa'bius, who was considered as$e 
 shield, and Marcel'lus, as the sword of Rome, were 
 pointed to lead the armies; and, though Hannibal once 
 more offered them peace, they refused it, but upon cofi^ 
 dition that he should quit Italy—-a measure similar* tj£ 
 that they had formerly insisted upon from Pyr'rhus. 
 
 4. Hau'nibal finding the impossibility of marching di- 
 
 * The terms of the surrender were, that each Roman should 
 pay a sum equal to 9 1. 7 s. 9 d. for his rausom. (Jbiv. l.xaai. c.ol.) 
 
 The senate, however, refused to ransom them, and they were 
 compelled by Hannibal to fight as gladiators, for the diversion 
 of his troops. (Liv. l.xxiii. c. 58.) 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 133 
 
 rectly to Rome, or willing to give his forces rest after so 
 mighty a victory, led them to Capua*, where he resolved 
 to winter. 5. This city had long been considered as the 
 nurse of luxury, and the corrupter of all military virtue. 
 
 6. Here a new scene of pleasure opened to his barbarian 
 troops: they at once gave themselves up to intoxication ; 
 and from being hardy veterans , became infirm rioters +. 
 
 7. Hitherto we have found this great man successful; 
 but now we are to reverse the picture, and survey him 
 struggling with accumulated misfortunes, and, at last, 
 sinking beneath them. 
 
 8. His first loss was at the siege of Nolai, where 
 Marcellus, the praetor, made a successful sally. He 
 some time after attempted to raise the siege of Cap'ua, 
 attacked the Romans in their trenches, and was repulsed 
 with considerable loss. He then made a feint to besiege 
 Rome, but finding a superior army ready to receive him, 
 was obliged to retire. 9. For years after he fought with 
 various success ; Marcel lus, his opponent, sometimes 
 gaining, and sometimes losing the advantage, without 
 coming to any decisive engagement. 
 
 10. The senate of Carthage at length came to a resolu¬ 
 tion of sending his brother As drubal to his assistance, 
 with a body of forces drawn out of Spain. 11. As'dru- 
 bal’s march being made known to the consuls Liv'ius and 
 Nero, they went against him with great expedition ; and, 
 surrounding him in a place into which he was led by 
 the treachery of his guides, they cut his whole army to 
 
 * Cap'ua was a very ancient city, and the capital of Campa¬ 
 nia. It rivalled Rome for opulence, and was usually enume¬ 
 rated with Rome and Carthage as the three great cities. (Flo- 
 rus, 1 i. c. 16.) 
 
 f While the affairs of the Romans succeeded so ill in Italy, 
 their troops, under the command of the two Scipios, obtained 
 great advantages in Spain, thus making some amends for the 
 disasters at home. (Liv. 1. xxiii. c. 26, 27.) 
 
 + Nola, an ancient town of Campa nia, remarkable for being 
 the place where Augustus died. (Suet, in Aug.) 
 
134 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pieces. 12. Hannibal had long expected these succours 
 with impatience; and the very night on which he had 
 been assured of his brother’s arrival, Nero ordered As'- 
 drubal’s head to be cut off, and thrown into his brother’s 
 camp. 13. The Carthaginian general now began to per¬ 
 ceive the downfall of Car tliage; and with a sigh ob¬ 
 served to those about him, that fortune seemed fatigued 
 with granting her favours. 
 
 14. In the mean time, the Roman arms seemed to be 
 favoured in other parts; Marcei'lus took the city of 
 Syracuse, in Sicily, defended by the machines and the 
 fires of Archimedes*, the mathematician . 15. The in¬ 
 
 habitants were put to the sword, and among the rest, 
 Archime'des himself, who was found, by a Roman sol¬ 
 dier, meditating in his study. 16. Marcel'lus, the gene¬ 
 ral, was not a little grieved at his death. A love of lite¬ 
 rature at that time began to prevail among the higher 
 ranks at Rome. Marcei'lus ordered Archime'des to be 
 honourably buried, and a tomb to be erected to his me¬ 
 mory. 
 
 17. As to their fortunes in Spain, though for a while 
 doubtful, they soon recovered their complexion under the 
 conduct of Scip'io Africa'nus, who sued for the office of 
 proconsul to that kingdom, at a time when every one else 
 was willing to decline it. 18. Scip'io was now more than 
 twenty-four years old; had all the qualifications requi¬ 
 site for forming a great general, and a good man ; he 
 united courage with tenderness, was superior to Han'ni- 
 bal in the arts of peace, and almost his equal in those 
 of war, 19. His father had been killed in Spain, so that 
 he seemed to have an hereditary claim to attack that 
 country. He therefore appeared irresistible, obtaining 
 
 * This great man was equal to an army for the defence of the 
 place. He invented engines which threw enormous stones 
 against the Romans, hoisted their ships in the air, and then 
 dashed them against the rocks beneath, and dismounted their 
 battering engines. 
 
135 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 many great victories, yet subduing more by his gene¬ 
 rosity, mildness, and benevolent disposition, than by 
 the force of arms *. 
 
 20. He returned with an army from the conquest of 
 Spain, and was made consul at the age of twenty-nine. 
 It was at first supposed he intended meeting Han nibal 
 iu Italy, and that he would attempt driving him from 
 thence; but he had formed a wiser plan, which was, to 
 carry the war into Africa; and, while the Carthaginians 
 kept an army near Rome, to make them tremble for their 
 own capital. 
 
 21. Scip'io was not long in Africa without employ¬ 
 ment ; Han'no opposed him, but was defeated and slain. 
 Sy'phax, the usurper of Numid'ia, led up a large army 
 against him. 22. The Roman general, for a time, de¬ 
 fined fighting, till finding an opportunity, he set fire to 
 the enemy’s tents, and attacking them in the midst of 
 the confusion, killed forty thousand, and took six thou¬ 
 
 sand prisoners. 
 
 23. The Carthagin'ians, terrified at their repeated de¬ 
 feats, and at the fame of Scip'io s successes, determined 
 to recal Han'nibal, their great champion, out of Italy, 
 in order to oppose the Romans at home. Deputies were 
 accordingly dispatched, with a positive command for him 
 to return and oppose the Roman general, who at that 
 time threatened Carthage with a siege. Nothing could 
 exceed the regret and disappointment of Hannibal; but 
 
 * During Ins command in Spain a circumstanco occurrcd 
 which has contributed more to the fame and glory ol Scipio, 
 than all his military exploits. At the taking oi New Cartt^e, 
 a lativ of extraordinary beauty was brought to Scipio, wbo touna 
 himself greatly affected by her charms. Understanding, how- 
 Zr tlfat she was betrothed to a Celtibe'rian prince, named 
 
 compe^nce than^requesUng^his * r ansom, 
 
 (Liv. 1. xxvi. c. 50.) 
 
136 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 he obeyed the orders of his infatuated country with the 
 submission of the meanest soldier j and took leave of 
 Italy with tears, after having kept possession of its most 
 beautiful parts above fifteen years. 
 
 •25. Upon his arrival at Lep'tis, in Africa, he set out 
 for Adume'tum, and at last approached Za'ma, a city 
 about seventy-five miles from Carthage. 26. Scip'io, in 
 the mean time, led his army to meet him. Joined by 
 Massinis'sa, with six thousand horse; and to shew his 
 rival how little he feared his approach, sent back the 
 spies which were sent to explore his camp, having pre¬ 
 viously shewn them the whole, with directions to inform 
 Han'nibal of what they had seen. 27. The Carthaginian 
 general, conscious of his inferiority, endeavoured to dis¬ 
 continue the war by negociation; and desired a meeting 
 with Scip'io, to confer upon terms of peace; to which 
 the Roman general assented. 28. But after a long con¬ 
 ference, both sides parting dissatisfied, they returned to 
 their camps, to prepare for deciding the controversy by 
 the sword. 29. Never was a more memorable battle 
 fought, whether we regard the generals, the armies, the 
 two states that contended, or the empire that was in dis¬ 
 pute. The disposition Han'nibal made of his men, is 
 said to be superior to any even of his former arrange¬ 
 ments. 30. The battle began with the elephants, on the 
 side of the Carthagin ians ; which being terrified at the 
 cries of the Romans, and wouuded by the slingers and 
 archers, turned upon their drivers, and caused much 
 confusion in both wings of their army, where the cavalry 
 were placed. 31. Being thus deprived of the assistance 
 of the horse, in which their greatest strength consisted, 
 the heavy infantry joined on both sides ; but the Romans! 
 being stronger of body, the Carthagin'ians gave ground. 
 32. In the mean time Massinis'sa, who had been in 
 pursuit of their cavalry, returning and attacking them in 
 the rear, completed their defeat. A total rout ensued. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 137 
 
 twenty thousand men were killed, and as many were taken 
 prisoners. 33. Han'nibal, who had done all that a great 
 and undaunted general could perform, fled with a small 
 body of horse to Adrume'tum ; fortune seeming to delight 
 in confounding his ability, his valour, and experience*. 
 
 34. This victory brought on a peace. The Cartha- 
 gin'ians, by Han'nibal’s advice, submitted to the condi¬ 
 tions which the Romans dictated, not as rivals, but as 
 sovereigns. 35. By this treaty, the Carthagin ians were 
 obliged to quit Spain, and all the islands in the Mediter- 
 ra'nean. They were bound to pay ten thousand talents in 
 fifty years; to give hostages for the delivery of their 
 ships and their elephants: to restore to Massinis'sa all 
 the territories that had been taken from him ; and not to 
 make war in Africa but by the permission of the Romans. 
 Thus ended the second Punic war, seventeen years after 
 it had begun. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 J. By what measures did the senate attempt to retrieve this 
 
 disaster? , , . ,. 7 
 
 2. Did Yarro venture to return, and what was his reception . 
 
 3 . Who were appointed to carry on the war ? 
 
 4 . What was Hannibal's next step? 
 
 5. What was the character of this city ? 
 
 6 . What was the consequence to the Carthaginian army . 
 
 7 . Was Hannibal uniformly successful? 
 
 8 . What was his first reverse? 
 
 i). What happened to him afterwards? 
 
 10. What resolution did the senate of Carthage adopt. 
 
 11 . Did he effect a junction with his brother ? 
 
 12. Was Hannibal apprized of these intended succours . 
 
 13. What inference did Hannibal draw from this? 
 
 14. Were the Romans successful in other parts? 
 
 rase and conduct aispiayeu i.« . 
 
 nearly two hundred miles from the scene of action, yet he reacU 
 cd it in two days with his shattered forces. 
 
138 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 15. 
 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 19. 
 
 20 . 
 
 21 . 
 
 22 . 
 
 23. 
 
 24. 
 
 25. 
 
 26. 
 
 27. 
 
 28. 
 
 29. 
 
 30. 
 
 31. 
 
 32. 
 
 33. 
 
 34. 
 
 35. 
 
 What was the fate of its inhabitants ? 
 
 Was his loss deplored? 
 
 What wars the success of the Romans in Spain ? 
 
 What was the character of Scipio? 
 
 What rendered him particularly eligible for this com¬ 
 mand ? 
 
 W ere his exploits confined to Spain ? 
 
 Had he any formidable opposition to encounter ? ' 
 What was the conduct of Scipio ? 
 
 What measures did the Carthaginians have recourse to 
 on this occasion ? 
 
 Was Hannibal pleased at his recal ? 
 
 Whither did he repair on his arrival in Africa 7 
 What was the conduct of Scipio? 
 
 Was Hannibal desirous of continuing hostilities 7 
 What was the result? 
 
 Was the battle of consequence? 
 
 How did it commence ? 
 
 What followed ? 
 
 What completed the defeat of the Carthaginians ? 
 
 What became of Hannibal? 
 
 What was the result of the victory ? 
 
 What were the conditions of the treaty ? 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 3 . 
 
 9. 
 
 10 . 
 
 12 . 
 
 14. 
 
 15. 
 
 18. 
 
 20 . 
 
 28. 
 
 Incited, part, urged on, induced. 
 
 Controlling, part, checking, influencing. 
 
 Fidelity, s. faithfulness. 
 
 Extort'ed, part, gained by force. 
 
 Projecting, part, forming, contriving. 
 
 Vindictive, a. revengeful. 
 
 Conciliate, v. to gain, procure, get. 
 
 Implacably, ad. with constant enmity, maliciously. 
 
 Rash ness, s. foolish contempt of danger, thoughtlessness. 
 O vertures, s. proposals, offers. 
 
 Incursions, s. hasty inroads into an enemy’s country 
 Vol untarily, ad. willingly. ^ 
 
 1. While the Romans were engaged with Hannibal, 
 they carried on also a vigorous war against Philip *, king 
 
 This Philip was the tenth in succession from Alexander, and 
 a powerful prince in Greece. 
 
139 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 of Ma'cedon, not a little incited thereto by the prayers 
 of the Athe nians ; who from once controlling the power 
 of Persia, were now unable to defend themselves. The 
 Rho'dians, with At'talus, king of Per'gamus, also entered 
 into the confederacy against Philip *. 2. He was more 
 
 than once defeated by Galba, the consul. He attempted 
 to besiege Athens, but the Romans obliged him to raise 
 the siege. He tried to take possession of the Straits ot 
 
 Thermopylae but was tlriven trom tllence b y Q um ' tus 
 
 Flamin'ius, with great slaughter. He attempted to take 
 refuse in Thes'saly, where he was again defeated, with 
 considerable loss, and obliged to beg a peace, upon 
 condition of paying a thousand talents. 3. Peace with 
 Philip gave the Romans an opportunity of shewing their 
 generosity, by restoring liberty to Greece +. 
 
 4. Anti'ochus, king of Syria, was next brought to sub- 
 * mit to the Roman arms : after embassies on the one side 
 and on the other, hostilities were commenced against 
 him, five years after the conclusion of the Macedonian 
 war. 5. After many mistakes and great misconduct, he 
 attempted to obtain a peace, by offering to quit all his 
 places in Europe, and such in Asia as professed alliance 
 to Rome. 0. But it was now too late; Scip'io perceived 
 his own superiority, and was resolved to avail himself ot 
 it 7. Anti'ochus, thus driven into resistance, for some 
 time retreated before the enemy, till, being pressed hard, 
 near the city of Magnesia he was forced to draw out 
 his men, to the number of seventy thousand foot, and 
 twelve thousand horse. 
 
 8. Scip'io opposed him with forces as much inferior in 
 
 * About this time, Fn'rius, the praetor, obtained a S^tjictory 
 over the Gauls, who had revolted, and slew 30,000 oi the> • 
 
 + Some have considered this as rather an act of policy than 
 generosity, ^is*the Grecian states, by their contentions among 
 lach other, fell in a short time completely under the Roman 
 
 dominion. 
 
 + Now Gurelhizar, a 
 from Ephesus. 
 
 town of Asia Minor, about fifteen miles 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 
 140 
 
 number, as they were superior in courage and discipline, 
 Autiochus, therefore, w-as in a short time entirely de¬ 
 feated ; his own chariots, armed with scythes, being 
 driven back upon his men, contributed much to his over¬ 
 throw. 9. Being thus reduced to the last extremity, he 
 was glad to procure peace from the Romans, upon then- 
 own terms; which were to pay fifteen thousand talents; 
 to quit his possessions in Europe, and in Asia, on the 
 hither side of Mount Tau rus * ; to give twenty hostages, 
 as pledges of his fidelity; and to deliver up Hannibal, 
 the inveterate enemy of Rome, who had taken refuge at 
 his court. 
 
 10. In the mean lime Han nibal, whose destruction was 
 one of the articles of this extorted treaty, endeavoured to 
 avoid the threatened ruin. 11. This consummate general 
 had long been a wanderer, and an exile from his un¬ 
 grateful country. He had taken refuge at the court of 
 Antiochus, who, at first, gave him a sincere welcome, 
 and made him admiral of his fleet, in which station he 
 shewed his usual skill in stratagem. 12. But he soon 
 sunk in the Syrian’s esteem, for projecting schemes, 
 which that monarch had neither genius to understand, 
 nor talents to execute. 13. Sure, therefore, to find no 
 safety or protection, he departed by stealth ; and, after 
 wandering for a time among petty states, who had 
 neither power nor generosity to protect him, he took re¬ 
 fuge at the court of Bru'sias, king of Bythin'ia. 14. In 
 the mean time the Romans, with a vindictive spirit, 
 utterly unworthy of them, sent /Emil'ius, one of their 
 most celebrated generals, to demand him of this king; 
 who, fearing the resentment of Rome, and willing to 
 conciliate their friendship by this breach of hospitality, 
 ordered a guard to be placed upon Han'nibal, with an 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 141 
 
 intent to deliver him up. 15. The poor old general, thus 
 implacably persecuted from one country to another, and 
 finding every method of safety cut off, determined to die. 
 He therefore desired one of his followers to bring him 
 poison ; and, drinking it, he expired as he had lived, 
 with intrepid bravery *. 
 
 16. A second Macedonian war was soon after pro¬ 
 claimed against Per'seus, the son of that Philip, c u c 
 who had been obliged to beg peace of the Ro- l 313- 
 mans. 17. Perseus, in order to secure the crown, had 
 murdered his brother Deme'trius; and, upon the death 
 of his father, pleased with the hopes of imaginary tri¬ 
 umphs, made war against Rome. 18. During the course 
 of this war, which continued about three years, oppor¬ 
 tunities were offered him of cutting off the Roman army; 
 but being ignorant how to take advantage of their rash¬ 
 ness, he spent the time in empty overtures for peace. 
 
 19. At length, iTmil'ius gave him a decisive overthrow. 
 He attempted to procure safety by flying into Crete ; but 
 being abandoned by all, he was obliged to surrender 
 himself, and to grace the splendid triumph of the Roman 
 general f. 
 
 20. About this time, Massinis'sa, the Numidi'an, hav¬ 
 ing made some incursions into a territory claimed by the 
 Carthagin'ians, they attempted to repel the invasion. 
 
 21. This brought on a war between that monarch and 
 them ; while the Romans, who pretended to consider 
 this conduct of theirs as an infraction of this treaty, sent 
 to make a complaint. 22. The ambassadors who were 
 employed upon this occasion, finding the city very rich 
 and flourishing, from the long interval of peace which 
 
 * Before he expired, he justly upbraided the Romans with 
 Iheir degeneracy ; their ancestors having honourably prevented 
 the murder of Pyr'rhus, their mortal enemy, while they had 
 basely desired Bru'sias to destroy his guest and friend, 
 f From this time Macedon became a Roman province. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 142 
 
 it had now enjoyed for nearly fifty years, either from 
 motives of avarice to possess its plunder, or from fear ot 
 its growing greatness, insisted much on the necessity of 
 a war, which was soon after proclaimed, and the con¬ 
 suls set out with a thorough resolution utterly to demo¬ 
 lish Carthage *. 
 
 23. The wretched Carthaginians, finding that the con¬ 
 querors would not desist from making demands, while 
 the vanquished had any thing to give, attempted to soften 
 the victors by submission ; but they received orders to 
 leave the city, which was to be levelled with ground. 
 
 24. This severe command they received with all the dis¬ 
 tress of a despairing people : they implored for a respite 
 from such a hard sentence; they used tears and lamen¬ 
 tations ; but finding the consuls inexorable, they departed 
 with a gloomy resolution, prepared to suffer the utmost 
 extremities, and fight to the last for their seat of em¬ 
 pire f* 
 
 25. Those vessels, therefore, of gold and silver, which 
 their luxury had taken such pride in, were converted into 
 
 * The territory thus invaded by Massinis'sa was Tysca, a rich 
 province, undoubtedly belonging to the Carthaginians. One of 
 the ambassadors sentfrom Rome was the celebrated Cato, the 
 Censor, who, whatever his virtues may have been, appears to 
 have imbibed an inveterate hatred to Carthage. For, on what¬ 
 ever subject he debated in the senate, he never failed to con¬ 
 clude in these words, 14 I am also of opinion that Carthage 
 should be destroyed.” The war, however, which had broken 
 out in Spain, and the bad success of the Roman arms in that 
 quarter, lor some time delayed the fate of that devoted city; 
 and it might, perhaps, have stood much longer, had not some 
 seditious demagogues incited the populace to insult the Roman 
 ambassador, and "to banish those senators who voted for peace. 
 (Appiau. PIut. Liv.) 
 
 f To account for this apparent pusillanimity of the Cartha- 
 gin'ians, it is necessary to observe, that they had suffered re¬ 
 peated defeats in their war with Massinis'sa; and that fifty 
 thousand of their troops, after having been blocked up in their 
 camp till from want they were obliged to submit to the most hu¬ 
 miliating conditions, were inhumanly massacred by Gulus'sa, 
 the son of the Numid'ian king. The Romans chose this distress¬ 
 ing juncture to declare war against them. (Appian in Punic.) 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 143 
 
 arms *. The women parted also with their ornaments, 
 and even cut off their hair to be converted into strings for 
 the bow men. As drubal, who had been lately condemned 
 for opposing the Romans, was now taken from prison to 
 head their army; and such preparations were madef that 
 when the consuls came belore the city, which they ex¬ 
 pected to lind an easy conquest, they met with such re¬ 
 sistance as quite dispirited their forces, and shook their 
 resolution. 2d. Several engagements were fought before 
 the walls, with disadvantage to the assailants ; so that 
 the siege would have been discontinued, had not Scip'io 
 ^Emilia nus, the adopted son of Africa'nus, who w^as now' 
 appointed to command it, used as much skill to save his 
 forces after a defeat, as to inspire them with fresh hopes 
 of a victory. 27. But all his arts would have failed, had 
 he not found means to seduce Phar'nes, the master of the 
 Carthaginian horse, who came over to his side. The 
 unhappy townsmen soon saw the enemy make nearer ap¬ 
 proaches ; the wall which led to the haven w ; as quickly 
 demolished ; soon after the forum itself w r as taken, w ? hich 
 offered to the conquerors a deplorable spectacle of 
 houses nodding to their fail, heaps of men lying dead, 
 hundreds of the wounded struggling to emerge from the 
 carnage around them, and deploring their own and their 
 country’s ruin. The citadel soon after surrendered at 
 discretion. 28. All now but the temple was subdued, 
 and til at was defended by deserters from the Roman 
 army, and those who had been most forward to under¬ 
 take the war. These expected no mercy, and finding 
 their condition desperate, set fire to the building, and 
 voluntarily perished in the flames f. This was the end of 
 
 * As one proof of their sincere desire for peace, the Cartha- 
 gin'ians had previously delivered up to the Romans all their arms 
 and warlike engines, of which they possessed prodigious maga¬ 
 zines ; thus leaving themselves still more defenceless than before. 
 
 t Among the number of those who perished in this conflagra¬ 
 tion, was the wife of As'drubal, the Carthagin ian commander, 
 who had meanly surrendered to the Romans. After uttering the 
 
144 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 one of the most renowned cities in the world, for arts, 
 opulence, and extent of dominion ; it had rivalled Rome 
 for above a hundred years, and, at one time, was thought 
 to have the superiority * *. 
 
 2# The conquest of Carthage was soon followed by 
 many others. The same year Corinth, one of the noblest 
 cities of Greece, was levelled to the ground. Scip'io also 
 having laid siege to Numan'tia, the strongest city in 
 Spain, the wretched inhabitants, to avoid falling into 
 the hands of the enemy, fired the city over their own 
 heads; and all, to a man, expired in the flames +. Thus 
 Spain became a Roman province, and was governed 
 thenceforward by two annual praetors. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. With whom were the Romans at war besides Carthage, 
 
 and who assisted in it ? 
 
 2. What was the success of Philip in this war? 
 
 3. What was the consequence of peace with Philip ? 
 
 4. Who next fell under the displeasure of the Romans? 
 
 5. What was the result? 
 
 6. Were his offers accepted? 
 
 7. Did Antiochusboldly face the Romans? 
 
 8. What were the strength and character of the Roman 
 
 army, and what the result of the battle ? 
 
 9. Was he able to make further resistance? 
 
 10. Was Hannibal delivered up? 
 
 11. What occasioned Hannibal to put himself iu the power 
 
 of Antiochus? 
 
 12. Was this kindness lasting? 
 
 13. Whither did he next betake himself? 
 
 14. Was he in safety at this court?. 
 
 15. How did Hannibal escape his persecution? 
 
 16. Against whom did the Romans next direct their arms? 
 
 most bitter imprecations against her husband, whom she saw 
 standing below, for his cowardice, she stabbed her two children, 
 and then leaped into the flames. 
 
 * It was 24 miles in compass, and continued burning 17 days, 
 f This war in Spain had been carried on by one Yiria'thus, 
 originally a shepherd, but afterwards an able general. He was 
 treacherously murdered. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 145 
 
 17. What occasioned it ? 
 
 18. Was Perseus a skilful general? 
 
 19. What was the result of the war? 
 
 20. What farther happened about this time ? 
 
 ^ 21. What was the consequence? 
 
 22. Was this misunderstanding peaceably accommodated? 
 
 23. By what means did the Carthaginians endeavour to 
 
 avert their fate ? 
 
 24. Did they obey these orders? 
 
 25. What extraordinary efforts were made for the defence of 
 
 the city? 
 
 26. Were the Romans successful in their attempts? 
 
 27. Describe the progress of the siege. 
 
 28. Was the city now completely in the power of the Romans? 
 
 29. What other conquests were made by the Romans ? 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 From the Destruction of Carthage , to the end of 
 the Sedition of the Gracchi .— U . C.621. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 a/'/ / 
 
 1. Invert'cd, part, chauged. 
 
 6. Ir'ritated, part, provoked, exasperated. 
 
 8. Uten'sils, s. instruments, tools. 
 
 10. Harang'ues, s. speeches, oratious. 
 
 11. Di'adem, s. crown, an emblem of royalty. 
 
 14. Ex'pedite, v. to facilitate, to hasten 
 
 18. Quses'torship, s. the first office any person could bear in tho 
 commonwealth; it gave a right to sit in the senate. 
 
 20. Indig'nity, s. affront, disgrace, insult. 
 
 21. Majority, s. the greater number. 
 
 25. Inspection, s. an examination, a looking into. 
 
 27. Insidiously, ad. treacherously, slily. 
 
 1. The Romans being now left without a rival, the 
 triumphs and the spoils of Asia introduced a taste for 
 splendid expence; and this produced avarice and inverted 
 ambition. 2. The two Gracchi* were the first who saw 
 this strange corruption among the great, and resolved to 
 repress it, by renewing the Licinian law, which had enact- 
 
 * The Grac chi were the sons of T. Sempro'nius Grac'chus,by 
 Cornelia or Sempro'nia, daughter of Scip io Africa nus . 
 
 H 
 
146 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ed, that no person iti the state should possess above five 
 hundred acres of land. 3. Tibe'rius Grac'chus, the elder 
 of the two, was, both for the advantages of his person, 
 and the qualities of his mind, very different from Scip'io, 
 of whom he was the grandson. He seemed more ambi¬ 
 tious of power than desirous of glory ; his compassion for 
 the oppressed was equal to his animosity against the 
 oppressors; but unhappily his passions, rather than his 
 reason, operated even in his pursuits of virtue; and 
 these always drove iiim beyond the line of duty. 4. This 
 was the disposition of the elder Grac'chus, who found 
 the lower order of people ready to second all his pro¬ 
 posals. 5. The above law, though at first carried on with 
 proper moderation, greatly disgusted the rich, who en¬ 
 deavoured to persuade the people that the proposer only 
 aimed at distuibing the government, and throwing all 
 things into confusion. 6. But Grac chus, who was a 
 man of the greatest eloquence of his time, easily wiped 
 off these impressions from the minds of the people, al¬ 
 ready irritated with their wrongs ; and at length the 
 law was passed. 
 
 7. The death of At'talus, king of Per'gamus *, furnish¬ 
 ed Grac'chus with a new opportunity of gratifying the 
 meaner part of the people at the expence of the great. 8. 
 This king had by his last will made the Romans his heirs; 
 and it was now proposed, that the money so left should 
 be divided among the poor, in order to furnish them with 
 proper uten&ils for cultivating the lands which became 
 theirs by the late law of partition. 9. This caused still 
 greater disturbances than before, and the senate assem¬ 
 bled upon the occasion, in order to concert the most 
 proper methods of securing these riches to themselves, 
 which they now valued above the safety of the common- 
 
 * Per gamus was a celebrated empire in Asia Minor, with a 
 capital of the same name, (now Ber'gamo,) famous for its ex¬ 
 tensive library, alterwards removed to Alexandria by Cleopa- 
 tra; and for parchment having been lirst invented there. (Plinu 
 —Strabo.—Liv. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 147 
 
 wealth. 10. They had numerous dependents, who were 
 willing to give up liberty for plenty and ease : these, 
 therefore, were commanded to be in readiness, to inti¬ 
 midate the people, who expected no such opposition ; 
 and who were now attending to the harangues of Grac'- 
 chus in the Capitol. 11. Here, as a clamour was raised 
 by the clients of the great on one side, and by the fa¬ 
 vourers of the law on the other, Grac'chus found his 
 speech entirely interrupted, and begged in vain to be at¬ 
 tended to ; till at last, raising his hand to his head, to 
 intimate that his life was in danger, the partisans of the 
 senate gave out that he wanted a diadem . 12. In conse¬ 
 
 quence of this, a universal uproar spread itself through 
 all ranks of people; the corrupt part of the senate were 
 of opinion that the consul should defend the common¬ 
 wealth by force of arms ; but this prudent magistrate de¬ 
 clining such violence, Scipho Na'sica, kinsman to Grac¬ 
 chus, immediately rose up, and, preparing himself for 
 the contest, desired that all who would defend the dig¬ 
 nity and authority of the laws, should follow him. 13. 
 Upon this, attended by a large body of senators and 
 clients armed with clubs, he went directly to the Capitol, 
 striking dow n all who ventured to resist. 
 
 14. Tibe'rius Grac'chus, perceiving by the tumult that 
 his life was in danger, endeavoured to fly ; and throwing 
 away his robe, to expedite his escape, attempted to get 
 through the throng ; but happening to fall over a person 
 already on the ground, Fature'ius, one of his colleagues 
 in the tribuneship, who w as of the opposite faction, struck 
 him dead with a piece of a seat; and not less than three 
 hundred of his hearers shared the same fate, being killed 
 in the tumult. 15. Nor did the vengeance of the senate 
 rest here, but extended to numbers of those who seemed 
 to espouse his cause; many of them were put to death, 
 many were banished, and nothing was omitted to inspire 
 the people with an abhorrence of his pretended crimes. 
 
 H 2 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 148 
 
 Soon after the death of Gracchus, a rebellion broke out 
 in Sicily among the slaves, who, exasperated by the cru¬ 
 elties exercised upon them by their masters, revolted, 
 and having seized En'na*, chose one Eu'nus for their 
 king. This new monarch gained considerable advantages 
 over the Romans, took the strong city of Tauromin'ium, 
 and protracted the war upwards of six years. At length 
 he was completely defeated by the consul Rupil'ius, his 
 followers slaughtered or executed : as for Eunus, he 
 died in prison. (Diodorus.—Plutarch.) 
 
 16. Ca'iusGrac'chus was but twenty-one upon the death 
 of Tibe'rius his brother; and as he was too young to be 
 much dreaded by the great, so he was at first unwilling 
 to incur their resentment, by aims beyond his reach ; he 
 therefore lived in retirement, unseen and forgotten. 17. 
 But, while he thus seemed desirous of avoiding popu¬ 
 larity, he was employed in his solitude in the study of 
 eloquence, which was the surest means to obtain it. 18. 
 At length, when he thought himself qualified to serve his 
 country, he offered himself a candidate for the qucestor- 
 ship to the army in Sardinia, which he easily obtained. 
 His valour, affability, and temperance in this office were 
 remarked by all. 19. The king of Numid'ia, sending a 
 present of com to the Romans, ordered his ambassadors 
 to say, that it was a tribute to the virtues of Ca'iusGrac'- 
 chus. 20. This the senate treated with scorn, and ordered 
 the ambassadors to be treated with contempt, as igno¬ 
 rant barbarians; which so inflamed the resentment of 
 young Grac'chus, that he immediately came from the army, 
 to complain of the indignity thrown upon his reputation, 
 and to offer himself for the tribuneship of the people. 
 21. It was then that this youth, who had been hitherto 
 neglected, proved a more formidable enemy than even 
 his brother had been. Notwithstanding the warmest op- 
 
 * Now Castro Janni, in the centre of Sicily, near which is the 
 beautiful plain whence Pros'erpine was said to have been carried 
 off by Pluto. 
 
149 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 position from the senate, he was declared tribune, by a 
 very large majority ; and he now prepared for the career 
 which his brother had run before him. 
 
 22 His first effort was to have Popd'ius, one of the 
 most inveterate of his brother’s enemies, cited before the 
 people; but rather than stand the event of a trial he 
 chose to go into voluntary banishment. 
 cured an edict, granting the freedom of the city to the 
 inhabitants of La'tium, and soon after to all the P e0 P 
 on the hither side of the Alps. 24. He afterwards fixed 
 the price of corn at a moderate standard, 
 monthly distribution of it among the people. 2o. He then 
 proceeded to an inspection into the late con up ions 
 S e"enate; in which the whole body being convicted o 
 bribery, extortion, and the sale of offices (for at that 
 time a total degeneracy seemed to have U enip » 
 
 law was made, transferring the lH>wer ° | u ^ong cor 
 magistrates from the senate to the knights, which made 
 a great alteration in the constitution, 
 
 26. Gracchus, by these means, being gio\ui no 
 popular, but powerful, was beoo.ue an object at wbicb the 
 Late aimed ,11 their resentment. M. But he soon lound 
 the populace a faithless and unsteady support. T y 
 gan^to*withdraw all their confidence from him and to 
 place it upon Dru'sus, a man insidiously set up against him 
 L the senate. 28. It was in vain that he revived he 
 llcin ian law in their favour, and called up several of the 
 inhabitants of the different towns of Italy to his 8U PP ’ 
 the senate ordered all to depart from Rome, a " d ■ "J t0 
 one stranger to prison whom Grac chus had invited to 
 live with him, and honoured with his table and friendship. 
 29. To this indignity was shortly after adde g 
 
 2 a more fatal tendency: for, standing for the tr.bune 
 slnp a third time, he was rejected. It was supposed that 
 Zofficers, whose duty it was to make the return, were 
 bribed to reject him, though fairly chosen. 
 
 H 3 
 
150 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Exam illation. 
 
 consequences followed this great prosperity ? 
 
 2. Who first resolved to repress this strange corruption ? 
 
 3. \\ hat was the character of Tiberius Gracchus ? 
 
 4. Had he any influence with the people? 
 
 5. How was the Liciuian law received ? 
 
 6. Did the people believe them ? 
 
 7. What furthered his views ? 
 
 8. 
 
 9 . 
 
 10 . 
 
 11 . 
 
 -J2. 
 
 13. 
 
 14 . 
 
 15. 
 
 16 . 
 
 17 . 
 
 18 . 
 
 19 . 
 
 20 . 
 21 . 
 22 . 
 
 23. 
 
 24. 
 
 25. 
 
 26. 
 
 27. 
 
 28. 
 29. 
 
 What advantages occurred to the Romans by his death t 
 What was the effect of this will ? 
 
 What measures did they adopt for this purpose? 
 
 What was the consequence of their interference? 
 
 Was this insinuation believed? 
 
 Did Scipio use violence? 
 
 What was the fate of Gracchus and his friends’ 
 
 W ere his enemies satisfied with this vengeance ? 
 
 Mhat became of Caius Gracchus in the mean time? 
 
 as he really desirous of avoiding popularity ? 
 
 In what way did he bring himself into notice ? 
 
 \V hat proof of esteem was given him ? 
 
 How was this compliment received ? 
 
 What was the consequence of this resentment? 
 
 W hat was his first effort ? 
 
 What w r as his next act? 
 
 What was the next? 
 
 What followed P 
 
 W hat w as the consequence of these acts ? 
 
 Did he find steady friends ? , 
 
 Were his measures of precaution successful ? 
 
 What farther indignities did he experience? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 3. Recrimination, s. return of abuse, an accusation retorted 
 back. 
 
 o. Controversy, s. matter in dispute. 
 
 16. Extra'neous, a. foreign, strange. 
 
 17. Promulgation, s. publication, the act of making known. 
 
 19. Venal, a. mercenary, those whose services may be pur¬ 
 
 chased. r 
 
 20. Aristocracy, s. the government by the nobles only. 
 
 22- Concurred, v. agreed. 
 
 Av'arice, s. covetousness. 
 
151 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 1. It was now seen that the fate of Gracchus was re¬ 
 solved on. Opiiti'ius, the consul, was not contented with 
 the protection of the senate, the knights, and a numerous 
 retinue of slaves and clients ; he ordered a body of Can - 
 dians, that were mercenaries in the Roman service, to 
 follow and attend him. 2. Thus guarded, and conscious 
 of the superiority of his forces, lie insulted Grac'chus 
 wherever he met him, doing all in his power to produce 
 a quarrel, in which he might have a pretence for dis¬ 
 patching his enemy in the fray. 3. Grac'chus avoided 
 all recrimination, and, as if apprized of the consul’s de- 
 si"ns, would not even wear any kind of arms for his de¬ 
 fence. 4. His friend Fulvius Fiac'cus, however, a zea¬ 
 lous tribune, was not so remiss, but resolved to oppose 
 party against party, and for this purpose brought up 
 several countrymen to Rome, who came under pretence 
 of desiring employment. 5. When the day for determin¬ 
 ing the controversy was arrived, the two parties, early in 
 the morning, attended at the Capitol, where while the 
 consul was sacrificing, according to custom, one of the 
 lictors taking up the entrails of the beast that was slam, 
 in order to remove them, could not forbear crying out to 
 Fiac'cus and his party, “ Make way, ye factious citizens, 
 for honest men.” 0. This insult so provoked the party 
 to whom it was addressed, that they instantly fell upon 
 him, and pierced him to death with the instruments they 
 used in writing, which they then happened to have in 
 their hands. 1. This murder caused a great disturbance 
 in the assembly. Grac'chus, who saw the consequences 
 that were likely to ensue, reprimanded his party for giv¬ 
 ing his enemies such advantage over hint; and now pre¬ 
 pared to lead his followers to Mount Av'entine *. 8. U 
 
 « |,e was leaving his house for that purpose, his wife, who 
 
 tenderly loved both her husband and tier country, bathed in 
 tenderly . their only son, earnestly besought 
 
 lTmuot to r‘s d k n | Hfe so precious, by gliding in an unsteady 
 
 rabble. 
 
 H 4 
 
152 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was there he learned, that a proclamation had been 
 made by the consuls, that whosoever should bring either 
 his head, or that of Flac'cus, should receive its weight 
 in gold as a reward. 9. It was to no purpose that°he 
 sent the youngest son of Flac'cus, who was yet a child, 
 with proposals for an accommodation. The senate and’ 
 the consuls, who were sensible of their superiority, re. 
 jected all his offers, and resolved to punish his offence 
 with nothing less than death; and they offered pardon 
 also to all who should leave him immediately. 10. This 
 produced the desired effect ; the people fell from him 
 by degrees, and left him with very inferior forces, li. 
 In the mean time, Opim'ius, the consul, who thirsted 
 for slaughter, leading his forces up to Mount Av'entine, 
 fell in among the crowd with ungovernable fury. A ter¬ 
 rible slaughter ot the scarcely resisting multitude ensued, 
 and not less than three thousand citizens were slain 
 upon the spot 12. Flac'cus attempted to find shelter 
 in a ruinous cottage ; but, being discovered, was slain 
 with his eldest son. Grac'chus, at first, retired to the’ 
 temple of Dian'a, where he resolved to die by his own 
 hand, but was prevented by two of his faithful friends 
 and followers, Pompo'nius and Luciu'ius, who forced 
 him to seek safety by flight. Thence he made the best 
 of his way to cross a bridge that led from the city, still 
 attended by his two generous friends, and a Grecian 
 slave, whose name was Philoc'rates. 13. But his pur¬ 
 suers still pressed upon him from behind, and when come 
 to the toot ot the bridge, he was obliged to turn and 
 face the enemy. His two friends were soon slain, de¬ 
 fending him against the crowd; and he was forced to 
 take refuge, with his slave, in a grove beyond the Ti'_ 
 ber, which had long been dedicated to the furies. 14 * 
 Here, finding himself surrounded on every side, and no 
 way left of escaping, he prevailed upon his slave to 
 dispatch him. The slave immediately after killed him- 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 153 
 
 self, and fell down upon the body of his beloved master. 
 The pursuers coining up, cut oft' the head of Grac chus, 
 and placed it for a while as a trophy on a spear. 15. 
 Soon after, one Seplimule ius * carried it home, and 
 taking out the brain, artfully filled it with lead, in order 
 to increase its weight, and then received of the consul 
 seventeen pounds of gold as his recompence. 
 
 16. Thus died Ca'ius Grac'chust- He is usually im¬ 
 peached by historians, as guilty of sedition; but from 
 what we see of his character, the disturbance of public 
 tranquillity was rather owing to his opposers than to him ; 
 so that, instead of calling the tumults of that time the sedi¬ 
 tion of the Grac'chi, we should rather call them the sedi¬ 
 tion of the senate against the Grac'chi; since the efforts 
 of the latter were made in vindication of a law to which 
 the senate had assented ; and the designs of the former 
 were supported by an extraneous armed power from the 
 country, that had never before meddled m the business 
 of legislation, and whose introduction gave a most irre¬ 
 coverable blow to the constitution. 17. Whether toe 
 Grac'chi were actuated by motives of ambition or of pa¬ 
 triotism, in the promulgation of the laws, it is impossible 
 to determine; but from what appears, justice was on 
 their side, and all injury on that of the senate. 18. In 
 fact this body was now changed from that venerable 
 assembly, which we have seen overthrowing Pyr rhus and 
 Han'nibal, as much by their virtues as their arms. They 
 were now only to be distinguished from the rest of the 
 people by their superior luxuries; and ruled the com¬ 
 monwealth by the weight of an authority gamedjrom 
 
 • This man had professed grear **not con- 
 
 + Such was the severity of the ® , 1 .,,,,.liter of above three 
 
 tent with the death of Grac°nn ^Mount Ave .itine, he imprisoned 
 thousand of h * 8 ,v“ friends of that unfortunate man 
 
 and condemned to die all the t age ofyoung Ful vms 
 whom he could discov. J consul’s vengeance; and 
 
 Kg S ^Tarac^u/, was deprived of her dowry. 
 
 H O 
 
154 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 riches and mercenary dependents. 19. The venal and 
 the base were attached to them from motives of self-in¬ 
 terest; and they who still ventured to be independent, 
 were borne down, and entirely lost in an infamous majo¬ 
 rity. 20. In short, the empire at this period came under 
 the government of a hateful aristocracy; the tribunes, 
 who were formerly accounted protectors of the people] 
 becoming rich themselves, and having no longer oppo¬ 
 site interests from those of the senate, concurred in their 
 oppressions; for the struggle was not now between pa¬ 
 tricians and plebeians, who only nominally differed, but 
 between the rich and the poor. 21. The lower orders of 
 the state being by these means reduced to a degree of 
 hopeless subjection, instead of looking after liberty, only 
 sought for a leader; while the rich, with all the suspicion 
 of tyrants, terrified at the slightest appearance of oppo¬ 
 sition, entrusted men with uncontrollable power, from 
 whom they had not strength to withdraw it when the dan¬ 
 ger was over. 22. Thus both parties of the state con. 
 curred in giving up their freedom; the fears of the se¬ 
 nate first made the dictator, and the hatred of the people 
 kept him in his office. Nothing can be more dreadful 
 to a thinking mind than the government of Rome from 
 this period, till it found refuge under the protection of 
 Augustus. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What appearances now threatened the life oi Gracchus > 
 
 2. How did he commence hostilities ? 
 
 3. How did Gracchus attempt to divert the storm > 
 
 4. Were his triends equally prudent? 
 
 5. What unhappy incident increased the animosity * 
 
 6. How was this insult revenged ? * 
 
 7. W hat was the consequence of this outrage 1 
 
 8. What news did he hear on his arrival ? 
 
 V. Hid he attempt to conciliate his enemies, and wore h 1m 
 attempts successful ? 
 
 10. Was this offer accepted ? 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 155 
 
 11. What was the conduct of the consul? 
 
 12. What was the fate of the chiefs? 
 
 13. Did Gracchus effect his escape? 
 
 14. Did he fall into the hands of his enemies t 
 
 15. What artifice did avarice contrive? 
 
 16. Was the conduct of Gracchus deserving of praise or 
 
 blame ? 
 
 17. By what motives were the Gracchi supposed to be ac¬ 
 
 tuated ? 
 
 18. What was the character of the senate at this period ? 
 
 Ip. What was the character of their adherents? 
 
 20. What was the nature of the government? 
 
 21. What concurred to perpetuate this tyranny? 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 From the Sedition of Gracchus , to the perpetual 
 Dictatorship oj Sylla, which was the first step 
 towards the ruin of the Conunmonwealth . 17. C. 
 
 634. 
 
 6. Reprisals, s something seized by way of retaliation for rob¬ 
 bery or injury. 
 
 Aggression, s. a first attack, cause of offence. 
 
 9. Clem'ency, s. mercy, kindness. 
 
 14. Participation, s. a sharing. 
 
 10. Em issaries, s. persons sent on private messages, secret 
 agents. 
 
 17. Vi'gilance, s. watchfulness. 
 
 21. Spe'cious, a. showy, plausible, artful. 
 
 24. Conspicuous, a. easy to be seen, plain. 
 
 27. Suffrages, s. votes. 
 
 31. Tumul'tuary, a- irregular, confused. 
 
 Propi tiate, v. to render lavourable. 
 
 1. While the Romans were in this state of deplorable 
 corruption at home, they nevertheless were very success¬ 
 ful in their transactions with foreign powers. 
 
 2. Among other victories, a signal one was gained 
 over .lugur'tha, king of Numid'ia*. He was grandson to 
 
 • Oue of tile most remarkable of these victories was that ob¬ 
 tained over the Averni, a nation inhabiting that part of Gaul 
 H 6 
 
156 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Massinis'sa, who sided with Rome against Han nibal, and 
 educated with the two young princes, who were left to 
 inherit the kingdom. 3. Being superior in abilities to 
 both, and greatly in favour with the people, he murdered 
 Hiemp'sal, the eldest son, but Adher'bal, the younger, 
 escaped, and fled to the Romans for succour. 4. Jugur- 
 tha, sensible how much avarice and injustice had crept 
 into the senate, sent his ambassadors to Rome with large 
 presents, which so successfully prevailed, that the senate 
 decreed him half the kingdom, thus acquired by murder 
 and usurpation, and sent ten commissioners to divide it 
 between him and Adher'bal. 5. The commissioners, of 
 whom OpinVius, the enemy of Grac'ehus, was one, will¬ 
 ing to follow the example which the senate had set them, 
 were also bribed to bestow the richest and most popu¬ 
 lous parts of that kingdom upon the usurper. 6. But 
 Jugur'tha resolved to possess himself of the whole; and 
 willing to give a colour to his ambition, he only made, 
 in the beginning, incursions in order to provoke reprisals , 
 which he knew how to convert into seeming aggres¬ 
 sion. 7. This scheme failing, he resolved to throw oft' 
 the mask; and besieging Adher'bal, in CirTa, his ca¬ 
 pital, he at length got him into his power, and mur¬ 
 dered him. 8. The Roman people, who had still some 
 generosity remaining, unanimously complained of this 
 treachery, and procured a decree, that Jugur'tha should 
 be summoned in person before them, to give an account 
 of all such as had accepted bribes. 9. Jugur'tha made 
 no difficulty of throwing himself upon the clemency 
 of Rome ; but not giving the people satisfaction, he had 
 
 now called Auvergne ; they were defeated by Fa'bius Max'imus, 
 with the loss of one hundred and twenty thousand men, either 
 killed or drowned in the Rhone. (Flor. i. iii. c. 2.) Bitultick, 
 their king, was taken prisoner by a base stratagem, and kept hi 
 captivity the remainder of his days. So unmindful were the 
 senate of all the laws of honour and probity when they militated 
 Against their interest. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 157 
 
 orders to depart the city*. 10. In the mean time, Al- 
 ba'nus, the consul, was sent with an army to follow him; 
 who, giving up the direction of it to Au'lus, his brother, a 
 person who was every way unqualified for the command, 
 the Romans were compelled to hazard a battle upon 
 disadvantageous terms ; and the whole army, to avoid 
 being cut to pieces, was obliged to pass under the yoke. 
 
 11. In this condition, Metel'lus, tlie succeeding consul, 
 found affairs upon his arrival in Numid'ia; officers in 
 whom the soldiers had no confidence, an army without 
 discipline, and an enemy ever watchful and intriguing. 
 12. However, by his great attention to business, and by 
 integrity that shuddered at corruption, he soon began to 
 retrieve the affairs of Rome, and the credit of the army. 
 In the space of two years, Jugur'tha was overthrown in 
 several battles, forced out of his own dominions, and 
 constrained to beg a peace. 13. Thus all things pro¬ 
 mised Metel'lus a happy termination of the war, but he 
 was frustrated in his expectations by the intrigues ot 
 Ca'ius Ma'rius, his lieutenant, who came in to reap that 
 harvest of glory which the other’s industry had sown. 
 
 14. Ca'ius Ma'rius was born in a village near Apin'ium, 
 of poor parents, who gained their living by their labour. 
 As he had been bred up in a participation of their toils, 
 his manners were as rude as his countenance was fright¬ 
 ful. He was a man of extraordinary stature, incom¬ 
 parable strength, and undaunted bravery. 
 
 15. When Metel'lus was obliged to solicit at Rome for 
 a continuance of his command, Ma'rius, whose ambition 
 knew no bounds, was resolved to obtain it for himself, 
 and thus gain all the glory of putting an end to the war. 
 
 16. To that eud he privately inveighed against Metel'liis 
 by his emissaries at Rome, and having excited a spirit ot 
 
 * So astonished was Jugur'tha at the mercenary disposition 
 discovered by the Romans, that he is said to have exclaimed, on 
 leaving the city, * ( Oh, Rome 1 thou wouldst thysell be sold, could 
 a chapman be found to purchase thee.” 
 
history of the 
 
 discontent against him, he had leave granted him to go 
 there to stand for the consulship, which he obtained, con¬ 
 trary to the expectation and interest of the nobles. 
 
 17. Ma'rius, being thus invested with the supreme 
 power of managing the war, shewed himself every way fit 
 for the commission. His vigilance was equal to his valour, 
 and he quickly made himself master of the cities which 
 Jugur'tha had yet remaining in Numid'ia*. 18. This 
 unfortunate prince, finding himself unable to make oppo¬ 
 sition singly, was obliged to have recourse for assistance 
 to Boc'chus, king of Mauritania, to whose daughter he 
 was married. A battle soon after ensued, in which the 
 Numid'ians surprised the Roman camp by night, and 
 gained a temporary advantage. However, it was but of 
 short continuance, for Ma'rius soon after overthrew them 
 in two signal engagements, in one of which, not less than 
 ninety thousand of the African army were slain. 19. Boc- 
 chus now finding the Romans too powerful to be resisted, 
 did not think it expedient to hazard his own crown, to 
 protect that of his ally ; he therefore determined to make 
 peace, upon whatever conditions he might obtain it; and 
 accordingly sent to Rome, imploring protection. 20. The 
 senate received the ambassadors with their usual haughti¬ 
 ness, and, without complying with their request, granted 
 the suppliant, not their friendship, but their pardon. Not¬ 
 withstanding, after some time, he was given to under¬ 
 stand, that the delivering up of Jugur'tha to the Romans, 
 
 ♦ It has been said with great truth, that “ the wicked have no 
 friends.” Jugur'tha experienced this: Bomil'car, who professed 
 the warmest attachment to Jugur'tha, was gained over by the 
 pro-consul Metel'lus to persuade his master, that submission to 
 the Romans was absolutely necessary. Jugur'tha accordingly 
 sent an embassy to the pro-consul, professing his readiness to 
 submit to any terms. Upon this he was required to send to the 
 Romans 200,000 pounds weight of silver, all his elephants, a 
 certain number of horses and arms, and all deserters. The king 
 complied exactly with these hard conditions; but after thus 
 weakening his resources, he found himself still obliged to con¬ 
 tinue the war, or submit to such farther impositions as would 
 have endangered, not only his crown, but his life. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 159 
 
 would, in some measure, conciliate their favour, and 
 soften their resentment. 21. At first, the pride of Boc- 
 chus struggled against such a proposal; but a few inter¬ 
 views with Syria reconciled him to this treacherous mea¬ 
 sure, and Jugur'tha was given up, being drawn into an 
 ambuscade by the specious pretences of his ally, who de¬ 
 luded him by desiring a conference; and being made a 
 prisoner, he was loaded with chains, and carried by 
 Ma'rius to Rome, a deplorable instance of blasted ambi¬ 
 tion. 22. He did not long survive his overthrow, being 
 condemned by the senate to be starved to death in pri¬ 
 son, a short time after he had been made to adorn the 
 triumph of the conqueror *. 
 
 23. Ma'rius, by this and tw r o succeeding victories over 
 the Gauls, having become very formidable to distant na¬ 
 tions in war, became soon after much more dangerous to 
 his fellow-citizens in peace. 24. The strength w hich he 
 had given to the popular party every day grew more 
 conspicuous , and the Italians, being frustrated by the in¬ 
 trigues of the senate, in their aims of gaining the freedom 
 of Rome, resolved upon obtaining by force, what was re¬ 
 fused them as a favour. This gave rise to the Social War, 
 in which most of the States of Italy entered into a con¬ 
 federacy against Rome, in order to obtain a redress of 
 their grievances. 
 
 25. After a lapse of two years, this war having con¬ 
 tinued to rage with doubtful success, the senate began to 
 reflectthat, whetherconquered or conquerors, the power of 
 the Romans was in danger of being destroyed. 26. To 
 soften therefore their compliance by degrees, they began 
 by giving the freedom of the city to such of the Italian 
 states as had not revolted. They then oftered it to such as 
 would lay down their arms. 27. This unexpected bounty 
 had its effect; the allies, with mutual distrust, offered 
 
 * Never did any one more deservedly suffer than this trea¬ 
 cherous and cruel man. 
 
160 history of the 
 
 each a separate treaty : the senate took then, one by one 
 into favour; but gave the freedom of the c.ty in such a 
 manner, that, not being empowered to vote until all the 
 other tribes had given their suffrages, they had very little 
 weight in the constitution. 
 
 28. This destructive war being concluded, the senate 
 began to think of turning their arms against Mithrida'tes, 
 the most powerful and warlike monarch of the east *. 
 29. For this expedition Ma rius had long been preparing, 
 but Syl'la had interest enough to get himself appointed to 
 the expedition. Ma'rius, however, tried all his arts with 
 the people to get his appointment reversed ; and the com¬ 
 mand of the army, intended to oppose Mithrida'tes, was 
 ordered to be transferred from Syl'la to Ma'rius. 30. In 
 consequence of this, Ma'rius immediately sent officers 
 from Rome, to take the command in his name. But in¬ 
 stead of being obeyed, the officers were slain, and Syl'la 
 was entreated by his army to lead them directly to take 
 signal vengeance upon all his enemies at Rome. 
 
 31. Accordingly, his soldiers entered the city sword m 
 hand, as a place taken by storm. Ma'rius and Sulpi' cius, 
 at the head of a tumultuary body of their partisans, at¬ 
 tempted to oppose their entrance; and the citizens them¬ 
 selves, who feared the sackage of the place, threw down 
 stones and tiles from the houses upon the intruders. 
 32. So unequal a conflict lasted longer than could have 
 been expected ; at length Ma'rius and lus party were 
 obliged to seek safety by flight, after having vainly offered 
 liberty to the slaves who would assist them. 
 
 * This king incurred the resentment of the RomansLd Aaufl'ius 
 war on some of their allies, and by putting I? P* . [ or _ 
 
 to death. Upbraiding the Romans with their 
 ruption, he caused melted gold to be poured down the throat 
 the latter. _ 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 161 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Was this internal degeneracy accompanied by ill success 
 
 abroad ? 
 
 2. What signal victory did they obtaiu, and who was Ju- 
 
 gurtha ? 
 
 3. By what means did he obtain the crown? 
 
 4. How did he propitiate the Romans? 
 
 5. How did these commissioners discharge their trust? 
 
 6 Was Jugurtha satisfied with this allotment? 
 
 7. Did this answer his purpose ? 
 
 8. Did the Romans suffer this treachery to pass unpunished ? 
 
 9. Did Jugurtha obey this summons? 
 
 10. Were hostilities commenced against him, and what was 
 
 the result? 
 
 11. What was the condition of the army when Metellus as¬ 
 
 sumed the command? 
 
 12. Did this deplorable state continue? 
 
 — 13. Did Metellus enjoy the fruits of his victories? 
 
 14. Who was Caius Marius? 
 
 15. What resolution did he adopt? 
 
 16. By what artifices did he succeed in his design ? 
 
 17. What was the conduct of Marius in liis new command ? 
 
 18. To whom did Jugurtha have recourse in his extremity ? 
 
 19. Did Bocchus continue lo befriend Jugurtha ? 
 
 20. Was his request complied with ? 
 
 21. Did Bocchus submit to this condition ? 
 
 22. What became of Jugurtha after this? 
 
 23. How did Marius conduct himself after his victories ? 
 
 24. What was the consequence of his attempts at popularity ? 
 
 25. Was this war of long continuance? 
 
 r^26. What measures did the senate adopt to end it ? 
 
 27. What was the consequence of this measure ? 
 
 28. Against whom did the senate next turn their arms? 
 
 29. Who was appointed to command this expedition ? 
 
 30. What was the consequence of this order? 
 
 31. Did Sylla comply with their request? 
 
 32. What was the issue of the contest? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 • **■*■*■**■■»•*•**■ 
 
 2. Quag'mire, s. a bog, a deep miry place. 
 
 4. Cim'brian, s . a native of Cimbria, now Denmark. 
 
 Presumption, 8. great boldness. 
 
 6. Praet'or, s. the governor of a province. 
 
162 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 9. Inhos'pitable, a. unkind to strangers, unfriendly. 
 
 12. Obnox'ious, a. offensive, disagreeable. 
 
 13 Propi"tiate, v. io soften, to subdue. 
 
 14. Sa'tiated, v. satisfied, glutted. 
 
 Abrogated, v. repealed, annulled. 
 
 19. Suspension, s a cessation, or laying aside for a time. 
 
 Participate, v. to share. 
 
 21. Subordination, s. a command, discipline. 
 
 25. Convo'kcd, v. called together, assembled. 
 
 27. Proscribed, v. condemned to death. 
 
 Intermission, s a pause or rest. 
 
 28. Perpetu ity, s a continuance. 
 
 29. Capricious, a. whimsical, fanciful. 
 
 30. Abdication, s. a resigning or giving up. 
 
 Note. —Glad'iator, s. a man destined to afford amusement to the 
 Romans by lighting in the public theatre. 
 
 1. Syl'la now finding himself master of the city, be¬ 
 gan by modelling the laws, so as to favour his outrages; 
 while Marius, driven out of Rome, and declared a public 
 enemy, at the age of seventy, was obliged to save himself, 
 unattended and on foot, from the pursuits of those who 
 sought his life *. 2. After having w andered for some time 
 in this deplorable condition, lie found every day his dan¬ 
 gers increase, and his pursuers making nearer advances. 
 In this distress lie concealed himself in the marshes of 
 Mintur'iiaef, where he continued a night up to the chin in 
 a quagmire. 3. At break of day he left this dismal place, 
 and made towards the sea-side, in hopes of finding a ship 
 to facilitate his escape; but being known and discovered 
 by some of the inhabitants, he was conducted to a neigh¬ 
 bouring town with a halter round his neck, w ithout clothes, 
 and covered with mud ; and in this condition was sent to 
 prison. 4. The governor of the place, willing to conform 
 to the orders of the senate, soon after sent a Cim'hrian 
 
 * Sulpi"cius being betrayed by one of his slaves, he had bis 
 bead struck off, and lixed on a stake over against the rostra. 
 The treacherous slave w as rewarded with his freedom and a sum 
 of money, and then thrown headlong from the Tarpe'ian rock. 
 (Valerius Maximus ) 
 
 f A town of Campa'nia, between Sinucs'sa and Formiae. 
 (Strabo.) 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 163 
 
 slave to despatch him ; but the barbarian no sooner en¬ 
 tered the dungeon for this purpose, but he stopped short, 
 intimidated by the dreadful visage and awful voice of the 
 fallen general, who sternly demanded if he had the pre¬ 
 sumption to kill Ca'ius Ma'rius? The slave, unable to 
 reply, threw down his sword, and rushing back from the 
 prison, cried out, that he found it impossible to kill him ! 
 5. Tlie governor, considering the fear of the slave as an 
 omen in the unhappy exile’s favour, gave him his freedom; 
 and, commending him to his fortune, provided him with 
 a ship to convey him from Italy. 6. He was forced by a 
 tempest on the coast of Sicily. A Roman quaistor, who 
 happened to be there, resolved to seize him ; and he lost 
 sixteen of his crew, who were killed in their endeavours 
 to cover his retreat to the ship. He aftenvards landed 
 in Africa, near Carthage, and, overwhelmed with melan¬ 
 choly, sat himself down amongst the ruins of that deso¬ 
 late place. He soon, however, had orders from the 
 prcetor to retire. 7. Ma'rius, who remembered his hav¬ 
 ing once served this very man in necessity, could not 
 suppress his indignation at finding ingratitude every 
 where ; and, preparing to obey, bid the messenger tell 
 his master, that he had seen Ma'rius sitting among the 
 ruins of Carthage; intimating the greatness of his fall 
 by the desolation that was around him. 8. He once 
 more embarked, and not knowing where to land without 
 encountering an enemy, he spent the winter at sea, ex¬ 
 pecting every hour the return of a messenger from his 
 son, whom he had sent to solicit protection from the 
 African prince Mandras'tal. 9. After long expectation, 
 instead of the messenger, his son himself arrived, having 
 escaped from the inhospitable court of that monarch, 
 where he had been kept, not as a friend, but as a prisoner, 
 and had returned just time enough to prevent his father 
 from sharing the same fate. 
 
 10, In tlais situation, they were informed that Cin'na, 
 one of their party who had remained at Rome, had put 
 
164 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 himself at the head of a large army, collected out of the 
 Italian states, who had espoused his cause. Nor was it 
 long before they joined their forces at the gates of Rome. 
 Syl'la was at that time absent in his command against 
 Mithrida'tes. 11. Cin'na marched into the city; butMa'- 
 rius stopped, and refused to enter, alleging, that having 
 been banished by a public decree, it was necessary to 
 have another to authorise his return . It was thus that he 
 desired to give his meditated cruelties the appearance ot 
 justice; and while he was about to destroy thousands, to 
 pretend an implicit veneration for the laws. 12. An as¬ 
 sembly of the people being, called, they began to reverse 
 his banishment; but they had scarcely gone through three 
 of the tribes, when, incapable of restraining his desire of 
 revenge, he entered the city at the head of his guards, and 
 massacred all who had been obnoxious to him, without 
 remorse or pity. 13. Several who sought to propitiate 
 the tyrant’s rage, were murdered by his command in his 
 presence; many even of those who had never offended 
 him were put to death; and, at last, even his own officers 
 never approached him but with terrorf. 14. Having in 
 this manner satiated bis revenge, he next abrogated all the 
 laws which were enacted by his rival, and then made 
 himself consul with Cin'na. 15. Thus gratified in his two 
 favourite passions, vengeance and ambition, having once 
 saved his country, and now deluged it with blood; at last, 
 as if willing to crown the pile of slaughter which he had 
 made, with his own body, he died the month after, not 
 without suspicion of having hastened his end._ 
 
 * With an affectation of the greatest humility he w° r e onfy an 
 old and tattered dress, suffering his hair and beard to conUnue 
 rough and uncombed; and walked with a slow l«e, ike m 
 oppressed with his misfortunes: but under the disguise of^ that 
 mournful countenance, something so berce appeared in b_ 
 
 looks, that he inspired terror rather than companion, (Fiutar 
 
 m Ma^noO e ^ ^ order> that whoever came to salute 
 
 him, and was not answered with the like civility, should be ^im¬ 
 mediately massacred. (Plut. in Mario.) Many who came ~o 
 make their court to the tyrant were thus cut in pieces* 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 165 
 
 16. In the mean time, these accounts were brought to 
 Syl la, who had been sent against Mithrida'tes, and who 
 was performing many signal exploits against him; hastily 
 concluding a peace, therefore, he returned home to take 
 vengeance on his enemies at Rome. 
 
 17. Nothing could intimidate Cin'na from attempting 
 to repel his opponent *. Being joined by Car'bo, (now 
 elected in the room of Vale'rius, who had been slain) to¬ 
 gether with young Ma rius, who inherited all the abilities 
 and the ambition of his father, he determined to send over 
 part of the forces he had raised in Dalma'tia to oppose 
 Sylla before he entered Italy. Some troops were ac¬ 
 cordingly embarked; but being dispersed by a storm, the 
 others that had not yet put to sea, absolutely refused to 
 go. 18. Upon this, Cin'na, quite furious at their dis¬ 
 obedience, rushed forward to persuade them to their duty. 
 In the mean time one of the most mutinous of the soldiers 
 being struck by an officer, returned the blow, and was 
 apprehended for his crime. This ill-timed severity pro¬ 
 duced a tumult and a mutiny through the whole army ; 
 and, while Cin'na did all he could to appease it, he was 
 run through the body by ofre of the crowd. 
 
 19. Scip'io, the consul, who commanded against Syria, 
 was soon after allured by proposals for a treaty; but a 
 suspension of arms being agreed upon, Syria's soldiers 
 went into the opposite camp, displaying those riches which 
 they had acquired in their expeditions, and offering to 
 participate with their fellow'-citizens, in case they changed 
 their party. 20. In consequence of this, the whole army 
 declared unanimously for Sylla; and Scip'io scarcely 
 knew that he was forsaken and deposed till he was in¬ 
 formed of it by a party of the enemy, who entering his 
 tent, made him and his son prisoners. 
 
 21. In this manner both factions, exasperated to the 
 
 * To strengthen his interest, he married his daughter Corne'- 
 lia about this time to Julias Caesar, afterwards so famous. 
 
 6 
 
Jgg history of the 
 
 highest degree, and expecting no mercy on either part, 
 gave vent to their fury in several engagements. The 
 forces on the side of young Ma'rius, who now succeeded 
 his father in command, were the most numerous, but 
 those of Syl'la better united, and more under subordina¬ 
 tion* 22. Car'bo, who commanded for Ma rius in the field, 
 sent eight legions to Prames'te, to relieve his colleague, 
 but they were met by Pompey, afterwards surnamed the 
 Great, in a defile, who slew many of them, and dispersed 
 the rest. Car'bo soon after engaged Metel'lus, but was 
 overcome, with the loss of ten thousand slain, and six 
 thousand taken prisoners*. 23. In consequence, Urba'nus, 
 one of the consuls, killed himself, and Car bo fled to 
 Africa, where, after wandering a long time, he was at 
 last delivered up to Pompey, who, to please Syl’la, ordered 
 him to be beheaded f. 24. Syl'la, now become undis¬ 
 puted master of his country, entered Rome at the head of 
 his army. Happy, had he supported in peace the glory 
 which he had acquired in war; or, had he ceased to live 
 when he ceased to conquer ! 
 
 25. Eight thousand men, who had escaped the general 
 carnage,“surrendered themselves to the conqueror; he 
 ordered them to be put into the Vil'la Pub lica, a large 
 house in the Cam'pus Mar'tius; and, at the same time, 
 convoked the senate; there, without discovering the least 
 emotion, he spoke w ith great fluency of his own exploits, 
 and, in the mean time, gave private directions that all 
 those wretches whom he had confined, should be slain. 
 20. The senate, amazed at the horrid outcries of the 
 sufferers, at first thought that the city was given up to 
 
 * The news of this defeat so exasperated young Ma'rius, that 
 he sent orders to Ju'nius Bru'tus, then pra tor at Rome, to put 
 all SyTla’s friends to death. (Appian.) This order was executed 
 with the utmost cruelty, and probably contributed to those 
 dreadful scenes of carnage which soon after followed. 
 
 [ Young Ma'rius destroyed himself, and his head was after¬ 
 wards, by Sylla’s order, exposed in the forum. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 167 
 
 plunder ; but Syl'la, with an unembarrassed air, informed 
 them, that it was only some criminals w ho were punished 
 by his order, and that the senate ought not to make them¬ 
 selves uneasy at their fate. 27. The day after, he pro¬ 
 scribed forty senators, and sixteen hundred knights ; and, 
 after an intermission of two days, forty senators more,' 
 with an infinite number of the richest citizens. 
 
 28. He next resolved to invest himself with the dictator¬ 
 ship, and that for a perpetuity ; and, thus uniting all civil 
 as well as military power in his own person, he thought 
 he might thence give an air of justice to every oppression. 
 
 29 Thus he continued to govern with capricious ty¬ 
 ranny, none daring to resist his power, until, contrary to 
 the expectations of all mankind, he laid down the dicta¬ 
 torship, after having held it not quite three years *. 
 
 80. After this, he retired into the country, and abandon¬ 
 ed himself to debauchery; but he did not long survive 
 his abdication ; he was seized with a horrible distemperf, 
 and died a loathsome arid mortifying object, and a me¬ 
 lancholy proof of the futility of human ambition +. 
 
 It is remarkable, that though on his laying down the dicta¬ 
 torship, the lorum was full of those whom ins cruelties had ren¬ 
 dered his most bitter enemies; no one presumed to molest him 
 except one young man, who followed him to his house with the 
 most scurrilous abuse. Syl'Ja did not deign him an answer, but 
 turningto the few Inends who accompanied him, “ This usaire ” 
 said he, “ will, for the liiture, deter any man from laying down 
 the sovereign power, if he once gets it into his hands.” 
 f Morbus Pediculosus. 
 
 . + 7*°. evtnls, important in the history of Home, occurred 
 t . hls tlm ®- . Serto'rius, a Homan general, in Spain, had 
 rebelled against the government of Syl la, and defeated every 
 army scot against him, till Pompey took the command; and 
 oven then the result appeared doubtful, till Serto'rius being as¬ 
 sassinated by Ills own officers, put an end lo the war. 
 
 Spur taeus, a gladiator, having escaped from confinement, and 
 assembleiha number of his followers, commenced what is called 
 the second Servile War. llis army gradually increasing, he 
 became a lormiduble enemy to the Roman state ; overthrew the 
 pnetors and consuls sent against him ; hut was at length de¬ 
 legated by Crassus, and the remains of his army cut in pieces by 
 l ompey, who met them on hisreturn from Spain. 
 
 8 
 
168 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What were the first acts of Sylla, and what became of 
 
 Marius? 
 
 2. Did he effect his escape ? 
 
 3. What happened to him after this? 
 
 4. What farther misfortunes awaited him ? 
 
 5. What effect had this circumstance on the governor ? 
 
 6. What befel him afterwards? 
 
 7. What was the conduct of Marius on this occasion? 
 
 H. Whither did he next betake himself? 
 
 9. Did the expected messenger arrive ? 
 
 10. What sudden reverse of fortune happened to Marius? 
 
 11. What was the conduct of these commanders? 
 
 12. Did Marius preserve this appearance of moderation? 
 
 13. Who were the objects of his vengeance? 
 
 14. What was his next step? 
 
 15. Did he long enjoy the power he had thus regained ? 
 
 16. What was the conduct of Sylla on this occasion? 
 
 17. What opposition did he experience? 
 
 IS. What was the fate of Cinna? 
 
 19. By what means was Scipio’s opposition overcome ? 
 
 20. What effect was produced by this offer? 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 From the perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla , to the 
 Triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus .— 
 
 U C. 680. 
 
 i. Dissensions, s. contentions, quarrels. 
 
 3. Ab'rogate, v. to repeal, annul, abolish. 
 
 6. Prefer red, v. offered for consideration. 
 
 8. Terminate, v. to put an end to. 
 
 10. Projected, v. contrived. 
 
 11. Prof'ligate, a. abandoned, wicked. 
 
 Insatiable, a. greedy beyond measure. 
 
 15. Punctual, a. exact. 
 
 18. Confronted, v. opposed. 
 
 Vindica tion, s. defence, a clearing of character ? 
 
 1. Upon the death of Sylla, the jealousies of Pompey 
 and Cras'sus, the two most powerful men in the empire. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 169 
 
 began to excite fresh dissensions . Pompey was the most 
 beloved general, but Cras'sus the richest man in Rome. 
 
 2. The first opportunity that was offered of discovering 
 their mutual jealousy, was upon disbanding their troops. 
 Neither chose to begin; so that the most fatal conse¬ 
 quences were likely to arise from their dissension. At 
 length Cras'sus, stifling his resentment, laid down his 
 command ; and the other followed his example imme¬ 
 diately after. 3. The next trial between them was, who 
 should be foremost in obtaining the favour of the people. 
 Cras'sus entertained the populace at a thousand tables, 
 distributed corn to the families of the poor, and fed the 
 greatest part of the citizens for nearly three months. 
 Pompey, on the other hand, laboured to abrogate the laws 
 made against the authority of the people by Syfla ; re. 
 stored to the knights the power of judging, which had 
 been formerly granted them by Gracchus; and gave back 
 to the tribunes all their former privileges. 4. Thus each 
 gave his private aims an appearance of zeal for the public 
 good; so that what was in reality ambition in both, took 
 with one the name of liberality, with the other that of a 
 love of freedom. 
 
 5. An expedition, in which Pompey cleared the Medi¬ 
 terranean, which was infested by pirates, having added 
 greatly to his reputation, the tribunes of the people hoped 
 it would be easy to advance their favourite still higher. 
 
 6. Man'lius, therefore, one of the number ^preferred a law, 
 that all the armies of the empire, the government of Asia, 
 and the management of the war, which was renewed 
 against Mithrida'tes, should be committed to Pompey 
 alone. The law passed with little opposition, and the 
 decree was confirmed. 
 
 7. Being thus appointed to the command of that im¬ 
 portant war, he departed for Asia. 8. Mithrida'tes had 
 been obliged by Lucul'lus to take refuge in Lesser Ar¬ 
 menia, and thither that general was preparing to follow 
 
 I 
 
170 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 him, when his whole army abandoned him ; so that it re¬ 
 mained for Pompey to terminate the war, which he effected 
 w ith great ease and expedition, adding a large extent of 
 dominion to the Roman empire, and returning to Rome 
 in triumph at the head of his conquering army. 
 
 9. But the victories of Pompey rather served to heighten 
 the glory than to increase the power of Rome ; they 
 made it a more glaring object of ambition, and exposed 
 its liberties to greater danger. Those liberties indeed 
 seemed devoted to ruin on every side ; for, even while he 
 w as pursuing his conquests abroad, Rome w'as at the verge 
 of ruin from a conspiracy at home. 10. This conspiracy 
 w as projected and carried on by Ser'gius Cat iline, a patri¬ 
 cian by birth, who resolved to build his own power on the 
 downfall of his country. 11. He w ? as singularly formed, 
 both by art and nature, to conduct a conspiracy; he was 
 possessed of courage equal to the most desperate at¬ 
 tempts, and of eloquence to give a colour to his ambition: 
 ruined in his fortunes, profligate in his manners, vigilant 
 in pursuing his aims; he was insatiable after wealth, 
 only with a view to lavish it on his guilty pleasures. 
 32. Cat'iline, having contracted debts in consequence of 
 such an ill-spent life, was resolved to extricate himself 
 from them by any means however unlawful. Accordingly, 
 he assembled about thirty of his debauched associates, 
 and informed them of his aims, his hopes, and his settled 
 plan of operations. 13. It was resolved among them, that 
 a general insurrection should be raised throughout Italy, 
 the different parts of w hich he assigned to different leaders. 
 Rome was to be fired at several places at once; and Cat ¬ 
 iline, at the head of an army raised in Etru'ria, w as, in the 
 general confusion, to possess himself of the city, and 
 massacre all the senators. Len'tuius, one of his profligate 
 assistants, who had been praetor or judge in the city, was 
 to preside in their general councils: Cethe'gus, a man 
 who sacrificed the possession of great present power to 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 171 
 
 the hopes of gratifying his revenge against Ci'cero*, was 
 to direct the massacre through the city; and Cas'sius was 
 to conduct those who fired it. 
 
 14. But the vigilance of Cicero being the chief obstacle 
 to their designs, Catiline was very desirous to see him 
 taken off before he left Rome ; upon which two knights 
 of the company undertook to kill him the next morning 
 in his bed, in an early visit on pretence of business. 
 15. But the meeting was no sooner over, than Ci"cero had 
 information of all that passed in it; for by the intrigues 
 of a woman named Ful'via, he had gained over Cu'rius, 
 her lover, one of the conspirators, to send him a punctual 
 account of all their deliberations. 16. Having taken proper 
 precautions to guard himself against the designs of his 
 morning visitors, who were punctual to the appointment, 
 he next took care to provide for the defence of the city ; 
 when, assembling the senate, he consulted what was best 
 to be done in such a time of danger. 17. The first step 
 taken was to offer considerable rewards for farther disco¬ 
 veries, and then to prepare for the defence of the state. 
 
 18. Cat iline, to shew how well he could dissemble, or 
 justify any crime, went boldly to the senate, declaring his 
 innocence + ; but, when confronted, by the eloquence of 
 Ci"cero, he hastily withdrew, declaring aloud, that since 
 he was denied a vindication of himself, and driven head¬ 
 long into rebellion by his enemies, he would extinguish 
 the flame which was raised abput him in universal ruin. 
 
 19. After a short conference with Len'tulus and Cethe'gus, 
 
 * Ci"cero, the first of Roman orators, as Demos'thenes was of 
 the Greek, was born at Arpin'ium, a town of the Vol'sci, and 
 studied under the most celebrated orators and philosophers of 
 Greece. His style of eloquence was copious, highly ornamented, 
 and addressed more to the passions than the judgment of his 
 hearers. He was consul at the time of Cat'iline’s conspiracy ; 
 and, for his eminent services in detecting and frustrating it, was 
 honoured with the title ot'Pater Patriae. 
 
 + On his entrance, those senators near whom he attempted to 
 scat himself, quitting their places, left him quite alone. 
 
 I 2 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 172 
 
 he left Rome by night, with a small retinue, to hasten 
 towards Etru'ria, where Manlius, one of the conspirators, 
 was raising an army to support him *. 
 
 20. In the mean time, Ci"cero took proper precautions 
 to secure all those of the conspiracy w r ho remained in 
 Rome. Len'tulus, Cethe'gus, Cas'sius, and several others, 
 were put into confinement; and soon after strangled in 
 prison. 
 
 21. While his associates were put to death in the city, 
 Cat'iline had raised an army of twelve thousand men, of 
 which a fourth part only w ere completely armed, the rest 
 being furnished with such weapons as chance afforded; 
 darts, lances, and clubs. 22. He refused, at first, to enlist 
 slaves, who flocked to him in great numbers, trusting to 
 the strength of the conspiracy; but upon the approach of 
 the consul, who was sent against him, and upon the arrival 
 of the news that his confederates were put to death, the 
 face of affairs altered. 23. His first attempt, therefore, 
 was by long marches to make his escape over the Ap- 
 penines into Gaul; but in this his hopes were disappoint¬ 
 ed ; all the passes being guarded by an army superior to 
 his own. 24. Being thus hemmed in on every side, and 
 seeing all things desperate, with nothing left him but 
 either to die or conquer, he resolved to make one vigorous 
 effort against that army which pursued him. Anto'nius, 
 the consul, being sick, the command devolved upon 
 Petrei'us, who, after a fierce and bloody action, in which 
 he lost a considerable part of his best troops, put Cati¬ 
 line's forces to the rout, and destroyed his whole army f. 
 
 25. The extinction of this conspiracy seemed only to 
 leave an open theatre for the ambition of the great men to 
 display itself in. Pompey was now returned in triumph 
 
 * On his arrival, he assumed all the ensignia of a supreme ma¬ 
 gistrate, being preceded by lictors carrying the axes and fasces. 
 
 f Cat'iline himself, finding his affairs desperate, thfew himself 
 into tbe midst of the enemy, and there found the death he 
 sought. (Sallust.) 
 
173 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME, 
 from conquering the East, as he had before been victo¬ 
 rious in Europe and Africa. 
 
 26. Cras'sus was the richest man in Rome, and next 
 to Pompey possessed the greatest authority ; his party in 
 the senate was even stronger than that of his rival, and 
 the envy raised against him was less. He and Pompey 
 had long been disunited by an opposition of interests and 
 of characters; however, it was from a continuance of 
 their mutual jealousies that the state was, in some mea¬ 
 sure, to expect its future safety. 27. It was in this situa¬ 
 tion of things that Julius Caesar, who had lately gone 
 praetor into Spain, and had returned with great riches and 
 glory, resolved to convert their mutual jealousy to his 
 own advantage. 28. This celebrated man was descend¬ 
 ed from popular and illustrious ancestors. He warmly 
 espoused the side of the people, and shortly after the 
 death of Syl'la, procured the recal of those whom Syl'la 
 had banished. He had all along declared for the popu¬ 
 lace against the senate, and became their most favourite 
 magistrate. 29. This consummate statesman began by 
 offering his services to Pompey, promising to assist him 
 in getting all his acts passed notwithstanding the senate s 
 opposition. Pompey, pleased at the acquisition of a 
 person of so much merit, readily granted him his confi¬ 
 dence and protection. 30. He next applied to Cras sus, 
 who from former connexions, was disposed to become 
 still more nearly his friend. 31. At length, finding them 
 not averse to an union of interests, he took an opportu¬ 
 nity of bringing them together; and, remonstrating with 
 them on the advantages, as well as necessity, of a recon¬ 
 ciliation, he had art enough to persuade them to forget 
 former animosities. 32. A combination was thus formed, 
 by which they agreed that nothing should be done in the 
 commonwealth without their mutual concurrence and 
 approbation. This was called the first Triumvirate, by 
 I 3 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 174 
 
 which we find the constitution weakened by a new in¬ 
 terest, which had not hitherto taken place, very different 
 from that of the senate or the people, and yet dependent 
 on both. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What followed on the death of Sylla? 
 
 2. What first discovered their mutual jealousy ? 
 
 3. What was the next trial between them ? 
 
 4. Under what pretences did they hide their real views? 
 
 5. What farther raised the reputation of Pompey ? 
 
 6. What means were had recourse to for this purpose? 
 
 7—8. What was the state of the war in Asia ? 
 
 9. What were the consequences of Pompey’s victories? 
 
 10. Who was the author, and what was the object of this 
 
 conspiracy ? 
 
 11. What was the character of Catiline ? 
 
 12. What occasioned this conspiracy? 
 
 13. How was it to be carried into execution ? 
 
 14. What was the chief obstacle to its accomplishment, and 
 
 how was this obstacle to be removed ? 
 
 15. Was Cicero informed of their proceedings? 
 
 16. What precautions did he take in consequence? 
 
 17. What was the first step taken ? 
 
 18. What vvas the conduct of Catiline on this occasion ? 
 
 19. Did he continue in Home? 
 
 20. Did the other conspirators escape? 
 
 21. How was Catiline employed in the mean time? 
 
 22. Had he a fair prospect of success ? 
 
 23. Did he boldly face his opponents? 
 
 24. What followed? 
 
 25. Did the extinction of this conspiracy give peace to 
 
 Rome ? 
 
 26. Who were the contending parties, and what was the 
 
 consequence of this dissension? 
 
 27. Who profited by these jealousies ? 
 
 28. Who was Julius Caesar, and by what means did he ac¬ 
 
 quire popularity? 
 
 29. What was his first step towards power? 
 
 30. To whom did he next apply ? 
 
 31. What consequence resulted from his application ? 
 
 32. What agreement was entered into by them, and what 
 
 were they called ? 
 
 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 175 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 From the beginning of the first Triumvirate, to 
 the Death of Pompey.— U. C. 694. 
 
 1. Confederates, s. allies, associates, accomplices. 
 
 4. Ingratiating, part, getting into favour. 
 
 6. Sa'tiated, part, glutted, full beyond desire. 
 
 7. Compensate, v. to make amends. 
 
 13. Stim'ulated, part, excited, urged on. 
 
 15. Hos'tages, s. persons delivered as security for the perform- 
 
 ance of conditions. 
 
 16. Cooperated,!’, laboured jointly. 
 
 17. Letb'arsrv, s. supineness, inactivity. , , , . 
 
 19. Skir mish, $• slight encounter, a battle between detached 
 
 parts of the hostile armies. 
 
 20. Thwart, v.to cross, to hinder. 
 
 22. Allure, v. to entice. 
 
 28. Expedients, s. contrivances,measures. 
 
 30. Cou'fines, s. borders. 
 
 1. The first thing Caesar did, upon forming the 
 Trium'virate, was to avail himself of the interest of his 
 confederates to obtain the consulship. 2. The senate had 
 still some influence left; and though thev were obliged 
 to concur in choosing him, yet they gave him for a col¬ 
 league one Bib'ulus, whom they supposed would be a 
 check upon his power. 3. But the opposition was too 
 strong for even superior abilities to resist; so that Bib - 
 ulus, after a slight attempt in favour of the senate, re¬ 
 mained inactive. 4. Cae'sar began his schemes tor em¬ 
 pire by ingratiating himself with the people; he pro¬ 
 cured a law for dividing certain lands in Campa nia among 
 such of the poor citizens as had at least three children. 
 This proposal was just enough in itself, and it was cri¬ 
 minal only from the views of the proposer. 
 
 5. Having thus strengthened himself at home, he deli- 
 I 4 
 
176 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 berated with his confederates about sharing the foreign 
 provinces of the empire. 6. The partition was soon 
 made: Pompey chose Spain; for, being fatigued with 
 conquest, and satiated with military fame, he was willing 
 to take his pleasures at Rome. Cras'sus chose Syria ; 
 which province, as it had hitherto enriched the generals 
 who had subdued it, would, he hoped, gratify him in this 
 his favourite pursuit. To Caesar were left the provinces 
 of Gaul; composed of tierce and powerful nations, most 
 of them unsubdued, and the rest only professing a nomi* * * § 
 nal subjection. 7. As this was appointing him rather 
 to conquer than command, the government was granted 
 him for five years ; as if by its continuance to compensate 
 for its danger. 
 
 8. It would be impossible in this narrow compass to 
 enumerate the battles Caesar fought, and the states he 
 subdued, in his expeditions into Gaul and Britain, which 
 continued eight years. 9. The Helvetians* were the first 
 that were brought into subjection, with the loss of nearly 
 two hundred thousand men ; those who remained after 
 the carnage, were sent by Caesar in safety to the forests 
 whence they had issued +. 10. The Germans with 
 
 Ariovis'tus at their head, were next cut off, to the number 
 of eighty thousand ; their monarch himself narrowly 
 escaping in a little boat across the Rhine. The Belgai + 
 suffored such a terrible overthrow, that marshes and 
 rivers were rendered impassable from the heaps of slain. 
 11. 1 he Iser vians§, who were the most warlike of those 
 barbarous nations, made head for a short time, and fell 
 
 • n^! 16 ^habitants of the country now called Switzerland. 
 
 T The Helve tians finding their country too narrow for their 
 increased population, had determined on emigration. Being 
 denied by Caesar a passage through his province, hostilities 
 commenced, which terminated as above. (Cajsar de Bel. Gal.) 
 
 t r u u-^nts °f the country between the Rhine and the Loire. 
 
 § Inhabitants of the modern province of Hainault. 
 
177 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 upon the Romans with such fury, that their army was in 
 danger of being utterly routed ; but Caesar himself hastily 
 catching up a buckler rushed through his troops into the 
 midst of the enemy ; by which means he so turned the 
 fate of the day, that the barbarians were all cut off to a 
 man. 12. The Celtic Gauls were next brought under 
 subjection. After them, the Sue'vi, the Mena'pii, and 
 all the nations from the Mediterranean to the British 
 sea. 13. Thence, stimulated by the desire of conquest, 
 he crossed over into Britain, upon pretence that the na¬ 
 tives had furnished his enemies with continual supplies. 
 14. Upon approaching the shores, he found them covered 
 with men to oppose his landing, and his forces were in 
 danger of being driven back, till the standard-bearer of 
 the tenth legion boldly leaped ashore, and being well as¬ 
 sisted by Caesar, the natives were put to flight. 15. The 
 Britons, being terrified at Caesar’s power, sent to desire a 
 peace, which was granted them, and some hostages deli¬ 
 vered. A storm, however, soon after destroying great 
 part of his fleet, they resolved to take advantage of the 
 disaster, and marched against him with a powerful army. 
 But what could naked undisciplined troops do against 
 forces that had been exercised under the greatest gene¬ 
 rals, and hardened by the conquest of the greatest part 
 of the world l Being overthrown, they were obliged once 
 more to sue for peace. Caesar granted it, and returned 
 to the Continent. 
 
 16. While Caesar was thus increasing his reputation 
 and riches abroad, Pompey, who remained in Rome, 
 steadily co-operated with his ambition, and advanced his 
 interests while he vainly supposed he was forwarding his 
 own. By this means Caesar was continued five years 
 longer in Gaul. 17. Nor was Pompey roused from his 
 lethargy till the fame of that great commander's valour, 
 riches, and humanity, began to make him suspect they 
 would soon eclipse his own. 18. He now therefore did 
 
 I 5 
 
178 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 all in his power to diminish Caesar’s reputation ; obliging 
 the magistrates not to publish any letters they received 
 till he had diminished the credit of them, by spreading 
 disadvantageous reports. 19. One or two accidents 
 also helped to widen the separation; namely, the death 
 of Ju'lia*, Pompey’s wife, w'ho had not a little contri¬ 
 buted to improve the harmony that subsisted between 
 them ; and the destruction of Cras'sus, who had con¬ 
 ducted the war against the Par thians with so little pru¬ 
 dence, that he suffered them to get the advantage of him 
 in almost every skirmish ; when incapable of extricating 
 himself he fell a sacrifice to his owu rashness, in trusting 
 himself to a perfidious enemy f. j 
 
 20. Caesar, who now began to be sensible of the jea¬ 
 lousies of Pompey, took occasion to solicit for the con¬ 
 sulship, together w ith a prolongation of his government in 
 Gaul, desirous of trying whether Pompey would thwart 
 or promote his pretensions. 21. In this Pompey seemed 
 to be quite inactive ; but at the same time privately em¬ 
 ployed two of his creatures, who alleged in the senate that 
 the law s did not permit a person that was absent to offer 
 himself as a candidate for that high office. 22. Pompey’s 
 view in this w r as to allure Caesar from his government, 
 in order to stand for the consulship in person. 23. Caesar 
 however perceiving his artifice, chose to remain in his 
 province; convinced that while he headed an army de¬ 
 voted to him, he could give law as well as magistrates to 
 the state. 
 
 24. The senate, which w as devoted to Pompey because 
 he had for some time attempted to defend them from the 
 encroachments of the people, ordered home the two le- 
 
 * She was the daughter of Caesar. 
 
 f Cras'sus was inveigled into the power of Sur'ena, the Par¬ 
 thian general, under the pretence of treating for peace. His 
 head was cut off and sent to Orodes, the king of Par'thia, who 
 poured molten gold down his throat. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME* 179 
 
 gions which were in Csesar’s army, belonging to Pompey; 
 as it was pretended to oppose the Par'thians, but in 
 reality to diminish Caesar’s power. 25. Caesar saw their 
 motive ; but as his plans were not yet ripe tor execu¬ 
 tion, he sent them home in pursuance of the orders of 
 the senate, having previously attached the officers to him 
 by benefits, and the soldiers by bounties.^ 26. The next 
 step the senate took, was to recal Caesar from his go¬ 
 vernment, as his time was very near expiring. But 
 Curio, his friend in the senate, proposed that Caesar 
 should not leave his army till Pompey had set him the 
 example. 27. This for a while perplexed Pompey; 
 however, during the debate one of the senate declaring 
 that Caesar had passed the Alps, and was marching with 
 his whole army directly towards Rome, the consul, im¬ 
 mediately quitting the senate, went with his colleagues 
 to a house where Pompey at that time resided. He 
 there presented him with a sword, commanding him to 
 march against Caesar, and fight in defence of the com¬ 
 monwealth. 28. Pompey declared he was ready to 
 obey; but with an air of pretended moderation, added 
 that it was only in case more gentle expedients could not 
 be employed. 29. Caesar, who was instructed in all 
 that passed, though he was still in Gaul, was willing to 
 give his aims all the appearance of justice. He agreed 
 to lay down his employment when Pompey should do 
 the same. But the senate rejected his propositions, 
 blindly confident of their power, and relying on the as¬ 
 surances of Pompey. Caesar, still unwilling to come to 
 an open rupture with the state, at last was content to 
 ask the government of Illyr'ia, with two legions; but 
 this also was refused him. 30. Finding ail attempts at 
 an accommodation fruitless, and conscious, if not of the 
 gooduess of the cause, at least of the goodness of his 
 troops, he began to draw them down towards the co?i- 
 
 I 6 
 
180 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 fines of Italy; and passing the Alps with his third 
 legion, stopped at Raven'na, whence he once more 
 wrote to the consuls, declaring that he was ready to re¬ 
 sign all command in case Pompey would do so. 31. On 
 the other hand, the senate decreed, that Caesar should 
 lay down his government, and disband his forces within 
 a limited time; and if he refused obedience, that he should 
 be declared an enemy to the commonwealth. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was Caesar's first act? 
 
 2. Was not the consent of the senate necessary ? 
 
 3. Had Bibulusany controul over Caesar? 
 
 4. How did Caesar commence his schemes? 
 
 5. How did he farther promote his views? 
 
 6. How were the provinces allotted? 
 
 7—8. Was Caesars a desirable allotment? 
 
 9. Who were the first that submitted to Caesar’s arms ? 
 
 10. Who were the next? 
 
 '1- Who made the most formidable resistance ? 
 
 12. What other nations were subdued by Caesar? 
 
 13. Did these conquests content him ? 
 
 If* What opposition did he experience on the British coast ? 
 
 15. Wiiat followed this defeat? 
 
 16. In what way were Caesar’s views promoted ? 
 
 17. Did not Pompey suspect his intentions? 
 
 18. When undeceived, what measures did he pursue ? 
 
 19. W hat contributed to widen the breach? 
 
 20. How did Caesar ascertain the disposition of Pompey to¬ 
 
 wards him? 
 
 2!. Did Pompey take an active part ? 
 
 22. What was Pompey's view in this? 
 
 23. Did Caesar fall into the snare ? 
 
 24. Which side did the senate favour ? 
 
 25. Did Caesar give up the legions ? 
 
 26. What was the next step they took ? 
 
 27. What was the consequence of this proposal ? 
 
 28. Did Pompey obey this command? 
 
 29. What was Caesar’s conduct on the occasion ? 
 
 #0. How did he next proceed? 
 
 31. What measure did the senate adopt? 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 181 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 4. Pon'dered, a. considered, thought seriously. 
 
 5. Promptitude, s. readiness. 
 
 6 Supi'neness, s. carelessness, indolence. 
 
 Sarcastically, ad. tauntingly, severely. 
 
 8. Bo'ding, part, foretelling. 
 
 10. Lieutenants, s. (pro. liftenants) subordinate commanders, 
 officers second in rank. 
 
 19. Intelligence, s. information. 
 
 Retar'd, v. to hinder, to keep back. 
 
 23. Men'ace, s. a threat. 
 
 24. Vet'eran, s. an old experienced soldier. 
 
 2d. Joco'sely, ad. jestingly, good humouredly. . 
 
 26. Drought, s. thirst. 
 
 27. Clem'ency, s. mercy, kindness. 
 
 I. Cjesar, however, seemed no way disturbed at these 
 violent proceedings ; the night before his intended ex¬ 
 pedition into Italy, he sat down to table cheerfully, con¬ 
 versing with his friends on subjects of literature and 
 philosophy; and apparently disengaged from every am¬ 
 bitious concern. After some time, rising up, he desired 
 the company to make themselves joyous in his absence, 
 and that he would be with them in a moment: in the 
 mean time, having ordered his chariot to be prepared, 
 lie immediately set out, attended by a few friends, for 
 Arminlum, a city upon the confiues of Italy, whither he 
 had dispatched a part of his army the morning before. 
 •2. This journey by night, which was very fatiguing, he 
 performed with great diligence, sometimes walking, and 
 sometimes on horseback; till at the break of day he 
 came up with his army, which consisted of about five 
 thousand men, near the Ru bicon, a little river which 
 separates Italy from Gaul, and which marked the limits 
 of his command. 3. The Romans had ever been taught 
 to consider this river as the sacred boundary of their do¬ 
 mestic empire. 4. Cxsar, therefore, when he advanced 
 
182 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 at the head of his army to the side of it, stopped short 
 upon the bank, as if impressed with terror at the great¬ 
 ness of his enterprise. He could not pass it without 
 transgressing the laws ; he therefore pondered for some 
 time in fixed melancholy, looking and debating with him¬ 
 self whether he should venture in. “ If I pass this river,’ 1 
 said he to one of his generals, “ what miseries shall I 
 bring upon my country ! and if I now stop short I am 
 undone.” 5. After a pause he exclaimed, “ Let us go 
 where the gods and the injustice of our enemies call us/ 
 Thus saying, and resuming all his former alacrity, he 
 plunged in, crying out, “ The die is cast.” His soldiers 
 followed him with equal promptitude; and having passed 
 the Ru bicon, quickly arrived at Armin^um, and made 
 themselves masters of the place without any resistance. 
 
 6. This unexpected enterprise excited the utmost ter¬ 
 rors in Rome; every one imagining that Ctesar was lead¬ 
 ing his army to lay the city in ruins. At the same time 
 were to be seen the citizens flying into the country for 
 safety, and the inhabitants of the country coming to seek 
 shelter in the city. 7. In this universal confusion, Pom- 
 pey felt all that repentance and self-condemnation which 
 must necessarily arise from the remembrance of having 
 advanced his rival to his present pitch of power: when¬ 
 ever he appeared, many of his former friends were ready 
 to tax him with his supineness , and sarcastically to re¬ 
 proach his ill-grounded presumption. 8. “ Where is 
 now, cried Favo nius, a ridiculous senator of this party, 
 
 “ the army that is to rise at your command ? let us see 
 if it will appear by stamping*.” Cato reminded him of 
 the many warnings he had given him; which, however, 
 as he was continually boding nothing but calamities, 
 
 * This alludes to a boasting speech made some time before by 
 Pompey, when he told the senate not to be alarmed at the new's 
 o Caesar’s approach, for that he had only to stamp, and an army 
 would rise at his command. J 
 
183 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 Pompey might very justly be excused from attending to. 
 
 9. Being at length wearied with these reproaches, which 
 were offered under colour of advice, he did all that lay 
 in his power to encourage and confirm his followers: he 
 told them that they should not want an army, for that 
 he would be their leader. He confessed indeed, that he 
 had all along mistaken Caesar’s aims, judging only from 
 what they ought to have been: however, if Ins friends 
 were still inspired with the love of freedom, they might 
 yet enjoy it in whatever place their necessities should 
 happen to conduct them. 10. He let them know that 
 their affairs were in a very promising situation ; that his 
 two lieutenants were at the head of a very considerable 
 army in Spain, composed of veteran troops that had 
 made a conquest of the East: beside these, there were 
 infinite resources, both in Asia and Africa, together with 
 the succours they were sure to receive from all the king¬ 
 doms that were in alliance with Rome. 11. This speech 
 served iu some measure to revive the hopes of the con¬ 
 federacy. The greatest part of the senate, his private 
 friends and dependents, with all those who expected to 
 make their fortunes by espousing his cause, agreed to 
 follow him. But being in no capacity to resist Caesar at 
 Rome, he resolved to lead his forces to Cap'ua; where 
 the two legions that served under Ctesar in Gaul were 
 stationed. 
 
 12. Caesar in the mean time, after having vainly at¬ 
 tempted to bring Pompey to an accommodation, resolved 
 to pursue him into Cap'ua, before he could collect his 
 forces. Accordingly, he marched on to take possession 
 of the cities that lay between him and his rival, not re¬ 
 garding Rome, which he knew would fall of course to 
 the conqueror. 
 
 Corfin'ium * was the first city that attempted to stop 
 
 * Now San Ferino. 
 
 8 
 
184 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 the rapidity of his march. It was defended by Domi"tius, 
 who had been appointed by the senate to succeed him in 
 Gaul. Caesar quickly invested it; and though Domi"tius 
 sent frequently to Pompey, exhorting him to come and 
 raise the siege, he was at last obliged to endeavour to 
 escape privately. 14. His intentions being divulged, the 
 garrison resolved to consult their own safety by delivering 
 him up to the besiegers *. Caesar readily accepted their 
 offers, but kept his men from immediately entering the 
 town. 15. After some time, Len'tulus the consul, who 
 was one of the besieged, came out to implore forgive¬ 
 ness for himself and the rest of his confederates, putting 
 Caesar in mind of their ancient friendship, and acknow. 
 
 1 edging the many favours he had received at his hands. 
 16. To this, Cmsar, who would not wait the conclusion 
 of his speech, generously replied, that he came into Italy 
 not to injure the liberties of Rome and its citizens, but 
 to restore them. 17. This humane reply being quickly- 
 carried into the city, the senators and the knights, with 
 their children, and some officers of the garrison, came out 
 to claim the conqueror’s protection, who just glancing 
 at their ingratitude, gave them their liberty, with per¬ 
 mission to go wheresoever they should think proper. 
 18. But while he dismissed the leaders, he took care 
 upon this, as upon all other occasions, to attach the 
 common soldiers to his interest, sensible that he might 
 stand in need of the. army; but that while he lived, the 
 army could never stand in need of a commander. 
 
 If). Pompey, who was unable to continue in Rome, 
 having intelligence of what had passed upon this occasion. 
 
 Domi has fearing the resentment of the conqueror, order¬ 
 ed one of Ins slaves, who acted as his physician, to give him a 
 dose of poison. On experiencing the clemency of Ciesar, he 
 regretted Ins rashness, but was relieved from his uneasiness by 
 the confession of the slave, that he had merely given bim a 
 sleeping draught. (Plutarch.) 
 
185 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 retreated to Brundusium*, where he resolved to stand a 
 siege, in order to retard the enemy, until the forces of 
 the empire should be united to oppose him. 20. His aim 
 in this succeeded to his wish ; and after having employed 
 Cffisar for some time in a fruitless siege, he privately car¬ 
 ried his forces over to Dyrrach'ium f, where the consul 
 had levied a body of troops for his assistance. 21. How¬ 
 ever, though he made good his escape, he was compelled 
 to leave all Italy at the mercy of his rival, without a town 
 or an army that had strength to oppose his progress. 
 
 22. Caesar, who could not follow Pompey for want of 
 shipping, went back to Rome to take possession of the 
 public treasures, which his opponent, by a most unac¬ 
 countable oversight, had neglected to take with him. 
 
 23. Upon his coming up to the door of the treasury, Me- 
 tel'lus, the tribune who guarded it, refused to let him 
 pass; but Caesar, with emotion, laying his hand upon his 
 sword, threatened to strike him dead: “ Know, young 
 man/' cried he, " it is easier to do this than say it.” 
 This menace had its effect; Metel'lus retired, and Caesar 
 took out of the treasury three hundred thousand pounds 
 weight of gold, and an immense quantity of silver. 
 
 24. Having thus provided for continuing the war, he 
 departed from Rome, resolved to subdue Pompey’s lieu¬ 
 tenants, Afra'nius and Petrei'us, who had been long in 
 Spain at the head of a veteran army, which had ever been 
 victorious. 25. Caesar, however, who knew the abilities 
 of its present commanders, jocosely said, as he was pre¬ 
 paring to march, “ I am going to fight an army without 
 
 ♦ A town of Cala'bria, with an excellent harbour. (Stra'bo.) 
 It is now called Brin'disa. 
 
 f Dyrrach'ium, a town on the coast of Illyr'icum, originally 
 called Epidam'num; but being an inauspicious name, it was 
 changed by the Romans to Dyrrach'ium. (Pliny.)—The port of 
 this town answered to that of Brundu'sium, and the passage be¬ 
 tween both was very ready and expeditious. It was a place of 
 great trade. The people were first called Epidam'nii—[^E'lian 
 —afterwards Dyrrachi'ni.] (Ci"cero, Liv'y.) 
 
186 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 a general, and return to fight a general without an 
 army.” 
 
 26. The first conflict which he had with Afra'nius and 
 Petrei'us was rather unfavourable It was fought near the 
 city of Iierda*, and both sides claimed the honour of the 
 victory. But, by various stratagems, he reduced them at 
 last to such extremity of hunger and droughty that they 
 were obliged to yield at discretion. 27. Clemency was 
 his favourite virtue; he dismissed them all with the kindest 
 professions, and sent them home to Rome loaded with 
 shame, and with obligations to publish his virtues, and 
 confirm the affections of his adherents. 28. Thus in 
 the space of about forty days he became master of 
 Spain, and returned again victorious to Rome. The 
 citizens upon this occasion received him with fresh de¬ 
 monstrations of joy, and created him dictator and con¬ 
 sul. But the first of these offices he laid down when he 
 had held it eleven days. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 !. Did these hostile proceedings of the senate give Caesar 
 great uneasiness? 
 
 2. D:d he accomplish his journey in safety? 
 
 3. What rendered this little river of consequence? 
 
 4. 1 >id Caesar pass it without hesitation ? 
 
 5 How did he determine? 
 
 6. What effect was produced at Rome by this enterprise ? 
 
 7. How was Pompey affected by it ? 
 
 8. What taunting expressions were used on the occasion ? 
 y. What was Pompey’s conduct in reply ? 
 
 10. How did he represent the state of affairs ? 
 
 11. What was the consequence of this statement ? 
 
 12. Iiow was Caesar employed in the mean while? 
 
 13. What city first arrested his progress ? 
 
 14. Did he succeed in his endeavour ? 
 
 15. What attempt was made to incline Caesar to mercy? 
 
 * Now Lerida, in Catalonia. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 187 
 
 18. What was Caesar’s reply ? 
 
 17. What was the consequence of this reply? 
 
 18. Did he dismiss the soldiers likewise? 
 
 19. Whither did Pompey retreat, and with what view? 
 
 20. Did he succeed in his aims ? 
 
 21. What was the consequence of his retreat? 
 
 22. Did Caesar follow Pompey ? 
 
 23. Was he opposed in this attempt? 
 
 24. What was his next enterprise? 
 
 25. What was Caesar’s opinion of these commanders? 
 
 26. Were they easily conquered ? 
 
 27. What use did he make of his victory ? 
 
 28. What was the duration of this campaign, and what were 
 
 its consequences? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 2. Effective, a. fit for service, complete. 
 
 3. Equivalent, a. equal in value. 
 
 5. O'verture, s. proposal, offer. 
 
 6. Ammunition, s. military stores. 
 
 Deposited, part, laid up. 
 
 12. Intrench, v. to fortify by digging a ditch or trench. 
 
 13. Redoubts, s. the outw orks of a fortification, fortresses. 
 
 14. An'noy, v. to injure. 
 
 16. Indefatigable, a. unwearied. 
 
 18. Reit'erated, part, repeated. 
 
 20. Precipitation, s headlong haste. 
 
 21. Ambusca'de, s. a private station in which men lie to surprise 
 
 others. . ,. 
 
 22. Decisive, a. final, conclusive; that settles a matter in dis¬ 
 
 pute. 
 
 23. Scaling, part, mounting the wall. 
 
 1. While Caesar was thus employed, Pompey was 
 active in making preparations in Epirus* and Greece to 
 oppose him. 2. All the monarclis of the ii«ast had de- 
 
 * Epi'rus, a district of north Greece Proper, and constituting 
 part of what was called the Grecian Empire. The Romans re¬ 
 duced Epi'rus to a wilderness, because of the obstinate and fre¬ 
 quent revolts of the people. It was famous for its large breed of 
 cattle, (Homer, Virgil, and Ovid;) and also for its fertility. 
 (Homer.) 
 
188 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 dared in his favour, and sent very large supplies. He 
 was master of nine effective Italian legions, and had a 
 fleet of five hundred large ships, under the conduct of 
 Bib'ulus, an active and experienced commander. Added 
 to these, he was supplied with large sums of money, and 
 all the necessaries for an army, from the tributary pro¬ 
 vinces round him. 3. He had attacked Antony and Do- 
 Jabel'Ia, who commanded for Caesar in that part of the 
 empire, with such success, that the former was obliged 
 to fly, and the latter was taken prisoner. Crowds of the 
 most distinguished citizens and nobles from Rome came 
 every day to join him. He had at one time above two 
 hundred senators in his camp, among whom were Ci"cero 
 and Cato, whose approbation of his cause was equiva¬ 
 lent to an army. 
 
 4. Notwithstanding these preparations, Caesar shipped 
 off five of his twelve legions at Brundu'sium, and fortu¬ 
 nately steered through the midst of his enemies, timing 
 it so well, that he made his passage in one day. 5. Still, 
 however, convinced that the proper time for making pro¬ 
 posals for a peace was after gaining advantage, he sent 
 one Ru'fus, whom he had taken prisoner, to effect an ac¬ 
 commodation with Pompey, offering to refer all to the 
 senate and people of Rome; but Pompey once more re. 
 jected the overture , considering the people of Rome too 
 much in Caesar’s interest to be relied on. 
 
 6. Pompey had been raising supplies in Macedonia 
 when he was first informed of Caesar’s landing upon the 
 coast of Epi'rus : he now resolved immediately to march 
 to Dyrrach'ium, in order to cover that place from Caesar’s 
 attempts, as all his ammunition and provisions were de¬ 
 posited there. 7. The first place where both armies came 
 in sight of each other was on the opposite banks of the 
 river Apsus; and, as both were commanded by the two 
 greatest generals then in the world, the one renowned 
 for his conquest in the East, the other celebrated for his 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 180 
 
 victories over the Western parts of the empire, a battle 
 was eagerly desired by the soldiers on either side. 8. But 
 neither of the generals were willing to hazard it upon this 
 occasion: Pompey could not rely upon his new levies ; 
 and Caesar would not venture an engagement till he was 
 joined by the rest of his forces. 
 
 9. Caesar had waited some time with extreme impati¬ 
 ence for the coming up of the remainder of his army; 
 and even ventured alone in an open fishing-boat to hasten 
 its arrival, but he was driven back by a storm *. 13. 
 
 However, his disappointment was soon relieved, by an 
 information of the landing of the troops at Apollo'niaf ; 
 he therefore decamped in order to meet them ; and to 
 prevent Pompey, with his army, from engaging them on 
 their march, as he lay on that side of the river where 
 the succours had been obliged to come on shore, 
 
 11. Pompey being compelled to retreat, led his forces 
 to Aspara'gium where he was sure of being supplied 
 with every thing necessary for his army, by the numerous 
 fleets which he employed along the coasts of Epi'rus : 
 there he pitched his camp upon a tongue of land (as ma¬ 
 riners express it) that jutted into the sea, where also was 
 a small shelter for his ships. 12. In this place, being 
 most advantageously situated, he began immediately to 
 intrench his camp; which Caesar perceiving, and finding 
 that he was not likely soon to quit so advantageous a post, 
 began also to intrench behind him. 13. As all beyond 
 Pompey’s camp, towards the land side was hilly and 
 
 * It was on this occasion that he encouraged the master of 
 the vessel, to whom he had not before made himself known, with 
 these memorable words, “ Fear nothing, for thou carriest Caesar 
 and all his fortunes.” 
 
 f There were no less than fifteen towns of this name, but the 
 one here mentioned was situated on the Adriatic, on the coast 
 of Illyr'ium. It was famous for its learning. Its inhabitants were 
 called Apollo'niates. (Ci"cero, Li'vy, Cae sar.) It was here that 
 Augustus was sent by his great uncle Caesar, for his education. 
 
 x A small town and citadel in Greek Illyr'icum, not far from 
 Apollo'nia. (Caesar.,) 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 190 
 
 steep, Caesar built redoubts upon the hills, stretching 
 from shore to shore ; and then caused lines of communi¬ 
 cation to be drawn from hill to hill, by which he blocked 
 up the camp of the enemy *. 14. He hoped by this 
 
 blockade to force his opponent to a battle, which he ar¬ 
 dently desired, and which the other with equal industry 
 declined. Thus both sides continued for some time em¬ 
 ployed in designs and stratagems, the one to annoy aud 
 the other to defend. 15. Caesars men daily carried on 
 their works to straiten the enemy; those of Pompey, 
 having the advantage of numbers, did the same to en¬ 
 large themselves, and severely galled the enemy by their 
 slingers and archers. 16. Caesar, however, was indefa¬ 
 tigable; he caused blinds or mantelets to be made of 
 skins of beasts, to cover his men while at work ; he cut off 
 all the water that supplied the enemy’s camp, and the 
 forage from the horses; so that there remained no more 
 subsistence for them. 17. But Pompey at last resolved to 
 break through his lines, and gain some other part of the 
 country more convenient for encampment. Accordingly, 
 having informed himself of the condition of Caesar’s forti- 
 ffcations from some deserters who came over to him, he 
 ordered the light infantry and archers on board his ships, 
 to attack Csesar’s entrenchments by sea, where they were 
 least defended. 18. This was done with such effect, that 
 though Ctesar and his officers used their utmost endea¬ 
 vours to hinder Pompey’s designs, yet by means of rei¬ 
 terated attempts, he at last effected his purpose of ex¬ 
 tricating his army from its present camp, and of encamp¬ 
 ing in another place by the sea, where he had the con¬ 
 venience both of forage and shipping. 19. Caisar being 
 thus frustrated in his views of blocking up the enemy, 
 and perceiving the loss he had sustained, resolved at last 
 to force Pompey to a battle, though upon disadvantage- 
 
 * These lines extended upwards of eighteen miles. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 191 
 
 ous terms. 20. The engagement began by attempting to 
 cut off a legion which was posted in a wood ; and this 
 brought on a general battle. The conflict was for some 
 time carried on with great ardour, and with equal for¬ 
 tune ; but Caesar’s army being entangled in the entrench¬ 
 ments of the old camps lately abandoned, began to fall 
 into disorder; upon which Pompey pressing his advan¬ 
 tage, they at last fled with precipitation. Great num¬ 
 bers perished in the trenches and on the banks of the 
 river, or were pressed to death by their fellows. 21. 
 Pompey pursued his success to the very camp of Caesar; 
 but either from surprise, under the suddenness of his 
 victory, or fearful of an ambuscade , he withdrew his 
 troops into his own camp, and thus lost an opportunity 
 of completing his victory. 
 
 22. After this defeat, which w as by no means decisive , 
 Caesar marched, with all his forces united into one body, 
 directly to Gom'phi, a town in the province of Thes'saly. 
 But the news of his defeat at Dyrra'chium had reached 
 this place before him; the inhabitants therefore, who had 
 before promised him obedience,now changed their minds; 
 and, with a degree of baseness equal to their imprudence, 
 shut their gates against him. 23. Caesar was not to be 
 injured with impunity. Having represented to his soldiers 
 the great advantage of forcing a place so very rich, he 
 ordered the scaling ladders to be got ready : and causing 
 an assault to be made, proceeded with su-ch vigour, that 
 notwithstanding the height of the walls, the town was taken 
 in a few hours. 24. Caesar left it to be plundered, and, 
 without delaying his march, went forward to Metropolis, 
 another town of the same province, which yielded at his 
 approach. By this means he soon became possessed of all 
 Thes'saly, except Laris'sa*, which was garrisoned by 
 Scip'io, with his legion, who commanded for Pompey. 
 
 * This city still exists, and bears the same name. 
 
1<)2 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 25. During this interval, Pompey’s officers continually 
 soliciting their commander to come to a battle, he, at 
 length, resolved to renounce his own judgment, in com¬ 
 pliance with those about him ; and gave up all schemes 
 of prudence for those dictated by avarice and passion. 
 
 26. Advancing, therefore, into Thes'saly, within a tew 
 days after the taking of Gom'phi, he drew down upon 
 the plains of Pharsa'lia, where he was joined by Scipio, 
 his lieutenant and the troops under his command. There, 
 waiting the coming up of Czesar, he resolved upon en¬ 
 gaging ; and by a single battle to decide the late of 
 kingdoms. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1 . How was Pompey engaged at this time? 
 
 2 . What advantages did he possess? 
 
 3 * What farther contributed to give him hopes of success ? 
 
 4 ! Was Caesar discouraged by these formidable prepara¬ 
 tions ? 
 
 5 . Was he resolutely bent on hostilities ? 
 
 6 . What was Pompey’s first measure ? 
 
 7 . Where did the armies first come in sight of each other? 
 
 8 ; Was an immediate engagement the consequence ? 
 
 9 . Was this junction soon effected? 
 
 10. What was the consequence ? 
 
 11 . What was Pompey’s next measure? 
 
 12 . Did he remain long in this place ? 
 
 13. What means did Caesar adopt to distress the enemy ? 
 
 14. What did he promise himself from this measure ? 
 
 15. How were both armies employed? 
 
 16. What was the conduct of Caesar on the occasion? 
 
 17. How did Pompey frustrate his designs ? 
 
 18. Was he successful in his attempts? 
 
 19. What was Caesar's resolution on the occasion? 
 
 20 . By what means did he effect this? 
 
 21. Did Pompey make the most of his victory ? 
 
 22. Whither did Caesar betake himself, and what was the 
 
 consequence of his defeat? 
 
 23. Did he quietly submit to this insult? 
 
 24. What revenge did he take ? 
 
 25. How did Pompey act on this occasion? 
 
 26. Where was this great contest about to be decided ? 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 193 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 7. Struck, v. taken down. 
 
 13. Re'cent, a. late, not long passed. 
 
 Detestation, s. abhorrence, 
 
 14. Serenity,*, calmness,placidity. 
 
 15. Invin'cible, a. not to be conquered. 
 
 18. Reinforcement,*, an accession of strength. 
 
 Co'horts, s. troops of soldiers, each containing about hve 
 hundred men. 
 
 23. Auxiliaries, *. helpers, assistants. 
 
 1. Cjesar had employed all his art for some time in 
 sounding the inclinations of his men j and finding his 
 army once more resolute and vigorous, he advanced to¬ 
 wards the plains of Pharsalia, where Pompey was en¬ 
 camped. 
 
 2. The approach of two armies, composed of the best 
 and bravest troops in the world, together with the great¬ 
 ness of the prize for which they contended, filled every 
 mind with anxiety, though with different expectations. 
 
 3. Pompey’s army, being most numerous, turned all their 
 thoughts to the enjoyment of the victory *; Caesar's con¬ 
 sidered only the means of obtaining it: Pompey’s army 
 depended upon their numbers, and their many generals; 
 Caesar’s upon their discipline, and the conduct of their 
 single commander. 4. Pompey’s partisans hoped much 
 from the justice of their cause ; Caesar's alleged the fre¬ 
 quent proposals which they had made for peace without 
 effect. Thus the views, hopes, and motives of both, seemed 
 different, whilst their hatred and ambition were the same. 
 5. Caesar, who was ever foremost in offering battle, led 
 out his army to meet the enemy ; but Pompey either sus- 
 
 » So confident were they of success, that Domi tius, Spin tber 
 and Scip io, contended which should succeed Caesar as Pontilex 
 Maximus; others sent to Rome to hire such houses as were 
 suitable to the offices they expected to enjoy after the victory. 
 (Appian, Plutarch.) 
 
 K 
 
194 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pecting his troops, or dreading the event, kept his advan¬ 
 tageous situation, at the foot of the hill near which he was 
 posted. 6. Caesar unwilling to attack him at a disadvan¬ 
 tage, resolved to decamp the next day, hoping to weary 
 out his antagonist, who was not a match for him in sus¬ 
 taining the fatigues of duty. 7. Accordingly the order 
 for marching was given, and the tents struck , when word 
 was brought him, that Pompey’s army had now quitted 
 their intrenehments, and advanced farther into the plain 
 than usual; so that he might engage them at less disad¬ 
 vantage *. 8. Upon this he caused his troops to halt, 
 
 and with a countenance of joy, informed them that the 
 happy time was at last come, which they had so long 
 wished for, and which was to crown their glory, and ter¬ 
 minate their fatigues. He then drew up his troops in 
 order, and advanced towards the place of battle. 9. His 
 forces did not amount to above half those of Pompey; 
 the army of the one was about forty-five thousand foot, 
 and seven thousand horse ; that of the other not exceed¬ 
 ing twenty-two thousand foot, and about a thousand 
 horse. 10. This disproportion, particularly in the ca-* 
 valry, had filled Caesar with apprehensions; he therefore 
 had some days before picked out the strongest and nim¬ 
 blest of his toot-soldiers, and accustomed: them to fight 
 between the ranks of his cavalry. By their assistance, 
 his thousand horse w as a match for Pompey’s seven thou¬ 
 sand, and had actually got the better in a skirmish that 
 happened between them some days before. 
 
 11. Pompey, on the other hand, had a strong expecta¬ 
 tion of success; he boasted that he could put Caesar’s 
 legions to flight, without striking a single blow'; pre¬ 
 suming that as soon as the armies formed, his cavalry, on 
 which he placed his greatest expectation, would out-flank 
 and surround the enemy. In this disposition Pompey led 
 
 * Pompey was, in some measure, compelled to hazard a battle, 
 contrary to his judgment, by the ardour of his troops. 
 
195 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 
 
 his troops to battle. 12. As the armies approached, the 
 two generals went from rank to rank encouraging their 
 men, exciting their hopes, and lessening their apprehen¬ 
 sions. 13. Pompey represented to his men that the glorious 
 occasion which they had long besought him to grant was 
 now before them. “ What advantages,” said he, “ could 
 you wish, that you are not now possessed of? Your num¬ 
 bers, your vigour, a late victory, all assure us of a speedy 
 and an easy conquest of those harassed and broken troops, 
 composed of men worn out with age, and impressed with 
 the terrors of a rectnt defeat; but there is still a stronger 
 bulwark for our protection than the superiority of our 
 strength ; and that is, the justice of our cause. You are 
 engaged in the defence of liberty and of your country; 
 you are supported by its laws, and followed by its ma¬ 
 gistrates ; the world are spectators of your conduct, and 
 wish you success: on the contrary, he whom you oppose 
 is a robber, an oppressor of his country, already nearly 
 sunk with the consciousness of his crimes, as well as the 
 ill success of his arms. Shew then on this occasion all 
 that ardour and detestation of tyranny which should ani¬ 
 mate Romans, and do justice to mankind.” 
 
 14. Caesar, on his part, went among his men with that 
 steady serenity for which he was so much admired in the 
 midst of danger. He insisted on nothing so strongly, as 
 his frequent and unsuccessful endeavours for peace. He 
 spoke with terror of the blood he was about to shed, and 
 pleaded the necessity that urged him to it. He deplored 
 the many brave men that were to fall on both sides, and 
 the wounds of his country, whoever might be victorious. 
 15. His soldiers answered only with looks of ardour and 
 impatience. He gave the signal to begin. The word on 
 Pompey’s side was, “ Her'cules the Invincible: that on 
 Cesar’s, “ Ve'nus the Victorious.” 16. There was no 
 more space between both armies than to give room for the 
 charge; Pompey therefore ordered his men to receive the 
 K 2 
 
196 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 first shock without moving from their places, expecting 
 the enemies ranks to be put into disorder. Caesar's sol¬ 
 diers were now rushing on with their usual impetuosity, 
 when perceiving the enemy motionless, they all stopt 
 short, as if by general consent, and halted in the midst of 
 their career. 17. A terrible pause ensued, in which both 
 armies continued to gaze upon each other with mutual 
 terror and dreadful serenity. At length, Caesar's men 
 having taken breath, ran furiously upon the enemy, first 
 discharging their javelins, and then drawing their swords. 
 The same method was observed by Pompey’s troops, who 
 as firmly sustained the attack. His cavalry also were 
 ordered to charge at the very onset: which with the mul¬ 
 titude of archers and slingers, soon obliged Caesar’s men 
 to give ground. 18, Caesar instantly ordered the six co¬ 
 horts, that were placed as a reinforcement , to advance, 
 and to strike at the enemy’s faces. 19. This had its de¬ 
 sired effect: Pornpey’s cavalry, that were just before sure 
 of the victory, received an immediate check. The un¬ 
 usual method of fighting pursued by the cohorts, their 
 aiming entirely at the visages of the assailants, and the 
 horrible, disfiguring wounds they made, all contributed 
 to intimidate them so much, that instead of defending 
 their persons, they endeavoured only to save tlieir faces*. 
 20. A total rout ensued ; they fled to the neighbouring 
 mountains, while the archers and slingers, who were thus 
 abandoned, were cut to pieces. 21. Caesar now com¬ 
 manded the cohorts to pursue their success, and charge 
 Pompey’s troops upon the flank : this charge the enemy 
 withstood for some time with great bravery, till Caesar 
 brought up his third line, which had not yet engaged. 
 22. Pompey’s infantry being thus doubly attacked, in 
 front by fresh troops, and in the rear by the victorious 
 cohorts, could no longer resist, but fled to their camp. 
 
 * Caesar calls the young patricians that composed Pompey’s 
 cavalry, pretty young dancers. 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 197 
 
 The flight began among the strangers. Pompey’s right 
 wing still valiantly maintained their ground. 23. Caesar, 
 however, convinced that the victory was certain, with hu 
 usual clemency cried out to pursue the strangers, but to 
 spare the Romans ; upon which they all laid down thetr 
 arms and received quarter. The greatest slaughter was 
 among the auxiliaries, who fled on all sides. 24. The 
 battle had now lasted from break of day till noon, and 
 the weather was extremely hot; nevertheless, the con¬ 
 querors remitted not their ardour, being encouraged by the 
 example of a general, who thought his victory incomplete 
 till he should become master of the enemy’s camp. Ac¬ 
 cordingly, marching on foot at their head, he called upon 
 them to follow and strike the decisive blow. 25. The 
 cohorts which were left to defend the camp, for some time, 
 made a formidable resistance; particularly a great num¬ 
 ber of Thra'cians and other barbarians, who were ap¬ 
 pointed for that purpose; but nothing could resist the 
 ardour of Caesar’s victorious army ; the enemy were at 
 last driven from the trenches, and compelled to fly to the 
 mountains. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Was Caesar equally desirous of engaging? 
 
 а. What effect had this approaching eveut on the minds ot 
 
 men? , 7 
 
 3. What were the respective advantages or each army - 
 
 4. On what did they principally build their hopes? 
 
 5. Who was the first to offer battle ? 
 
 б. How did Caesar act on this occasion ? 
 
 What followed ? , . . 
 
 jf What effect had this intelligence on Caesar s plan . 
 
 Were the armies nearly equal ? 
 
 |A What was done to remedy this disproportion ? 
 
 \ i . What were Pompey’s expectations and boasts? 
 
 Pi. What was the conduct of the generals? 
 
 13. Repeat Pompey’s address to his troops. 
 
 14. How did C*esar encourage his men? 
 
 15. What effect had this speech, and what was the word on 
 
 both sides ? 
 
 K 3 
 
198 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 16. In what manner did the attack commence? 
 
 17. Describe the progress of the battle. 
 
 18. By what means did Caesar prevent a defeat ? 
 
 19. Was this measure successful? 
 
 20. What was the consequence? 
 
 21. What were Caesar's farther commands? 
 
 22. What followed? 
 
 23. What use did Caesar make of his victory ? 
 
 24. Did not fatigue abate the ardour of Caesar's troops? 
 
 25. Did they attempt to defend their camp ? 
 
 SECT. Y. 
 
 2. Ban'quet, s. a feast. 
 
 4. Untenable, a. not to be defended or kept. 
 
 5. Intercepted, v. cut off. 
 
 6. Incessant, a. unceasing. 
 
 9. Neutral, a. indifferent, not engaged on either side. 
 
 19. Mi'nor, s. a person under age. 
 
 20. Insidiously, ad. craftily, deceitfully. 
 
 23. Contemptuous, a. scornful, proud, insolent. 
 
 25. Inevitable, a. not to be escaped. 
 
 27. Embalm'ed, part, preserved with spices, &c. 
 
 30. Rites, s. religious ceremonies. 
 
 1. Cjesar, seeing the field and camp strewed with his 
 fallen countrymen, was strongly affected at the melancholy 
 prospect, and cried out to one that stood near him, “ They 
 would have it so.” 2. In the camp, every object presented 
 fresh instances of the blind presumption and madness of 
 his adversaries. On all sides were to be seen tents adorned 
 with ivy and myrtle, couches covered with purple, and 
 side-boards loaded with plate. Every thing gave proofs 
 of the highest luxury, and seemed rather the preparatives 
 for a banquet, or the rejoicings for a victory, than dispo¬ 
 sitions for a battle. 3. A camp so richly furnished, would 
 have engaged the attention of any troops but Caesar^ 
 but there was still something to be done, and he per¬ 
 mitted them not to pursue any other object than theit 
 enemies. 4. A considerable body having retired to the 
 adjacent mountains, he prevailed on his soldiers to join 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 190 
 
 him in the pursuit, in order to oblige these to surrender 
 He began by inclosing them with a line drawn at the foot 
 
 of the mountain; but they quickly abandoned a post which 
 was untenable for want of water, and endeavoured to reach 
 the city of Laris'sa. 5. Caesar leading a part of his army 
 by a shorter way, intercepted their retreat. However 
 these unhappy fugitives again found protection from a 
 mountain, at the foot of which ran a rivulet that supplied 
 them with water. 0. Night approaching, Caesars men 
 were almost spent, and fainting with their incessant toil 
 since morning; yet still he prevailed upon them to lenew 
 their labours, and cut off the rivulet that supplied 
 defendants. 7. The fugitives thus deprived of all hopes 
 of succour or subsistence, sent deputies to the conqueror, 
 offering to surrender at discretion. During this interval 
 of negociation, a few senators that were among them, took 
 the advantage of the night to escape, and the rest, next 
 morning, gave up their arms, and experienced the con¬ 
 queror's clemency. Iu fact, he addressed them with great 
 gentleness, and forbade the soldiers to offer violence or 
 to take any thing from them. 8. Thus Cmsar gamed the 
 most complete victory that had ever been obtained; and 
 by his great clemency after the battle, seemed to have 
 deserved it. His loss amounted only to two hundred men; 
 that of Pompey to fifteen thousand ; twenty-four thousand 
 men surrendered themselves prisoners of war, and the 
 greatest part of these entered into Caesar’s army, and were 
 incorporated with the rest of his forces. 9. To the senators 
 and Roman knights, who fell into his hands he generously 
 gave liberty to retire wherever they thought proper . am 
 as for the letters which Pompey had received from those 
 who wished to be thought neutral, Caesar burnt them 
 without reading, as Pompey had done on a former occa¬ 
 sion 10. Thus having performed all the duties of a ge¬ 
 neral and a statesman, he sent for the legions which had 
 passed the night in camp, to relieve those which had ac- 
 K 4 
 
200 
 
 history of the 
 
 companied him in the pursuit, and arrived the same day 
 at Laris'sa. 
 
 11. As for Pompey, who had formerly shewn such in¬ 
 stances of courage and conduct, when he saw his cavalry 
 routed, on which he had placed his sole dependance, he 
 absolutely lost his reason. 12. Instead of thinking how to 
 remedy this disorder by rallying such troops as fled, or bv 
 opposing fresh troops to stop the progress of the con¬ 
 queror, being totally amazed by this first blow, he re¬ 
 turned to the camp, and in his tent waited the issue of an 
 event, which it was his duty to have directed, not to fol¬ 
 low; there he remained for some moments speechless, 
 till being told that the camp was attacked, “ What,” says 
 he, “ are we pursued to our very intreuchments i" when, 
 immediately quitting his armour for a habit more suited 
 to Ins circumstances, he fled on horseback to Laris'sa ; 
 thence, perceiving that he was not pursued, he slackened 
 his pace, giving way to all the agonizing reflections which 
 liis deplorable situation must naturally suggest. 13. In 
 this melancholy manner he passed along the vale of 
 Tempe *, and pursuing the course of the river Pe'neus, 
 at last arrived at a fisherman’s hut; here he passed the 
 night, and then went on board a little bark; keeping 
 along the sea-shore, till he descried a ship of some bur¬ 
 then, which seemed preparing to sail. In this he em¬ 
 barked; the master of the vessel still paying him that 
 homage which was due to his former station. 
 
 14. From the mouth of the river Pe'neus he sailed to 
 Amphip'olis f, where finding his affairs desperate he 
 steered to Lesbos J, to take with him his wife Corne'lia 
 whom he had left there, at a distance from the dangers 
 and distre s ses of wa r. 15. She, who had long flattered 
 
 A pleasant valley in Thes'saly. 
 t j n ancient city of Macedonia, now called Chisop'oli. 
 ito fertilif?’ ° x G S2?. CC ? Y 1 the Archipel'ago, famous for 
 
201 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF ROME, 
 herself with the hopes of victory, now felt the agonizing 
 reverse of fortune : she was desired by the messenger, 
 whose tears more than his words proclaimed her un¬ 
 speakable misfortunes, to hasten away if she expected to 
 see Pompey, who had but one ship, and even that not his 
 own. 16. Her grief, whifch before was violent, became 
 now insupportable; she fainted, and lay without signs of 
 life. At length recovering, and reflecting that it was no 
 time for vain lamentations, she fled through the city to 
 the sea-side. 
 
 17. Pompey received and embraced her, and in silent 
 despair supported her in his arms. “ Alas!” said Cor¬ 
 nelia, “ you who, before our marriage, appeared in these 
 seas as the commander of five hundred sail, are now re¬ 
 duced to make your escape in a single vessel. Why come 
 you in search of an unfortunate woman l Why was I not 
 left to a fate whigh now you are under the necessity ot 
 sharing with me? Happy for me had I executed, long 
 since, my design of quitting this life! But fatally have 
 I been reserved to add to Pompey’s sorrows.” 
 
 18. Pompey instanced the uncertainty of all human 
 affairs, and endeavoured by every argument to give her 
 comfort; then, taking her under his protection, lie con¬ 
 tinued his course, stopping no longer than was necessary 
 for a supply of provisions, at the ports that occurred in 
 his passage. 19. He now determined upon applying to 
 Ptolemy king of Egypt, to whose father he had been a 
 considerable benefactor. Ptol'emy was yet a minor , and 
 had not the government in his own hands, hut was under 
 the direction of an administration. 20. His council insi¬ 
 diously contrived that Pompey should he invited on shore, 
 and murdered before he should come into the king s pre¬ 
 sence*. Achillas, commander of the forces, and Sep- 
 
 * This was by the advice of Theod'otus, preceptor to the 
 young king. “ If we receive him,” said he, “ we shall make 
 Caesar our enemy, and Pompey our master; if we dismiss him, 
 
 K 5 
 
202 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tim'ius, a Roman, who had formerly been a centurion in 
 Pompey s army, undertook to carry the treacherous de- 
 sign into execution, Attended by three or four more, 
 they put off in a little bark, and rowed to Pompey’s ship, 
 that lay about a mile from the shore. 
 
 21. Pompey now took leave of Corne lia, repeating to 
 her a verse of Soph'ocles, signifying, that “he who trusts 
 his freedom to a tyrant, from that moment becomes a 
 slave.” He then gave his hand to Achil'las, and, with 
 only two of his own attendants, stepped into the bark. 
 22. The frantic Corne'lia hung over the side of the deck, 
 w eeping and exclaiming against his separation from her, 
 (< Alas!” said she, “ whither art thou going]” 
 
 He spoke ; but she, unmov’d at his commands, 
 
 Thus loud exclaiming, stretch’d her eager hands ; 
 
 Whither, inhuman ! whither art thou gone ? 
 
 Still must I weep our common griefs alone ? 
 
 Rowe’s Luc ax. 
 
 in wild astonishment followed him with her eyes, and 
 uttering to tie winds her fruitless lamentations. 
 
 2:3. The mariners, regardless of her sorrows, rowed 
 towards land, without a w'ord passing among them, till 
 Pompey, by way of breaking silence, looking at Sep- 
 tim'ius, whose face he recollected, “ Methinks, friend,” 
 said he, “ you once served under me.” Septim'ius notic¬ 
 ing these words only by a contemptuous nod of the head, 
 Pompey betook himself to a paper, on which he had mi¬ 
 nuted a speech intended to be made to the king, and began 
 reading it. In this manner they approached the shore; 
 whilst Corne'lia, whose insufferable sorrow had never let 
 her lose sight of her husband, began to conceive hopes, 
 perceiving that the people on the strand crowded down 
 along the coast as if eager to receive him. 24. Alas ! 
 these hopes were soon destroyed. At the instant that 
 
 wc render ourselves obnoxious to Pompey by our inhospitalitv, 
 and to Caesar for letting him escape,” 
 
COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 203 
 
 Pompey rose, supporting himself upon his freedmans 
 arm, Septimius stabbed him in the back, and Achillas 
 instantly seconded the blow. Pompey perceiving his 
 death inevitable, calmly disposed himself to meet it with 
 decency; and covering his face with his robe, without a 
 word resigned himself to his fate. 26. At this horrid 
 sight, Corne'lia and her attendants shrieked, so as to be 
 heard to the very shore. But the danger they were in, 
 allowing no time to look on, they immediately set sail, 
 and the wind proving favourable, fortunately escaped the 
 pursuit of the Egyptian galleys. 27. In the mean time, 
 Pompey’s murderers, having taken off his head, embalmed 
 it for a present to Cmsar: whilst the body was thrown 
 naked on the strand, and exposed to the view of those 
 whose curiosity was to be satisfied. 28. But his faithful 
 freedman Philip still kept near it; and when the crowd 
 dispersed, he washed it in the sea, and looking round foi 
 materials to burn it, perceived the wrecks of a fishing- 
 boat, of which he composed a pile. 29. While he was 
 thus piously employed, he was accosted by an old Roman 
 soldier, who had served under Pompey in his youth. 
 “ Who art thou ?” said he, “ that art making these hum¬ 
 ble preparations for Pompey’s funeral? “ One of his 
 freedmen,” answered Philip. “ Alas,” replied the soldier, 
 “ permit me to share with you the honour of this sacred 
 action. Among all the miseries of my exile, it will be 
 my last sad comfort, that I have been able to assist at 
 the funeral of my old commander, and to touch Ihe body 
 of the bravest general that ever Rome produced. 
 
 30. Thus were the last rites performed to Pompey. 
 But his ashes (according to Plutarch) were carefully col¬ 
 lected, and carried to Corne'lia, who deposited them at his 
 villa near Alba *, in Italy. *31. We are told too that the 
 
 . * Generally called Alba Pom'peia. In the time of the Romans, 
 it was the chief city of Liguria. The town still retains the name 
 of Alba; but tlie province in which it is situated is called Mont- 
 
 K G 
 
204 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Egyptians afterwards erected a monument to him, on the 
 spot on which his funeral pile had been raised, with an 
 inscription to this purpose :—“ How poor a tomb covers 
 the man who once had temples erected to his honour V* 
 32. From Pompey’s death we date the extinction of the 
 republic. From this period the senate was dispossessed 
 of its power; and Rome henceforward was never without 
 a master. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. How was Caesar affected by the result of the battle ? 
 
 2. What appearance did Pompey's camp present? 
 
 5. Did Caesar's troops immediately begin to plunder? 
 
 4. What became of the fugitives? 
 
 5. Did they succeed in the attempt? 
 
 6. Were the labours of Caesar's soldiers now at an end? 
 
 7. What effect had this on the fugitives? 
 
 8. Was this victory of importance, and what was the loss on 
 
 both sides ? 
 
 9 In what manner did Caesar behave to the vanquished? 
 
 10. What followed? 
 
 11. W hat was the conduct of Pompey on this occasion ? 
 
 12. Mention your reasons for this assertion. 
 
 13. Proceed in relating farther particulars. 
 
 14. Whither did he next steer his course ? 
 
 15—1(3. What effect had the tidings on Cornelia? 
 
 17. Relate what passed at their interview. 
 
 18. How did Pompey attempt to comfort her? 
 
 19. What determination did he now form? 
 
 20. What was his intended reception? 
 
 21. Did Pompey fall into the snare? 
 
 22. Was his separation from his wife a painful one? 
 
 23. What passed in the boat? 
 
 24. Were Cornelia’s hopes well founded? 
 
 25. Did Pompey resist this treacherous attack ? 
 
 2(3. Was Cornelia a witness to this horrid transaction? 
 
 27. How was the body of Pompey treated ? 
 
 28. Had he no friend to perform the last offices for him ? 
 
 29. By whom was he assisted? 
 
 terrat. This town gave birth to the Emperor Per'tinax. There 
 were several other towns of the name of Alba. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 206 
 
 30. What became of his remains ? 
 
 31. What respect did the Egyptians afterwards pay to his 
 
 memory? 
 
 32. What was the face of affairs after Pompey’s death ? 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 From the Destruction of the Commonwealth , to the 
 Establishment of the first Emperor , Augustus .— 
 U C . 706 . 
 
 3. Inconsiderable, a. small, trifling-. 
 
 4. Grateful, a. agreeable, acceptable. 
 
 16. Interpreter, s. one who explains the speech of a foreigner. 
 
 17. Av'enues, s. entrances, ways. 
 
 20. Junction, s. a joining, meeting. 
 
 21. Pan'ic, s unfounded fright, violent fear. 
 
 22. Irreme'diable, a. not to be remedied. 
 
 Com'mentaries, s. Caesar’s history of his wars in Gaul. 
 
 23. Ineffectual, a. unsuccessful, useless. 
 
 28 Reprehend'ed, v. blamed, censured. 
 
 29. Depo'scd, v. deprived of his crown. 
 
 31. Patricide, s. the murder or murderer of a father. 
 
 1. Cjesar has been much celebrated for his good 
 fortune, but his abilities seem equal to the highest suc¬ 
 cess. He possessed shining qualities, tarnished by am¬ 
 bition only. His talents were such as would have ren¬ 
 dered him victorious at the head of any arhiy; and he 
 would have governed in any republic that had given him 
 birth. 2. Having now gained a most complete victory, 
 his success seemed only to increase his activity, and in¬ 
 spire him with fresh resolution to face new dangers. He 
 determined, therefore, to pursue his last advantage, and 
 follow Pompey to whatever country he had retired ; con¬ 
 vinced that, though he might gain new triumphs, he 
 should never enjoy security until his rival was in his 
 power. 
 
206 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 3. Accordingly, losing no. time, he set sail for Egypt, and 
 arrived at Alexandria * with about four thousand men : a 
 very inconsiderable force this to keep so powerful a king¬ 
 dom under subjection. 4. The first accounts he received 
 were of Pompey’s miserable end ; and soon after, one of 
 the murderers came with his head and his ring, as a most 
 grateful present to the conqueror. 5. But Caesar had too 
 much humanity to be pleased with so horrid a spectacle ; 
 with the sad remains of the man he once loved ; his part¬ 
 ner in power. He turned from it with disgust; and, 
 after a short pause, gave vent to his pity in a flood of 
 tears. He ordered the head to be burned with the most 
 costly perfumes, and placed the ashes in a temple, which 
 he built and dedicated to the goddess Nem'esis, the 
 avenger of cruel and inhuman deeds. 
 
 6. It should seem that the Egyptians by this time had 
 some hopes of breaking off all alliance with the Romans; 
 which they considered, as in fact it was, only another name 
 for subjection. They first took offence at Caesar s carrying 
 the ensigns of Roman power before him as he entered the 
 cityf. Photi'nus also treated him with great disrespect, 
 and even attempted his life. 7. Caesar, however, con¬ 
 cealed his resentment till he had a force sufficient to 
 punish his treachery ; sending therefore privately for the 
 legions which had been formerly enrolled for Pompey’s 
 service, as being the nearest to Egypt, he, in the mean 
 time, pretended to repose an entire confidence in the king’s 
 minister, making great entertainments, and assisting at 
 the conferences of the philosophers, who were numerous 
 at Alexandria. 8. However, he soon changed his man- 
 
 * This is the usual pronunciation, though Walker accents the 
 word Alexandria. 
 
 f The principal cause of quarrel was this : Ptol'emy Aule'tes 
 had engaged Caesar, during his iirst consulate, by a promise of 
 ten thousand talents, to get him acknowledged as a friend and 
 ally of the Roman republic $ part only ofthis sum had been paid, 
 and Caesar now exacted the remainder with great rigour. 
 
207 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 ner, when he found himself in no danger from the minis¬ 
 ter’s attempts; and declared, that being a Roman consul, 
 it was his duty to settle the succession of the Egyptian 
 crown. 
 
 9. There were at that time two pretenders to the crown 
 of Egypt; Ptoremy, the acknowledged king, and the 
 celebrated Cleopa'tra, his sister ; to whom, by the custom 
 of the country, he was married; and who, by his father’s 
 will, shared jointly in the succession. 10. Not contented 
 with the participation of power, Cleopa tra aimed at go¬ 
 verning alone ; but being opposed in her views by the 
 Roman senate, who confirmed her brother’s title to the 
 crown, she was banished into SyVia, with Arsin oe her 
 younger sister. 11. Caesar gave her new hopes of aspiring 
 to the kingdom, and sent both to her and her brother to 
 plead their cause before him. But Photi'nus, the young 
 king’s guardian, disdaining to accept this proposal, back¬ 
 ed his refusal by sending an army of twenty thousand 
 men to besiege him in Alexandria. 12. Caesar bravely 
 repulsed the enemy ; but finding the city of too great ex¬ 
 tent to be defended by so small an army as his, he retired 
 to the palace, which commanded the harbour, and there 
 purposed to make his stand. 13. Achillas, who com¬ 
 manded the Egyptians, attacked him with great vigour, 
 and aimed at making himself master of the fleet that lay 
 before the palace. 14. Caesar, however, too well knew 
 the importance of those ships in the hands of an enemy; 
 and therefore burnt them all, in spite of every effort to 
 prevent him. He next possessed himself of the isle of 
 Pha'ros, by which he was enabled to receive supplies; 
 and, in this situation, determined ta withstand the united 
 force of the Egyp tians *. 
 
 15. In the mean time, Cleopatra, having heard of the 
 present turn in her favour, resolved to depend on Cassar s 
 
 * In this contest the famous Alexandrian library, consisting, 
 it is said, of 700,000 volumes, was accidentally burnt. 
 
208 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 patronage for gaining the government, rather than on her 
 own forces. But no arts, as she justly conceived, were 
 so likely to influence Caesar as the charms of her person, 
 which were irresistible. 16. She was now in the blooni 
 of youth and beauty, while every feature borrowed grace 
 from the lively turn of her temper. To the most en¬ 
 chanting address she joined the most harmonious voice. 
 With all these accomplishments, she possessed a great 
 share of the learning of the times, and could give audi¬ 
 ence to the ambassadors of seven different nations with, 
 out an interpreter. 17. The difficulty was, how to gain 
 admission to Caesar, as her enemies were in possession of 
 all the avenues that led to the palace. For this purpose 
 she went on board a small vessel, and, in the evening, 
 landed near the palace; where, being wrapt up in a co¬ 
 verlet, she was carried as a bundle of clothes into the very 
 chamber of Caesar. 18. Her address instantly struck 
 him; her wit and understanding fanned the flame; but 
 her caresses, which were carried beyond the bounds of in¬ 
 nocence, entirely brought him over to second her claims. 
 
 19. While Cleopa'tra was thus employed in forw arding 
 her own views, her sister Arsin'oe was also strenuously 
 engaged in the camp, in pursuing a separate interest. 
 She had found means, by the assistance of one Gany¬ 
 mede, her confidant, to make a large division in the Egyp¬ 
 tian army in her favour; and, soon after, by one of those 
 sudden revolutions which are common in barbarian camps 
 to this day, she caused Achiflas to be murdered, and 
 Gan'ymede to take the command in his stead, and to 
 carry on the siege with greater vigour than before. 20. 
 Gan ymede’s principal effort was by letting in the sea 
 upon those canals which supplied the palace with fresh 
 water; but this inconvenience Caesar remedied by digging 
 a-great number of wells. His next endeavour was to 
 prevent the junction of Caesar’s twenty-fourth legion, 
 which he twice attempted in vain. He soon after made 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 209 
 
 himself master of a bridge which joined the Isle of Pha¬ 
 ros to the continent, from which post Caesar was resolved 
 to dislodge him. 21. In the heat of the action, some 
 mariners, partly through curiosity, and partly through 
 ambition, came and joined the combatants ; hut, being 
 seized with a panic , instantly fled, and spread a general 
 terror through the army. All Caesar's endeavours to rally 
 his forces were in vain, the confusion was past remedy, 
 and numbers were drowned or put to the sword in at¬ 
 tempting to escape. 22. Now, therefore, seeing the 
 irremediable disorder of his troops, he fled to a ship, in 
 order to get to the palace that was just opposite ; but he 
 was no sooner on board, than such crowds entered after 
 him, that, being apprehensive of the ship’s sinking, he 
 jumped into the sea, and swam two hundred paces to 
 the fleet which lay before the palace, all the time hold¬ 
 ing his Commentaries in his left hand above the water, 
 and his coat of mail in his teeth. 
 
 23. The Alexandrians, finding their efforts to take the 
 palace ineffectual , endeavoured, at least, to get their 
 king out of Caesar’s power, as he had seized upon his 
 person in the beginning of their disputes. For this pur¬ 
 pose they made use of their customary arts of dissimu¬ 
 lation, professing the utmost desire of peace, and only 
 wanting the presence of their lawful prince to give a 
 sanction to the treaty. 24. Caesar was sensible of their 
 perfidy, but concealed his suspicions, and gave them 
 their king, as he was under no apprehensions from the 
 abilities of a boy. Ptofemy, however, the instant he was 
 set at liberty, instead of promoting the peace, made 
 every effort to give vigour to his hostilities. 
 
 25. In this manner was Caesar hemmed in for some 
 time by an artful and insidious enemy, and surrounded 
 with almost insurmountable difficulties ; but he was at last 
 relieved from this mortifying situation by Mithrida'tes 
 Pergame'nus, one of his most faithful partisans, who came 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 with an army to his assistance. This general marched 
 into Egypt, took the city of Pelu'sium *, repulsed the 
 Egyptian army with loss ; and, at last, joining with 
 Caesar, attacked their camp with a great slaughter of 
 the Egyptians. Ptol'emy himself attempting to escape 
 on board a vessel, was drowned by the ship’s sinking. 
 26 . Caesar thus became master of all Egypt without any 
 farther opposition. He appointed Cleopatra, with her 
 younger brother, who was then an infant, joint governors, 
 according to the intent of their father’s will, and drove 
 out Arsin'oe, with Ganymede, to banishment. 
 
 27. Having thus given away kingdoms, he now, for a 
 while, seemed to relax from the usual activity of his con¬ 
 duct, being captivated with the charms of Cleopa tra. 
 Instead of quitting Egypt, to go and quell the remains of 
 Pompey’s party, he abandoned himself to his pleasures ; 
 passing whole nights in feasting, and in all the excesses 
 of high wrought luxury with the young queen. He even 
 resolved in attending her up the Nile, into Ethio'pia; but 
 the brave veterans who had long followed his fortune, 
 boldly reprehended his conduct, and refused to be part¬ 
 ners in so infamous an expedition. 20. Thus, at length 
 roused from his lethargy, he resolved to prefer the call 
 of ambition to that of love ; and to leave Cleopa'tra, (by 
 whom he had a son, whose name was Caesa'rio) in order 
 to oppose Pharna'ces, the king of Bos'phorus f, who had 
 made some inroads upon the dominions of Rome in the 
 East. 
 
 20. This prince, who had cruelly deposed his father, the 
 
 * Pelu'sium, a noble and strong city, was considered the key 
 to all Egypt; which, being taken, the rest of Egypt lay quite 
 open and exposed. (Strabo.) It was situated among marshes, 
 hence its name and strength. From its ruins arose Damiet'ta. 
 
 f The territories of Bos'phorus were partly in Europe, but 
 chiefly in A'sia. This kingdom was so called from two narrow 
 straits, situate at the confines of Europe and A'sia, now known 
 by the names of Caf'fa and Constantinople. The kingdom of 
 Bos'phorus is the same as Pon'tus. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 211 
 
 great Mithrida'tes, being ambitious of reconquering those 
 dominions, seized upon Armenia * and Col'chis +, and 
 overcame Domit'ius, who had been sent against him. 30. 
 Upon Caesar’s march to oppose him, Pharna'ces, who was 
 as much terrified at the name of the general as at the 
 strength of his army, laboured, by all the arts of nego- 
 ciation, to avert the impending danger. 31. Caesar, ex¬ 
 asperated at his crimes and ingratitude, at first dissem¬ 
 bled with the ambassadors; and using all expedition, 
 fell upon the enemy unexpectedly, and, in a few hours, 
 obtained an easy and complete victory. Pharna'ces at¬ 
 tempting to take refuge in his capital, was slain by one 
 of his own commanders—a just punishment for his 
 former parricide . Caesar achieved this conquest with 
 so much ease, that, in writing to a friend at Rome, he 
 expressed the rapidity of his victory in three words, 
 tc Veni, vidi, vici A man so accustomed to con¬ 
 quest, thought a slight battle scarcely worth a long letter. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What were the abilities and character of Caesar? 
 
 2. Did he rest satisfied with his present successes? 
 
 3. Whither did he steer his course ? 
 
 4. What occurred on his arrival ? 
 
 5. Was Caesar pleased with this spectacle? 
 
 6. What was the conduct of the Egyptians towards Caesar ? 
 
 7. Did Caesar resent this conduct? 
 
 8. Did he continue this appearance of confidence? 
 
 9. AVho were at this time the sovereigns of Egypt? 
 
 10. What rendered Caesar’s interference necessary ? 
 
 11. Was his interference agreeable to the Egyptians? 
 
 12. How did Caesar conduct himself on this occasion ? 
 
 13. Was the attack a formidable one? 
 
 * Arme'nia, an extensive country in A'sia, divided into two 
 parts ; namely, Major and Minor, (Greater and Less), 
 
 f Col'chis, a province of A'sia, on the east side of the Eux'ine 
 sea ; remarkable in history for the fable of the golden fleece, for 
 the Argonaut'ic expedition on that account- and for giving 
 birth to the enchantress Me'dea. 
 
 J I came, I saw, I conquered. 
 
212 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 14. How did Caesar prevent the designs of the enemy ? 
 
 15. What was the conduct of Cleopatra ? 
 
 16. What attractions did she possess? 
 
 17. What obstacles presented themselves, and how were 
 
 they overcome ? 
 
 18. Was Caesar captivated by her charms ? 
 
 19. What measures did Arsinoe pursue? 
 
 20. What attempts did the enemy make to annoy Caesar, 
 
 and how were they frustrated? 
 
 21. What unlucky accident occasioned the miscarriage of 
 
 Caesar’s design ? 
 
 22. How did Caesar escape ? 
 
 23. What did the Alexandrians next attempt ? 
 
 24. Hid Caesar comply with their wishes? 
 
 25. How was Caesar delivered from this dangerous situation ? 
 
 26. \V hat w r as the consequence of this victory? 
 
 27. Did Caesar pursue his career of victory? 
 
 28. V\ hat was the consequence of this boldness ? 
 
 29. W hat farther cause of offence had Pharnaces given? 
 
 30. Did Pharnaces boldly oppose the invader? 
 
 31. Did he succeed ? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 5. Ral'ly, v. to re-assemble, to collect again. 
 
 7. E'late, v. render proud, puff up. 
 
 Malig'nity, s. degrees of poison. 
 
 9. Percmp'tory, a. positive, resolute. 
 
 12. Abridged, v. shortened, curtailed. 
 
 15. Adula'tion, s. flattery. 
 
 16. Judicature, s. of judging, dispensing the laws. 
 Sumptuary, a. regulating the expences ofliving. 
 
 18. Protrac't, v. to lengthen. 
 
 20. Decliv'ity, s. descent. 
 
 23. Piracies, s. robberies at sea. 
 
 24. Avow'ed, v. open, declared. 
 
 Isth'mus, s. a narrow neck ofland. 
 
 25. Pon'dered, v. revolved in his mind. 
 
 1. Cjssar having settled affairs in this part of the em¬ 
 pire, embarked for Italy, where be arrived sooner than his 
 enemies could expect, but not before his presence there 
 was absolutely required. 2. During bis absence, he had 
 been created consul for five years, dictator for one year, 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 213 
 
 and tribune of the people for life. 3. But Antony, who 
 in the mean time governed for him in Rome, had filled 
 the city with riot and debauchery, and many commotions 
 ensued, which nothing but the arrival of Caesar could 
 appease. 4. By his moderation and humanity he soon 
 restored tranquillity to the city, scarcely making any dis¬ 
 tinction between those of his own and the opposite party. 
 5. Having, by gentle means, restored his authority at 
 home, he prepared to march into Africa, where Pompey’s 
 party had found time to rally under Scip'io and Ca to, 
 assisted by Juba, king of Murita nia; and, with his usual 
 diligence, landed with a small party in Africa, while the 
 rest of his army followed him. 6. Scip'io coming to a 
 battle soon after, received a complete and final over¬ 
 throw, with little or no loss on the side of the victor. 
 Ju'ba, and Petrei'us his general, killed each other in de¬ 
 spair. Scip'io, attemping to escape by sea into Spain, 
 fell in among the enemy, and was slain ; so that, of all 
 the generals of that undone party, Ca'to was now the 
 only one that remained. 
 
 7. This extraordinary man, whom prosperity could not 
 elate , nor misfortunes depress, having retired into Africa, 
 after the battle of Pharsa'lia, had led the wretched re¬ 
 mains of Pompey’s army through burning deserts, and 
 tracts infested with serpents of various malignity , and 
 was now in the city of Utica *, which he had been left to 
 defend. 8. In love, however, with the show of Roman 
 government, Ca'to had formed the principal citizens into 
 a senate, and conceived a resolution of holding out the 
 town. But the enthusiasm for liberty subsiding among 
 his followers, he was resolved no longer to force men to 
 
 * Utica, a town of Africa Proper, now the kingdom of Tunis. 
 After the destruction of Car'thage, it became the capital and 
 centre of all the Roman transactions in Africa. (Strabo.) It 
 was situated on the same bay with Carthage, near the present 
 Berserta. 
 
214 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 be free who seemed naturally prone to slavery. 9. He 
 now, therefore, desired some of his friends to save them¬ 
 selves by sea, and bade others submit to Caesar’s cle¬ 
 mency; observing, that, as to himself, lie was at last 
 victorious. After this, supping cheerfully among his 
 friends, he retired to his apartment, where he behaved 
 with unusual tenderness to his son, and to all his friends. 
 When he came into his bed-chamber, laying himself 
 down, he took up Plato’s Dialogue on the Immortality of 
 the Soul, and read for some time. Casting his eyes to the 
 head of his bed, he wondered much not to see his sword 
 there; which had been conveyed away by his son’s or¬ 
 der while they were at supper. Calling to one of his 
 domestics, to know what was become of it, and receiv¬ 
 ing no answer, he resumed his studies ; and some time 
 after asked again for the sword. When he had done 
 reading, and perceived that nobody obeyed him, he 
 called for his domestics one after the other, and with a 
 peremptory air again demanded the sword. 10. His son, 
 with tears, besought him to change his resolution ; but, 
 receiving a stern reprimand, desisted from his persuasions. 
 His sword being at length brought to him, he seemed 
 satisfied, and cried out, " Now again I am master of 
 myself.” He took up the book again, which having pe¬ 
 rused, he fell into a sound sleep. Upon awaking, he 
 called to one of his freedmen to know if his friends were 
 embarked, or if any thing yet remained that could be 
 done to serve them. The freedman, assuring him that 
 all was quiet, was ordered to leave the room. Ca'to no 
 sooner found himself alone, than, seizing his sword, he 
 stabbed himself below his chest. The blow not dis¬ 
 patching him, he fell from his bed, and overturned a 
 table, on which he had been drawing some geometrical 
 figures. At the noise of the fall, his servants shrieked, 
 and his son and friends immediately flew to the room. They 
 found him weltering in his blood, with his bowels ap- 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 215 
 
 peariug through the wound. 11. The surgeon, perceiv¬ 
 ing that his intestines were not wounded, was replacing 
 them: but Ca'to recovering himself, and understanding 
 their intention was to preserve his life, forced the sur¬ 
 geon from him, and, with a fierce resolution, tore out his 
 bowels, and expired* * * § . 
 
 12. Upon the death of Ca'to, the war in Africa being 
 completed, Caesar returned in such triumph to Rome, as 
 if he had abridged all his former triumphs only to in¬ 
 crease the splendour of this +. The citizens were aston¬ 
 ished at the magnificence of the procession, and at the 
 number of the countries he had subdued. 13. It lasted 
 four days: the first was for GaulJ, the second for 
 Egypt §, the third for his victories in Asiaj|, and the 
 fourth for that over Ju'ba in AfricaH. His veteran sol¬ 
 diers, scarred with wounds, and now laid up for life, 
 followed their triumphant general, crowned with laurels, 
 and conducted him to the Capitol. 14. To every oneof 
 those he gave a sum equivalent to about a hundred and 
 
 * So great was the affection borne to this noble Roman by the 
 inhabitants of U'tica, that though Caesar was on the point of 
 entering the city, they could not be diverted from burying his 
 body with the greatest pomp, and paying all the funeral honours 
 due to a person of his rank and merit. 
 
 f Before his return, he gave orders for the rebuilding of Car¬ 
 thage and Corinth, so that those two famous cities were de¬ 
 stroyed in the same year, and in the same year rose from their 
 ruins, after having lain desolate about a century. 
 
 J In this triumph were carried before his chariot the names 
 of 300 nations and 800 cities, which he had reduced by the 
 slaughter of a million of enemies. 
 
 § This triumph was adorned with the pictures of Pto'lemy, 
 Photinus, and Achillas, with the representations of the cities of 
 Pelu'siura, Alexandria, &c.; and Arsino'e, the sister of Cleopa'- 
 tra, with many other prisoners of distinction, walked before his 
 chariot. 
 
 || The third triumph was remarkable only for the words veni , 
 vidi , vici, displayed in large characters, in the procession. 
 
 This triumph was not so pleasing to the Romans as the 
 former three, because the statues of Scip'io, Petrei'us, and Ca'to 
 were carried among those of the kings and princes he had sub¬ 
 dued ; they expressed their concern at this sight by sighs and 
 tears. 
 
2i 6 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 fifty pounds sterling, double that sum to the centurions, 
 and four times as much to the superior officers. The 
 citizens also shared his bounty: to every one he distri¬ 
 buted ten bushels of corn, ten pounds of oil, and a sum 
 of money equal to about two pounds sterling. After this, 
 he entertained the people at above twenty thousand 
 tables, treated them with combats of gladiators, and 
 filled Rome with a concourse of spectators from every 
 part of Italy. 
 
 15. The people, intoxicated with pleasure, thought their 
 freedom too small a return for such benefits. They seemed 
 eager only to find out new modes of homage, and unusual 
 epithets of adulation for their great enslaver. He was 
 created, by a new title, Magister Mo'rum, or Master of 
 the Morals of the People. He received the title of Em¬ 
 peror and father of his country. His person was declared 
 sacred ; and, in short, upon him alone were devolved for 
 life all the great dignities of the state. 16. It must be 
 owned, that so much power could never have been en¬ 
 trusted to better keeping. He immediately began his 
 empire by repressing vice and encouraging virtue. He 
 committed the power of judicature to the senators and 
 the knights alone; and by many sumptuary laws re¬ 
 strained the scandalous luxuries of the rich. He pro¬ 
 posed rewards to all such as had many children, took 
 the most prudent method of re-peopling the city, which 
 had been exhausted in the late commotions*. 
 
 17. Having thus restored prosperity once more to Rome, 
 he again found himself under a necessity of going into 
 Spain, to oppose an army which had been raised there 
 under the two sons of Pompey, and Labie'nus his former 
 general. 18. He proceeded in this expedition with his 
 usual celerity, and arrived in Spain before the enemy 
 thought him yet departed from Rome. Cne'ius Pompey, 
 
 * About this time he reformed the calendar, as described at 
 length in the Introduction. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 217 
 
 and Sex'tus, Pompey’s sons, profiting by their unhappy 
 father’s example, resolved, as much as possible, to pro¬ 
 tract the war; so that the first operations of the two 
 armies were spent in sieges and fruitless attempts to sur¬ 
 prise each other. 19. However, Caesar, after taking 
 many cities from the enemy, and pursuing his adversary 
 with unwearied perseverance, at last compelled him to 
 come to a battle upon the plain of Mun'da*. 20. Pompey 
 drew up his men by break of day, upon the declivity of 
 a hill, with great exactness and order. Caesar drew up 
 likewise in the plains below; and, after advancing a little 
 way from his trenches, ordered his men to make a halt, 
 expecting the enemy to come down from the hill. This 
 delay made Caesar’s soldiers begin to murmur, while 
 Pompey’s, with full vigour, poured down upon them ; 
 and a dreadful conflict ensued. 21. The first shock was 
 so dreadful, that Caesar’s men, who had hitherto been 
 used to conquer, now began to waver. Caesar was never 
 in so much danger as now; he threw himself several 
 times into the very thickest of the battle. “ What,’ cried 
 he, “ are you going to give up to a parcel of boys, your 
 general, who is grown grey in fighting at your head i” 
 22. Upon this, his tenth legion exerted themselves with 
 more than usual bravery; and a party of horse being 
 detached by Labie'nus from the camp in pursuit of a body 
 of Numid'ian cavalry, Caesar cried aloud that they were 
 flying. This cry instantly spread itself through both 
 armies, exciting the one as much as it depressed the 
 other. 23. Now, therefore, the tenth legion pressed for¬ 
 ward, and a total rout soon ensuedf. Thirty thousand 
 men were killed on Cne'ius Pompey’s side, and amongst 
 
 * So called from the city of the same name, situate in Gra- 
 na'da, in Spain. It is now a mean village, retaining its ancient 
 appellation. (Mariana.) u , , . 
 
 + On Caesar’s return to his camp after the battle, he observed 
 to those about him, that he had often fought for victory, but this 
 was the first time he had fought for his life. 
 
 L 
 
218 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 them Labie'nus, whom Caesar ordered to be buried with 
 the funeral honours of a general officer. Cne'ius Pom- 
 pey escaped with a few horsemen to the sea-side ; but 
 finding his passage intercepted by Caesar's lieutenant, he 
 was obliged to seek for a retreat in an obscure cavern. 
 He was quickly discovered by some of Caesar's troops, 
 who presently cut off his head, and brought it to the 
 conqueror. His brother Sex'tus, however, concealed him¬ 
 self so well, that he escaped all pursuit; and afterwards, 
 from his piracies , became noted and formidable to the 
 people of Rome. 
 
 24. Caesar, by this last blow, subdued all his avowed 
 enemies; and the rest of his life was employed for the 
 advantage of the state. He adorned the city with mag¬ 
 nificent buildings; he rebuilt Carthage and Co'rinth, 
 sending colonies to both cities: he undertook to level 
 several mountains in Italy ; to drain the Pontine marshes 
 near Rome; and he designed to cut through the Isthmus 
 of Pelopones'sus. 25. Thus, with a mind that could 
 never remain inactive, he pondered mighty projects and 
 schemes, beyond the limits of the longest life; but the 
 greatest of all was his intended expedition against the 
 Par'thians, by which he designed to revenge the death 
 of Cras'sus, who having penetrated too far into their 
 country, was overthrown, taken prisoner, and put to a 
 cruel death, by having molten gold poured down his 
 throat, as a punishment for his former avarice. Thence 
 Caesar intended to pass through Hyrca'nia, and enter 
 Scythia, along the banks of the Caspian sea; then to 
 open a way through the immeasurable forests of Ger¬ 
 many into Gaul, and so to return to Rome. These were 
 the aims of ambition ; but the jealousy of a few indivi¬ 
 duals put an end to them all. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 219 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was Caesar's next step ? 
 
 2. What honours were awarded him in his absence? 
 
 3. What was the conduct of his deputy ? 
 
 4. How did he put an end to these disturbances ? 
 
 — 5. What was his next enterprise? 
 
 6. What was the success of the campaign ? 
 
 7. How was he situated ? 
 
 8. What measures had he pursued ? 
 
 9. When all hope had forsaken him what was his conduct ? 
 
 10. Was no effort made to change his resolution, and what 
 
 followed ? 
 
 11. Was the wound mortal? 
 
 12. What happened after the death of Cato ? 
 
 13. Describe the triumph. 
 
 14. Was he not extremely liberal ? 
 
 15. What returns were made for this extraordinary liberality? 
 
 16. Was he deserving of these honours ? 
 
 17. Was he destined to pass the rest of his life in tranquillity* 
 
 18. Describe the opening of the campaign. 
 
 19. Were they successful in their attempt? 
 
 20. What were the dispositions of the two armies ? 
 
 21. Was the conflict severe? 
 
 22. What was the consequence of this exclamation? 
 
 23. What was the result of the battle? 
 
 24. In what manner did Caesar employ himself at this time? 
 
 25. What were his most important resolutions ? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 1. Accumulated, part, increased, added, heaped up, 
 3. Pillage, s. plunder. 
 
 Disban'ded, v. dismissed, broken up. 
 
 Facilitated, v. rendered easy of execution. 
 
 7. Assassinated, part . killed treacherously. 
 
 8. O'mens, s. prognostics of a future event. 
 
 14. Saga"city, s. acuteness, wisdom. 
 
 15. Insatiable, a. not to be satisfied. 
 
 20. Augus't, a. noble, awful, venerable. 
 
 Dilem'ma, s. difficulty, state of suspense. 
 
 21. Ratified, v. confirmed. 
 
 22. Gratu ity, s . a gift, reward. 
 
 23. Ob'sequies, $. funeral rites. 
 
 1. Having been made perpetual dictator, and receiv¬ 
 ed from the senate accumulated honours, it began to 
 L 2 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 be rumoured that he intended to make himself king. In 
 fact, he was possessed of the power; but the people, 
 who had an aversion to the name, could not bear his 
 assuming the title. 2. Whether he really designed to 
 assume that empty honour, must for ever remain a secret; 
 but certain it is, that the unsuspecting openness of his 
 conduct created something like confidence in the inno¬ 
 cence of his intenlions*. 3. When informed by those 
 about him of the jealousies of many who envied bis power, 
 he was heard to say, lhat he had rather die once by trea¬ 
 son, than live continually in the apprehension of it. When 
 advised by some to beware of Bru'tus, in whom he had 
 for some time reposed the greatest confidence, he opened 
 his breast, all scarred with wounds, saying, “ Can you 
 think Bru'tus cares for sucli poor pillage as this ?” and, 
 being one night at supper, as his friends disputed among 
 themselves what death was easiest, he replied, “ That 
 w'hich is most sudden and least foreseen.” But, to con¬ 
 vince the world how little he apprehended from his ene¬ 
 mies, he disbanded his Spanish guards, and thus facili¬ 
 tated the enterprise against his life. 
 
 4. A deep conspiracy w'as now laid against him, into 
 which no less than sixty senators entered. They were 
 still the more formidable, as the generality of them were 
 of his own party ; and, having been raised above other 
 citizens, felt more strongly the weight of a single supe¬ 
 rior. At the head of this conspiracy were Bru'tus, w hose 
 life Caesar had spared after the battle of Pharsalia, and 
 
 * At the celebration of the feast in honour of Pan, called Lu- 
 perca'lia, Caesar assisted, seated upon a tribunal, in a chair of 
 gold, and adorned with his triumphal ornaments. In conse¬ 
 quence, as it is supposed, of a preconcerted scheme, Antony 
 presented him a regal crown, which Caesar put hack with hi’s 
 hand. Antony offered it a second time, and Caesar attain re¬ 
 fused it. The acclamations of the people, which followed these 
 refusals, convinced Caesar how dangerous his acceptance of it 
 would have been ; hut he could not conceal the mortification he 
 experienced on this discovery. 
 
221 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Cas'sius, who was pardoned sodn after; both praetors 
 for the present year. 5. Bru'tus made it his chief glory 
 to have descended from that Brutus who first gave 
 liberty to Home. The passion for freedom seemed to 
 have been transmitted to him with the blood of his an¬ 
 cestors. But though he detested tyranny, yet could he 
 not forbear loving the tyrant from whom he had received 
 the most signal benefits. 
 
 6. The conspirators, to give a colour of justice to their 
 proceedings, put off the execution of their design to the 
 ides of March*, the day on which Caesar was to be offer¬ 
 ed the crown. 7. The augurs had foretold that this day 
 would be fatal to him. The night preceding, he heard 
 his wife, Calphur'nia, lamenting in her sleep. Being 
 awakened, she confessed to him, that she dreamt of his 
 being assassinated in her arms. 8. These omens, in some 
 measure, began to change his intention of going to the 
 senate; but one of the conspirators coming in, prevailed 
 upon him to keep his resolution, telling him of the re¬ 
 proach that would attend his staying at home, till his wife 
 should have lucky dreams, and of the preparations that 
 were made for his appearance. 0. As he went along to 
 the senate, a slave, who hastened to him with information 
 of the conspiracy, attempted to come near him, but was 
 prevented by the crowd. Artemido'rus, a Greek philo¬ 
 sopher, who had discovered the whole plot, delivered 
 him a memorial, containing the heads of Ins information; 
 but Caesar gave it, with other papers, to oue of his secre- 
 
 * The Romans divided their months into three parts ; namely, 
 Calends, Nones, and Ides ; all which they reckoned backwards. 
 The Ides were always eight in number. The Nones sometimes 
 four, at others six. The Calends varied according to the length 
 of the month, and also with the Nones, as they were four or six. 
 The Calends always began on the iirst of every month, andwere 
 counted backwards to the Ides, which fell on the loth ot March, 
 Mav July, and October ; and on the 13th ot other months ; so 
 that*the Nones began on the oth of each month when four, and 
 on the 7th when six in number. The Nones therefore always 
 ended on the 2d day of the month. 
 
 L 8 
 
222 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 taries, without reading, as was usual in matters of this 
 nature. Being at length entered the senate-house, where 
 the conspirators were prepared to receive him, he met 
 one Spun na, an augur, who had foretold his danger, 
 to whom he said, smiling, “ Well, Spuri'na, the ides of 
 March are come.”—“ Yes,” replied the augur, “ but 
 they are not yet gone.” 10. No sooner had he taken his 
 place, than the conspirators approached, under pretence 
 of saluting him: Cim'ber, who was one of them, in a sup¬ 
 pliant posture, pretended to sue for his brother’s pardon, 
 who had been banished by Caesar’s order. The conspira¬ 
 tors seconded him with great earnestness ; and Cim'ber, 
 seeming to sue with still greater submission, took hold of 
 the bottom of his robe; holding him, so as to prevent 
 his rising. 11. This was the signal agreed on; when 
 Cas'ca, who was behind, instantly stabbed him in the 
 shoulder. Caesar sprung round, and, with the steel of his 
 tablet, wounded him in the arm. The conspirators were 
 all alarmed; when, being inclosed round, he received a 
 second stab, from an unseen hand, in the breast; while 
 Cassius wounded him in the face. He still defended 
 himself with great vigour, rushing among them, and 
 throwing down such as opposed him, till he saw Bru'tus 
 among the conspirators, who, coming up, struck his 
 dagger into his thigh. 12. Csesar, from that moment, 
 thought no more of defending himself; but, looking 
 upon Brutus, cried out, “ Et tu Brute !”—.And you too, 
 O Brutus! Then covering his head, and spreading his 
 robe before him, in order to fall with decency, he sunk 
 down at the base of Pompey’s statue: after having re¬ 
 ceived three and twenty wounds, from those whom he 
 vainly supposed he had disarmed by his benefits. 
 
 IB. Caesar w^as killed in his fifty-sixth year, and about 
 U.C. ? fourteen years after he had begun the conquest 
 l7() * > of the world. 14. If we examine his history, we 
 shall be at a loss whether most to admire his great abi- 
 
223 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 lities, or his wonderful fortune. To pretend to say, that 
 from the beginning lie planned the subjection of his native 
 country, is doing no great credit to his well-known pene¬ 
 tration, as a thousand obstacles lay in his way, which 
 fortune, rather than conduct, was to surmount: no man, 
 therefore, of his sagacity, would have begun a scheme 
 in which the chances of succeeding were so many against 
 him. It is most probable that, like all very successful 
 men he made the best of every occurrence; and his am¬ 
 bition rising with his good fortune, from at first being 
 content with humbler aims, he at last began to think of 
 governing the world, when he found scarcely any ob¬ 
 stacle to oppose his designs. Such is the dispos.tion of 
 man, whose cravings after power are then most insatiable 
 
 when he enjoys the greatest share *. 
 
 16. As soon as the conspirators had dispatched Caisai, 
 they retired to the Capitol, and guarded its accesses by a 
 body of gladiators which Brutus had in pay. 
 
 17. The friends of the late dictator now began to find 
 that this was the time for corning into greater power than 
 before, and for satisfying their ambition under t e pie- 
 tence of promoting justice : of this number was Antony. 
 
 18. He was a man of moderate abilities, of excessive 
 vices, ambitious of power only because it gave his plea¬ 
 sures a wider range to riot in; but skilled m war, to 
 which he had been trained from his youtht ; «e was 
 consul for this year, and resolved, with Lepidus, w o, 
 like himself, was fond of commotions, to seize this op¬ 
 portunity of gaining a power whic h Cssar had died 
 
 * Though Csesar’s ambition led him to usurp apowertowhich 
 
 525BU5 
 
 ™"rSo t p'Mo, l "c5 4. couspiratwrs tb.t A»to», 
 
 L 4 
 
224 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 usurping. Lep'idus, therefore, took possession of the 
 Forum*, with a band of soldiers at his devotion; and 
 Antony, being consul, was permitted to command them. 
 
 19. Their first step was to possess themselves of Cesar’s 
 papers and money, and the next to assemble the senate. 
 
 20. Never had this august assembly been convened upon 
 so delicate an occasion, as to determine whether Caesar 
 had been a legal magistrate or a tyrannical usurper; and 
 whether those who killed him merited rewards or punish¬ 
 ments. Many of them had received all their promotions 
 from Caesar, and had acquired large fortunes in conse¬ 
 quence of his appointments: to vote him a usurper, 
 therefore, would be to endanger their property; and yet, 
 to vote him innocent, might endanger the state. In this 
 dilemma they seemed willing to reconcile extremes; they 
 approved all the acts of Caesar, and yet granted a gene¬ 
 ral pardon to the conspirators. 
 
 21. This decree was very far from giving Antony satis¬ 
 faction, as it granted security to a number of men who 
 were the avowed enemies of tyranny, and who would be 
 foremest in opposing his schemes of restoring absolute 
 power. As, therefore, the senate had ratified all Cajsar’s 
 acts without distinction, he formed a plan of making him 
 rule when dead as imperiously as he had done when liv¬ 
 ing. 22. Being possessed of Caesar’s books of accounts, 
 he so far gained over his secretary as to make him insert 
 whatever he thought proper. By these means, great sums 
 of money, which Caesar would never have bestowed, were 
 there distributed among the people; and every man who 
 had any seditious designs against the government was 
 there sure to find a gratuity. 23. Things being in this 
 situation, Antony demanded of the senate that Cissar’s 
 funeral obsequies should be performed. This they could 
 
 '• “ pUb u C place at Rome > where lawyers and 
 orfn criminaI cases! Pee “ m#tM " ol >'°l ,ert >'- of the state. 
 
225 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME, 
 not decently forbid, as they had never declared him a 
 tyrant: accordingly, the body was brought forth into the 
 Forum with the utmost solemnity; and Antony, who 
 charged himself with these last duties of friendship, be¬ 
 gan his operations upon the passions of the people by 
 the prevailing motives of private interest. 24. He first 
 read to them Caesar’s will, in which he made Octavius, 
 his sister s grandson, his heir, permitting him to take 
 the name of Caesar, and bequeathed him three parts 
 of his private fortune: which, in case of his death, 
 Brutus was to have inherited. To the Roman people 
 were left the gardens which he possessed on the other 
 side of the Ti'ber * ; and to every citizen three hundred 
 sesterces f. Unfolding Caesar’s bloody robe, pierced by 
 the daggers of the conspirators, he observed to them the 
 number of stabs in it. He also displayed a waxen image, 
 representing the body of Caesar, all covered with wounds. 
 25. The people could no longer retain their indignation, 
 but unanimously cried out for revenge, and ran, with 
 flaming brands from the pile, to set fire to the houses of 
 the conspirators. In this rage of resentment, meeting 
 with one Cin'na, whom they mistook for another of the 
 same name that was in the conspiracy, they tore him in 
 pieces. 2d. The conspirators themselves, however, being 
 well guarded, repulsed the multitude with no great trou¬ 
 ble : but perceiving the general rage of the people, they 
 thought it safest to retire from the city. 
 
 27. In the mean time, Antony, who had excited this 
 flame, resolved to make the most of the occasion. But 
 an obstacle to his ambition seemed to arise from a quar¬ 
 ter in which he least expected it, namely, from Octa ¬ 
 vius, afterwards called Augus'tus, who w r as the grand 
 
 * Ti'ber, the most celebrated river of Italy, flows by Rome, 
 and disembogues in the Mediterranean Sea, near Os'tia. 
 f Two pounds six shillings and ten pence halfpenny. 
 
226 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 nephew and adopted son of Caesar *. A third competitor 
 also for power appeared in Lep'idus, a man of some au¬ 
 thority and great riches. 28. At first, the ambition of 
 these three seemed to threaten fatal consequences to each 
 other; but, uniting in the common cause, they resolved to 
 revenge the‘ death of Caesar, and dividing their power, 
 they formed what is called the Second Trium'virate. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What design was Caesar supposed to entertain ? 
 
 2. Was this rumour well founded ? 
 
 3. When hints of danger were given him, what was his 
 
 conduct? 
 
 4. What was the consequence of this imprudence? 
 
 5. What was the character of Brutus? 
 
 6. What time was fixed for the conspiracy to take effect? 
 
 7. Had Caesar any intimations of his danger? 
 
 8. Was he at all influenced by them ? 
 
 9. Were no other attempts made to warn him of his ap¬ 
 
 proaching fate ? 
 
 10. In what way did the conspirators commence their at¬ 
 
 tempt? 
 
 11. What followed ? 
 
 12. What was the consequence of this? 
 
 13. What was Caesar’s age? 
 
 14. Did Caesar plan the conquest of his country from the first? 
 
 15. By what means did he accomplish it ? 
 
 -JG. How did the conspirators escape the vengeance of the 
 people ? 
 
 17. What advantage was taken of this event? 
 
 18. What was the character of Antony, and what resolution 
 
 did he form ? 
 
 19. What were his first acts ? 
 
 20. How were the senate situated on this occasion? 
 
 21. Was Antony satisfied with this decree ? 
 
 22. How did he accomplish this ? 
 
 23 What was his next measure? 
 
 24. By what means did he effect his purpose? 
 
 25. What was the consequence of this artful conduct ? 
 
 * Octa vius was the son of Oafus OctaVius, a senator, by Ac 
 cia, daughter to Julia, Caesar’s sister. 
 
227 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 2G. Did the conspirators fall victims to their fury ? 
 
 27. Had Antony no rivals in his attempts to acquire power . 
 
 28. What was the result of this rivalship ? 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 1. Diffidence, s. distrust, suspicion. 
 
 3. Retrospection, s. a looking back. 
 
 7. Ex'iles, s. banished persons. 
 
 <k Diverged, v. turned aside. 
 
 10. Surrender, v. to yield, to deliver up. 
 
 11. Freu'zy, s. madness. 
 
 Mollified, v. pacified, softened, mitigated. 
 
 13. Expostula tions, s. reasonings, entreaties. 
 
 17. Reprimanding, part . reproving, blaming. 
 
 18 Cynical, a . churlish, rough. 
 
 20. Spectre, s. a ghost, spirit, apparition. 
 
 22. As pect, s. countenance. 
 
 25. Solution, s. explanation. 
 
 Amicable, a. friendly. 
 
 1. The meeting of these three usurpers of their coun¬ 
 try’s freedom, was upon a little island of the river Rhe- 
 nus*. Their mutual suspicions were the cause of their 
 meeting in a place where they had no lear of treachery ; 
 for, even in their union, they could not divest themselves 
 of mutual diffidence. 2. Leptdus first entered; and, 
 finding all things safe, made the signal for the other two 
 to approach. At their first meeting, after saluting each 
 other, Augus tus began the conference, by thanking An¬ 
 tony for putting Dec imus Bru f tus to death ; who, being 
 abandoned by his army, had been taken, as he was en¬ 
 deavouring to escape into Macedo'nia, and was beheaded 
 by Antony’s soldiers. 3. They then entered upon the 
 business that lay before them, without any retrospection 
 
 * Now the Rheno, which runs through Bologna and falls into 
 the Po. 
 
 L 6 
 
228 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to the past. Their conference lasted three days; and, 
 in this period, they settled a division of the government, 
 and determined the fate of thousands. 4. The result of 
 this conference was, that the supreme authority should 
 be lodged in their hands, uuder the title of the Trium'- 
 virate, for the space of five years; that Antony should 
 have Gaul; Lep'iclus, Spain ; and Augus'tus, Africa and 
 the Mediterranean islands. As for Italy, and the east¬ 
 ern provinces, they were to remain in common, until their 
 general enemy should be subdued; and, among other 
 articles of union, it was agreed, that all their enemies 
 should be destroyed, of which each presented a list. In 
 these were comprised, not only the enemies but the friends 
 of the Trium'virate, since the partisans of the one were 
 found among the opposers of the other. Thus Lep'idus 
 gave up his brother JLmil'ius Paulus to the vengeance of 
 his colleague; Antony permitted the proscription of his 
 uncle Lu'cius; and Augus'tus delivered up tlie great 
 Ci'cero, who was assassinated shortly after by Antony’s 
 command *. 
 
 6. In the mean time, Brutus and Cas'sius, the principal 
 of the conspirators against Caesar, being compelled to quit 
 Rome, went into Greece, where they persuaded the Ro¬ 
 man students at A'thens to declare in the cause of freedom; 
 then parting, the former raised a powerful army in Mace¬ 
 donia, while the latter went into Syria, where he soon be¬ 
 came master of twelve legions, and reduced his opponent 
 
 * It is impossible to paint the horrors of this dreadful pro¬ 
 scription. Nothing was to be seen but blood and slaughter; 
 the streets were covered with dead bodies; the heads of the 
 most illustrious senators were exposed on the rostra, and their 
 bodies left to be devoured by dogs and birds of prey; three 
 hundred senators, and above two thousand knights, besides a 
 vast number of others of considerable rank, fell victims on this 
 occasion. Many noble instances of fidelity were displayed by 
 slaves at this terrible conjuncture; several chose rather to die 
 on the rack in the most exquisite torments, than betray the 
 place where their masters were concealed. 
 
EMPTRE OF ROME. 
 
 229 
 
 Dollabel'la to such straits as to force him to lay violent 
 hands on himself. 7. Both armies joined at Smyr na *, 
 the sight of such a formidable force began to revive the 
 declining spirits of the party, and to reunite the two gene¬ 
 rals still more closely, between whom there had been, 
 some time before, a slight misunderstanding. In short, 
 having quitted Italy like distressed exiles, without having 
 one soldier or one town that owned their command, they 
 now found themselves at the head of a flourishing army, 
 furnished with every necessary for carrying on the war, 
 and in a condition to support a contest on which the em¬ 
 pire of the world depended. 
 
 8. It was in this flourishing state of their affairs, that 
 the conspirators formed a resolution of marching against 
 Cleopatra, who had made great preparations to assist 
 their opponents. 9. However, they were diverted from 
 this purpose, by an information that Augustus and Antony 
 were now upon their march, with forty legions to oppose 
 them. Bru tus, therefore, moved to have their army pass 
 over into Greece and Macedo nia, and there meet the 
 enemy ; but Cas'sius so far prevailed as to have the Rho¬ 
 dians and Ly"cians first reduced, who had refused their 
 usual contributions. 10. This expedition was imme. 
 diately put in execution, and extraordinary contributions 
 were thus raised, the Rlio'diansf having scarcely any 
 thing left them but their lives. The Ly"ciansf suffered 
 
 * Smyr'na, a city of Io'nia, in Asia Minor, is one of those 
 cities which claimed the birth of Homer (Ci"cero ;) and which 
 laid its claim stronger than any other. (Strabo.) Smyr'na stood 
 on the river Me'les, from which Homer took his original name 
 Melesig'enes, because born on its banks; Home'rus being the 
 name given him by the Cur'veans, when petitioning for a public 
 maintenance from them; a term denoting blind, in their dia¬ 
 lect. (Herod'otus.) 
 
 f Rho'dians were the inhabitants of Rhodes, a celebrated island 
 in the Mediterranean Sea; particularly noted for its Colossus, a 
 famous statue of bronze, which was reckoned one of the won¬ 
 ders of the world; for a ship, with all its sails up, might pass 
 between its legs. 
 
 + Ly"cians, the inhabitants of L)"cia, a province of Asia Minor. 
 
 7 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 still more severely ; for, having shut themselves up in 
 their capital town Xan'thus, they defended the place 
 against Bru tus with so much fury, that neither his arts 
 nor entreaties could prevail upon them to surrender. 
 11. At length, the town being set on fire, by their attempt¬ 
 ing to burn the works of the Romans, Bru tus, instead of 
 laying hold of this opportunity to storm the place, made 
 every effort to preserve it, entreating his soldiers to try 
 all means of extinguishing the fire; but the desperate 
 frenzy of the citizens was not to be mollified . 12. Far 
 
 from thinking themselves obliged to the generous enemy, 
 for the efforts which they made to save them, they re¬ 
 solved to perish in the flames. Instead of extinguishing, 
 therefore, they did all in their power to augment the 
 fire, by throwing in wood, dry reeds, and all kinds of fuel. 
 13. Nothing could exceed the distress of Brutus, upon 
 seeing the townsmen thus resolutely bent on destroying 
 themselves. He rode about the fortifications, stretching 
 out his hands to the Xan'thians, and conjuring them to 
 have pity on themselves and their city ; but, insensible to 
 his expostulations, they rushed into the flames with despe¬ 
 rate obstinacy, and the whole soon became a heap of un- 
 distinguishable ruin. 14. At this horrid spectacle Bru'tus 
 melted into tears, offering a reward to every soldier who 
 should bring him a Ly"cian alive. The number of those, 
 whom it was possible to save from their own fury, amount¬ 
 ed to no more than one hundred and fifty. 15. Some 
 writers, however, affirm, that the town was burnt to the 
 ground, and the inhabitants destroyed, by the command 
 of Brutus; and that those who surrendered at discretion 
 he deprived of all their public and private property. 
 
 16. Bru tus and Cas'sius met once more at Sar'dis *, 
 where they resolved to have a private conference together. 
 They shut themselves up in the first convenient house, 
 
 * The capital of Lyd'ia, in Asia Minor. It was one of the 
 seven churches to which St. John wrote. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 231 
 
 with express orders to their servants to give admission to 
 no one. 17. Bru'tus began by reprimanding Cas'sius for 
 having disposed of offices for money, which should ever 
 be the reward of merit, and for having overtaxed the tri¬ 
 butary states. Cas'sius repelled the imputation of avarice 
 with the more bitterness, as he knew the charge to be 
 groundless. The debate grew warm ; till, from loud 
 speaking, they burst into tears. 18. Their friends, who 
 were standing at the door, overheard the increasing ve¬ 
 hemence of their voices, and began to tremble for the 
 consequences, till Favo'nius, who valued himself upon a 
 cynical boldness, that knew no restraint, entering the 
 room with a jest, calmed their mutual animosity. 19. Cas¬ 
 sius was ready enough to forego his anger, being a man 
 of great abilities, but of an uneven disposition ; not averse 
 to pleasure in private company, and, upon the whole, ot 
 morals not quite correct. But the conduct of Bru'tus was 
 perfectly steady. An even gentleness, a noble elevation 
 of sentiment, a strength of mind over which neither vice 
 nor pleasure could have an influence, and an inflexible 
 firmness in the cause of justice, composed the character of 
 this great man. 20. After their conference, night coming 
 on, Cas'sius invited Bru'tus and his friends to an enter¬ 
 tainment, where freedom and cheerfulness, for a while, 
 took place of political anxiety, and softened the severity 
 of wisdom. Upon retiriug home it was that Bru tus 
 thought he saw a spectre in his tent. 21. He naturally 
 slept but little, and was capable ol bearing want of rest 
 by long habit and great sobriety. He never allowed him¬ 
 self to sleep in the day-time, as was common in Rome; 
 and only gave so much of the night to repose as could 
 barely renew the functions of nature. But now, oppressed 
 with various cares, he allowed himself a still shorter time 
 after his nightly repast; and, waking about midnight, 
 generally read or studied till morning. 22. It was in 
 the dead of the night, says Plu'tarch, when the whole 
 
 6 
 
1 
 
 232 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 camp was perfectly quiet, that Bru'tus was thus employ¬ 
 ed ; reading* by a lamp that was just expiring. On a 
 sudden, he thought he heard a noise, as if somebody was 
 approaching, and looking towards the door, perceived it 
 open. A gigantic figure of frightful aspect , stood before 
 him, and continued to gaze upon him with silent severity. 
 23. Bru'tus is reported to have asked, <f Art thou a 
 daemon or a mortal, and why comest thou to me V 9 
 “ Brutus,” answered the phantom, <f I am thy evil genius 
 —thou shalt see me again at Philip'pi “ Well, then,” 
 replied Bru'tus, without being discomposed, €€ we shall 
 meet again.” Upon this the phantom vanished; when 
 Bru'tus, calling to his servants, asked if they had seen 
 any thing; to which they answering in the negative, he 
 resumed his studies. 24. Struck with so strange an oc¬ 
 currence, he mentioned it to Cas'sius, who rightly con¬ 
 sidered it as the effect of an imagination disordered by 
 vigilance and anxiety. 25. Bru'tus appeared satisfied 
 with this solution ; and as Antony and Augus tus were now 
 advanced into Macedo nia, lie and his colleague passed 
 over into Thrace, and drew near to Pbilip'pi, where the 
 forces of the Trium'viri were posted to receive them. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Where was the first meeting of the Triumvirate, and why 
 
 w as it chosen ? 
 
 2. What precautions did they take? 
 
 3. What farther was done? 
 
 4. What w as the result of the conference? 
 
 5. Who w ere the proscribed ? 
 
 G. What became of Brutus and Cassius? 
 
 7. What effect had this success on the minds of their party ? 
 
 8. What was their first resolution? 
 
 9. Did they put it in execution? 
 
 * A city on the confines of Macedonia, noted for the battle 
 between Bru'tus and Cas'sius, and Mark Antony and Augus'tus, 
 A. D. 42 ; and also for the Epistle of St. Paul to the people of 
 Philippi. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 233 
 
 10. What was the consequence to the Rhodians and Lycians? 
 
 11. What unfortunate accident hastened the fate of the town? 
 
 12. Did they not second the efforts of Brutus? 
 
 13. By what means did Brutus attempt to divert them from 
 
 their purpose ? 
 
 14—15. By what method did he endeavour to save some of 
 the Lycians? 
 
 16. Where did Brutus and Cassius meet, and what ensued ? 
 
 17. Was their interview an amicable one? 
 
 18. Did no one interpose? 
 
 19. What were the characters of these great men ? 
 
 20. What happened after the conference ? 
 
 21. What were the peculiar habits of Brutus ? 
 
 22. What happened to him while thus employed ? 
 
 23. What conversation passed between them ? 
 
 24. Did he mention the circumstance to any one? 
 
 25. Did Brutus assent to this opinion, and what followed ? 
 
 SECT. y. 
 
 5. Commo'dious, a. convenient. 
 
 Magazine, s. storehouse. 
 
 7. Postponing, part, putting off, delaying. 
 
 11. Su'icide, s. self-murder. 
 
 13. Irrup'tion, s. an attack. 
 
 Intrepid'ity, s. boldness, courage. 
 
 16. Denarii, s. the chief silver coin among the Romans, each 
 worth, in our money, about seven-pence three farthings. 
 18. Ar'rogant, a. saucy. 
 
 20. Inevitable, a. not to he escaped or avoided. 
 
 25. Riviilet, s. a small stream of water. 
 
 1. Mankind now began to regard the approaching 
 armies with terror and suspense. The empire of the world 
 depended upon the late of a battle. From victory, on the 
 one side, they had to expect freedom ; on the other, a 
 sovereign with absolute command. 2. Bru tus was the only 
 man who looked upon these great events with calmness 
 and tranquillity. Indifferent as to success, and satisfied 
 with having done his duty, he said to one of his friends, 
 “ If I am victorious, I shall restore liberty to my coun¬ 
 try : if not, by dying, 1 shall myself he delivered from 
 slavery. My condition is fixed ; I run no hazards.” 3. 
 
234 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The republican army consisted of fourscore thousand 
 foot, and twenty thousand horse. The army of the Tri- 
 um'viri amounted to a hundred thousand foot, and thir¬ 
 teen thousand horse. 4. Thus complete on both sides, 
 they met and encamped near each oilier upon the plains 
 of Philip'pi. Near the town were two little hills, about 
 a mile distant from each other; upon these hills, Brutus 
 and Cas'sius fixed their camps, and kept up a free com¬ 
 munication, which mutually defended each other. 5. In 
 this commodious situation they could act as they thought 
 proper, and give battle just when it was thought to their 
 advantage to engage. Behind w'as the sea, which fur¬ 
 nished them with all kinds of provisions ; and, at twelve 
 miles distance, the island of Tha'sos, which served them 
 for a general magazine . 6. The Trium'viri, on the other 
 
 hand, were encamped on the plain below, and were 
 obliged to bring provisions from fifteen leagues' distance; 
 so that their scheme and interest w'as to forward a battle 
 as soon as possible. This they offered several times, 
 drawing out their men from their camp, and provoking the 
 enemy to engage. 7. On the contrary, the enemy con¬ 
 tented themselves with draw ing up their troops at the head 
 of their camps, without descending to the plain. This re¬ 
 solution of postponing the battle, was the chance that the 
 republican army had for victory ; and Cas'sius, sensible of 
 his advantage, resolved to harass rather than engage the 
 enemy. 8. But Bru'tus, who began to suspect the fidelity 
 of some of his officers, used all his influence to persuade 
 Cas'sius to change his resolution. “ I am impatient,” 
 said he, “ to put an end to the miseries of mankind ; and 
 in this I hope to succeed, whether I conquer or fall.” 
 £*. His wishes were soon gratified ; for Antony's soldiers 
 having, with great labour, made a road through the marsh 
 which lay to the left of Cassius's camp, by that means 
 opened a communication with the island of Tha'sos, which 
 lay behind him. Both armies, after several attempts to 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 235 
 
 possess themselves of this road, resolved, atleiigth, to come 
 to a general engagement. 10. This, however, was con¬ 
 trary to the advice of Cassius, who found himself forced, 
 as Pompey had formerly been, to expose the liberty of 
 Rome to the hazard of a battle*. On the ensuing morning, 
 the two generals gave the signal for engaging, and con¬ 
 ferred together a little while before the battle began. 
 11. Cas'sius desired to be informed how Bru'tus intended 
 to act in case they should be unsuccessful. To this, Bru'¬ 
 tus replied, “ Formerly, in my writings, I condemned the 
 death of Cato; and maintained, that avoiding calamities 
 by suicide , is an insolent attempt against Heaven that al¬ 
 lotted them; but 1 have altered my opinion ; I have given 
 up my life to my country ; and I think I have a right to 
 my own way of ending it t- 1 am resolved therefore to 
 change a miserable being here for a better hereafter* if 
 fortune turn against me.” 12. “ My friend, cried Cas - 
 sius, embracing him, “ now may we venture to face the 
 enemy ; for either we shall be conquerors, or we shall have 
 no cause to fear those that be so.” 13. Augustus being 
 sick, the forces of the Trium'viri were commanded by 
 Antony alone, who began the engagement by a victorious 
 attack upon the lines of Cas sius. Bru tus, on the other 
 side, made a dreadful irruption on the army of Augus¬ 
 tus ; and drove forward with so much intrepidity , that he 
 broke them upon the very first charge. Upon this, he 
 peuetrated as far as the camp, and slaughtering those that 
 were left for its defence, his troops immediately began to 
 plunder. 14. In the mean time, however, the lines of 
 
 * On the evening preceding the battle Brutus gave an enter¬ 
 tainment, at which he appeared very cheerful; but Cassius 
 supped privately with a few of his most intimate lriends, and, 
 during the repast, was very thoughtful and silent, as though he 
 had the presentiment of the fate that awaited him ; it is rather 
 remarkable that he was killed on his birth-day. (Plut. in Bruto 
 —Appian, 1. 4. p. 655.) . . , . . ^ 
 
 f This is very erroneous reasoning: suicide is, no doubt, a 
 
 heinous crime. 
 
236 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Cas'sius were forced, and his cavalry put to flight. There 
 was no effort that this unfortunate general did not exert 
 to make his infantry stand ; stopping those that fled, and 
 himself seizing the colours to rally them. But the valour 
 of an individual was insufficient to inspire a timorous 
 army. 15. At length, despairing of success, Cas'sius 
 retired to his tent and killed himself*. Bru'tus was soon 
 informed of the defeat of Cas'sius, and, in a little time 
 after of his death; scarcely able to restrain the excess 
 of his grief fora man whom he lamented as the last of the 
 Romans f. 
 
 16. Bru'tus, now become sole general, assembled the 
 dispersed troops of Cas'sius, and animated them with fresh 
 hopes of victory. As they had lost their all from the plun¬ 
 dering in the camp, he promised two thousand denarii 
 to each man to make them amends. 17. Inspired with 
 new ardour, they admired the liberality of their general, 
 and, with loud shouts, proclaimed his intrepidity. Still, 
 however, he wanted confidence to face the adversary, 
 who offered him battle the ensuing day. His aim was to 
 starve the enemy, who were in extreme want of provi¬ 
 sions, from their fleet having been lately defeated. 18. 
 But his single opinion was overruled by the army, who 
 now grew every day more confident of their strength, and 
 more arrogant to their geueral. At last, therefore, after 
 a respite of tw enty days, he was obliged to comply with 
 their solicitations to try the fate of a battle. Both armies 
 were drawn out, and they remained a long while opposite 
 to each other without offering to engage. It is said, that 
 he himself had lost much of his ardour by having again 
 seen, or fancied that he saw, the spectre, in the night 
 
 * This is the general opinion ; but as the head of Cassius was 
 found severed from his body, some have supposed that he was 
 treacherously murdered by his freedman Pin'darus. (Plut. in 
 Bruto.) 
 
 f Cas'sius was generally esteemed one of the best commanders 
 of his age, and a man of strict probity and virtue. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 237 
 
 preceding. However, he encouraged his men, and gave 
 the signal for battle. As usual, he had the advantage when 
 he commanded in person: bearing down the enemy at 
 the head of his infantry, and, supported by his cavalry, 
 making great slaughter. 19. But the forces which had be¬ 
 longed to Cassius, seized with a panic, and communicat¬ 
 ing their terror to the rest, the whole army at last gave 
 way. Brutus, surrounded by the most valiant of his offi¬ 
 cers, fought long with amazing valour. The son of Cato, 
 and the brother of Cas'sius, fell fighting by his side. At 
 last, he was obliged to yield to necessity, and fled. 20. In 
 the mean time, the two Trium'viri, assured of victory, 
 expressly ordered that the general should by no means 
 be suffered to escape. Thus, the whole body of the 
 enemy being intent on the person of Bru'tus alone, his 
 capture seemed inevitable . 21. In this deplorable exi¬ 
 
 gence, Lucifius, his friend, resolved, by his own death, 
 to effect his general’s delivery. 22. Upon seeing a body 
 of Thra'eian horse closely pursuing Bru'tus, and just upon 
 the point of taking him, he boldly threw himself in their 
 way, telling them that he was Brutus. The Thra'cians 
 overjoyed with so great a prize, immediately despatched 
 some of their companions with news of their success, to 
 the army. 23. Upon this, the ardour of the pursuit 
 abating, Antony inarched out to meet his prisoner, either 
 to hasten his death, or insult his misfortunes. He was 
 followed by a great number of officers and soldiers, some 
 silently deploring the fate of so virtuous a man, others 
 reproaching that mean desire of life for which he consented 
 to undergo captivity. 24. Antony now seeing the Thra¬ 
 cians approach, began to prepare himself for the inter¬ 
 view; but the faithful Lucifius, advancing with a cheerful 
 air—“ It is not Bru'tus,” said he, “ that is taken; fortune 
 has not yet had the power of committing so great an out¬ 
 rage upon virtue. As for my life it is well lost in pre¬ 
 serving his honour; take it, for I have deceived you.” 
 Antony, struck with so much fidelity, pardoned him. 
 
238 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 loaded him with benefits, and honoured him with his 
 
 friendship. 
 
 25. In the mean time, Brutus, with a small number of 
 friends, passed over a rivulet; and night coming on, sat 
 down under a rock, which concealed him from the pursuit 
 of the enemy. After taking breath, and casting his eyes to 
 heaven, he repeated a line from Eurip'ides *, containing a 
 wish to the gods, “ That guilt should not pass in this life 
 without punishment f.” To this he added another from 
 the same poet: “ O unhappy Virtue! I have worshipped 
 thee as a real good, but thou art a vain empty name, and 
 the slave of fortune I.” He then called to mind, with great 
 tenderness, those whom he had seen perish in battle. 
 26. He sent out one Statil"ius to give him information of 
 those that remained ; but Statil"ius never returned, being 
 killed by a party of the enemy’s horse. Bru'tus, judging 
 rightly of his fate, now resolved to die likewise ; and en¬ 
 treated those who stood round him to give him their last 
 sad assistance; but they all refused so melancholy a 
 service. 27. He then retired aside with his friend 
 Stra'to, requesting him to perform the last office of 
 friendship. Upon Stra'to’s refusal, he ordered one of 
 his slaves to execute what he so ardently desired ; but 
 Stra'to crying out, “ that it never should be said that 
 Bru'tus, in his last extremity, stood in need of a slave for 
 want of a friend,” turned aside his head, and presented 
 the sword’s point, Bru'tus threw himself upon it, and 
 immediately expired, in the forty-third year of his age. 
 A.U. 711. 
 
 * Eurip'ides was a celebrated tragic poet, born at Salamis *, 
 485 years before Christ. (For further particulars see Col. Clas. 
 Biog.) 
 
 f This sentiment arose from his ignorance of a future state. 
 
 X It seems rather improbable, from the known character of 
 Bru'tus, that he should have repeated such a sentiment, particu¬ 
 larly as Volum'nius, who was present, and from whose memoirs 
 Plu'tarch copied the account of his death, makes no mention of it. 
 
 * Salamis, an island near Athens. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 239 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What great event was now depending? 
 
 2. What were Brutus’s feelings on the occasion ? 
 
 3. What was the respective strength of the armies? 
 
 4. Where did they meet and encamp? 
 
 5. What were the advantages of this situation ? 
 
 6. Were the Triumviri equally well situated? 
 
 7. Were the enemy equally ready to engage? 
 
 8. What induced Brutus to combat this resolution? 
 
 9. Did he obtain his wish ? 
 
 10. Did Cassius wish to engage? 
 
 11. What passed between the generals on this occasion ? 
 
 12. What was the reply of Cassius ? 
 
 13. What happened at the commencement of the battle? 
 
 14. Was Cassius equally successful ? 
 
 15. What did he do in this extremity, and what elfect had it 
 
 on Brutus? 
 
 16. Did Brutus attempt to recover the victory? 
 
 17. What followed ? 
 
 18. Were his intentions agreeable to his troops, and what 
 
 was the consequence? 
 
 19. What decided the victory against him ? 
 
 20. What orders were issued by the Triumviri on the occa¬ 
 
 sion ? 
 
 21. By whom was his deliverance attempted ? 
 
 22. How did he accomplish this? 
 
 23. W T hat was the consequence? 
 
 24. Relate the circumstance of their interview. 
 
 25. What happened to Brutus in the mean time? 
 
 26. How did he attempt to gain intelligence, and what fol¬ 
 
 lowed his disappointment? 
 
 27. Relate the manner of his death. 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 6. Hom'age, s. respect, obedience. 
 
 8. Contributions, s. levies of money, arbitrary taxes. 
 Capri'cious, a. whimsical, fanciful. 
 
 9. Imputation, s. censure, blame, any thing imputed. 
 Infidel'ity, s. unfaithfulness. 
 
 10. Sedu'cing, part, enticing, pleasing. 
 
 11. Sumptuous, a. grand, magnificent. 
 
 Pa'geantry, s. pomp, splendid show. 
 
 Ve'nus, s. the goddess of love and beauty. 
 
 Cu'pid, s . the son of Venus and Mars, and god of love. 
 Nereids, s. daughters of Nereus and Doris, nymphs of the 
 sea. 
 
240 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Graces, s. daughters of Bacchus and Venus, named Agla'ia, 
 Thal'ia, and Euphros'yne. 
 
 12. Luxurious, a. voluptuous, given to pleasure. 
 
 13. Assid'uously, ad. busily. _ . 
 
 15. Deprecate, v. to attempt to change by humble entreaties. 
 
 20. Leth'argy, s. sloth, supineness. 
 
 Dissen'sion, s. quarrel, disagreement. 
 
 21. Um'pires, s. deciders of a dispute. 
 
 26. Negocia'tion, s. treaty for peace. 
 
 Cemen't, v. to bind, to strengthen. 
 
 1. From the moment of Brutus’s death, the Triurn'- 
 viri began to act as sovereigns, and to divide the Ro¬ 
 man dominions among them as their own by right of con¬ 
 quest. 2. However, though there were apparently three 
 who participated all power, yet, in fact, only two were 
 actually possessed of it, since Lep'idus was admitted at 
 first merely to curb the mutual jealousy of Antony and 
 Augustus, and was possessed neither of interest in the 
 army, nor authority among the people. 3. Their earliest 
 care was to punish those whom they had formerly marked 
 forvengeance. Horten'sius, Dru'sus, and QuintiliusVarus, 
 all men of the first rank in the commonwealth, either 
 killed themselves or were slain. A senator and his son 
 were ordered to cast lots for their lives, but both refused ; 
 the father voluntarily gave himself up to the executioner, 
 and the son stabbed himself before his face. Another 
 begged to have the rites of burial after his death: to which 
 Augustus replied, “ that he would soon find a grave in 
 the'vultures that would devour him.” 4. But chiefly the 
 people lamented to see the head of Bru'lus sent to Rome 
 to be thrown at the foot of Caesar’s statue. His ashes, 
 however, were sent to his wile Por tia, Cato s daughter, 
 who, following the example of both her husband and fa¬ 
 ther! killed herself, by swallowing burning coals *. 5. It 
 
 is observed, that of all those who had a hand in the death 
 of Csesar, not one died a natural death. _ 
 
 * This appears to be a mere fable, since Plutarch assures us, 
 (Plut. in Bruto)that in his time, a letter of Brutus was still ex¬ 
 tant, in which he laments the death ol Portia. 
 
241 
 
 EMP[RE OF ROME. 
 
 6. The poiver of the Trium'viri being thus established 
 upon the ruin of the commonwealth, they now began to 
 think of enjoying that homage to which they had aspired. 
 
 7. Anton v went into Greece', to receive the flattery of that 
 refined people, and spent some time at A'thens, convers¬ 
 ing with the philosophers, and assisting at their disputes 
 in person. Thence he passed over into Asia, where all 
 the monarclis of the east, who acknowledged the Roman 
 power, came to pay him their obedience; while the fairest 
 princesses strove to gain his favour, by the greatness of ■ 
 their presents or the allurements of their beauty. 8. In 
 this manner he proceeded from kingdom to kingdom, at¬ 
 tended by a succession of sovereigns, exacting contribu¬ 
 tions , distributing favours, and giving away crowns with 
 capricious insolence. He presented the kingdom of Cappa- 
 do'cia* to Sy'senes, in prejudice of Ariara'tlies, only be¬ 
 cause he found pleasure in the beauty of Glaphyra, the 
 mother of the former. He settled He'rod in the kingdom 
 of Ju deaf, and supported him. But among all the sove¬ 
 reigns of the east, who depended upon Antony, Cleo- 
 pa'tra, the celebrated queen of Egypt, was the most dis¬ 
 tinguished. 
 
 9. It happened that Sera'pion, her governor in the isle 
 of Cy'prust, had formerly furnished some succours to 
 
 * Cappado'cia, a province of Asia Minor $ its ancient state is 
 unknown. This country was famous for its fine breed of horses, 
 (Solinus); and for mules, (Homer); and for furnishing the 
 world with slaves, (Cicero, Horace.) The Cappado cians paid 
 a yearly tribute of fifteen hundred horses, and two thousand 
 mules, to the Persians, (Strabo). The people were anciently 
 called Syr'i, (Herodotus); and Leucosyr'i, (Strabo). Stra'bo 
 and Pausa'nius were natives of Cappado'cia. 
 
 f Judea, iu the Roman History, generally denotes the whole 
 of Palestine. It is also taken in this sense by Ptol'emy, Rutil'ius, 
 Euse'bius, Jer ome, and Or'igen. In sacred history it is consi¬ 
 dered to comprise about one-third part; which is also the opi¬ 
 nion of the celebrated Jewish historian. 
 
 + Cy'prus, an island in the Mediterranean sea, near the coast 
 of + Syr'ia. It was anciently sacred to Ve'nus, (Horace) ; hence 
 the appellations Cyp'ria, Cy'pris, Cyprige'na, were given to 
 that goddess. 
 
 M 
 
242 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Cassius and the conspirators ; and it was thought proper 
 that he should answer for his conduct. Accordingly, hav¬ 
 ing received orders from Antony to clear herself of the 
 imputation of infidelity , she readily complied, equally 
 conscious of the goodness of her cause, and the power of 
 her beauty. 10. She was now in her twenty-seventh year, 
 and consequently had improved those allurements by art, 
 which in earlier age are seldom attended to. Her address 
 and wit were still farther heightened, and, though there 
 were some women in Rome that were her equals in beauty, 
 none could rival her in the powers of seducing conversa¬ 
 tion. 11. Antony was in Tarsus *, a city of Cili'cia, when 
 Cleopatra resolved to attend his court in person. She 
 sailed down the river Cyd'uus to meet him, with the most 
 sumptuous pageantry . The stern of her galley was covered 
 with gold, its sails were purple silk, its oars silver, and 
 they kept time to the sound of flutes and cymbals. She 
 exhibited herself reclining on a couch spangled with stars 
 of gold, and such other ornaments as poets and painters 
 had usually ascribed to Ve'nus . On each side were boys 
 like Cupids, fanning her by turns: while beautiful nymphs 
 dressed like Nereids and Graces, were placed at proper 
 distances around her: the sweets that were burning on 
 board her galley, perfumed the banks of the river as she 
 passed, wdiile an infinite number of people gazed upon 
 the exhibition with delight and admiration f. 12. Antony 
 soon became captivated with her beauty, and found him¬ 
 self unable to defend his heart against that passion which 
 proved the cause of his future misfortunes. When Cleo¬ 
 patra had thus secured her power, she set out in her re¬ 
 turn to Egypt. Antony, quitting every other object, pre- 
 
 * Tarsus, an inland city, was great, populous, and powerful; 
 and maintained the dignity of a metropolis, (Strabo). Its origin 
 is disputed. For antiquity, populousness, and its many orna¬ 
 ments, it excelled all other cities, (Nonnus). It was the native 
 place of the Apostle Paul. It is now called Teras'so. 
 
 f Antony, who had seated himself on a magnificent throne to 
 receive her, was on this occasion left quite alone. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 243 
 
 sently hastened after her: and there gave himself up to 
 all that ease, and softness to which his vicious heart was 
 prone, and which that luxurious people were able to 
 supply. 
 
 13. While he remained thus idle in Egypt, Augustus, 
 who took upon him to lead back the veteran troops, and 
 settle them in Italy, was assiduously employed in provid¬ 
 ing for their subsistence. 14. He had promised them 
 lands at home, as a recompence for their past services; 
 but they could not receive their new grants without turn¬ 
 ing out the former inhabitants. 15. In consequence of 
 this, multitudes of women, with children in their arms, 
 whose tender years and innocence excited universal com¬ 
 passion, daily filled the temples and the streets with their 
 lamentations. Numbers of husbandmen and shepherds 
 came to deprecate the conqueror s intention, or to obtain 
 a habitation in some other part of the world. 16. Among 
 this number was Vir'gil the poet, to whom mankind owe 
 more obligations than to a thousand conquerors; who in 
 a humble manner begged permission to retain his patri¬ 
 monial farm. 17. Vir'gil obtained his request * ; but the 
 rest of his countrymen of Man'tua + and Cremo'naJ, were 
 turned out without mercy. 
 
 18. Italy and Rome now felt the most extreme mise 
 ries. The insolent soldiers plundered at will; while Sex'- 
 tus Pompey, being master of the sea, cut off all foreign 
 communication, and prevented the people from receiving 
 their usual supplies of corn. To these mischiefs were 
 added the commencement of another civil war. 19. Ful'- 
 
 * On shewing the order for the restoration of his property, 
 he was nearly killed by the centurion who was in possession, 
 and escaped only by swimming across a river. To these melan¬ 
 choly events he alludes in his first Eclogue. 
 
 f Man'tua was a very ancient town, supposed to be older than 
 Rome. It is still called Man'tua, and is the capital of a duchy 
 of the same name. 
 
 X Cremo'na was a very opulent and great commercial citj', (Ta¬ 
 citus). It suffered greatly in the civil wars of Augustus, (Virgil). 
 It is now the capital of the Cremo'nese, in the duchy of Milan* 
 M 2 
 
244 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 via, the wife of Antony, whom he had left behind at 
 Rome, felt for some time all the rage of jealousy, and 
 resolved to try every method of bringing back her hus¬ 
 band from the arms of Cleopa'tra. 20 . She considered 
 a breach with Augustus, as the only probable means of 
 rousing him from his lethargy ; and accordingly, with the 
 assistance of Lucius, her brother-in-law, she began to 
 sow the seeds of dissension. The pretext w'as, that Antony 
 should have a share in the distribution of lands as w'ell 
 as Augustus. 21. This produced negociations between, 
 them, and Augustus offered to make the veterans them¬ 
 selves umpires in the dispute. Lucius refused to ac- 
 quiecse; and being at the head of more than six legions, 
 mostly composed of such as were dispossessed of their 
 lands, he resolved to compel Augustus to accept of 
 whatever terms he should offer. Thus a new war was 
 excited between Augustus and Antony; or at least thq 
 generals of Antony assumed the sanction of his name. 
 22 . Augustus was victorious; Lu'cius was hemmed in 
 between two armies, and constrained to retreat to Pe- 
 ru'sia, where he was closely besieged by the opposite 
 party. He made many desperate sallies, and Furvia did 
 all in her power to relieve him, but without success, so 
 that being at last reduced to extremity by famine, he de¬ 
 livered himself up to the mercy of the conqueror. Au¬ 
 gustus received him honourably, and generously par¬ 
 doned him and all his followers *. 
 
 23. Antony having heard of his brother’s overthrow', 
 and of his wife being compelled to leave Italy, was re¬ 
 solved to oppose Augustus. He accordingly sailed at the 
 head of a considerable fleet, and had an interview with 
 Fufvia at Athens. 24. He much blamed her for occa¬ 
 sioning the late disorders 5 testified the utmost contempt 
 
 * He however displayed his usual cruelty towards the inha¬ 
 bitants, causing three hundred senators to be sacrificed at an 
 altar erected to the memory of Julius Cajsar, and delivering up 
 the city to plunder and the flames. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 245 
 
 for her person; and, leaving her upon her death-bed, 
 hastened into Italy to fight Augustus. They both met at 
 Brundu'sium; and it was now thought that the flames of 
 civil war were going to blaze out once more. 25. The 
 forces of Antony were numerous, but mostly newly 
 raised: however, he was assisted by Sex'tus Pompei'us, 
 who, in those oppositions of interest, was daily coming 
 into power. Augustus was at the head of those veterans 
 who had always been irresistible, but who seemed no 
 way disposed to fight against Antony, their former gene¬ 
 ral. 26. A negotiation was therefore proposed, and a 
 reconciliation was effected : all offences and affronts were 
 mutually forgiven; and, to cement the union, a marriage 
 was concluded between Antony and Octa'via, the sister 
 of Augustus. A new division of the Roman empire was 
 made between them: Augustus was to have the com¬ 
 mand of the West; Antony of the East; while Lep'idus 
 was obliged to content himself with the provines in 
 Africa. As for Sex'tus Pompei'us, he was permitted.to 
 retain all the islands he had already possessed, together 
 with Peloponnesus *: he was also granted the privilege 
 of demanding the consulship though absent, and of dis¬ 
 charging that office by a friend. It was stipulated to 
 leave the sea open, and to pay the people what corn was 
 due out of Sicily. Thus a general peace was concluded, 
 to the great satisfaction of the people, who now expect¬ 
 ed an end to all their calamities +. 
 
 * Peloponnesus, a large peninsula and province of Greece, 
 to which it is joined by the isthmus of Corinth. It has received 
 various names. It is now called the Morca, and is subject to 
 the Turks. 
 
 •}* This treaty was made on board Pompey’s ship, whither An¬ 
 tony and Augustus had repaired. While they were engaged in 
 conference, Me'nas, one of Pompey’s commanders, proposed to 
 cut the cable privately, and put. to sea, by which he would 
 have his rivals completely in his power ; but Pompey nobly re¬ 
 jected the perfidious counsel; preferring honour to the most 
 splendid advantages. 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Examination • 
 
 1. What ensued on the death of Brutus? 
 
 2. Were the Triumviri possessed of equal power? 
 
 3. What were their first measures? 
 
 4. By what were the people most affected ? 
 
 5. What observation has been made on these events .' 
 
 6. What was the consequence of the establishment of their 
 
 power? 
 
 7. Whither did Antony betake himself for that purpose? 
 
 8. How was he employed? 
 
 9. By what means did Cleopatra incur his displeasure? 
 
 10. W hat personal advantages did she possess? 
 
 11. Did she appear before Antony as a humble suppliant? 
 
 12. What was the result of the interview ? 
 
 13. How was Augustus employed in the mean time ? 
 
 14. What recompense had he promised these troops ? 
 
 15. What was the consequence of this tyranny? 
 
 16. What remarkable person was among the sufferers? 
 
 17. Was his request granted ? 
 
 18. What was the state of Italy at this time? 
 
 19. What occasioned it? 
 
 20. What did she consider as the most probable means of 
 
 reclaiming him ? 
 
 21. Were terms of accommodation offered and accepted? 
 
 22. What w r as the event of the war? 
 
 23. What was Antony's conduct on the occasion? 
 
 24. Did he approve of his wife's proceedings? 
 
 25. W ere the two armies of nearly equal strength ? 
 
 26. What was the consequence? 
 
 27. What farther measures w ere adopted ? 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 1. Contemptible, a. despicable, deserving of scorn. 
 
 2. Prodi"gi#us, a. amazingly large. 
 
 4. Bac chanal, s. a priestess of Bacchus. 
 
 6. Complication, s. a mixture, a folding together. 
 
 Exaggerate, v. to enlarge, heap up, aggravate. 
 
 9. Importunity, s urgent solicitation. 
 
 Repudiate, v. to divorce, to put away. 
 
 11. Absurdities, s. follies, extravagances. 
 
 14. Sarcastic, a. severe, keen. 
 
 21. Precipitately, ad. hastily, rashly. 
 
 25. Amass'ed, v. heaped together, collected. 
 Confiscations, s . forfeits, fines. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 247 
 
 1; The onlv obstacle to the ambition of Augus'tusvvas 
 Antony, whom he resolved to remove, and for that pur¬ 
 pose rendered his character at Rome as contemptible a9 
 he possibly could. In fact, Antony’s conduct did not a 
 little contribute to promote the endeavours of his am¬ 
 bitious partner. 2. He had marched against the Par - 
 thians with a prodigious army, but was forced to return 
 with the loss of the fourth part of his forces, and all his 
 baggage. 
 
 3. However, Antony seemed quite regardless of con¬ 
 tempt: alive only to pleasure, and totally disregarding 
 the business of the state, he spent his whole time in the 
 company of Cleopa'tra, who studied every art to increase 
 his passion, and vary his entertainments. 4. Few women 
 have been so much celebrated for the art of giving no¬ 
 velty to pleasure, and making trifles important. Still 
 ingenious in filling up the languid pauses of sensual de¬ 
 light with some new strokes of refinement, she was at 
 one time a queen, then a Badchanal 9 and sometimes a 
 huntress. 5. Not contented with sharing with her all 
 the delights which Egypt could afford, Antony was re¬ 
 solved to enlarge his sphere of luxury, by granting her 
 some of those kingdoms which belonged to the Roman 
 empire. He gave her all Pheni"cia*, Celo-Syr'iaf, and 
 Cy'prus, with a great part of Cili'cia, Ara'bia, and Ju- 
 de'a ; gifts which he had no right to bestow, but which 
 he pretended to grant in imitation of Hercules. 6. This 
 complication of vice and folly at last totally exasperated 
 
 * Phenf'cia, a province of Syr'ia, celebrated for the invention 
 of letters, and of navigation. The people of this country are 
 the first upon record who traded with England for tin. It is 
 written in the Greek and Latin authors, Phce'nice. (Coin, 
 Mela, Pliny). Varro is the only one among the ancients who 
 writes Phceni"cia. This is so noble a part of Syri'a, as some¬ 
 times to be put in opposition to it, or mentioned distinct from 
 it. (Strabo). 
 
 f Celo-Syr'ia was a province of Syr'ia. (2 Mac. iv. 4.) Some¬ 
 times called Coele-Syr'ia, or the Hollow Syr'ia. (Allen’s Ancient 
 Geography.) 
 
 M 4 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 248 
 
 the Romans, and Augustus, willing to take the advan¬ 
 tage of their resentment, took care to exaggerate all his 
 defects. 7. At length, when he found the people suffi¬ 
 ciently irritated against him, he resolved to send Octa'- 
 via, who was then at Rome, to Antony, as if with a view 
 of reclaiming her husband ; but, in fact, to furnish a 
 sufficient pretext for declaring war against him, as he 
 knew she would be dismissed with contempt. 
 
 8. Antony was now at the city of Leucop'oiis *, re¬ 
 velling with his insidious paramour, when he heard that 
 Octa'via was at Athens, upon her journey to visit him. 
 This was very unwelcome news both to him and Cleo¬ 
 pa'tra ; the latter, fearing the charms of her rival, en¬ 
 deavoured to convince Antony of the strength of her 
 passion, by her sighs, her looks, and well feigned me¬ 
 lancholy. He frequently caught her in tears, which she 
 seemingly attempted to hide ; and of which she appeared 
 extremely reluctant to tell him the cause. 9. These ar¬ 
 tifices, together with the ceaseless flattery and importu¬ 
 nity of her creatures, prevailed so much upon Antony’s 
 weakness, that he commanded Octa'via to return home, 
 without seeing her; and still more to exasperate the 
 people of Rome, he resolved to repudiate her, and take 
 Cleopa'tra as his wife. 10. He accordingly assembled 
 the people of Alexandria in the public theatre, where 
 was raised an alcove of silver, under which w ere placed 
 two thrones of gold, one for himself and the other for 
 Cleopa'tra. There he seated himself, dressed as Bac'- 
 chusf, while Cleopa'tra sat beside him, clothed in the 
 ornaments and attributes of I'sis t, the principal deity of 
 the Egyptians. 11. On that occasion he declared her 
 Queen of all the countries which he had already bestow¬ 
 ed upon her, while he associated Caesa'rio, her son by 
 
 * Leucop'olis, a city ofCa'ria, in Asia Minor, 
 f In Heathen Mythology, the god of wine, 
 t In Heathen Mythology, among the Egyptians, supposed to 
 have represented the moon. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 249 
 
 Caesar, as her partner in the government. To the two 
 children he himself had by her, he gave the title of 
 King of Kings, with very extensive dominions ; and, to 
 crown his absurdities , he next sent a minute account of 
 his proceedings to the two consuls at Rome *. 
 
 12. In the mean time, Augustus had a sufficient pre¬ 
 text for declaring war, and informed the senate of his 
 intentions. However, he deferred the execution of his 
 design for a while, being then employed in quelling an 
 insurrection of the Illyrians. 13. The following year 
 was chiefly taken up in preparations against Antony, 
 who perceiving his intentions, remonstrated to the senate, 
 that he had many causes of complaint against his col¬ 
 league, who had seized upon Sicily without affording 
 him a share: alledging that he had also dispossessed 
 Lep'idus, and kept to himself the province he had 
 commanded ; and that he had divided all Italy among his 
 own soldiers, leaving nothing to recompense those in 
 Asia. 14. To this complaint Augustus was content to 
 make a sarcastic answer, implying that it was absurd to 
 complaiu of his distribution of a few trifling districts in 
 Italy, when Antony having conquered Par'thia, he might 
 now reward his soldiers with cities and provinces f. lo. 
 This sarcasm provoked him to send his army without de¬ 
 lay into Europe, to meet Augustus, while he and Cleo- 
 pa'tra followed to Samos J, in order to prepare for carry- 
 
 * While Antony was thus revelling in Egypt, Augustus was 
 engaged in a war with Pompey, whom, after many bloody bat¬ 
 tles, both by sea and land, he completely defeated and put to 
 death. (Appian, p.747. Strabo, 1. iii. p. 141.) Soon after this, 
 Lep'idus, being forsaken by his troops, was deposed from th^ 
 Triurn virate, but permitted to enjoy his private estate in. 
 peace. . .... 
 
 f The severity of this sarcasm lay in its bei v ng directly con¬ 
 trary to truth, as Antony had been defeated by the Par'thians. 
 
 t Samos, a celebrated island in the Archipel'ago. It has been 
 rendered famous for the worship and a temple of Ju'no, with a 
 noted Asylum. (Virgil, Strabo, Tacitus.) Its capital was of the 
 same name, and is memorable for the birth of Pythag'oras. 
 
 M 5 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ing on the war with vigour. 16. When arrived there, it 
 was ridiculous enough to behold the odd mixture of pre¬ 
 parations for pleasure and for war. On one side, all the 
 kings and princes from Egypt to the Euxine Sea had or- 
 ders to send him supplies of men, provisions, and arms ; 
 on the other, comedians, dancers, buffoons, and musi¬ 
 cians, were ordered to attend him. 
 
 17. His delay at Sa'mos, and afterwards at A'thens, 
 where he carried Cleopa'tra to receive new honours, 
 proved extremely favourable to the arms of Augustus, 
 who was at first scarcely in a situation to oppose him, 
 had he gone into Italy; but he soon found time to put 
 himself in a condition for carrying on the war: and 
 shortly after declared it against him in form. At length 
 both sides found themselves in readiness to begin, and 
 their armies were suitable to the greatness of the empire 
 for which they contended. 18. The one was followed by 
 all the forces of the East; the other drew after him all 
 the strength of the West. Antony's force composed a 
 body of one hundred thousand foot, and twelve thousand 
 horse, while his fleet amounted to five hundred ships of 
 war. Augustus mustered but eighty thousand foot, but 
 equalled his adversary in the number of cavalry: his 
 fleet was but half as numerous as Antony's; however, his 
 ships were better built, and manned with better soldiers. 
 
 19. The great decisive engagement, which was a naval 
 one, was fought near Ac'tium*, a city in Epi'rus, at the 
 entrance of the gulph of Ambra'cia, Antony ranged his 
 ships before the mouth of the gulph; and Augustus 
 drew up his fleet in opposition. Neither general assumed 
 any fixed station to command in, but went about from 
 ship to ship, wherever his presence was necessary. In 
 the mean time the two land armies, on the opposite sides 
 of the gulph, were drawn up, only as spectators of the 
 engagement, and encouraged the fleets, by their shouts. 
 
 Ac'tium is famous for a temple of Apollo. 
 
251 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 to engage. 20. The battle began on both sides after a 
 manner not practised upon former occasions. The prows 
 of their vessels were armed with brazen beaks, with 
 which it was usual to drive furiously against each other; 
 but Antony’s ships being large, unwieldy, and badly 
 manned, were incapable of the necessary swiftness, while 
 those of Augustus, from the lightness of their construc¬ 
 tion, were fearful of the rude encounter: the battle, there¬ 
 fore, rather resembled a land fight, the ships being brought 
 alongside each other. They fought with great ardour, 
 without advantage on either side, except from a small 
 appearance of disorder in the centre of Antony s fleet. 
 21. But, all on a sudden, Cleopa'tra determined the for¬ 
 tune of the day. She was seen flying from the engage¬ 
 ment with her sixty sail, struck, perhaps, with the terrors 
 natural to her sex; and, to increase the general amaze¬ 
 ment, Antony himself precipitately followed, leaving his 
 fleet at the mercy of the conquerors: while the army on 
 laud submitted, being thus abandoned by their general. 
 
 22. When Cleopa tra fled, Antony pursued her in a 
 quinquireme*, and coming alongside her ship, entered 
 it without any desire of seeing her. She was in the stern, 
 and he went to the prow, where he remained silent and 
 melancholy. In this manner he continued three whole 
 days, during which, either through indignation or shame, 
 he neither saw nor spoke to Cleopa'tra. The queen’s 
 female attendants, however, reconciled them, and every 
 thing vvent on as before. 23. Still he had the consola¬ 
 tion to suppose his army continued faithful to him; and 
 accordingly dispatched orders to conduct it into Asia. 
 But he was soon undeceived when he arrived in Afiica, 
 where he was informed of their submission to his rival +• 
 
 * A galley with five banks of oars 
 
 + They continued unshaken in their fidelity for seven days 
 after the battle of Ac tiura, notwithstanding the advantageous 
 offers made them by Augustus, in hopes Antony would return 
 M 6 
 
252 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 24* This so transported him with rage, that with diffi¬ 
 culty he was prevented from killing himself. At length, 
 at the entreaty of his friends, he returned to Alexan¬ 
 dria. 25. Cleopatra seemed to retain that fortitude in 
 her misfortunes, which had utterly abandoned her ad¬ 
 mirer. Having amassed considerable riches, by means 
 of confiscations and other acts of violence, she formed a 
 very singular and unheard-of project. 26. This was, to 
 convey her whole fleet over the Isthmus of Su'ez into the 
 Red Sea, and thereby save herself, with all her treasures, 
 in another region beyond the power of Rome. 27. Some 
 of her vessels were actually transported thither, pursu¬ 
 ant to her orders ; but the Arabians having burnt them, 
 and Antony dissuading her from the design, she aban¬ 
 doned it for the more improbable scheme of defending 
 against the conqueror. 28. She omitted nothing 
 in her power to put this practice, and made all kinds of 
 preparations for war; hoping at least by these means 
 to obtain better terms from Augustus. In fact, she had 
 been more in love with Antony’s fortune than his per¬ 
 son ; and if she could have fallen upon any method of 
 saving herself, though even at his expence, there is 
 little doubt but she would have embraced it with glad¬ 
 ness. 29. Slje had still hopes from the power of her 
 charms, though she was arrived almost at the age of 
 forty : and was desirous of trying upon Augustus those 
 arts which had already been so successful. Thus, in 
 three embassies which were sent from Antony to Au¬ 
 gustus in Asia, the queen had always her secret agents, 
 charged with proposals in her name. Antony desired no 
 more than that his life might be spared, and to have the 
 liberty of passing the remainder of his days in obscurity. 
 
 and put himself at their head; but finding themselves disap¬ 
 pointed, and abandoned by their principal officers, they at 
 length surrendered. * 
 
 5 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 253 
 
 To these requests Augustus made no reply. 30. Cleo- 
 pa'tra also sent him public proposals in favour of her 
 children ; but at the same time privately resigned to him 
 her crown, with all the ensigns of royalty. To the 
 queen’s public proposal no answer was given ; to her 
 private offer he replied, by giving her assurances of his 
 favour, in case she would send away Antony, or put him 
 to death. 31. These private negociations were not so 
 concealed but they came to the knowledge of Antony, 
 whose jealousy and rage every occurrence now contra 
 buted to heighten. He built a small solitary house 
 upon a mole in the sea, and shut himself up a prey to 
 those passions that are the tormentors of unsuccessful 
 tyranny. There he passed his time, shunning all com¬ 
 merce with mankind, and professing to imitate Ti'mon *, 
 the man-hater. 32. However, his furious jealousy 
 drove him from this retreat into society ; for hearing that 
 Cleopa'tra had secret conferences with one Thyr'sus, an 
 emissary from Augustus, he seized upon him, ordered 
 him to be cruelly scourged, and sent him back to his 
 patron. At the same time he sent letters by him, im¬ 
 porting that Thyrsus had been chastised for insulting a 
 man in misfortunes; but withal he gave Augustus per¬ 
 mission to revenge himself by scourging Hippar'chus, 
 Antony’s freednian, in the same manner. The reveuge, 
 in this case, would have been highly pleasing to Antony, 
 as Hippar'chus had left him to join the fortunes of his 
 more successful rival. 
 
 * Ti'mon, the misanthrope, was born near Athens, A.D. 420. 
 He declared himself the enemy of the human race, and had a 
 companion named Apeman'tus, who possessed a similar disposi¬ 
 tion. The latter asking him one day, why he paid such respect 
 to Alcibi'ades, “ It is,” said the churl, “ because I foresee he 
 will prove the ruin of the Athe'nians, ray countrymen.” (Plu¬ 
 tarch.) 
 
254 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What obstacle remained to the ambition of Augustus, 
 
 and how did he attempt its removal ? 
 
 2. How was Antony at this time employed? 
 
 3. Did he keenly feel this misfortune? 
 
 4. Was she eminently skilled in the art of pleasing? 
 
 5. Was not Antony lavish in his favours to her? 
 
 6. What was the consequence of this folly ? 
 
 7. By what means did he seek a quarrel? 
 
 8. How was this measure approved by Antony and Cleo¬ 
 
 patra ? 
 
 9. What imprudent resolutions did he adopt? 
 
 10. Did-he do this publicly ? 
 
 11. What farther favours did he bestow on her ? 
 
 12. Did Augustus immediately commence hostilities? 
 
 13. What complaints did Antony make of Augustus? 
 
 14. Did Augustus notice these accusations? 
 
 15. What effect had his reply on Antony? 
 
 16. W T ere these military preparations formidable? 
 
 What advantages did Antony oiler Augustus? 
 
 18. What was the respective strength of the armies? 
 
 19. Describe the preparations for this great conflict? 
 
 20. Was the engagement well contested? 
 
 2U What extraordinary circumstance decided its fate l 
 
 22. Did he reproach Cleopatra for her timidity? 
 
 23. Had Antony any resources left? 
 
 24. How did he receive this news ? 
 
 25. How did Cleopatra act in this exigence ? 
 
 26. What was this project? 
 
 27. Was it put in execution? 
 
 28. How did she attempt this, and with what views? 
 
 29. What farther hopes had she of favour? 
 
 30. ‘What proposals did she make, and how were they re¬ 
 
 ceived ? 
 
 31. Was Antony aware of these negociations ? 
 
 32. Did he persist in thus secluding himself? 
 
 SECT. VIII. 
 
 1. Retard* c ft, part, delayed, kept back. 
 
 2. Desperation, s. despair, the resolution of despair. 
 4. Magnifioently, ad. richly, nobly, 
 
 9. Ob'viating, part, preventing. 
 
 10. Sep'ulchre, s. a tomb. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 255 
 
 II. Capitulation, s. surrender. 
 
 24. Re'gimen, s. a regulation of diet. 
 
 26. Pros'trated, v. threw themselves down. 
 
 28. Per'fidy, s. treachery, baseness. 
 
 31. Propi"tiate, v to induce to favour, to conciliate. 
 
 Expatiated, v . spoke at length. 
 
 32. In'ventory, s. a list, a catalogue. 
 
 1. Augustus advanced with another army against 
 Pelu'sium *, which by its stroug situation might have re¬ 
 tarded his progress for some time. But the governor of 
 the city, either wanting courage to defend it, or previously 
 instructed by Cleopa tra to give it up, permitted him 
 to take possession; so that Augustus had now no obstacle 
 in his way to Alexandria, whither he marched with all 
 expedition. 2. Antony, upon his arrival, sallied out to 
 oppose him, fighting with desperation , and putting the 
 enemy's cavalry to flight. 3. This slight advantage once 
 more revived his declining hopes: and, being naturally 
 vain, he re-entered Alexandria in triumph. Then going, 
 armed as he was, to the palace, and embracing Cleo- 
 pa'tra, he presented to her a soldier, who had distinguish¬ 
 ed himself in the engagement. 4. The queen rewarded 
 him very magnificently ; presenting him with a helmet 
 and breastplate of gold. With these, however, the 
 soldier deserted in the night to the other army, pru¬ 
 dently resolving to secure his riches, by keeping on the 
 strongest side. 5. Antony, not able to bear this defec¬ 
 tion without fresh indignation, resolved to make a bold 
 expiring effort by sea and land; but previously offered ta. 
 fight his adversary in single combat. Augustus, how¬ 
 ever, too well knew the inequality of their situations to 
 comply with this forlorn proposal; he therefore coolly re¬ 
 plied, “ Antony has ways enough to die besides in single 
 combat" 
 
 * A strong city of Egypt. 
 
25 6 history of the 
 
 6. The next day, he posted the few troops he had re- 
 maining upon a rising ground near the city ; whence he 
 sent orders to his galleys to engage the enemy. There he 
 waited to be a spectator of the combat; and at first he had 
 the satisfaction to see them advance in good order. 7.But 
 bis joy was soon turned into rage, when he beheld his ships 
 only saluting those of Augus'tus, and both fleets uniting 
 together, and sailing back into the harbour; and at the 
 same time his cavalry deserting him. He tried however to 
 lead on his infantry ; but these were easily vanquished; 
 and he himself compelled to return into the town. ». His 
 fury was now ungovernable; crying out as he passed, that 
 he was betrayed by Cleopa'tra, and delivered up to those 
 who, for her sake alone, were his enemies. In these sus¬ 
 picions he was not deceived ; for it was by secret orders 
 from the queen that the fleet passed over to the enemy. 
 
 9. Cleopa'tra had for a long while dreaded the effects 
 of Antony’s jealousy ; and had some time before prepared 
 a method of obviating the effects of any sudden sallies it 
 might produce. 10. Near the temple of l'sis she had 
 erected a building, which was seemingly designed for a 
 sepulchre. Hither she moved her treasure and most va¬ 
 luable effects, covering them with torches, faggots, und 
 other combustible matter. 11. This sepulchre she de¬ 
 signed to answer a double purpose, as well to screen 
 her from the sudden resentments of Antony, as to make 
 Augus'tus believe that she would burn all her treasure, 
 in case he refused proper terms of capitulation. Here, 
 therefore, she retired from Antony’s fury : shutting the 
 fortified gates; and giving orders to have it reported that 
 she was dead. 12. This news soon reached Antony, and 
 it recalled all his former love and tenderness. Subject to 
 every gust of passion, and each of them in the extreme, 
 he now lamented her death with the same violence that he 
 bad just before seemed to desire it. “ Miserable man! 
 
257 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 exclaimed he, “ what is there now worth living for; 
 since all that could soothe or sotten my cares is departed! 
 O Cleopa tra ! our separation does not so much afflict 
 me, as the disgrace I sutler, in permitting a woman to 
 instruct me in the ways of dying.” 13. He now called 
 to him one of his freedmen, named Eros, whom he had 
 engaged, by oath, to kill him, whenever fortune should 
 drive him to his last resource, and commanded him to 
 perform his promise. This faithful follower drew his 
 sword, as if going instantly to strike the blow; w f hen 
 turning his face, he plunged it into his own bosom, 
 and dropt at his master's feet. 14. Antony, for a while, 
 hung over his faithful servant, charmed with his fidelity. 
 Then snatching up the sword he stabbed himself in the 
 belly, and fell backward upon a couch. 15. The wound 
 was mortal; yet the blood stopping, he recovered his 
 spirits; and earnestly conjured those who were come 
 into the room, to put an end to his life; but the) all 
 fled, seized with fright and horror. 16. He continued in 
 this miserable condition till he was informed by one of 
 the queen’s secretaries, that his mistress was still alive , 
 and begged that he would suffer himself to be transported 
 to the monument where she was. He was accordingly 
 brought to the sepulchre: but Cleopatra, attended by 
 her two women only, durst by no means permit the gate 
 to be opened, but from the window threw down cords, 
 with which, with great difficulty, they drew him up. 
 17. Antony, bathed in his blood, held out his hands to 
 Cleopatra, and faintly endeavoured to raise himself from 
 the couch on which he had been laid. The queen gave 
 wav to sorrow, tore her clothes, beat her breast, and 
 kissing the wound of which he was dying, called him 
 her husband, her lord, her emperor. 18. Antony entreated 
 her to moderate the transports of her grief, and to pre¬ 
 serve her life, if she could be able to do it with honour. 
 “ As for me, lament not my misfortunes/' he said, “ but 
 
268 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 congratulate me upon the happiness which I have en¬ 
 joyed ; 1 have lived the greatest and most powerful of 
 men; and though I fall, my fate is not ignominious; 
 a Roman myself , I am at last by a Roman overcome.” 
 Having thus said, he expired. 
 
 la Proculei'us now made his appearance by command 
 of Augustus, who had been informed of Antony’s despe¬ 
 rate conduct. He was sent to try all means of getting 
 Cleopa'tra into his power. 20. Augustus had a double 
 motive for his solicitude on tin’s occasion; one was—to 
 prevent her destroying the treasures she had taken with 
 her into the tomb; the other,—to preserve her person, as 
 an ornament to grace his triumph. 21. Cleopa'tra, how¬ 
 ever, .was upon her guard, and rejected any conference 
 with Proculei'us, except through the gate, which was 
 well secured. At length, having procured a ladder, he 
 with two of Augustus’ soldiers entered by the same 
 window through which Antony had been drawn up. Cleo¬ 
 pa'tra, perceiving what had happened, drew a poniard 
 that hung at her girdle, to stab herself, but Proculei'us 
 forced it from her. 22. Augustus, pleased to find her 
 in his power, sent Epaphrodi'tus to bring her to his pa¬ 
 lace, and to watch her with the utmost circumspection. 
 He was ordered to use her, in every respect, with- that 
 deference and submission which were due to her rank, 
 and to do every thing in his power to render her captivity 
 tolerable. 
 
 23. Though kings and generals made interest for An¬ 
 tony’s body, in order to pay the last honours to it, this 
 consolation was reserved for Cleopa'tra. She alone was 
 permitted to have the honour of granting Antony the rites 
 of burial; and was furnished with every thing becoming 
 his dignity to receive, or her love to offer. 24. Yet still 
 she languished under her new confinement. Her many 
 losses, her frantic sorrow, the blows which she had given 
 her bosom, produced a fever, which she wished to in- 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 259 
 
 crease. She resolved, by abstaining from nourishment, 
 to starve herself to death, under the pretence of a regimen 
 necessary for her disorder. 25. But Augus tus being 
 made acquainted with the real motive by her physicians, 
 began to threaten her, with regard to the safety of her 
 children, in case she should perish. The fear of being 
 the cause of their death, was a motive she could not re¬ 
 sist. Cleopa'tra, therefore, allowed herself to be treated 
 as was thought proper, and she recovered. 
 
 26. In the mean time Augustus made his entry into 
 Alexandria; taking care to mitigate the fears of the in¬ 
 habitants, by conversing familiarly with Ar cus, a philo¬ 
 sopher, and a native of the place. The citizens, however, 
 trembled at his approach. And when he placed himself 
 upon the tribunal, they prostrated themselves, with their 
 faces to the ground, before him, like criminals who 
 waited the sentence for tl\^r execution. 27. Augustus 
 presently ordered them to rise, telling them that three 
 motives induced him to pardon them:—his respect for 
 Alexander, who was the founder of their city ; his admi¬ 
 ration of its beauty; and his friendship for Ar'cus, their 
 fellow-citizen. 28. Two only of particular note were 
 put to death upon this occasion; Antony's eldest son, 
 Antyl'lus, and Caisa'rio, the son of Julius Caesar, both 
 betrayed into his hands by their respective tutors; who 
 themselves suffered for their perfidy shortly after. As for 
 the rest of Cleopa'tra’s children, he treated them with 
 great gentleness, leaving them to the care of those who 
 were intrusted with their education, to whom he gave 
 orders to provide them with every thing suitable to theii 
 birth. 29. Cleopa'tra being recovered, Augustus visited 
 her in person : she received him lying on a couch; but, 
 upon his entering the apartment, rose up, habited in a 
 loose robe, and prostrated herself before him. Her mis¬ 
 fortunes had given an air of severity to her features ; 
 her hair was dishevelled, her voice trembling, her com- 
 
260 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 plexion pale, and her eyes swoln with weeping ; yet, 
 still, her natural beauty seemed to gleam through the 
 distresses that surrounded her; and the graces of her mo¬ 
 tion, and the alluring softness of her looks, still bore 
 testimony to the former power of her charms. 30. Au- 
 gustus raised her with his usual complaisance, and, de¬ 
 siring her to sit, placed himself beside her. 31. Cleopa'tra 
 had been prepared for this interview, and made use of 
 every art to propitiate the conqueror. She tried apo¬ 
 logies, entreaties, and allurements, to obtain his favour 
 J*nd soften his resentment. She began by attempting to 
 justify her conduct; but when her skill faded against ma¬ 
 nifest proofs, she turned her defence into supplications. 
 She reminded him of Caesar’s humanity to those in dis¬ 
 tress ; she read some of his letters to her, full of tender¬ 
 ness ; and expatiated upon the intimacy that subsisted 
 between them. “ But of wha# service,” cried she, “ are 
 now all his benefits to me! Why did 1 not die with him ! 
 1 et, still he lives, methinks I see him still before me ! 
 he revives in you.” 32. Augustus, who was no stranger 
 to this method of address, remained firm against all at¬ 
 tacks ; answering with a cold indifference, which obliged 
 her to give her attempts a different turn. 33. She now 
 addressed his avarice, presenting him with an inventory 
 of her treasure and jewels. This gave occasion to a very 
 singular scene, that may serve to shew that the little de¬ 
 corums of breeding were then by no means attended to as 
 in modern times. One of her stewards having alleged, 
 that the inventory was defective, and that she had se¬ 
 creted a part of her effects, she fell into the most extra¬ 
 vagant passion, started from her couch, and catching 
 him by the hair, gave him repeated blows on the face. 
 Augustus smiling at her indignation, led her to the couch, 
 and desired her to be pacified. To this she replied, that 
 it was insufierable to be insulted in the presence of one 
 whom she so highly esteemed. “ And admitting,” cried 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 261 
 
 she, (t that l have secreted a few ornaments, am I to 
 blame, when they are reserved, not for myself, but for 
 Liv'ia and Octa'via, whom I hope to make my interces¬ 
 sors with you?” 35. The apology, which intimated 
 a desire of living, was not disagreeable to Augustus, 
 who politely assured her she was at liberty to keep 
 whatever she had reserved, and that in every thing she 
 should be indulged to the height of her expectations. He 
 then took leave, and departed ; imagining he had recon¬ 
 ciled her to life, and to the indignity of being shown in 
 the intended triumph, which he was preparing for his re¬ 
 turn to Rome : but in this he was deceived. 36. Cleo- 
 pa'tra had all this time corresponded with Dolabel'la, a 
 young Roman of high birth, in the camp of Augustus; 
 who from compassion, or perhaps from stronger motives, 
 was interested in her misfortunes. By him she was 
 secretly informed, that Augustus determined to send her 
 and her children, within three days, to Rome, to grace 
 his triumphant entry. 37. She, at length, therefore, de¬ 
 termined upon dying; but first threw herself upon An¬ 
 tony’s coffin, bewailed her captivity, and renewed her 
 protestations not to survive him. Having bathed, and 
 ordered a sumptuous banquet, she attired herself in the 
 most splendid manner. After partaking of the banquet, 
 she commanded all, except her two women, to leave the 
 apartment. She had contrived to have an asp secretly 
 conveyed to her in a basket of fruit, and then wrote to 
 Augustus, to inform him of her fatal purpose, desiring to 
 be buried in the same tomb with Antony. 38. Augustus, 
 upon receiving the letter, instantly despatched messengers 
 in hopes to stop the fulfilment of her intentions, but they 
 arrived too late. Upon entering the chamber, they be¬ 
 held Cleopa'tra lying dead upon her couch, arrayed in 
 royal robes. Near her, l'ras, one of her faithful at¬ 
 tendants, was stretched at the feet of her mistress ; and 
 
262 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Char'nrion *, the other, scarcely alive, was settling the 
 diadem upon Cleopatra’s head. “Alas!” cried one*of 
 the messengers, “ is this well done, Char'mion]” “ Yes,” 
 replied she, “ it is well done; such a death becomes a 
 glorious queen, descended from a race of glorious ances¬ 
 tors.Pronouncing these words, she dropped and ex¬ 
 pired with her much loved mistress f. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What was the next conquest achieved by Augustus? 
 
 2. What was Antony’s conduct on his arrival ? 
 
 3. Was he elated by this slight success ? 
 
 4. How was he rewarded, and in what manner did he evince 
 
 his gratitude ? 
 
 5. What were Antony's feelings and conduct on the occa¬ 
 
 sion ? 
 
 6. Did he attempt farther hostilities? 
 
 7. Was this satisfaction well founded ? 
 
 8. How was he affected by this ill success? 
 
 9. Was Cleopatra prepared for these misfortunes? 
 
 10. What precautions had she taken? 
 
 11. What was her design in building this sepulchre? 
 
 12. Was Antony affected by this news? 
 
 13. What followed? 
 
 14. Did Antony persist in his purpose? 
 
 15. Did he immediately expire? 
 
 16. Had he another interview with Cleopatra? 
 
 17—18. Relate the particulars of this interview. 
 
 19. How did Augustus act on this occasion ? 
 
 20. Why was Augustus anxious to preserve the life of Cleo¬ 
 
 patra ? 
 
 21. Did he obtain ready admittance to her, and what was the 
 
 ^consequence ? 
 
 22. How w as she treated ? 
 
 23. By whom were the last honours paid to Antony ? 
 
 24. Did this kindness reconcile her to her situation? 
 
 25. By what means did Augustus overcome her resolution? 
 
 * Pronounced Kar'mion. 
 
 f Cleopa'tra was thirty-eight years old at the time of her 
 death, and had lived twelve years with Antony. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 203 
 
 26. What circumstances attended the entrance of Augustus 
 
 into Alexandria ? 
 
 27. Were their fears realized ? 
 
 28. Who fell victims on the occasion ? 
 
 29. Did Augustus visit Cleopatra, and how was he received? 
 
 30. What was his conduct towards her? 
 
 31. How did Cleopatra conduct herself at this interview? 
 
 32. Was Augustus moved by her artifices? 
 
 33. Mention her next attempt and its consequence. 
 
 34. Relate the particulars. 
 
 35. Was the apology accepted? 
 
 3f>. With whom did Cleopatra correspond, and what did she 
 learn ? 
 
 37. What resolution did she form, and how did she accom¬ 
 
 plish it? 
 
 38. Did not Augustus attemptto prevent her resolution, and 
 
 was he successful ? 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 1. Oblit erate, v. to blot out, to cause to be forgotten. 
 
 Clem'ency, s . mercy, gentleness, mildness. 
 
 3. Devastations, laying waste, destruction. 
 
 5. Don'atives, s. gifts, largesses, 
 
 6. O'dium, s. hatred, blame. 
 
 10. Affable, a. free, condescending. 
 
 15. Concessions, s. grants, acts of yielding. 
 
 20. E'dicts, s. proclamations that have the force of laws. 
 24. Manumis'sion, s. the act of setting slaves free. 
 
 26. Disallow'ed, part, forbidden, not allowed. 
 
 27. Extirpate, v. to root out, to destroj . 
 
 Deter', v. to frighten from. 
 
 1. By the death of Antony, Augustus having become 
 master of the Roman empire, returned to Rome in 
 triumph ; where, by feasts and magnificent shows, he 
 began to obliterate the impressions of his former 
 cruelty; and thenceforward resolved to secure, by his 
 clemency , a throne, the foundations of which were laid 
 6 
 
2g4 history of the 
 
 in blood. 2. He was now at the head of the most exten¬ 
 sive empire that mankind had evev beheld. The former 
 spirit of the Romans, and those characteristic marks that 
 distinguished them from others, were now totally lost. 
 The city was inhabited by a concourse from all the coun¬ 
 tries of the world ; and being consequently divested of all 
 just patriotic principles, perhaps a monarchy is the best 
 form of government that could be found to unite its mem¬ 
 bers. 3. However, it was very remarkable, that during 
 these long contentions among themselves, and these horrid 
 devastations by civil war, the state was daily growing 
 more formidable and powerful, and completed the de¬ 
 struction of all the kings who presumed to oppose it. 
 
 4. The first care of Augus'tus was to assure himself of 
 the friends of Antony ; to which end he publicly reported 
 that he had burnt all Antony’s letters and papers without 
 reading them, convinced that, while any thought them¬ 
 selves suspected, they would be fearful of even ottering 
 him their friendship. 
 
 5. He had gained the kingdom by his army, but he 
 resolved to govern it by the senate. This body, though 
 •neatly fallen from its ancient splendour, he knew to be 
 the best constituted, and most remarkable for wisdom and 
 justice. To the senate, therefore, he gave the chief power 
 in the administration of his government, while he himself 
 secured the fidelity of the people and the army by dona¬ 
 tives, and acts of favour. 6. By these means the odium 
 of severity fell upon the senate, and the popularity of par¬ 
 don was solely his own. Thus restoring splendour to the 
 senate,and discountenancing corruption, he pretended to 
 reserve to himself a very moderate share of authority, to 
 which none could object: namely, power to compel all ranks 
 of the state to do their duty. 7.This was, intact, reserving 
 absolute dominion in his own hands; but the misguided 
 people began to look upon his moderation with astonish- 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 265 
 
 rnent: they considered themselves as restored to their 
 former freedom, except the capacity of promoting sedi¬ 
 tion ; and the senate supposed their power re-establish¬ 
 ed in all things but their tendency to injustice. It was 
 even said that the Romans, by such a government, lost 
 nothing of the happiness that liberty could produce, and 
 were exempt from all the misfortunes it could occasion. 
 8. This observation might have some truth under such a 
 monarch as Augustus now appeared to be: but they 
 were afterwards taught to change their sentiments under 
 his successors, when they found themselves afflicted with 
 all the punishments that tyranny could inflict, or sedition 
 make necessary. 
 
 9. After having established this admirable order Au¬ 
 gustus found himself agitated by different passions ; and 
 considered, a long time, whether he should keep the em¬ 
 pire, or restore the people to their ancient liberty. 10. 
 But he adopted the advice of Mecae'nas, which was, to 
 continue in power; and he was afterwards swayed by him 
 on every occasion. By the advice of that minister, he be¬ 
 came gentle, affable , and humane: he encouraged men of 
 learning, and gave them much of his time and his friend¬ 
 ship. These in their turn relieved his most anxious hours, 
 and circulated his praise throughout the empire. 
 
 11. Tims having given peace and happiness to his sub¬ 
 jects, and being convinced of the attachment of all orders 
 of the state to his person, he resolved upon impressing the 
 people w ith an idea of his magnanimity, by making a shew 
 of resigning his authority. 12. To this end, having pre¬ 
 viously instructed his creatures in the senate how to act, 
 he addressed them in a studied speech, importing the 
 difficulty of governing so extensive an empire ; a task to 
 which, he said, none but the immortal gods were equal. 
 He modestly urged his ow n inability, though impelled by 
 every motive to undertake it; and then, with a degree of 
 seeming generosity, freely gave up all that power which 
 
 N 
 
260 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 his arms had gained, and which the senate had confirm¬ 
 ed, giving them to understand, that the true spirit of the 
 Romans was not lost in him. 13. This speech operated 
 upon the senate variously, as they were more or less in 
 the secret. Many believed the sincerity of his conduct 
 as an act of heroism unequalled by any thing that had 
 hitherto appeared; others, though ignorant of his mo¬ 
 tives, distrusted his designs. Some there were, who, 
 having greatly suffered during the popular commotions, 
 were fearful of their being renewed; but the majority, 
 who were properly instructed by his ministers, frequently 
 attempted to interrupt him while speaking, and received 
 liis proposals with pretended indignation. 14. These 
 unanimously besought him not to resign the administra¬ 
 tion ; and, upon his continuing to decline their request, 
 they in a manner compelled him to comply. However, 
 that his person might be in greater security, they imme¬ 
 diately decreed that the pay of his guard should be 
 doubled. 15. On the other hand, that he might seem 
 to make concessions on his side, he permitted the senate 
 to govern the weak internal provinces, while the most 
 powerful provinces, and those that required the greatest 
 armies for their defence, were taken entirely under his 
 own command. Over these he assumed the government 
 for ten years only, leaving the people still in hopes of 
 regaining their ancient freedom ; at the same time, how¬ 
 ever, laying his measures so well, that his government 
 was renewed every ten years to his death. 
 
 16. This shew of resignation only served to confirm him 
 in the empire and in the hearts of the people. New ho¬ 
 nours were heaped upon him. He was now first called 
 Augus tus (a name 1 have hitherto used as that by wnicli 
 he is best known in history.) A laurel was ordered to be 
 planted at his gates. That house was called the palace 
 wherever he made his abode. He was confirmed in the 
 title of father of his country, and his person declared 
 sacred and inviolable. 17. In short, flattery seemed on 
 
267 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 the rack to find out new modes of pleasing him; but, 
 though he despised the arts of the senate, he permitted 
 their homage, well knowing that, among mankind, titles 
 produce a respect which enforces authority. 
 
 18. Upon entering into his tenth consulship, the senate, 
 by oath, approved of all his acts, and set him wholly 
 above the power of the laws. They, some time after, 
 offered to swear not only to all the laws he had made, but 
 such as he should make for the future. 19. It was cus¬ 
 tomary with fathers, upon their death-beds, to command 
 their children to carry oblations to the Capitol, with an 
 inscription, that at the day of their deaths they left Au¬ 
 gustus in health. It was determined that no man should 
 be put to death on such days as the emperor entered the 
 city. Upon a dearth of provisions, the people entreated 
 him to accept of the dictatorship; but he would by no 
 means assume the title of dictator, which had been abo¬ 
 lished by law. 
 
 20. An accumulation of titles and employments did not 
 in the least diminish his assiduity in fulfilling the duties 
 of each. Several very wholesome edicts were passed by 
 his command, tending to suppress corruption in the se¬ 
 nate, and licentiousness in the people. 21. He ordained 
 that none should exhibit a show of gladiators without an 
 order from the senate, and then not oftener than twice a 
 year; nor with more than a hundred and twenty at a 
 time. This law was extremely necessary at so corrupt a 
 period of the empire, when armies of these unfortunate 
 men were brought at once upon the stage, and compelled 
 to fight, often till half of them were slain. 22. It had 
 been usual also with the knights, and women of the first 
 distinction, to exhibit themselves as dancers upon the 
 theatre; he ordered that not only these, but their chil¬ 
 dren and grand-children should be restrained from such 
 exercises for the future. 23. He fined many that had 
 refused to marry at a certain age ; and rewarded such as 
 N 2 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 268 
 
 had many children. He ordained, that virgins should 
 not be married till twelve years of age. He permitted 
 anv person to kill an adulterer, if taken in the fact. He 
 enacted that the senators should be held in great reve¬ 
 rence; adding to their dignity what he had taken from 
 their power. 24. He made a law, that no man should 
 have the freedom of the city without a previous exami¬ 
 nation into his merit and character. He appointed new 
 rules and limits to the manumission of slaves; and was 
 himself very strict in the observance of them. With re¬ 
 gard to dramatic performers, of whom he was very fond, 
 he severely examined their morals, not allowing licenti¬ 
 ousness in their lives, nor indecency in their actions. 
 Though lie encouraged the athletic exercises, he would 
 not permit women to be present at them : holding it un¬ 
 becoming the modesty of the sex to be spectators of 
 these sports, which were performed by naked men. 25. 
 In order to prevent bribery in suing for offices, he took 
 considerable sums of money from the candidates, by way 
 of pledge; and if any indirect practices were proved against 
 them, they were obliged to forfeit all. 26. Slaves had 
 been hitherto disallowed to confess any thing against 
 their own masters; but he abolished the practice, and 
 first sold the slave to another, which altering the pro¬ 
 perty, his examination became free. 27. These, ami 
 other laws, all tending to extirpate vice, or deter from 
 crimes, gave the manners of the people another com¬ 
 plexion ; and the rough character of the Roman soldier 
 was now softened into that of the refined citizen 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 X. What was the consequence of the death of Antony ? 
 
 2. What was the character of the Roman people at this time? 
 
 3. Did these convulsions weaken the empire ? 
 
 * In his sixth consulship, Augus'tus commanded a census to be 
 made, when there was found the astonishing number of 4,060,000 
 inhabitants in Rome, which was 50 miles in circumference. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 269 
 
 4. What was the first care of Augustus? 
 
 5. In what way did he propose to govern? 
 
 6. What were the consequences of this conduct? 
 
 7. What advantages did the Romans fancy they enjoyed? 
 
 8. Was this observation correct ? 
 
 9. What conflicting passions agitated the mind of Augustus ? 
 
 10. Whose advice did he adopt, and what was that advice ? 
 
 11. What artifice did he employ to confirm his power? 
 
 12. How did he make his intentions known? 
 
 13. What effect was produced by this proposal? 
 
 14. What was their conduct on this occasion? 
 
 15. What farther artifices did he employ ? 
 
 16. What were the consequences of this affected moderation? 
 
 17. Was he imposed on by these arts? 
 
 18. What farther instances of abject servility did the senate 
 
 display ? 
 
 19. What else was done to his honour? 
 
 20. Did these honours render him remiss? 
 
 21. What salutary law did he enact? 
 
 22. What next ? 
 
 23. What regulations concerning marriage, and respect to 
 
 senators, did he enforce ? 
 
 24. How did he improve the morals of the people? 
 
 25. How did he prevent bribery ? 
 
 26. By what means did he promote justice? 
 
 27. What was the consequence of these regulations ? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 1. Condescension, 5. humanity. 
 
 2. Insolent, a. haughty, saucy. 
 
 Proxy, s. a substitute, a person who acts for another. 
 
 6. Impe'rious, a. haughty, fond of command. 
 
 8. Noctur'nal, a. nightly. 
 
 10. Contemporaries, s. persons living in the same age. 
 
 14. Porten'd, v. to foretoken, foreshew. 
 
 15. Adula'tion, s. flattery. 
 
 20. Eradicated, part, rooted out, destroyed. 
 
 1, Augustus, by his own example, tended greatly to 
 humanize his fellow-citizens ; for, being placed above all 
 equality, he bad nothing to fear from condescension . He 
 was familiar with all, and suffered himself to be repri¬ 
 manded with the most patient humility. Though, by his 
 sole authority, he could condemn or acquit whomsoever 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 270 
 
 he thought proper, he gave the laws their proper course ; 
 and even pleaded for persons he desired to protect. 2. 
 When the advocate for Pri'mus* desired to know, with 
 an insolent air, what brought Augustus into court, the 
 emperor calmly replied, “ The public good.” When one 
 of his veteran soldiers entreated his protection, Augus'- 
 tus bid him apply to an advocate. “ Ah P* replied the 
 soldier, “ it was not by proxy that I served you at the 
 battle of Ac'tium. ,, Augustus was so pleased, that he 
 pleaded his cause and gained it for him. One day a pe¬ 
 tition was presented to him with so much awe as to dis¬ 
 please him. “ Friend/' cried he, “ you seem as if you 
 were offering something to an elephant, rather than to a 
 man ; be bolder.” 8. Once, as he was sitting in judg¬ 
 ment, Maecenas perceiving that he was inclined to be 
 severe, and not being able to get to him through the 
 crowd, he threw a paper into his lap, on which was 
 written, “ Arise, executioner!” Augustus read it with¬ 
 out displeasure, and immediately rising, pardoned those 
 whom he was disposed to condemn. 4. But what most 
 of all shewed a total alteration in his disposition, was his 
 treatment of Corne'lius Cin'na, Pompey’s grandson. This 
 nobleman had entered into a conspiracy against him ; 
 Augus tus sent for the other conspirators, reprimanded 
 them, and dismissed them. But resolving to mortify 
 Cin'na by the greatness of his generosity : “ I have 
 twice,” says he, “ given you your life, as an enemy and 
 as a conspirator; I now give you the consulship : let us 
 therefore be friends for the future; let us contend only 
 in shewing, whether my confidence, or your fidelity, shall 
 be victorious.” 
 
 * M. Primus, while governor of Macedon, had made an irrup¬ 
 tion into the country of the Odrysians for this he was prose¬ 
 cuted, and pleaded that it was by the emperor’s orders. Au¬ 
 gustus denying this, L. Murena put the impudent question to 
 him mentioned in the text. 
 
271 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 5. In the practice of such virtues he passed a long 
 reign. In fact, he seemed the first Roman who aimed 
 at gaining a character by the arts of peace ; and who 
 obtained the affections of the soldiers, without any 
 military talents of his own: nevertheless, the Roman 
 arms, under his lieutenants, were crowned with sue- 
 cess. 
 
 6. But he had uneasiness of a domestic nature that 
 distressed him. He had married Liv'ia, the wife of Ti- 
 be'rius Ne'ro, by the consent of her husband, when she 
 was six months advanced in her pregnancy. She was an 
 imperious woman ; and, conscious of being beloved, con¬ 
 trolled him at her pleasure. 7. She had two sons, Tibe - 
 rius the elder, and Dru'sus, who was born three months 
 after she had been married to Augus'tus, and who was 
 thought to be liis own son. The elder of these, Tibe rius, 
 whom he afterwards adopted, and who succeeded him m 
 the empire, was a good general, but of a suspicious and 
 obstinate temper, and of a conduct so turbulent and rest¬ 
 less, that he was, at last, exiled for five years to the 
 island of Rhodes, where he chiefly spent his time in a re¬ 
 tired manner, conversing with the Greeks, and addicting 
 himself to literature, of which, however, he afterwards 
 made but a bad use. 
 
 8. But the greatest affliction that Augus'tus experi¬ 
 enced was from the conduct of his daughter Ju iia, whom 
 he had by Scribo'nia, his former wife. Julia, whom he 
 married to his general Agrip'pa, and afterwards to Tibe¬ 
 rius, set no bounds to her lewdness. Not contented with 
 enjoying her pleasures, she seemed also earnest in pub¬ 
 lishing the infamy of her prostitutions. She was arrived at 
 that excess of wantonness, that she had her nocturnal 
 appointments in the most public parts of the city; the 
 very court where her father presided was not exempt 
 from her debaucheries. 9. Augus'tus, at first, had 
 thoughts of putting her to death; but, after consideration, 
 N 4 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 272 
 
 he banished her to Pandata'ria *, forbidding her the use 
 of wine, and all inflammatory delicacies. He ordered that 
 no person should come near her without his permission; 
 and sent her mother Scribo'nia along with her, to bear 
 her company. When any one attempted to intercede for 
 Ju'lia, his answer was, “ that lire and water should 
 sooner unite than he with her.” 10. Augustus, having 
 survived most of his contemporaries , at length, in the 
 seventy-fourth year of his age, began to think of retir¬ 
 ing from the fatigues of state, and of constituting Tibe¬ 
 rius his partner in the throne. He desired the senate to 
 salute him no longer at the palace ; nor take it amiss if, 
 for the future, he could not converse with them as for- 
 U.C. > merly. 11 . From that time Tibe'rius was join- 
 7G2. 5 ed in the government of the provinces with him, 
 aud invested with nearly the same authority. However, 
 Augustus could not entirely forsake the administration, 
 which habit had rendered a source of pleasure ; and he 
 still continued a watchful guardian, and shewed himself, to 
 the last, a lover of his people. 12. Finding it now, there¬ 
 fore, very inconvenient to come to the senate, by reason of 
 his age, he desired to have twenty privy-counsellors as¬ 
 signed him for a year; and it was decreed, that what¬ 
 ever measures were resolved upon by them, and the con¬ 
 suls, should have entirely the force of a law. 13. He 
 seemed apprehensive of his approaching end, for he made 
 his will, and delivered it to the vestal virgins. He then 
 solemnized the census, or numbering the people, whom 
 he found to amount to four millions one hundred and 
 thirty-seven thousand; which shows Rome to be equal 
 to four of the greatest cities of modern times. 14. While 
 these ceremonies were performing, in the midst of a 
 mighty concourse of people in the Campus Mar'tius, it is 
 said, that an eagle flew round the emperor several times, 
 and, directing its flight to a neighbouring temple, perch- 
 
 * An ,j isl * nd 011 the coas t of Lucania, in Italy; now called 
 
 Santa Maria. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 273 
 
 ed over the name of Agrip 7 pa: this omen was, by the 
 augurs, conceived to portend the death of the emperor. 
 15. Shortly after, having accompanied Tibe rius in his 
 march into Illyr ia, he was there taken ill. Returning 
 thence, he sent for Tibe'rius, and his most intimate 
 friends. A few hours before his death, he ordered a look¬ 
 ing-glass to be brought, and his hair tP be adjusted with 
 more than usual care. He then addressed his friends, 
 whom he beheld surrounding his bed, and desired to know 
 whether he had properly played his part in life; to which, 
 being answered in the affirmative, he cried out with his 
 last breath, “ then give me your applause.” Thus, at 
 the age of seventy-six, after reigning forty-four years, 
 he expired in the arms of Liv'ia; bidding her remember 
 their marriage and their last farewell *• 
 
 1G. The death of the emperor caused inexpressible grief 
 throughout the whole empire. It was, by some, supposed 
 that his wife Liv'ia had some hand in hastening it, with 
 a view to procure the succession more speedily for her son. 
 However this was, she took care, for a time, to keep the 
 important event concealed, by guarding all the passages 
 to the palace; sometimes giving out that he was reco¬ 
 vered, and then pretending a relapse. At length, having 
 settled the succession to her mind, she published the 
 emperor’s death ; and, at the same time, the adoption of 
 Tibe'rius to the empire. 17. The emperor’s funeral was 
 performed with great magnificence. The senators being 
 in their places, Tibe'rius, on whom that care devolved, 
 pronounced a consolatory oration. After this his will was 
 read, wherein he made Tibe'rius and Liv'ia his heirs. 18. 
 
 * The date of Augustus’s reign is here reckoned from the 
 death of Antony, when he became sole monarch; but if it be 
 reckoned from his first coming into power, soon after the death 
 of Julius Caesar, it is nearly 56 years. Augustus carried on his 
 wars principally by his lieutenants, but he went personally into 
 Spain and Gaul. His bravery, however, has been greatly called 
 in question, and many flagrant instances of his cowardice re¬ 
 corded. How true they may be is not easy to determine. 
 
 N 5 
 
274 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 He was studious of serving his country to the very last, 
 and the sorrow of the people seemed equal to his assi¬ 
 duity. It was decreed, that all the women should mourn 
 for him a whole year. Temples were erected to him, 
 divine honours were allowed him, and one Nume'rius 
 At'ticus, a senator, willing to couvert the adulation of 
 the times to his own benefit, received a large sum of 
 money for swearing that he saw him ascending into 
 heaven; so that no doubt remained among the people 
 concerning his divinity. 
 
 19. Such were the honours paid to Augustus, whose 
 power began in the slaughter, and terminated in the hap¬ 
 piness of his subjects; so that it was said of him, “ that 
 it had been good for mankind if he had never been born, 
 or if he had never died." 20. It is possible that the 
 cruelties exercised in his triumvirate were suggested by 
 his colleagues. In the case of Caesar's death, he might 
 think that revenge w'as virtue. Certain it is, that seve¬ 
 rities were necessary to restore public tranquillity; for, 
 until the Roman spirit should be eradicated r , no monarchy 
 could be secure. 21. He indulged his subjects in the 
 appearance of a republic, while he made them really 
 happy in the effects of a most absolute monarchy, admi¬ 
 nistered with the most consummate prudence. In this 
 last quality he seems to have excelled most monarchs; 
 and, indeed, could we separate Octavius from Augustus, 
 he w'as one of the most faultless princes in history. 22. 
 About this time our Saviour w as born in Jude'a*. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was the general conduct of Augustus? 
 
 2. Mention some instances of his moderation ? 
 
 3. Wliat farther instance of his moderation is on record ? 
 
 4. How did he most decidedly shew the alteration in his 
 
 disposition ? 
 
 —. . a _. ___ 
 
 * The temple of Janus was now shut for the third time since 
 the foundation of the city. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 275 
 
 5. In what was he particularly remarkable . 
 
 r' Was he happy in domestic life ? J ri 
 
 7 * what family had she, and what was the charactei ot ici 
 
 son? 
 
 8. Had he no other domestic trials? 
 
 9* In what way was she punished ? 
 
 10. Was the reign of Augustus of considerable length . 
 
 11. Did he associate Tiberius with him in the government. 
 
 12. By what means did he lighten the burthen ot governing . 
 Id. By what measure did he prepare for his approaching end . 
 
 14. What omen portended his death? 
 
 15 How did he meet his end? . _ . 
 
 16. How were the people affected by his death, and why was 
 
 it for a time concealed ? 
 
 17. Honv was his funeral celebrated? 
 
 18*. What honours were decreed him ? 
 
 19. Were those honours deserved! 
 
 20. What excuses may be made for his early cruelties . 
 
 21. Bv what means did he secure his power ? 
 
 •22. What remarkable event happened in his reign . 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 1. Dissimulation, s. a dissembling, hypocrisy. 
 
 2. Dis'guise, s. concealment. 
 
 5. Indefatigable, a. unwearied. 
 
 6 . Popularity, s. favour with the people. 
 
 8 . Postpo'ne, v. to put off. 
 
 9. Spe cious, a plausible. 
 
 15. Defa'me, v. to calumniate, to speak evil ol. 
 
 16. Machinations, s. artifices, schemes. 
 
 17. Appa'rent, a. evident, plain, visible. 
 
 25. Suicide, s. self-murder. 
 
 Cul pable, a. blame-worthy. 
 
 Appreciate, v. to value. 
 
 H Tibe'rius was fifty-six years old when he took 
 upon him the government of the Roman em- £u.C. 
 pire. He had lived in a state of profound dissi- ) 762. 
 mutation under Augustus, and was not yet hardy I A^.D. 
 enough to shew himself in his real charactei. In 
 the beginning of his reign nothing appeared but prudence, 
 generosity, and clem ency *. 2. But the successes of his 
 
 * He began bis reign, however, with the murder of Agnppa 
 posthumus, the grandson of Augustus. 
 
 N 6 
 
276 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 nephew, Germau'icus, son of his late brother Dru'sus* 
 over the Germans, first brought his natural disposition 
 to light, and discovered the malignity of his mind with¬ 
 out disguise . 3. He was hardly settled on his throne, 
 
 when he received intelligence that the legions in Pan no- 
 nia hearing of the death of Augustus, and desirous 
 of novelty, had revolted ; but these were soon quieted, 
 and Percen'nius, their leader, slain f. 4. A commotion 
 in Germany was attended with much more important 
 consequences. The legions in that part of the empire 
 were conducted by German'icus, a youth of most admi¬ 
 rable qualities, who had been, at the late emperor’s re¬ 
 quest, adopted, in order to succeed to the empire. These 
 forces had taken the opportunity of his absence to re¬ 
 volt, and now began to affirm that the whole Roman 
 empire was in their power, and that its principal gran¬ 
 deur was owing to the success of their arms ; when Ger- 
 man'icus returned, therefore, they unanimously resolved 
 to choose him emperor. 5. This general was the darling 
 of the soldiers, and almost idolized, so that he might, 
 with very little difficulty, have raised himself to the 
 highest dignity in the state ; but his duty prevailed over 
 his ambition; he rejected their offers with the utmost 
 indignation, and used the most indefatigable endeavours 
 to quell the sedition. This he effected, though with 
 extreme hazard, by cutting off many of the principal re- 
 volters, and then by leading the troops against the Ger- 
 loans, who were considered as the common enemies of 
 *the empire J. 
 
 * Panno'nia, an extensive country of Europe ; comprising 
 Carnio'la, Croa'tia, Sclavo'nia, Bos'nia, part of Aus tria, Ser'- 
 via, and Hungary; but its boundaries were different, at differ¬ 
 ent periods. 
 
 f Percen'nius was a private solder, who possessed consider- » 
 able eloquence, and was of a turbulent, seditious disposition. 
 (Sueton.) An eclipse of the moon happening during the sedi¬ 
 tion, the soldiers were terrified, and returned to their duty. 
 (Tacitus, An. 1. 1.) 
 
 + It has frequently been remarked, that no wars are so bloody as 
 civil wars, in which brother fights against brother. Some of the 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 277 
 
 6. Tibe'rius was as much pleased with the loyalty of 
 German'icus, as he was distressed at his superior popu¬ 
 larity ; his success also, immediately after, against the 
 Germans, still more excited the emperor s envy and pri¬ 
 vate disgust. He overthrew the enemy in several battles, 
 subduing many wild and extensive countries. 7. These 
 victories, however, only served to inflame the emperor's 
 jealousy ; and every virtue in the general now became a 
 new cause of offence. 8. This dislike began to appear by 
 Tiberius’s making use of every pretence to draw German'i- 
 cus from the legions ; but he was obliged to postpone his 
 purpose on account ot a domestic insurrection made in 
 Italy, by one Clemens, whom lie put to death by a pri¬ 
 vate execution in a secret apartment of the palace * *. 
 
 9. Having thus got rid of his domestic enemy, he turned 
 his thoughts to the most specious means of bringing home 
 German'icus from the legions in Germany. He began by 
 procuring him a triumph for his late victories, aud then 
 writing to him to return, in order to enjoy these honours 
 which the senate had decreed; adding, that he had reaped 
 enough of glory in a country to which he had been sent 
 nine times, and been each time victorious; concluding, 
 that so great a number of triumphs was sufficient; and 
 that the most signal vengeance which could be inflicted on 
 this turbulent people was to permit them to continue their 
 intestine divisions. 10. German y icus was met on his return, 
 
 legions still continuing obstinate in sedition, German icus sent 
 those which had returned to their duty to put them to the sword ; 
 these, rushing unawares into the tents of the rebels, massacred 
 them without mercy. Nothing was to be heard but dieadful 
 outcries and groans from all parts of the camp ; nothing to be 
 seen but streams of blood and heaps of deJid bodies; comrades 
 were butchered by comrades, and friends by friends, in the same 
 tents where they used to eat and sleep together. (1 acitus, An. 
 1. 1. c. 40.) ,, , 
 
 * This Clemens was a slave of the late Agrippa Postliu mus, 
 and as he resembled that prince both in age and features, he took 
 upon him his name, and brought over great numbers to support 
 his cause. He was at length seized by stratagem, and executed 
 as above related. (Tacitus, 1. 2.) 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 278 
 
 many miles from the city, by a vast multitude, who re¬ 
 ceived him with marks of adoration rather than respect: 
 the gracefulness of his person ; his triumphal chariot, in 
 which were carried his five children; and the recovered 
 standards of the array of Va'rus, threw the people into a 
 phrenzy of joy and admiration *. 
 
 11. Gennan'icus was now appointed to a new dignity. 
 He departed from Rome on an expedition to the east, 
 carrying with him his wife Agrippi na, and his children. 
 
 12. But Tibe'rius, to restrain his power, had sent Cne'ius 
 Pi'so governor into Syr'ia. This Pi'so was a person of a 
 furious and headstrong temper; and, in every respect, fit 
 to execute those fatal purposes for which he was designed. 
 
 13. His instructions were, to oppose Gennan'icus upon 
 every occasion : to excite hatred against him; and even 
 to procure his death if an opportunity should offer. He 
 accordingly took every opportunity of abusing Germau'i- 
 cus; and taxed him with diminishing the Roman glory, 
 by his peculiar protection of the Athenians. 14. Ger¬ 
 man 'icus disregarded his invectives; being more intent on 
 executing the business of his commission, than on coun¬ 
 teracting the private designs of Pi'so. 15. Pi'so, how¬ 
 ever, and his wife Plawci'na, who is recorded as a woman 
 of an implacable and cruel disposition, continued to de. 
 fame him. Gennan'icus opposed only patience and con¬ 
 descension to all their invectives ; and with that gentle¬ 
 ness which was peculiar to him, repaid their resentments 
 by courtesy. 16. He was not ignorant of their motives; 
 and was rather willing to evade than oppose their enmity. 
 He therefore took a voyage into Egypt, under pretence 
 of viewing the celebrated antiquities of that country ; but 
 
 * Varus had been surprised by the Germans, defeated, arid 
 his whole army cut to pieces. Augustus was so grieved at this 
 disgrace and loss, that lor a long time he wore mourning, and 
 frequently was heard to cry out, in an agony of grief, “ Restore 
 me my legions, Varus.” 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 279 
 
 in reality, to avoid the machinations of Pi'so, and those 
 of his wife, which were still more dangerous. 17. Upon 
 his return he fell sick; and whether from a mind previ¬ 
 ously alarmed, or from more apparent marks of treachery, 
 he sent to let Pi'so know, that he broke off all further 
 connexions. Growing daily worse, his death appeared 
 to be inevitable. 18. Finding his end approaching, he 
 addressed his friends, who stood round his bed, to the fol¬ 
 lowing effect: “ Had my death been natural, I might have 
 reason to complain of being thus snatched away from all 
 the endearments of life, at so early an age ; but my com¬ 
 plaints are aggravated, in falling the victim of Pi'so and 
 Planci'nas treachery. Let the emperor, therefore, I con¬ 
 jure you, know the manner of my death, and the tortures 
 I suffer. Those who loved me when living, those even 
 who envied my fortune, will feel some regret, when they 
 hear of a soldier who had so often escaped the rage of 
 the enemy, falling a sacrifice to the treachery of a woman. 
 Plead then my cause before the people; you will be 
 heard with pity; and if my murderers should pretend to 
 have acted by command, they will either receive no credit 
 or no pardon.” 19. As he spoke these w ords, he stretched 
 forth his hand, which his weeping friends tenderly 
 pressing, most earnestly vow ed, that they would lose their 
 lives rather than their revenge. The dying prince then 
 turning to his wife, conjured her, by her regard to his 
 memory, and by all the bonds of nuptial love, to submit 
 to the necessity of the times, and to evade the resentment 
 of her more powerful enemies, by not opposing it*. 20. 
 Nothing could exceed the distress of the whole empire, 
 upon hearing of the death of German'icus, and the people 
 of Rome seemed to set no bounds to it. 21. In this uni- 
 
 * German'icus died in the 34th year of his age, and was uni¬ 
 versally mourned for, not only by the Roman people, but by the 
 princes in alliance with Rome j and even by the proud monarch 
 ofParthia. (Suet. 1. 4. c,5.) 
 
280 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 versal confusion, Pi'so seemed marked for destruction. 
 He and his wife stood charged with the death of Ger- 
 inan'icus, by giving him a slow poison. Indeed, even 
 the emperor himself, with his mother Liv'ia, incurred a 
 share of the general suspicion. 22. This was soon after 
 greatly increased by the arrival of Agrippina, the widow 
 of German'icus, a woman of invincible courage, and in 
 high esteem for her virtue. She appeared bearing the 
 urn containing the ashes of her husband, and attended 
 by all her children, to the tomb of Angus tus. 23. When 
 she approached the city, she was met by the senate and 
 people of Rome, both with acclamations and expressions 
 of sorrow. The veteran soidiers, who had served under 
 German icus, gave the sincerest testimonies of their con¬ 
 cern. The multitude, while the ashes were depositing, 
 regarded the ceremony in profound silence; but presently 
 broke out into loud lamentations, crying out. The com¬ 
 monwealth is now no more. 
 
 24. Tibe'rius permitted the accusation of Pi so, though 
 he was justly supposed to be merely the instrument of his 
 own vengeance. This general was accused before the 
 senate of the death of German'icus, and of other crimes. 
 
 25. He put an end to his trial, which had been drawn 
 out to a great length, by committing suicide *. His wife 
 Planci'na, who was universally believed to be most cul¬ 
 pable , escaped punishment by the interest of Liv'ia. 
 
 26. Tibe'rius, having now no object of jealousy to 
 keep him in awe, began to pull off the mask, and appear 
 more in his natural character than before. 27. In the 
 beginning of his cruelties, he took into his confidence 
 Seja'nus, a Roman knight, who found out the method of 
 gaining his affection by the most refined degree of dis¬ 
 simulation, and was an over-match for his master in his 
 
 * He was found in the morning with his throat cut, and his 
 sword lying by him; but whether this was done by his own hand, 
 or by the orders of Tiberius, is not known. (Tacitus.) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 281 
 
 own arts*. It is not well known whether he was the 
 adviser of all the cruelties that ensued ; but certain it is, 
 that, from the beginning of his ministry, Tibe rius seemed 
 to become more fatally suspicious. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. What were the age and character of Tiberius on his ac¬ 
 
 cession ? 
 
 2. What first shewed him in his true colours? 
 
 3. What was the first news he heard? 
 
 4. Was there not a more formidable revolt? 
 
 5. Did Germanicus accept this dignity ? 
 
 6. Did Tiberius properly appreciate this conduct ? 
 
 7. Was he pleased with his success ? 
 
 8. How did this appear? 
 
 9. What followed this execution? 
 
 10. How was Germanicus received ? 
 
 11. How was he next employed ? 
 
 12. What restraints were imposed on him? 
 
 13. What were Piso's instructions, .and how did he execute 
 
 them ? 
 
 14. How did Germanicus act on the occasion ? 
 
 15. Did Piso persevere in his base attempts? 
 
 16. Was Germanicus aware of their design ? 
 
 17. What happened on his return ? 
 
 18. Repeat his speech on his death bed. 
 
 19. What farther passed on this occasion? 
 
 20. Was his untimely end lamented ? 
 
 21. Who incurred the popular hatred on this occasion? 
 
 22. How was this increased ? 
 
 23. What honours were paid her? 
 
 24. Was the tyrant's vile agent rewarded for his services ? 
 
 25. What was the issue ? 
 
 26. How did Tiberius conduct himself after this ? 
 
 27. Who was his prime minister? 
 
 * Seja'nus, though simply a Roman knight, was descended 
 from an illustrious family, and was, in the very beginning of 
 Tiberius’s reign, associated with his father in the command of 
 the praetorian guards. By removing these from their usual 
 quarters in the city, and uniting them in one body in a camp, he 
 laid the foundation of that power, which they afterwards usurp¬ 
 ed, of disposing of the empire at their pleasure. 
 
282 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 1. Remo'te, a. distant. 
 
 6 . Rapid'ity, s. swiftness, quickness. 
 
 8 . Stat'ues, s. images. 
 
 10. Defer', v. to delay, to put off. 
 
 12. Enor'mity, s. atrocious wickedness. 
 
 13. Prom'ontory, s. a cape or headland. 
 
 38. Deprav'ity, s. corruption, wickedness. 
 
 19. Apotheosis, s. the consecrating or deifying any person after 
 
 death. 
 
 20. Deform'ity, s. ugliness. 
 
 24. Ex'quisite, a. excellent, costly. 
 
 Op'ulent, a. rich, wealthy. 
 
 Absurdities, s. follies, extravagances. 
 
 26. Econ'omist, s. a frugal, careful person. 
 
 Permanent, <s. lasting. 
 
 1# Seja'nus began his administration by using all 
 his address to persuade Tibe rius to retire to some agree¬ 
 able retreat, remote frQin Rome : from this he expected 
 many advantages, since there could be no access to the 
 emperor but through him. 2. The emperor, either pre¬ 
 vailed upon by his persuasions, or pursuing the natural 
 turn of his temper, left Rome, and went into Campa'nia *, 
 tinder pretence of dedicating temples to Ju'piter and Au¬ 
 gustus. Growing weary, however, of places where 
 mankind might follow him with their complaints and dis¬ 
 tresses, he withdrew himself into the delightful island of 
 Capreaf; and buried in this retreat, gave himself up 
 to abandoned pleasures, regardless of the miseries of his 
 subjectsj. 3. From this time he became more cruel, and 
 
 * Campa'nia, a considerable district of Italy, situated on the 
 south of La'tium (Cicero and Florus)—considered the most 
 beautiful and fertile spot on the earth. Cap'ua was the capital. 
 (Strabo.) 
 
 f Ca'prea, an island on the Tuscan sea, opposite So'rento. 
 
 J Tibe'rius having abolished the exhibitions of the amphithe¬ 
 atre at Rome, vast multitudes flocked to behold a show of glad¬ 
 iators given at Fidenas by one Attilius ; while they were intent 
 on the combats, the building fell, and destroyed or maimed fifty 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME* * 283 
 
 Seja'nus increased his distrusts. Secret spies and in¬ 
 formers were placed in all parts of the city, who converted 
 the most harmless actions into subjects of offence. 4. In 
 consequence of this, Ne ro and Dru sus, the children of 
 German'icus, were declared enemies to the state, and 
 afterwards starved to death in prison; while Agrippi'na, 
 their mother, was sent into banishment. Sabi'nus, Asiu'- 
 ius Gal ius, and Syria'cus, were, upon slight pretences, 
 condemned and executed. 5. In this manner Seja'nus 
 proceeded, removing all who stood between him and the 
 empire; and every day increasing his confidence with 
 Tiberius, and power with the senate. The number of 
 his statues exceeded even those of the emperor; people 
 swore by his fortune, in the same manner as they would 
 have done had he been upon the throne ; and he was 
 more dreaded than even the tyrant who actually enjoyed 
 the empire. 6. But the rapidity of his rise seemed only 
 preparatory to the greatness of his downfall. All we 
 know of his first disgrace with the emperor is, that Sa- 
 ti'rius Secun'dus was the man who had the boldness to 
 accuse him of treason; and Anto'nia, the mother of Ger¬ 
 man'icus, seconded the accusation. 7. The senate, who 
 had long been jealous of his power, and dreaded his 
 cruelty, immediately took this opportunity of going be¬ 
 yond the orders of TibeVius: instead of sentencing him 
 to imprisonment, they directed his execution *. 8. W hilst 
 
 thousand persons. (Tacitus, 1. iv. c. 62.) Soon after a dreadful 
 lire broke out on Mons Ccelius, and consumed all the houses in 
 that quarter of the city. (Suetonius, Tacitus.) 
 
 * To such a pitch of meanness were the Roman senators ar¬ 
 rived, that when the emperor’s letter arrived, the senators, 
 thinking it contained orders for bestowing on Sejanus the tri- 
 bunitial power, crowded round him, each striving to be the lore- 
 most in congratulating him on his new dignity; but they no 
 sooner learnt the real contents of the fatal letter than all forsook 
 him ; even those who sat near him, removed to another part ot 
 the house, lest they should be accounted his friends. (Dio.) 
 The populace likewise broke in pieces those very statues which, 
 a few hours before, they had adored. 
 
284 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 he was conducting to his fate, the people loaded him 
 with insult and execration; pursued him with sarcastic 
 reproaches ; and threw down his statues . He himself was 
 strangled by the executioner. 
 
 9. His death only lighted up the emperor’s rage for 
 farther executions. Planci'na, the wife of Pi'so, and 
 others, were put to death for being attached to Seja'nus. 
 He began to grow weary of single executions, and gave 
 orders that all the accused should be put to death toge¬ 
 ther, without further examination. The whole city was, 
 in consequence, filled with slaughter and mourning, 
 
 10. When one Carnu'lius killed himself, to avoid the 
 torture, “ Ah !*’ cried Tiberius, “ how has that man been 
 able to escape me !” When a prisoner earnestly en¬ 
 treated that he would not defer his death: “ Know,” 
 said the tyrant, “ I am not sufficiently your friend to 
 shorten your torments.” 
 
 11. In this manner he lived, odious to the world, and 
 troublesome to himself; an enemy to the lives of others, 
 a tormentor of his own *. At length, in the 22d year of 
 his reign, he began to feel the approaches of dissolution, 
 and his appetites totally forsook him. 12. He now, 
 therefore, found it was time to think of a successor, and 
 fixed upon Calig ( ula : willing, perhaps, by the enormity 
 of Calig'ula’s conduct, with which he was well ac¬ 
 quainted, to lessen the obloquy of his own. 
 
 13. Still, however, he seemed desirous to avoid his 
 end ; and strove, by change of place, to put off the in¬ 
 quietude of his own reflections. He left his favourite 
 
 * It has been well said of Tibe'rius, u This great prince, this 
 sovereign of Rome, with his numerous armies, his Praetorian 
 bands, and his unlimited power, was in hourly fear of secret as¬ 
 sassins, incessantly racked by his own apprehensions; with all 
 the eclat of empire, the most miserable being in his dominions. 
 His power, indeed, was unlimited, but so was his misery; the 
 more he made others suffer, the taster he multiplied his own 
 torments. Such was his situation and life, and such are the 
 natural consequences of the abuse of power.” 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 285 
 
 island, and went upon the continent; and, at last,fixed 
 at the promontory of Mise'num *. There he fell into 
 faintings, which all believed to be fatal. 14. Calig'ula 
 supposing him actually dead, caused himself to be ac¬ 
 knowledged by the Praetorian soldiers+, and went forth 
 from the emperor’s apartment amidst the applauses of 
 the multitude ; when, all of a sudden, he was informed, 
 that the emperor was likely to recover. 15. This unex¬ 
 pected account filled the whole court with terror and 
 alarm; every one who had before been earnestly testifying 
 his joy, now reassumed his pretended sorrow, and for¬ 
 sook the new emperor, through a feigned solicitude for 
 the fate of the old. 16. Calig'ula seemed thunderstruck; 
 he preserved a gloomy silence, expecting nothing but 
 death, instead of the empire at which he had aspired. 
 
 17. Ma'rco, however, who was hardened in crimes, or¬ 
 dered that the dying emperor should be dispatched, by 
 smothering him with pillows ; or, as some will 
 have it, by poison. Thus died Tibe'rius in the 
 78th year of his age, after reigning 22 years. 
 
 18. It was in the eighteenth year of this emperor’s 
 reign, that Christ was crucified; as if the universal de¬ 
 pravity of mankind wanted no less a sacrifice than this to 
 reclaim them. Pilate sent to Tiberius an account of 
 Christ’s passion, resurrection, and miracles, and the 
 emperor made a report of the whole to the senate, desir¬ 
 ing that Christ might be accounted a God by the Romans. 
 
 19. But the senate, displeased that the proposal had not 
 come first from themselves, refused to allow of his apo¬ 
 theosis ; alleging an ancient law, which gave them the 
 
 * A promontory, port, and town in Italy, near Naples, 
 f The Praetorian bands were instituted by Augustus, to guard 
 his person, and maintain his authority. Under bold and war¬ 
 like emperors, they were kept in tolerable subjection; but wheu 
 the reins of government were held by feeble hands, they became 
 the disturbers, instead of preservers, of the public peace; and, 
 at length, deposed and set up emperors at their pleasure. 
 
 ( U.C. 
 
 ) 780. 
 } A. D. 
 ( 37. 
 
286 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SHperintendance in all matters of religion. They even 
 went so far as to command, by an edict, that all Chris¬ 
 tians should leave the city ; but Tiberius, by another 
 edict, threatened death to such as should accuse them; 
 by which means they continued unmolested during the 
 rest of his reign. 
 
 20. The vices of Calig'ula were concealed under the 
 appearance of virtue in the beginning of his reign *. In 
 less than eight months, however, every trace of modera¬ 
 tion and clemency vanished ; while furious passions, un¬ 
 exampled avarice, and capricious cruelty, reigned uncon¬ 
 trolled ; and pride, impiety, lust, and avarice, appeared 
 in all their native deformity . 
 
 21. Caligula’s pride first appeared in his assuming to 
 himself the title of ruler; which was usually granted 
 only to kings. He would also have taken the crown and 
 diadem, had he not been advised, that he w r as already 
 superior to all the monarchs of the world. 22. Not long 
 after, he assumed divine honours, and gave himself the 
 names of such 1 divinities as he thought most agreeable to 
 his nature. For this purpose he caused the heads of the 
 statues of Jupiter f, and some other gods, to be struck 
 off, and his own to be put in their places. He frequently 
 seated himself between Cas'tor and Pollux {, and ordered 
 that all who came to this temple to worship should pay 
 
 * In his first speech to the senate, he promised to govern with 
 justice and moderation, to do nothing without their advice, and 
 to follow their directions as their child and pupil. The virtues 
 which he assumed, so endeared him to the people, that on his 
 being taken ill, a universal sorrow pervaded all ranks ; his palace 
 was constantly besieged with inquiries; many passed whole 
 nights at his gate, and some even devoted their lives for his. 
 (Philo.) In proportion to the grief occasioned by his illness, 
 was the joy his recovery diffused. Happy would it have been 
 for Rome, happy for the fame of Caligula, had this recovery 
 never taken place. 
 
 f The supposed son of Saturn and Rhea, the supreme deity 
 of the pagan world. 
 
 { Cas'tor and Pollux, the twin sous of Ju'piter, by Lc'da. 
 
I 
 
 ^—7 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 287 
 
 their adorations only to himself. 23. However, such was 
 the extravagant inconstancy of this unaccountable idiot, 
 that he changed his divinity as often as he changed his 
 clothes: being at one time a male deity, at another a 
 female; sometimes Jupiter or Mars * ; and not unfre- 
 quentlv Ve'nus f or Dian'a J. 24. He even built and de¬ 
 dicated a temple to his own divinity, in which his statue 
 of gold was every day dressed in robes similar to those 
 which he himself wore, and worshipped by crowds of 
 adorers. His priests were numerous; the sacrifices made 
 to him were of the most exquisite delicacies that could 
 be procured; and the dignity of the priesthood was 
 sought by the most opulent men of the city. However, 
 he admitted his w ife and his horse to that honour; and, 
 to give a finishing stroke to his absurdities , became a 
 priest to himself. 25. His method of assuming the man¬ 
 ners of a deity was not less ridiculous : he often went out 
 at full moon, and courted it in the style of a lover. He 
 employed many inventions to imitate thunder, and would 
 frequently defy Jupiter, crying out with a speech of 
 Homer, “ Do you conquer me, or I will conquer you.” 
 He frequently pretended to converse in whispers wfith 
 the statue of Ju'piter, and usually seemed angry at its 
 replies, threatening to send it back into Greece, whence 
 it came. Sometimes, however, he would assume a better 
 temper, and seem contented that Ju'piter and he should 
 dwell together in amity. 
 
 26. Of all his vices, prodigality was the most remark¬ 
 able, and that which in some measure give rise to the 
 
 * The supposed god of war. 
 
 f Ve'nus (in heathen Mythology,) the supposed goddess of 
 beauty and love. 
 
 { Dian'a (in heathen Mythology,) the supposed goddess of 
 hunting, daughter of Ju'piter and Lato'na, and sister to Phce'- 
 bus, or the sun. On earth, she was called Dian'a; in heaven, 
 Phoe'be, or the Moon; in hell, Hecate. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 288 
 
 rest. The luxuries of former emperors were simplicity 
 itself when compared to those which he practised. He 
 contrived new ways of bathing, when the richest oils and 
 most precious perfumes were lavished with the utmost 
 profusion. His luxuries of the table were of immense 
 value, and even jewels, as we are told, were dissolved 
 in his sauces. He, sometimes, had services of pure gold 
 presented before his guests instead of meat, observing, 
 that a man should be an economist or an emperor. 
 
 27. The manner in which lie maintained his horse will 
 give some idea of bis domestic extravagance. He built 
 a stable of marble, and a manger of ivory; and when¬ 
 ever the animal, which he called Incita'tus, was to run 
 in the race, he placed sentinels near its stable, the nigh 1 
 preceding, to prevent its slumbers from being broken *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1 . What was the first measure of Sejanus ? 
 
 2. Did the emperor yield to his persuasions? 
 
 3 . What consequences ensued from this measure ? 
 
 4 . Who were the first sufferers ? 
 
 5 . Did Sejanus increase his influence? 
 
 6 . Was this elevation 'permanent? 
 
 7 . To what punishment was he condemned ? 
 
 8 . What occurred at his execution ? 
 
 9 . Was this the only victim to the cruelty of Tiberius? 
 
 10 . How did Tiberius aggravate his cruelties? 
 
 11. Did these cruelties long continue? 
 
 12. How did he act on this ? 
 
 13. Was he resigned to his fate? 
 
 14. What followed on this? 
 
 15. How was this news received ? 
 
 * Some extraordinary accounts are given of this horse: it is 
 said that he appointed it a house, furniture, and kitchen, in 
 order to treat all its visitors with proper respect. The emperor 
 sometimes invited Incita'tus to his own table, presented it w ith 
 gilt oats, and wine in a golden cup. He would often swear, 
 “ by the safety of his horseand, it is said, he would have ap¬ 
 pointed it to the consulship, had not his death prevented. 
 
 7 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 280 
 
 16. Did Caligula boldly meet the consequences? 
 
 17. ITow was ibis averted? 
 
 18. What highly remarkable event happened in this reign ? 
 
 19. Was his desire gratified? 
 
 20. What was the conduct of Caligula on this occasion ? , 
 
 21. By what acts did he display his pride? 
 
 22. Did his arrogance carry him farther than this? 
 
 23. Under what name did he assume divine honours? 
 
 24. Of what farther absurdities was he guilty ? 
 
 25. Relate other follies of his? 
 
 26. What was his principal vice? 
 
 27. Give an instance of his domestic extravagance. 
 
 SECT. V. 
 
 1. Subordinate, a. inferior. 
 
 Amphitheatre, s. a building appropriated to the exhibition 
 of gladiators, combats of wild beasts, &c. 
 
 13. Effeminate, a. soft, womanish. 
 
 15. Ci'ted, v. summoned. 
 
 18. Dis'located, part, put out of joint. 
 
 20. Divulging, part . making known. 
 
 22. Trans'pire, v. to become known. 
 
 Cri'sis, s. critical moment. 
 
 1. The impiety, however, of Calig'ula was but subor¬ 
 dinate to his cruelties. He slew many of the ^enate, and 
 afterwards cited them to appear. He cast great numbers 
 of old and infirm men to the wild beasts, to free the slate 
 from such unserviceable citizens. He usually fed his 
 wild beasts with the bodies of those wretches whom he 
 condemned; and, every tenth day, sent off numbers of 
 them to be thus devoured; which he jocosely called clear¬ 
 ing his accounts. One of those who was thus exposed, 
 crying out that he was innocent, Calig'ula ordered him 
 to be taken up, his tongue to be cutout, and then thrown 
 into the amphitheatre as before *. 2. He took delight in 
 
 * One day, on visiting the amphitheatre, finding that there 
 were no criminals condemned to fight with the wild beasts, lie 
 ordered numbers of the spectators to be thrown to them, pre¬ 
 viously causing their tongues to be cut out, that they might 
 not, by their cries, disturb his inhuman diversion. 
 
 O 
 
ZJ 
 
 290 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 killing men with slow tortures, that, as he expressed it, 
 they might feel themselves dying, being always present 
 at such executions himself, directing the duration of the 
 punishment, and mitigating the tortures, merely to pro¬ 
 long them. 3. In fact, he valued himself for no quality 
 more than his unrelenting temper, and inflexible severity, 
 when he presided at an execution. 4. Upon one occa¬ 
 sion, being incensed with the citizens, he wished that 
 all the Roman people had but one neck, that he might 
 dispatch them at one blow ^ 
 
 5. Such insupportable and capricious cruelties pro¬ 
 duced many secret conspiracies against him; but they 
 were for a while deferred upon account of his intended 
 expedition against the Germans and Britons. 6. 
 For this purpose he caused numerous levies to 
 A.D. C be made, and talked with so much resolution, 
 that it was universally believed he would conquer 
 all before him +• 7. His march perfectly indicated the 
 
 inequality of his temper ; sometimes it was so rapid, that 
 the cohorts were obliged to leave their standards behind 
 them ; at other times it was so slow, that it more resem¬ 
 bled a pompous procession than a military expedition. 
 
 8. In this disposition, he would cause himself to be car¬ 
 ried in a litter on eight men’s shoulders, and ordered all 
 the neighbouring cities to have their streets well swept 
 and watered, that he might not be annoyed with dust. 
 
 9. However, all these mighty preparations ended in no- 
 
 * He frequently used this expression —Oderint dum metuant 
 —(Let them hate while they fear.) 
 
 f The following anecdote will sufficiently display how ill- 
 founded these expectations wereAs he was passing in his 
 chariot through a narrow lane, his troops were obliged to break 
 their ranks, that he might proceed. One happening to observe 
 on this, that, should the enemy now appear, the confusion would 
 be great, he was seized with such a panic, that, throwing him¬ 
 self out of his chariot, he fled on horseback, till, coming to a 
 bridge that was crowded with the servants and baggage of the 
 army, he caused himself to be conveyed over their heads, not 
 thinking himself safe till he got out of the enemy’s country 4 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 291 
 
 thing. Instead of conquering Britain, he merely gave 
 refuge to one of its banished princes ; and this, lie de¬ 
 scribed, in his letter to the senate, as taking possession 
 of the whole island. 10. Instead of conquering Ger¬ 
 many, he only led his army to the sea shore in Gaul: 
 there, disposing his engines and warlike machines with 
 great solemnity, and drawing up his men in order of 
 battle, he went on board his galley, with which coasting 
 along, he commanded his trumpets to sound, and the 
 signal to be given as if for **• engagement. 11. His men, 
 who had previous orders, immediately fell to gathering 
 the shells that lay upon the shore into their helmets, as 
 their spoils of the conquered ocean, worthy of the pa¬ 
 lace and the capitol. 12. After this doughty expedition, 
 calling his army together, like a general after victory, he 
 harangued them in a pompous manner, and highly ex¬ 
 tolled their achievements; then, distributing money among 
 them, and congratulating them upon their riches, he dis¬ 
 missed them with orders to be joyful. And, that such 
 exploits should not pass without a memorial, he ordered 
 a lofty tower to be erected by the sea-side *. 
 
 13. Cassius Cher'ea, a tribune of the Praetorian bands, 
 was the person who at last freed the world from this 
 tyrant. Besides the motives which he had in common 
 with other men, he had received repeated insults from 
 Caligula, who took all occasions of turning him into ridi¬ 
 cule, and impeaching him of cowardice, merely because 
 he happened to have an effeminate voice. Whenever 
 Cher'ea came to demand the watch-word from the em¬ 
 peror, according to custom, he always gave him either 
 Venus, Ado'nis, or some such, implying softness and 
 effeminacy. 
 
 14. Cher'ea secretly imparted his designs to several 
 
 * It is said that the tower which stands at the entry of the 
 port of Boulogne, called La tour d'ordre , is that built by Ca- 
 lig'ula on this occasion. 
 
 o 2 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 292 
 
 senators and knights whom he knew to have received 
 personal injuries from Calig'ula. While these were deli¬ 
 berating upon the most certain and speedy method of 
 destroying the tyrant, an unexpected incident gave new 
 strength to the conspiracy. 15. Pompe'dius, a senator 
 of distinction, being accused before the emperor of 
 having spoken of him with disrespect, the informer cited 
 one Quintil'ia, an actress, to confirm the accusation. 
 1(). Quintil'ia, however, was possessed of a degree of 
 fortitude not frequently found even in the other sex. She 
 denied the fact with obstinacy; and, being put to the 
 torture, bore the severest torments of the rack with un¬ 
 shaken constancy. 17. Indeed so remarkable was her 
 resolution, that though acquainted with all the particulars 
 of the conspiracy, and although Cher'ea was the person 
 appointed to preside at her torture, she revealed nothing ; 
 on the contrary, when she was led to the rack, she trod 
 upon the toe of one of the conspirators, intimating at 
 once her knowledge of the confederacy, and her resolu¬ 
 tion not to divulge it. 18. Thus she suffered, until all 
 her limbs were dislocated; and, in that deplorable state, 
 was presented to the emperor, who ordered her a gratuity 
 for what she had endured. 
 
 19. Cher'ea could no longer contain his indignation, 
 at being thus made the instrument of a tyrant’s cruelty. 
 After several deliberations with the conspirators, it was at 
 last resolved to attack him during the Palatine games *, 
 which lasted four days; and to strike the blow when his 
 guards should not have the opportunity to defend him. 
 20. The first three days of the games passed* Cher'ea 
 
 * Palatine games were so called from their being celebrated on 
 the Palatine Hill, which was the most considerable of the seven 
 hills on which Rome was built. This was the first hill occupied 
 by Rom'ulus, and where he fixed his residence, and kept his 
 court; as also did Tul'lus Hostil'ius, Augustus, and all the 
 succeeding emperors; and hence it is that the residence of 
 princes is called Palatium, or Palace. 
 
293 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 began to apprehend, that deferring the completion of the 
 conspiracy might be the means of divulging it; he even 
 dreaded that the honour of killing the tyrant might fall 
 to the lot of some other person, bolder than himself. At 
 last he resolved to defer the execution of his plot only to 
 the day following, when Calig ula should pass through a 
 private gallery, to some baths near the palace. 
 
 21. The last day of the games was more splendid than 
 the rest; and Calig'ula seemed more sprightly and con¬ 
 descending than usual. He enjoyed the amusement of 
 seeing the people scramble for the fruits and other rarities 
 by his order thrown among them ; being no way appre¬ 
 hensive of the plot formed for his destruction. 22. In 
 the mean time the conspiracy began to transpire ; and, 
 had he had any friends remaining, it could not have failed 
 of being discovered. A senator who was present, asking 
 one of his acquaintance if he had heard any thing new, 
 and the other replying in the negative, said, * you must 
 know, that this day will be represented the death of a 
 tyrant.’ The other immediately understood him, but de¬ 
 sired him to be cautious. 23. The conspirators waited 
 many hours with extreme anxiety ; and Calig'ula seemed 
 resolved to spend the whole day without any refresh¬ 
 ment. So unexpected a delay exasperated Cher'ea; and, 
 had he not been restrained, he would suddenly have per¬ 
 petrated his design in the midst of all the people. 24. 
 At that instant, while he was hesitating, Aspore'nus *, 
 one of the conspirators, persuaded Calig'ula to go to the 
 bath, and take some slight refreshment, that he might 
 the better enjoy the rest of the entertainment. 25. The 
 emperor rising up, the conspirators used every precau¬ 
 tion to keep off the throng, and to surround him them¬ 
 selves, under pretence of greater assiduity. Upon his 
 entering into a little vaulted gallery that led to the bath. 
 
 * He is by some called Am'pronas. 
 o 3 
 
294 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Cher'ea struck him to the ground with his dagger, cry¬ 
 ing out, “ Tyrant, think upon this.” The other con¬ 
 spirators closed in upon him; and, while the emperor 
 .was resisting, and crying out that he was not yet dead, 
 they dispatched him with thirty wounds. 
 
 26. Such was the merited death of Calig'ula, in the 
 29th year of his age, after a short reign of not four years. 
 His character may be summed up in the words of Sen'eca; 
 namely, “ Nature seemed to have brought him forth, to 
 shew what mischief could be effected by the greatest 
 vices supported by the greatest authority.” 
 
 . Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Was Caligula's impiety his greatest vice ? 
 
 2. How did he heighten his cruelties ? 
 
 3. On what did he chiefly value himself? 
 
 4- What monstrous wish did he express ? 
 
 5. What was the consequence of such atrocities ? 
 
 6. What preparations did he make? 
 
 7. How did his disposition display itself on this occasion ? 
 
 8. How did he sometimes travel? 
 
 9. What exploits did he perform ? 
 
 10. Did he not make a shew r of some great enterprise ? 
 
 11. How did it end ? 
 
 12. Of what farther follies was he guilty ? 
 
 13. By whom was he assassinated, and by what provocations 
 
 was his fate hastened ? 
 
 14. Were others made privy to the design? 
 
 15. Relate this incident. 
 
 16. Did Quintilia confirm the accusation? 
 
 17. What rendered this resolution more remarkable? 
 
 18. What was the result ? 
 
 19. Was the crisis much longer deferred ? 
 
 20. Was this resolution put in practice ? 
 
 21. Was Caligula at all apprehensive of what was in agita¬ 
 
 tion ? 
 
 22. Was the secret inviolably kept ? 
 
 23. How was the design nearly frustrated? 
 
 24. What induced Caligula to alter his intention? 
 
 25. Relate the manner of his death. 
 
 26. Give a summary of his character? 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 295 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 U. C. 794.—A. D. 42. 
 
 2. Imbecility, s. weakness of mind. 
 
 4. Oblivion, s. forgetfulness. 
 
 6. Intestine, a. internal. ; ■ ratA 
 
 11. Commem'orate, to keep in remembrance, to celebrate. 
 16. Progenitors, *. forefathers, ancestors in a direct line. 
 
 18^ Dejec'tion, s. saduess. 
 
 21. Par'amour, s. lover, favourite. 
 
 1. As soon as the death of Calig'ula was made public, 
 it produced the greatest confusion. The conspirators* 
 who only aimed at destroying a tyrant, without attending 
 to the appointment of a successor, had all sought safety 
 by retiring to private places. 2. Some soldiers happen¬ 
 ing to wander about the palace, discovered Clau'dius, 
 Caligula’s uncle, lurking in a secret place where he had hid 
 himself. Of this person, who had hitherto been despised 
 for his imbecility, they resolved to make an emperor: 
 and accordingly they carried him upon their shoulders 
 to the camp, where they proclaimed him, at a time wh^n 
 he expected nothing but death. 
 
 3. Clau'dius was now fifty years old. The complicated 
 
 diseases of his infancy had, in some measure, affected 
 all the faculties of his mind as well as body, and he 
 seemed, both in public and domestic life, incapable of 
 conducting himself with propriety . 
 
 4. The commencement of his reign, however, as bad 
 
 * His mother, Anto'nia, used to call him a human monster ; 
 and his nephew, Calig'ula, when he had butchered many of his 
 kindred, saved him merely for a laughing-stock. I he kin es 
 word Augus'tus gave him, was that ol Misel lus, (poor wretc 
 This example was followed by others. If he happened to come 
 to table when the guests had taken their places, no one shewed 
 him the least civility ; and when he slept, as he sometimes did 
 •after meals, they would divert themselves by throwing the 
 stones of fruit at him, or by wakening him with the blow oi a 
 rod or whip. 
 
 o 4 
 
296 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 been the case with all the bad emperors, gave the most 
 promising hopes. It began by an act of oblivion for all 
 former words and actions, and by disannulling all the cruel 
 edicts of Calig ula. 5. He shewed himself more moderate 
 than his predecessors with regard to titles and honours. 
 He forbade all persons, under severe penalties, to sacri¬ 
 fice to him, as they had done to Calig'ula. He was assi¬ 
 duous in hearing and examining complaints; and fre¬ 
 quently administered justice in person with great mild¬ 
 ness. To his solicitude for the internal advantages of the 
 state, he added that of a watchful guardianship over the 
 provinces. He restored Judea to He'rod Agrip'pa*, 
 which Calig ula had taken from HeTod An'tipa, his un¬ 
 cle, the man who had put John the Baptist to death, 
 and who was banished by order of the present emperor f. 
 
 6. He even undertook to gratify the people by foreign 
 conquest. The Britons, who had for nearly a hundred 
 years, been left in quiet possession of their own island, 
 began to seek the mediation of Rome, to quell their in¬ 
 testine commotions. 7. The principal man, who desired 
 to subject his native country to the Roman dominion, 
 was one Ber'icus, who persuaded the emperor to make a 
 descent upon the island, magnifying the advantages that 
 would attend the conquest of it. 8. In pursuance of his 
 advice, therefore, Plau tius, the praetor, was ordered to 
 go into Gaul, and make preparations for this great ex¬ 
 pedition. At first, indeed, his soldiers seemed backward 
 to embark, declaring that they were unwilling to make 
 war beyond the limits of the world; for so they judged 
 Britain to be. However, they were at last persuaded to 
 
 Her od Agrip'pa was the grandson of Herod the Great; who, 
 at the birth of our Saviour, caused all the infants of Bethlehem 
 to be massacred, in hopes that he would fall in the number, 
 iter od Agrip pa, to please the Jews, also persecuted the Chris- 
 an d put to death St. James the Great. 
 
 .®- e P 1 ^ death Cher'ea, and some others of the murderers 
 ot his nephew. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 297 
 
 go; and the Britons, under the conduct of their king 
 Cyno'belin, were several times overthrown. 
 
 9. These successes soon after induced Clau'dius to go 
 into Britain in person, under pretence that the c A.D. 
 natives were still seditious, and had not deliver- t 46. 
 ed up some Roman fugitives, who had taken shelter 
 among them. 10. However, this expedition seemed ra¬ 
 ther calculated for shew than service : the time he con¬ 
 tinued in Britain, which was in all but sixteen days, was 
 more taken up in receiving homage, than extending his 
 conquests*. 11. Great rejoicings were made upon his 
 return to Rome: the senate decreed him a splendid tri¬ 
 umph, triumphal arches were erected to his honour, and 
 annual games instituted to commemorate his victories. 
 12. In the giean time the war was vigorously prosecuted 
 by Plau'tius, and his lieutenant Vespasian t, who, ac¬ 
 cording to Sueto'niusJ, fought thirty battles, and re¬ 
 duced a part of the island into the form of a c a.D. 
 Roman province. 13 . However, this war broke < A - 
 out afresh under the government of Osto'rius, who suc¬ 
 ceeded Plau'tius. The Britons, either despising him 
 for want of experience, or hoping to gain advantages 
 over a person newly come to command, rose up in arms, 
 and disclaimed the Roman power. 14. The Ice'ni*who 
 inhabited Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and Huntingdon¬ 
 shire ; the Can'gi, in Wiltshire and Somersetshire ; and 
 
 * He was, in fact so timorous and devoid of personal courage, 
 that he never admitted any one to Ids presence without Ins being 
 first narrowly searched; nay, even women and children were 
 sometimes subjected to this rude investigation. This excessive 
 timidity was taken advantage of by Ins wife, Messali na. ani 
 others ■ who, by playing on his fears, induced him frequently to 
 be guilty of cruelties, of which be alterwards bitterly repented. 
 
 + Vespa'sian, a native ofRiti, in Italy, was of obscure origin, 
 and rose to public honours solely through his merit. 
 
 t Sueto nius, a celebrated historian, a native of Rome. He was 
 
 secretary to the emperor Adrian, and an intimate friend ’’ Phny 
 the vounger. Of his works, his lives of the First Twelve Em- 
 pero'rs, and part of his Treatise concerning Illustrious Gramma-, 
 rians, only have been preserved. (Biog. Classica.) 
 
 o 5 
 
298 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Brigades, in Yorkshire, &c. jnade a powerful re, 
 sistance, though they were at length overcome; but the 
 Silu'res, or inhabitants of South Wales, under their king 
 Carac tacus *, were the most formidable opponents the 
 Roman generals had ever yet encountered. 15. This 
 brave barbarian not only made a gallant defence, but 
 often claimed a doubtful victory. He, with great con¬ 
 duct, removed the seat of war into the most inaccessible 
 parts of the country, and for nine years kept the Romans 
 in continual alarm. 
 
 16. Upon the approach of Osto'rius, however, Carac'- 
 tacus, finding himself obliged to come to a decisive en¬ 
 gagement, addressed his countrymen with calm resolu^ 
 tion; telling them, that this battle would either establish 
 their liberty, or confirm their servitude; that they ought 
 to remember the bravery of their ancestors, by whose 
 valour they were delivered from taxes and tribute ; and 
 that this was the time to shew themselves equal to their 
 progenitors . 17. But nothing that undisciplined valour 
 
 could perform availed against the conduct of the Roman 
 legions. After an obstinate fight, the Britons were en¬ 
 tirely routed ; the wife and daughter of Carac'tacus were 
 taken prisoners; and he himself, seeking refuge from 
 Cartisman'dua, queen of the Brigan'tes, was treache¬ 
 rously delivered up to the conquerors. 18. When he was 
 brought to Rome, nothing could exceed the curiosity of 
 the people to behold a man who had, for so many years, 
 braved (he power of the empire. Carae'tacus testified 
 no marks of base dejection. When he was led through 
 the streets, and observed the splendour of every object 
 around him: “ Alas !” cried he, “how is it possible, 
 that people possessed of such magnificence at home, 
 could think of envying Carac'tacus a humble cottage in 
 Britain \” 19. When he was brought before the ernpe- 
 
 Br*au nam ° was the 50n of 
 
EMPIRE OP ROMB. 299 
 
 ror, while the other prisoners sued for pity with the 
 most abject lamentations, Carac'tacus stood before the 
 tribunal with an intrepid air, and though willing to ac¬ 
 cept of pardon, was not mean enough to sue for it. “ If, 
 cried he, “ I had yielded immediately, and without op¬ 
 posing you, neither would my fortune have been remark¬ 
 able, nor your glory memorable; you could not have 
 been victorious; and I had been forgotten. If now, 
 therefore, you spare my life, I shall continue a perpetual 
 example of your clemency/’ Claudius generously par¬ 
 doned him, and Osto'rius was decreed a triumph. 
 
 20. In the beginning of his reign, Claudius gave the 
 highest hopes of a happy continuance; but he soon began 
 to lessen his care for the public, and to commit to his 
 favourites all the concerns of the empire. This prince, 
 weak from his infancy, was little able, when called to 
 govern, to act but under the direction of others. 21. One 
 of his chief instructors was his wife Messali'na; whose 
 name is become a common appellation for women of 
 abandoned character. By her was Claudius urged on to 
 commit cruelties, which he considered only as whole¬ 
 some severities; while her debaucheries became every 
 day more notorious, and exceeded what had ever been 
 in Rome. For her crimes and enormities, however, she, 
 together with her paramour , Cai'us Sil'ius, suffered that 
 death they both had so justly deserved *. 
 
 22. Clau'dius afterwards married Agrippi'na, the 
 
 * With such astonishing boldness did Messali'na perpetrate 
 her enormous crimes, that she compelled Sil ius to divorce his 
 wife, and to marry her, with all the usual solemnities, in the 
 most public manner. For some time, the emperor, who was at 
 Os'tia, was ignorant of this enormity ; fear of Messali na s influ¬ 
 ence over him preventing any one from mentioning it. Even 
 when informed, alter the first ebullitions of his rage had sub¬ 
 sided, he would have pardoned his wife, had not Narcis sus, by 
 whom her crimes had been at length reported, caused her to be 
 hastily dispatched. When the news of her death was brought to 
 Clau dius, he appeared to take no notice, and even inquired, 
 some days after, why Messali'na did not come to supper. 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 daughter of his brother German'icus, a woman of a cruel 
 and ambitious spirit, whose sole aim being to procure 
 the succession for Ne ro, her son by a former marriage, 
 she treated Clau dins with such haughtiness, that he was 
 beard to declare, when heated with wine, that it was his 
 fate to smart under the disorders of his wives, and to be 
 their executioner. 23. This expression sunk deep in her 
 mind, and engaged all her faculties to prevent the blow ; 
 she, therefore, resolved not to defer a deed which she 
 bad meditated long before, which was, to poison him. 
 She, for some time, debated within herself in what quan¬ 
 tity the poison should be administered; as she feared 
 that too strong a dose would discover the treachery, 
 while one too weak would fail of its effect. 24. At 
 length she determined upon a poison of singular efficacy 
 to destroy his intellects, and yet not suddenly to termi¬ 
 nate his life; it was given among mushrooms, a dish the 
 emperor was particularly fond of. 25. Shortly after he 
 had eaten, he dropped down insensible; but this caused 
 no alarm, as it was usual with him to eat till he had 
 stupified his faculties, and been obliged to be carried 
 from the table to his bed. 26. His constitution, how¬ 
 ever, seemed to overcome the effects of the potion; but 
 Agrippina, resolving to make sure of him, directed a 
 wretch of a physician, her creature, to introduce a 
 poisoned feather into his throat, under pretence of 
 making him vomit, and thus to dispatch him, which had 
 its intended effect. Thus died Clau'dius the First, the 
 complicated diseases of whose infancy seemed to have 
 affected and perverted all the faculties of his mind. He 
 was succeeded by Ne ro, the son of Agrippi'na, by her 
 first husband. Ne'ro had been adopted by Clau'dius. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME, 
 
 301 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What happened on the death of Caligula? , 
 
 2. Who was appointed his successor? 
 
 3. What was the character of Claudius? 
 
 4. How did he conduct himself? 
 
 6. By what farther acts did he distinguish his accession? 
 
 G. Did he adopt any warlike measures ? 
 
 7. By whom was he persuaded to intertere? 
 
 8. Who was sent into that country, and what occurred in 
 
 consequence ? 
 
 9. What resolution did Claudius form ? 
 
 10. Did he perform any memorable exploits? 
 
 11. Was his return celebrated ? 
 
 12. Was the war in Britain now at an end ? 
 
 13. Did this finish the war? 
 
 14. Who were the mostformidablc adversaries of the Romans* 
 
 15. How did he distinguish himself? 
 
 16. By what means did he strengthen the courage of his 
 
 troops? 
 
 17. Were his efforts successful? 
 
 18. What happened on his arrival in Rome? 
 
 19. What was his behaviour before the emperor ? 
 
 20. Did Claudius continue to govern well? 
 
 21. Who was the chief instigator of his cruelties ? 
 
 22. Who was the second wife of Claudius, and what was her 
 
 conduct towards him ? 
 
 23. What was the consequence of this unguarded expression ? 
 
 24. On what did she at length resolve? 
 
 25. What effect did it produce? 
 
 2G. Did he recover ? 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 U. c. 793.-A. D. 55. 
 
 3. Mounds, s. barriers, defences. 
 
 5. Conflagration, s. burning, great fire. 
 
 6. O'dium, s. disgrace. 
 
 7. Circus,.s. an area for the celebration of races and other sports. 
 9. Prematurely, ad. before it was ripe for execution. 
 
 13. Austerities, s. abstemiousness, severities. 
 
 Avid'ity, s. eagerness. 
 
 15. Swoon, s. a fainting lit. 
 
 16. Viial, a. essential to life. 
 
 1. Ne'ro, though but seventeen years old, began bis 
 reign with the geueral approbation of mankind. He 
 
302 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 appeared just, liberal, and humane. When a warrant 
 for the execution of a criminal was brought to be signed, 
 he would cry out, with compassion, € * Would to heaven 
 that I had never learned to write!” 
 
 2. But as he increased in years, his native disposition 
 began to shew itself. The execution of his mother 
 Agrippi'na was the first alarming instance he gave of his 
 cruelty. After attempting to get her drowned at sea, he 
 ordered her to be put to death in her palace ; and coming 
 to gaze upon the dead body, was heard to say, that be had 
 never thought his mother so handsome a woman *. 
 
 3. The mounds of virtue being thus broken down, Ne'ro 
 gave a loose to appetites that were not only sordid, but 
 inhuman. There was a sort of odd contrast in his dispo¬ 
 sition ; for, while he practised cruelties sufficient to make 
 the mind shudder with horror, he was fond of those 
 amusing arts which soften and refine the heart. He was 
 particularly addicted, even from childhood, to music, and 
 not totally ignorant of poetry; chariot-driving was his 
 favourite pursuit; and all these he frequently exhibited 
 in public. 
 
 4. Happy had it been for mankind, had he confined 
 himself to these; and, contented with being contemptible, 
 sought not to become formidable also. His cruelties ex- 
 ceeded ail his other extravagancies. He seemed even 
 
 * The manner of his attempt to drown his mother was ex- 
 tranely singular. He caused a vessel to be constructed that, by 
 withdrawing some bolts, would separate in the open sea, and 
 thus give her death the appearance of a shipwreck. Agrippi'na 
 naturally suspicious, at first refused to go on board : but lulled 
 into security by. the artful blandishments of her son, she em¬ 
 barked. The attempt was made; but Agrippi'na was taken up 
 by some hsher-boats, and conveyed to her own villa. The very 
 great calmness ol the sea prevented the possibility of its being 
 considered as an accident. Agrippi'na, however, dissembled her 
 suspicions, and informed the emperor of her wonderful escape 
 Three years after the death of his mother, he murdered his tutor 
 and a * so bls ) vife V cta via ’ a y° un S princess of admir- 
 Popp£'a Ue and beauty > tbat he mi Skt marry the infamous 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME, 
 
 303 
 
 studious of finding out pleasures, as well ascrimes, against 
 nature. 5. A great part of the city of Rome was consunnkl 
 by fire in his time, and to him most historians ascribe the 
 conflagration . It is said that he stood upon a high tower, 
 during the continuance of the flames, enjoying the sight, 
 and singing in a theatrical manner to his harp, verses 
 upon the burning of Troy. None were permitted to lend 
 assistance towards extinguishing the flames ; and several 
 persons were seen setting fire to the houses, allegiug 
 that they had orders for so doing *. Q. However this 
 be, the emperor used every art to throw the odium of so 
 detestable an action from himself, and to fix it upon the 
 Christians, who were at that time gaining ground in 
 Rome. 7. Nothing could be more dreadful than the per¬ 
 secution raised against them upon this false accusation. 
 Some were covered with the skins of wild beasts, and, 
 in that disguise, devoured by the dogs; some were cru¬ 
 cified, and others burnt alive. " When the day was not 
 sufficient for their tortures, the flames, in which they pe¬ 
 rished,” says Ta'citus, “ served to illuminate the night f 
 while Ne'ro, dressed in the habit of a charioteer, re¬ 
 galed himself with a view of their tortures from his gar¬ 
 dens, and entertained the people at one time with their 
 sufferings, at another with the games of the circus. 8. In 
 this persecution St. Paul was beheaded, and St. Peter was 
 
 * Of the fourteen quarters into which Rome was divided, only 
 four remained entire. Upon the ruins of the demolished city, 
 Ne'ro founded a palace, which he called his Golden House. It 
 contained within its inciosure, artificial lakes, large wildernesses, 
 spacious parks, gardens, orchards, vineyards, &c. &c. The en¬ 
 trance of the stately edifice was sufficiently lofty to admit a 
 colossal statue of Ne'ro, 120 feet high. The galleries, erected 
 on three rows of tall pillars, were each a mile in length. The 
 palace itself was tiled with gold (probably gilding,) the walls 
 covered with the same metal, and richly adorned with precious 
 stones and mother of pearl; and the ceiling of one of the ban¬ 
 queting rooms represented the firmament beset with stars, 
 turning about incessantly night and day, and showering sweet 
 waters on the guests. 
 
 8 
 
304 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 crucified, with his head downwards; a mode of death he 
 chose, as being more dishonourable thau that of his di¬ 
 vine Master. 
 
 9. A conspiracy formed against Nero, by Pi'so, a man 
 of great power and integrity, which was yrtmaturely dis¬ 
 covered, opened a train of suspicions that destroyed many 
 of the principal families in Rome. 10. The two most 
 remarkable personages, who fell on this occasion were 
 Sen'eca the philosopher, and Lucan the poet, his ne¬ 
 phew *. Ne'ro, either having real testimony, or else 
 hating him for his virtues, sent a tribune to Sen'ecaf, in¬ 
 forming aim that he was suspected as an accomplice. 
 The tribune found the philosopher at table with Pauli'na, 
 his wife ; and informing him ot his business, Sen'eca 
 replied, without emotion, that his welfare depended upon 
 no man; that he had never been accustomed to indulge 
 the errors of the emperor, and would not do it now. 11. 
 When this answer was brought to Ne'ro, he demanded 
 whether Sen'eca seemed afraid to die; the tribune reply¬ 
 ing that he did not appear in the least terrified : “ Then 
 go to him again,” cried the emperor, “ and give him my 
 orders to die.” Accordingly, he sent a centurion to 
 
 * Epicha'ris, a woman of infamous character, who, by some 
 means, was implicated in the conspiracy, deserves to he men¬ 
 tioned as another instance of female fortitude. She was con¬ 
 demned to the torture; but the united force of racks, stripes 
 and lire, could not extort a word from her. The next day as 
 she was conducted in a chair to be tortured afresh (for her mem 
 bers were so mangled and disjointed, that she could not stand ) 
 she hung herself with her girdle, to the top of the chair, volun¬ 
 tarily suspending the whole weight of her body on the noose: 
 thus a Ionian, once a slave, cheerfully endured the most exqui¬ 
 site tortures, and even death, to save persons she scarcely knew 
 and from whom she had never received any favours. 
 
 f Seneca, a celebrated philosopher, and sou of Sen'eca the 
 orator; was born at Corduba, in Spain, A.D. 8. This town was 
 also the birth-place of his father. (Strabo and Lucan.) Corduba 
 was founded by the Romans, B.C. 150: and in process of time 
 it became the residence of the Moorish kings, and where they 
 continued till their expulsion into Africa. It was ia the vicinity 
 ol this city that Caesar fought his last battle with the sons of 
 
306 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Sen'eca, signifying that it was the emperor’s pleasure that 
 he should die. Sen'eca seemed no way discomposed, but 
 displayed the fortitude of conscious integrity. He endea¬ 
 voured to console his wife, and exhort her to a life of 
 persevering virtue. 12. She seemed resolved however 
 not to survive him, and pressed her request to die with him 
 so earnestly, that Sen'eca, who had long looked upon 
 death as a benefit, at last gave his consent; and the veins 
 of both their arms were opened at the same time. 18. As 
 Sen'eca was old, and much enfeebled by the austerities of 
 his life, the blood flowed but slowly; so that he caused 
 the veins of his legs and thighs to be opened also. His 
 pains were long and violent, but they were not capable 
 of repressing his fortitude or his eloquence. He dictated 
 a discourse to two secretaries, which was read with great 
 avidity after his death, but which has since perished in the 
 lapse of time. 14. His agonies being now drawn out to 
 a great length, he at last demanded poison from his phy¬ 
 sician ; but this also failed of its effect, his body being 
 already exhausted, and incapable of exciting its operation. 
 He was from this carried into a warm bath, which only 
 served to prolong his sufferings; at length therefore he 
 was put in a stove, the vapour of which quickly dis¬ 
 patched him. 16. In the mean time his wife Pauli'na, 
 having fallen into a swoon with the loss of blood, had 
 her arms bound up by her domestics, and by this means 
 survived her husband for some years: but, by her con¬ 
 duct during the rest of her life, she seemed never to for- 
 get her affection and his example. 
 
 16. The death of Lu'can * was not less remarkable. 
 After he had lost a great quantity of blood from the veins 
 of his arms, perceiving his hands and legs already dead. 
 
 « Lu'can, a celebrated Latin poet, was born about A. D. 39. 
 His father was Annae'as Me'ia, brother to Sen eca. He died by 
 suffocation in a hot bath, A. D. 65. His Pharsalia is an epic 
 poem of merit, &c. though harsh and irregular. 
 
306 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 while the vital parts still continued warm and vigorous, 
 he called to mind the description in his own poem of the 
 Ihaisalia, of a person dying in similar circumstances. 
 He expired while he was repealing that beautiful passage: 
 
 “ ;— -— Nec, sicut vulnere sanguis 
 
 ic Emicuit Jentus: Ruptis cadit undique venis 
 
 “ -— - -Pars ultima trunci 
 
 “ Tradidit in letum vacuos vitalibus artus 
 “ At tumidus qua pulmo jacet, qui viscera fervent, 
 Haeserunt ibi fata diu : Luctataque nniltum 
 u Hac e um parte, viri vix omnia membra tuleruut.’ , 
 
 No single wound the gaping rupture seems, 
 
 Where trickling crimson wells in slender streams : 
 
 But from an op’ning horrible and wide, 
 
 A thousand vessels pour the bursting tide; 
 
 Soon from the.lower parts the spirits lied, ’ 
 
 And motionless th’ exhausted limbs lay dead ; 
 
 Not so the nobler regions, where the heart 
 And heaving lungs their vital powers exert: 
 
 There, lingering, late and long conflicting, life 
 Rose against flite, and still maintained the strife: 
 
 Driven out at length, unwillingly and slow, 
 
 She left her mortal house, and sought the shades below. 
 
 Rowe, b. iii. v. 94o. 
 
 17. The death of C. Petro'nius *, about this time, is too 
 remarkable to be passed over in silence. This 
 A. D. r person, whom some historians suppose to be the 
 6b* ) author of the piece entitled T. Petro'nii Arbi'tri 
 Saty'ricon, was an Epicurean, both in principle and 
 practice. In a court like that of Ne'ro, he was esteemed 
 tor his refinements in luxury, and became the emperor's 
 tutor in this exquisite art. Accused of being privy to 
 
 Pct.ro nius, the Latin poet, w r as born at Marseilles, a mari¬ 
 time city in France. In this city was a temple, dedicated to 
 Apollo • and an university, remarkable for the frugality and civil 
 behaviour of the students, to which the Romans sent their chil¬ 
 dren to be educated, it being styled by Cicero the Athens of 
 Gaul; and by Pliny the mistress of education. Petro'nius’s 
 Satire against Ne'ro is extremely well written, though very li¬ 
 centious. His other works are, a Poem on the Civil War be¬ 
 tween Caesar and Pompey ; on the Education of the Roman 
 Youth ; on the Corruption of Eloquence, and on the Cause of 
 the Decline of the Arts, &c. (Biog. Classica.) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 397 
 
 Piso’s conspiracy, he was committed to prison. Petro'- 
 nius, who could not endure the anxiety of suspense, re¬ 
 solved upon putting himself to death, by causing his veins 
 to be opened *. 19. In the mean time, he conversed 
 
 with his friends, not upon maxims of philosophy, or grave 
 subjects, but upon such topics as had amused his gayest 
 revels. He listened while they recited the lightest poems; 
 and by no action, no word, no circumstance, shewed the 
 perplexity of a dying person. 20. Shortly after him, 
 Numi'cius Thermus, Bare a Soranus, and PetusThra- 1 
 sea+, were put to death. The valiant Corbulo who 
 had gained Nero so many victories over the Parthians, 
 followed next. Nor did the empress Poppaea herself 
 escape, whom he kicked when she was pregnant, by 
 which she miscarried, and died. 21. At length human 
 nature grew weary of bearing her persecutor; and the 
 whole world seemed to rouse, as it by common consent, 
 to rid the earth of a monster. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was Nero's conduct at the commencement of hia 
 
 reign ? 
 
 2. Did this good disposition continue ? 
 
 3. What was there peculiar in his disposition? 
 
 4. Were these his greatest faults? 
 
 5. Of what heinous crime is he accused ? 
 
 6. On whom was the odium of this barbarous action cast . 
 
 7. What was the consequence to these unhappy men . 
 
 * So little eagerness did he shew to put an end to his agonies, 
 that, after his veins were cut, he directed them to be closed 
 again, and then opened at intervals, shewing no sense ol pam, 
 nor apprehension of death. 
 
 f The most virtuous man of his time. _ 
 
 t Cor'bulo, the celebrated Roman general, subdued the rar- 
 thians, and also the Armenians, whose capital he destroyed, and 
 placed Tigra'nes on the throne (of Armenia ;) Nero, jealous oi 
 his reputation, directed him to be murdered ,■ Cor bulo, hearing 
 of it, fell upon his sword, A.D. 67. (Tacitus.) 
 
r 
 
 308 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 8. What eminent persons suffered on this occasion ? 
 
 1 iese crue ^ies give birth to conspiracies ? 
 
 ]?’ Jv il- 6 ?? 8 note su flcred in consequence ? 
 
 11. Uul this defence save his life ? 
 
 t '' ere his exhortations effectual ? 
 
 13. Relate the circumstances of Seneca’s death? 
 
 J/. e,e other means resorted to ? 
 
 15. Did not Paulina survive him 7 
 
 16. Describe the death of Lucan. 
 
 It 
 
 19. How did he meet death ? 
 
 20. Were not other illustrious persons sacrificed ? 
 Were these cruelties committed with impunity? 
 
 SECT. VIII. 
 
 3. ^ a ses, s. goblets, ornamental vessels. 
 
 7. Im precating, part, desiring with curses. 
 
 14. Innoxious, a. no longer hurtful. 
 
 oo ^ xc } le ( l ,ier , s. a modern name for the treasury. 
 
 Contain mated, part, defiled, polluted. 
 
 31. Animos'ity, s. hatred. 
 
 Precipitation, s. unwise haste. 
 
 1. Ser vius Galba *, at that time governor of Spain 
 was remarkable for his wisdom in peace, and his cou* 
 rage in war ; but as a display of talents under corrupt 
 princes is dangerous, he, for some years, bad seemed to 
 court obscurity, and an inactive life. 2. Willing, how¬ 
 ever, to rid his country of the monster that now occu¬ 
 pied the throne, he accepted the invitation of Vin'dex, to 
 march with an army towards Rome. 3. From the mo¬ 
 ment he declared against Ne'ro, the tyrant considered 
 himself as fallen. He received the account as he was at 
 supper, and instantly struck with terror, overturned the 
 
 famU^f if. S ^ P ‘ CIUS ’ ) was <iescen<,ed from the ancient 
 Afr/il f ? lpi tn \ He was successively prajtor, proconsul of 
 Africa, ami general of the Roman armies in Germany and Spain. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 309 
 
 table with his foot, breaking two crystal vases of immense 
 value. He fell into a swoon ; and on his recovery, tore 
 his clothes and struck his head, crying out, “ that he was 
 utterly undone.’ 7 4. He now called for the assistance of 
 Locus'ta, a woman famous in the art of poisoning, to 
 furnish him with the means of death; but being pre¬ 
 vented in this, and the revolt becoming general, he went 
 in person from house to house, but the doors were shut 
 against him. Being reduced to a state of desperation, 
 he desired that one of his favourite gladiators* might 
 dispatch him ; but even in this request not one would 
 obey. (t Alas,” cried he, “ have I neither friend nor 
 enemy !” then running desperately forth, he seemed re¬ 
 solved to plunge headlong into the Ti'ber. 5. But his 
 courage failed him, he made a sudden stop, as if willing 
 to recollect his reason: and asked for some secret place, 
 where he might reassume his courage, and meet death 
 with becoming fortitude. 6. In this distress, Pha'on, 
 one of his freedmen, offered him his country-house, about 
 four miles distant, where he might for some time remain 
 concealed. Ne'ro accepted the offer; and, with his head 
 covered, hiding his face with his handkerchief, he mount¬ 
 ed on horseback, attended by four of his domestics, of 
 whom the wretched Spo'rusf was one. 7. His journey, 
 though short, was crowded with adventures. An earth¬ 
 quake gave him the first alarm. The lightning from 
 heaven next flashed in his face. Round him he heard 
 nothing but confused noises from the camp, and the 
 cries of the soldiers, imprecating a thousand evils upon 
 his head. 8. A traveller, meeting him on the way, cried, 
 “ Those men are in pursuit of Ne'ro.” Another asked 
 
 * A sword-player, a kind of prize-fighter, 
 f Spo'rus was the companion and sharer of his unnatural plea¬ 
 sures. Among other abominable follies, he publicly married this 
 wretch, kept him in his palace, and carried him about with him 
 in the same litter, in the attire of an empress. 
 
 5 
 
310 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 him if there was any news of Ne'ro in the city. His 
 horse taking fright at a dead body that lay near the road, 
 he dropped his handkerchief ; when a soldier addressing 
 him by name, he quitted his horse, and forsaking the 
 highway, entered a thicket that led towards the back 
 part of Plia'on’s house, making the best of his way among 
 the reeds and brambles, with which the place was over¬ 
 grown. 9. During this interval, the senate, finding the 
 I^raeto'rian guards had taken part with Gal'ba, declared 
 him emperor, and condemned Ne'ro to die, mo'ra majo'- 
 rum; that is, according to the rigour of the ancient laws. 
 10. When he was told of the resolution of the senate, 
 he asked what was meant by being punished according to 
 the rigour of the ancient laws ? To this it was answered, 
 that the criminal was to be stripped naked, his head was 
 to be fixed in a pillory, and in that posture he was to be 
 scourged to death. 11. Ne'ro was so terrified at this, 
 that he seized two poniards, which he had brought with 
 him; after examining their points, he returned them, 
 however, to their sheaths, pretending that the fatal mo¬ 
 ment was not yet arrived. 12. He then desired Spo'rus 
 to begin the lamentations which were-used at funerals; 
 he next entreated that some of his attendants w ould die, 
 to give him courage by his example: and afterwards 
 began to reproach his own cowardice, crying out, “ Does 
 this become Ne'ro ? Is this trifling well-timed ? No! 
 —let me be courageous \” In fact, he had no time to 
 spare; for the soldiers, who had been sent in pursuit of 
 him, were just then approaching the house. 13. Upon 
 li^aring therefore the sound of the horses’ feet, he set a 
 dagger to his throat, with which, by the assistance of 
 Epaphrod'itus, his freedman and secretary, he gave him¬ 
 self a mortal wound *. 14. However, he was not yet 
 
 * For this assistance, Epaphrod'itus afterwards paid dear, 
 being put to death by Domit'ian, for imbruing his hands in the 
 blood of the Caesars. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 311 
 
 dead, when one of the centurions entering the room, and 
 pretending that he came to his relief, attempted to stop 
 the blood with his cloak. But Nero, regarding him with 
 a stem countenance, said, “ It is now too late ! Is this 
 your fidelity V* Upon which, with his eyes fixed and 
 frightfully staring, he expired; exhibiting, even after 
 death, a ghastly spectacle of innoxious tyranny. 15. He 
 reigned thirteen years, seven months, and twenty-eight 
 days, and died in the thirty-second year of his age. 
 
 16. Gal'ba was seventy-two years old when he was de¬ 
 clared emperor, and was then in Spain with his C U. C. 
 legions. He soon found that his being raised to \ 
 the throne was but an inlet to new disquietudes. L 89. 
 17. He seemed to have three objects in view : to curb 
 the insolence of the soldiers ; to punish those vices which 
 had risen to an enormous height in the last reign; and to 
 replenish the exchequer , which had been drained by the 
 prodigality of his predecessors. 18. However, permitting 
 himself to be governed by favourites, he at one time 
 shewed himself severe and frugal; at another, remiss 
 and prodigal; condemning some illustrious persons with¬ 
 out any hearing ; and pardoning others, though guilty. 
 In consequence of this, seditions were kindled, and fac¬ 
 tions promoted. 
 
 19. Gal'ba was sensible that, besides his age, his want 
 of an heir rendered him less respected : he resolved, 
 therefore, to adopt a person, whose virtues might deserve 
 such advancement, and protect his declining age from 
 danger; but his favourites wished to give him ail heir of 
 their own choosing; so that there arose a great conten¬ 
 tion among them upon this occasion. 20. Otho * made 
 
 * O'tbo, born at Rome, A. D. 32, was descended from the 
 ancient kings of Tuscany. Ne'ro, whose companion he was in 
 all his debaucheries, had elevated him to the highest offices in 
 the state. After Ne'ro’s death, he endeavoured to attach him¬ 
 self to Gal'ba, but that emperor having made up his mind to 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 312 
 
 earnest application for himself, alleging the great ser¬ 
 vices he had done the emperor, as being the first man of 
 note who came to his assistance, when he had declared 
 against Ne'ro. 21. However Gal'ba, being fully re. 
 solved to consult the public good alone, rejected his suit; 
 and, on a day appointed, ordered Pi'so Lucia'nus to at¬ 
 tend him. The character given by historians of Pi'so is, 
 that he was every way worthy of the honour designed 
 him. 22. Taking this youth by the hand, Gal'ba adopted 
 him to succeed in the empire, giving him the most whole¬ 
 some lessons for guiding his future conduct. Piso 
 shewed that he was highly deserving this distinction; 
 in all his deportment there appeared such modesty, firm¬ 
 ness, and equality of mind, as bespoke him rather capa¬ 
 ble of discharging, than ambitious of obtaining his pre¬ 
 sent dignity. 23. But the army and the senate did not 
 seem equally disinterested upon this occasion; they had 
 been so long used to bribery and corruption, that they 
 could now bear no emperor who was not in a capacity of 
 satisfying their avarice. The adoption, therefore, of Piso, 
 was coldly received: for his virtues were no recommenda¬ 
 tion in a time of universal depravity. 
 
 24. O'tlio, who had long been a favourite of Gal'ba, 
 and hoped to be adopted a successor in the empire, find¬ 
 ing himself disappointed, and stimulated by the immense 
 load of debt which he had contracted by his riotous way 
 of living, resolved upon obtaining the empire by force, 
 since he could not do it by peaceable succession. Hav¬ 
 ing corrupted the fidelity of the army, he stole secretly 
 from the emperor while he was sacrificing; and, as¬ 
 sembling the soldiers, he, in a short speech, urged the 
 cruelties and the avarice of Gal'ba. 25. Finding his in- 
 
 appoint Pi'so his heir, O'tho excited an insurrection, murdered 
 G-arba and Pi'so, and ascended the throne, A.D. 69, but. was op¬ 
 posed by Vitel'lius, who w as supported by the army which he 
 then commanded in Germany. (Crevier.) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 313 
 
 vectives received with universal shouts by the army, he 
 entirely threw off the mask, and avowed his intention of 
 dethroning him. The soldiers, being ripe for sedition, 
 immediately seconded his views, and taking O'tho upon 
 their shoulders, declared him emperor ; and to strike the 
 citizens with terror, carried him, with their swords drawn, 
 into the camp. 
 
 2(>. Soon after, finding Gal'ba in some measure de¬ 
 serted by his adherents, the soldiers rushed in upon him, 
 trampling the crowds of people that then tilled the forum 
 under foot. 27. Gal'ba seeing them approach, seemed 
 to recollect all his former fortitude; and bending his 
 head forward, bid the assassins strike it otf, if it were for 
 the good of the people. 28. The command was quickly 
 obeyed. The soldier who struck it off, stuck it upon the 
 point of a lance, and contemptuously carried it round 
 the camp ; his body remaining unburied in the streets, 
 till it was interred by one of his slaves. His short reign 
 of seven months, was as illustrious by his own virtues, 
 as it was contaminated by the vices of his favourites, who 
 shared in his downfall. 
 
 29. O'tho who was now elected emperor, began his 
 reign by a signal instance of clemency, in pardoning 
 Marius Cel'sus, who had been highly favoured by Gai'- 
 ba; and not content with barely forgiving, he advanced 
 him to the highest honours, asserting, that “ fidelity de¬ 
 served every reward.” 
 
 30. In the mean time, the legions in Lower Germauy 
 having been purchased by the large gifts and specious 
 promises of Vitel'lius * their general, were at length in¬ 
 duced to proclaim him emperor: and regardless of the 
 senate, they declared that they had an equal right to ap¬ 
 point to that high station, with the cohorts at Rome* 
 
 * Au'ius Vitel'lius was descended from one of tlie most illus¬ 
 trious families of Rome, and brought up in the vicious court of 
 Tiberius at Caprem. 
 
 ? 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 31. O'tho departed from Rome with all haste to give 
 Vitel'lius battle. The army of Vitel'lius, which consisted 
 of seventy thousand men, was commanded by his generals 
 Va'lens and Cecin'na, he himself remaining in Gaul, in 
 order to bring up the rest of his forces. Both sides hast¬ 
 ened to meet each other with so much animosity and pre¬ 
 cipitation, that three considerable battles were fought in 
 the space of three days ; in all of which, O'tho and the 
 Romans had the advantage. 32. These successes, how¬ 
 ever, were but of short continuance, for Va'lens and Ce- 
 ciu'na, who had hitherto acted separately, joining their 
 forces, and strengthening their armies with fresh supplies, 
 resolved to come to a general engagement. O'tho’s 
 forces were partially overthrown at Bedria'cum, a village 
 near Cremo'na, in Lombardy, in Italy; and though he 
 had still numerous armies at his devotion, he killed him¬ 
 self shortly after, having reigned three months and five 
 days *, and was succeeded by Vitel'lius. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was the character of Sergius Galba? 
 
 2. Did he at length emerge from this obscurity ? 
 
 3. Was he formidable to Nero? 
 
 4. What was the conduct of Nero on this emergency ? 
 
 5. Did he actually do so? 
 
 6. Was his request complied with ? 
 
 7. What befel him by the way 
 
 8. What farther happened? 
 
 9. What occurred in the interval? 
 
 10. How did Nero receive this intelligence? 
 
 * Although O'tho appears to have been in the early part of his 
 life, a dissipated character, his death was truly heroic; as far as 
 the mistaken principles of those times can render suicide ex¬ 
 cusable. His soldiers were entirely devoted to him. He had 
 numerous garrisons in Bedria'cum and Placen'tia; the legions 
 from Dalma'tia, Moe'tia andPanno'nia, and the Asiat'ic, Syr'ian, 
 andEgyp'tian forces, were readily advancing to his assistance; 
 yet he nobly resolved to die, to save his country from the hor¬ 
 rors of a civil war. 
 
315 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 11. Did he resolve to await this terrible punishment ? 
 
 12. How did he contrive to put off the fatal moment? 
 
 13. What at length put an end to this irresolution? 
 
 14. Was he dead when the soldiers arrived ? 
 
 15. How long did he reign? 
 
 16. What was the age of Galba on his accession ? 
 
 17. What were his principal views? 
 
 18. Was his conduct regular and consistent ? 
 
 19. What important measures did he adopt? 
 
 20. Who was the chief candidate on the occasion ? 
 
 21. Was he chosen? 
 
 22. Was Piso the chosen successor, and what was his cha¬ 
 
 racter ? 
 
 23. Was this adoption generally approved? 
 
 24. Did not Otho attempt to set him aside ? 
 
 25. Was he favourably received? 
 
 26. Did Galba suppress this rebellion? 
 
 27. What was his behaviour on the occasion ? 
 
 28. Was this command obeyed, and what treatment did 
 
 Galba experience ? 
 
 29. How did Otho commence his reign ? 
 
 30. Did he reign without a rival? 
 
 31. What was the consequence of this rivalship? 
 
 32. Was Otho finally successful? 
 
 SECT. IX. 
 
 A. D. 70. 
 
 4. Unanimously, ad. with one accord. 
 
 10. Fluctuation, s. change, uncertainty. 
 
 Prematu're, a. too early. 
 
 19. Infatuated, part, deprived of reason. 
 
 Impi'eties, s. wickednesses, irreverence to the Supreme 
 Being. 
 
 21. Impu'nity, s. freedom from punishment. 
 
 22. Ineen'diary, s. a promoter of war and devastation (it literally 
 
 means one who sets fire to buildings.) 
 
 Fanat'ic, s. an enthusiast, one zealous in a wrong cause. 
 
 26. Ral'lying,part. returning to the combat. 
 
 27. Pre'cij>ices„s. steep rocky declivities. 
 
 30. Intim idate, v. to alarm, to frighten. 
 
 32. Deluded, v . cheated, deceived. 
 
 36. Site, s. situation, place whereon any buildings stood* 
 
 1. Vitel'lius was declared emperor by the senate, and 
 received the marks of distinction which were now accus¬ 
 tomed to follow the appointments of the strongest side. 
 P 2 
 
316 HISTbRY of the 
 
 2. Upon his arrival at Rome, he entered the city, not 
 as a place he came to govern with justice, but as a town 
 that was become his own by the laws of conquest. 
 
 3. Vitel lius soon gave himself up to all kinds of luxury 
 and profuseness ; but gluttony was so much his favourite 
 vice, that he brought himself to a habit of vomiting, in 
 order to be able to renew his meals at pleasure. His en¬ 
 tertainments, seldom indeed at his own cost, were prodi¬ 
 giously expensive. He frequently invited himself to the 
 tables of his subjects ; in the same day breakfasting with 
 one, dining with another, and supping with a third. 4. By 
 such vices, and by enormous cruelties, he became a bur¬ 
 den to himself, and odious to all mankind. Having be¬ 
 come insupportable to the inhabitants of Rome, the le¬ 
 gions of the East unanimously resolved to make Vespa¬ 
 sian * emperor. 
 
 5. During the preparations against him, V itellius, 
 though buried in sloth and luxury, resolved to make an 
 effort to defend the empire; and his chief commanders, 
 Va'lens and Cecin'na, were ordered to make all possible 
 preparations to resist the invaders. 6. The first army that 
 entered Italy with a hostile intention, was under the com* 
 
 * Vespa sian was by no means of an illustrious family, his fa¬ 
 ther being only a collector of the tax called quadragesima. Nor 
 w as his conduct, previous to his accession to the imperial throne, 
 calculated to do him honour, as he was guilty of the meanest 
 flatterv and servility to ingratiate himself with men in power. 
 Yet as" a general, he was indefatigable hi his duties, and ol un¬ 
 questionable valour; abstemious in his diet, and plain in his 
 dress. On attaining to the imperial dignity, he appears to have 
 laid aside every vice except avarice. His elevation neither in¬ 
 duced him to assume arrogant and lofty airs, nor to neglect 
 those friends who had shewn themselves deserving of his favour. 
 Desirous of convincing the world that he owed his good fortune 
 to merit alone, he disdained to court the soldiers by largesses : 
 in short he displayed a nobleness of disposition worthy of the 
 most illustrious birth, and befitting the exalted station to which 
 he had arrived. This prince was the founder of the noble am¬ 
 phitheatre, called the coliseum which remains to this day. 
 Twelve thousand Jewish captives were employed in its erection, 
 and it w r as capable of containing 80,000 spectators seated, and 
 20,000 standing. It is now in ruins. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 317 
 
 mam) of Anto'nius Pri'mus, who was met by Cecin'na, 
 near Cremo'oa. A battle was expected to ensue: but a 
 negotiation taking place, Cecin'na was prevailed upon to 
 change sides, and declared for Vespasian *. His army, 
 however, quickly repented of what they had done: and, 
 imprisoning their general, attacked Anto'nius, though 
 without a leader. The engagement continued the whole 
 night; and in the morning, after a short repast, both 
 armies engaged a second time ; when the soldiers of An¬ 
 to'nius saluting the rising sun, according to custom, the 
 Vitel'Iians supposed that they had received new reinforce¬ 
 ments, and betook themselves to flight with the loss of 
 thirty thousand men. 
 
 8. In the mean time, Vitellius made offers to Vespa'sian 
 of resigning the empire in his favour, provided his life 
 were spared, and a sufficient revenue allotted for his sup¬ 
 port. In order to enforce this proposal, he issued from 
 Ids palace in deep mourning, with all his domestics weep¬ 
 ing round him. 9. He then went to offer the sword of 
 justice to Cecifius, the consul: which he refusing, the 
 abject emperor prepared to lay down the ensigns of em¬ 
 pire in the Temple of Concord ; but being interrupted by 
 some who cried out, that he himself was concord, he 
 resolved upon so weak an encouragement, still to main¬ 
 tain his power, and immediately prepared for his defence. 
 
 10. During this fluctuation of councils, one Sabinus, 
 who had advised Vitellius to resign, perceiving his despe¬ 
 rate situation, resolved, by a bold step, to favour Y espa'- 
 siau; and accordingly seized upon the capitol. But he 
 was ‘premature in his attempt; for the soldiers of Vitellius 
 attacked him with great fury ; and prevailing by their 
 numbers, soon laid that beautiful building in ashes. 
 11. During this dreadful conflagration, Vitel lius was 
 feasting in the palace of TibeTius, and beheld all the 
 
 * Yespa'sian was now conducting the war in Jude'a, in Asia. 
 
 P 3 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 318 
 
 horrors of the assault with satisfaction. 12. Sabi'nus 
 was taken prisoner, and shortly after executed by the 
 emperor’s command. Young Domi"tian, his nephew, who 
 was afterwards emperor, escaped by flight, in the habit 
 of a priest; and the rest, who survived the fire, were put 
 to the sword. 
 
 13. But Anto'nius, Vespa'sian's commander, being ar¬ 
 rived before the walls of the city, the forces of Vitellius 
 resolved upon defending it to the utmost extremity. It 
 was attacked with fury; while the army within, sallying 
 out upon the besiegers, defended it with equal obstinacy. 
 The battle lasted the whole day; the besieged were driven 
 back into the city, and a dreadful slaughter made of 
 them in the streets, which they vainly attempted to 
 defend. 
 
 14. Vitel'lius was soon found hidden in an obscure cor¬ 
 ner, whence he was taken by a party of the conquering 
 soldiers. Still, however, desirous of adding a few hours 
 to his miserable life, he begged to be kept in prison till 
 the arrival of Vespa'sian at Rome, pretending that he had 
 secrets of importance to discover. 15. But his entreaties 
 were vain ; the soldiers, binding his hands behind him, 
 and throwing a halter round his neck, led him along, halt 
 naked, int% the public forum, loading him with all the 
 Bitter reproaches their malice could suggest, or his cruelty 
 might deserve. At length, being come to the place of 
 punishment, they put him to death with blows: and then 
 dragging the dead body through the streets with a hook, 
 they threw it with all possible ignominy, into the river 
 Tiber. 
 
 16. Vespa'sian was now declared emperor, by the una- 
 \ j nimous consent both of the senate and the army; 
 
 79. $ and dignified with all those titles which now fol¬ 
 lowed rather the power than the merit of those who were 
 appointed to govern. 17. Having continued some months 
 at Alexandria, in Egypt, where it is said he cured a blind 
 
EMPIRE OP ROME. 
 
 SIO 
 
 man and a cripple by touching them, he set out for Roftre. 
 Giving his son Ti'tus the command of the army that was 
 to lay siege to Jerusalem*, he himself went forward, and 
 was met many miles from Rome by all the senate, and 
 the inhabitants, who gave the sincerest testimony of their 
 joy, in having an emperor of such great and experienced 
 virtue. 18. Nor did he in the least disappoint their ex¬ 
 pectations; as he shewed himself equally assiduous iu 
 rewarding merit and pardoning his adversaries ; in re¬ 
 forming the manners of the citizens, and setting them the 
 best example in his own. 
 
 19. In the mean time, Ti'tus carried on the war against 
 the Jews with vigour. This obstinate and infatuated 
 people had long resolved to resist the Roman power, 
 vainly hoping to find protection from heaven, which their 
 impieties had utterly offended. 20. Their own historian + 
 represents them as arrived at the highest pitch of iniquity; 
 while famines, earthquakes, and prodigies, all conspired to 
 forebode their approaching ruin. 21. Nor was it suffi¬ 
 cient that heaven and earth seemed combined against 
 them; they had the most bitter dissensions among them¬ 
 selves, and were divided into two parties, who robbed and 
 destroyed each other with impunity i constantly pillaging, 
 yet boasting their zeal for the religion of their*ancestors. 
 
 22. At the head of one of these parties was an incenr 
 diary , whose name was John. This fanatic affected 
 sovereign power, and filled the whole city of Jerusalem, 
 and all the towns around, with tumult and pillage. In a 
 short time a new faction arose, headed by one Si'mon, 
 who gathering together multitudes of robbers and mur¬ 
 derers, who had fled to the mountains, attacked many 
 cities and towns, and reduced all Idume'aJ: under his 
 
 * Jerusalem, the capital of Jude'a, in A'sia. It has also had 
 the several names of Je'bus, Sa'lem, Sol'yma, &c. 
 
 •f Jose'phus. 
 
 X Idume'a is the same as E'dom. It was called Idume'a bj 
 P 4 
 
320 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 power. 23. Jerusalem, at length, became the theatre in 
 which these two demagogues exercised their mutual ani¬ 
 mosity ; John was possessed of the temple, while Si'mon 
 was admitted into the city ; both equally enraged against 
 each other; while slaughter and devastation were the con¬ 
 sequence of their pretensions. Thus did a city, formerly 
 celebrated for peace and unity, become the seat of tumult 
 and confusion. 
 
 24. In this miserable situation, Ti'tus began his opera¬ 
 tions, within six furlongs of Jerusalem, during the feast 
 of the passover, when the place was tilled with an infinite 
 multitude of people, who had come from all parts to cele¬ 
 brate that great solemnity. 25. The approach of the 
 Romans produced a temporary reconciliation between the 
 contending* factions w ithin the city ; so that they unani¬ 
 mously resolved to oppose the common enemy, and de¬ 
 cide their domestic quarrels at a more convenient season. 
 20. Their first sally, which was made with much fury and 
 resolution, put the besiegers into gr^at disorder, and 
 obliged them to abandon their camp, and fly to the 
 mountains: however, rallying immediately after, the Jews 
 were forced back into the city, while Ti tus, in person, 
 shewed surprising instances of valour and conduct. 
 
 27. The city was strongly fortified with three walls 
 on every side, except where it was fenced by precipices . 
 Ti'tus began by battering down the outward wall, which, 
 after much fatigue and danger, he effected ; in the mean 
 time, shewing the greatest clemency to the Jews, and 
 offering them repeated assurances of pardon* Five days 
 after the commencement of the siege, Ti'tus broke through 
 the second wall; and though driven back by the besieged, 
 
 the Greeks, and E'dom by Mo'ses. It was a district of Ara'bia 
 Petrae'a, on the south of Jude'a. Its boundaries were different 
 at different periods. When the Israelites passed through, on 
 their way from Egypt to Ca'naan, this country appears to have 
 been less than in the time of Solomon, when it extended to the 
 Red Sea. (1 Kings ix. 26.). 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 321 
 
 he recovered his ground, and made preparations for bat¬ 
 tering the third wall, which was their last defence. 28. 
 But first he sent Jose phus their countryman into the city, 
 to exhort them to yield; who using all his eloquence to 
 persuade them, was answ ered only with scoffs and re¬ 
 proaches. 29. The siege was now therefore carried on 
 with greater vigour than before; formidable engines for 
 throwing darts and stones were constructed, and as quickly 
 destroyed by the enemy. At length it was resolved 
 in council to surround the whole city with a trench, 
 and thus prevent all relief and succours from abroad,. 
 30. This, which was quickly executed, seemed no w'ay to 
 intimidate the Jews. Though famine, and pestilence its 
 necessary attendant, began now to make the most horrid 
 ravages among them, yet this desperate people still re¬ 
 solved to hold out. 31. Ti'tus now cut down all the 
 woods within a considerable distance of the city; and, 
 causing more batteries to be raised, he at length beat 
 down the wall, and in five days entered the citadel by 
 force. 32. The Jews however continued to deceive 
 themselves with absurd expectations, while many false 
 prophets deluded the multitude, by declaring that they 
 should soon have assistance from God. The heat of the 
 battle was now gathered round the inner wail of the tem¬ 
 ple, while the defendants desperately combated from the 
 top. 33. Ti'tus was desirous of saving this beautiful 
 structure; but a soldier casting a brand into some adjacent 
 buildings, the fire communicated to the temple; and not¬ 
 withstanding the utmost endeavours on both sides, the 
 whole edifice was quickly consumed. 34. The sight of 
 the temple in ruins effectually served to damp the ardour 
 of the Jews. They now began to suppose that heaven 
 had forsaken them, while their cries and lamentations 
 echoed from the adjacent mountains. Even those who 
 were almost expiring, lifted up their dying eyes to bewail 
 the loss of their temple, w hich they valued more than life 
 P 5 
 
322 HISTORY OP fHE 
 
 itself. 35. The most resolute, however, still endeavoured 
 to defend the upper and stronger part of the city, named 
 Sion; but Ti'tus, with his battering engines, soon made 
 himself entire master of the place. 36. John and Siinoti 
 were taken from the vaults where they had concealed 
 themselves; the former was condemned to perpetual im¬ 
 prisonment, and the latter reserved to grace the con¬ 
 queror's triumph. The greatest part of the populace were 
 put to the sword; and the city was, after a six months 
 siege, entirely razed, and its site ploughed up ; so that, 
 according to our Saviour s prophecy, not one stone re¬ 
 mained upon another. Those who perished in this siege, 
 amounted to above a million; the captives to almost a 
 hundred thousand *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Who succeeded Otho? 
 
 2. In what way did he assume the sovereignty? 
 
 3. How did he conduct himself in his new station ? 
 
 4. Wh$U were the consequences of this conduct? 
 
 5. Did Vitellius tamely submit to his rival? 
 
 6. Who first commenced hostilities? 
 
 7. What followed? 
 
 8. What was the conduct of Vitellius on this occasion? 
 
 9. What farther measures did he adopt? 
 
 10. Were the friends of Vespasian idle at this juncture ? 
 
 11. How was Vitellius engaged at the time of this disaster ? 
 
 12. What became of Sabinus? 
 
 13. What was the consequence of this success on the part of 
 
 Vitellius? 
 
 14. What became of the fallen emperor? 
 
 15. Was his request granted ? 
 
 16. Did Vespasian quietly succeed? 
 
 17. What were his first measures? 
 
 18. Were they disappointed in their expectations ? 
 
 19. What was the state of the Jewish war ? 
 
 * The destruction of Jerusalem happenod in the year of auu 
 Lord 89. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 323 
 
 20. What was the state of the Jewish nation? 
 
 21. Were they united among’ themselves ? 
 
 22. Who were at the head of these factions ? 
 
 23. What was-the chief theatre of their enormities? 
 
 24. At what remarkable season did Titus commence, his 
 
 attack ? 
 
 25. What efleet did this attack produce? 
 
 26. Did the Jews bravely defend their city ? 
 
 27. What progress did Titus make in the siege ? 
 
 28. Did he make no attempt to persuade the Jews to sur¬ 
 
 render? 
 
 29. What measures were then adopted ? 
 
 30. Did these formidable measures terrify the Jews? 
 
 31. By what means did Titus gain the city? 
 
 32. Was all opposition now at an end? 
 
 33. Was the temple destroyed ? 
 
 34. What effect did this sad event produce? 
 
 35. Were there none who attempted farther resistance? 
 
 30. What became of the inhabitants and their chiefs? 
 
 SECT. X. 
 
 3. Profusion, s. abundance. 
 
 5. Rapa'city, s. greediness, seizing by violence. 
 
 Im'post, s. a tax. 
 
 9. Brid'ling, part, restraining. 
 
 10. Discarded, v dismissed. 
 
 14. Courtesy, s. civility, politeness. 
 
 15. Erup tion, s. a breaking forth with violence. 
 
 16. Refractory, $. obstinate, disobedient. 
 
 26. Ostentation, s. shew, magnificence. 
 
 27. Malevolence, s. ill-will, spite, hatred. 
 
 Note.—Exche quer, s. the treasury. 
 
 1. Upon the taking of Jerusalem, the soldiers would 
 have crowned Ti'tus as conqueror ; but he modestly re¬ 
 fused the honour, alleging, that he was only an instru¬ 
 ment in the hand of heaven, that manifestly declared its 
 wrath against the Jews. 2. At Rome however all men s 
 mouths were filled with the praises of the conqueror, who 
 had not only shewed himself an excellent general, but a 
 oourageous combatant. His return therefore in triumph, 
 with Vespa'sian bis father, was marked with all the mag- 
 
 P G 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 nificence and joy in the power of men to express. All 
 things that were esteemed valuable or beautiful were 
 brought to adorn this great occasion. 3. Among the rich 
 spoils were exposed vast quantities of gold, taken out of 
 the temple; but the Book of the Holy Law was not 
 the least remarkable among the magniticent profusion. 
 4. This was the tirst time that ever Rome saw the father 
 and the son triumph, together. A triumphal arch was 
 erected upon this occasion, on which were described the 
 victories of Ti'tus over the Jews; and it remains almost 
 entire to this day. 
 
 5. Few emperors have received a better character from 
 historians than Vespa'sian* ; yet his numerous acts of 
 generosity and magnificence could not preserve his cha¬ 
 racter from the imputation of rapacity and avarice * ; for 
 it is well known that he descended to some very unusual 
 and dishonorable imposts. 
 
 G. Having reigned ten years, beloved by his subjects 
 and deserving their affection, he was seized with an indis¬ 
 position at Campania, which he perceived would be fatal. 
 7. Finding his end approaching, he exerted himself, and 
 cried out, “ An emperor ought to die standing;” where¬ 
 upon, raising himself upon his feet, he expired in the arms 
 of those who sustained him. 
 
 * Even that avarice, with which he stands charged, has found 
 its advocates, who assert that it did not arise from a sordid dis¬ 
 position, but from the emptiness of the exchequer , and the neces¬ 
 sities of the state, for he always employed his revenues to great 
 and noble purposes, and expended them with uncommon gene¬ 
 rosity. His abhorrence of elfeminacy was so great, that on a 
 certain nobleman’s coming to return him thanks for his appoint¬ 
 ment to a considerable command, and smelling fragrantly of rich 
 oils and perfumes, the emperor sternly told him, that he bad ra¬ 
 ther he had smelt of garlic, and immediately deprived him of his 
 commission. He was of so merciful a disposition that it was 
 with great reluctance he adjudged the most atrocious criminals 
 to death. He was afl'able to all, and so far from attempting to 
 conceal the meanness of his origin, that he frequently discourse 
 ed of it himself. 
 
326 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 B. Ti'tus was joyfully received as emperor *, and be¬ 
 gan his reign with the practice of every virtue ja.D» 
 that became a sovereign and a man. During the c 79 - 
 life of his father, there had been many imputations against 
 him, both for cruelty, lust, and prodigality; but upon 
 his exaltation to the throne, he seemed to have entirely 
 taken leave of his former vices, and became an example 
 of the greatest moderation and humanity. 9. His first 
 step towards gaining the alfections of his subjects, was 
 the moderating of his passions, and bridling his inclina¬ 
 tion. 10. He had long loved Berni'ce, sister to Agrip'pa, 
 king of Jude a, a woman of the greatest beauty, and re¬ 
 fined allurements ; but knowing that the connection was 
 entirely disagreeable to the people of Rome, he gained 
 the victory over his affections, and sent her away, not¬ 
 withstanding their mutual passion, and the arts she used 
 to induce him to change his resolution. He next dis¬ 
 carded those who had been the ministers of his plea? 
 sures, though he had formerly taken great pains in the 
 selection. 11. This moderation, added to his justice 
 and generosity, procured him the love of all good men, 
 and the appellation of the Delight of Mankind; which 
 all his actions seemed calculated to insure. 
 
 12, Ti tus took particular care to punish all informers, 
 false witnesses, and promoters of dissension. Wretches 
 who had their rise in the licentiousness and impunity of 
 former reigns, were now become so numerous, that their 
 crimes called loudly for punishment. 13. Of these he 
 daily made public examples ; condemning them to be 
 scourged in the public streets, dragged through the thea¬ 
 tre, and then banished into the uninhabited parts of the 
 empire, or sold as slaves. 14. His courtesy and readiness 
 to do good have been celebrated even by Christian writers; 
 
 * This is denied by Suetonius, who affirms that his former 
 profligate life gave rise to gloomy apprehensions on his acces¬ 
 sion, but they were soon dissipated by the correctness of his 
 subsequent conduct. 
 
320 HISTORY OF THE-* 
 
 his prindjiRl rule being/ not to send away a petitioner 
 dissatisfied. One night, recollecting that lie had done 
 nothing beneficial to mankind during the day, he cried 
 out, " l have lost a day!” A sentence too remarkable 
 not to be had in remembrance. 
 
 1-5. In the first year of his reign, an eruption of Mount 
 Vesuvius overwhelmed many towns*, throwing its ashes 
 into countries more than a hundred miles distant. Upon 
 this memorable occasion, Pliny, the naturalist, lost his 
 life; being impelled by too eager a curiosity to observe 
 the eruption, he was suffocated in the flames. 1(>. This 
 and other disasters were, in some measure, counterba¬ 
 lanced by the successes in Britain, under Agric'ola. This 
 excellent general, having been sent into Britain towards 
 the latter end of Vespasian’s reign, shewed himself 
 equally expert in quelling the refractory , and civilizing 
 those who had formerly submitted to the Roman power. 
 
 * Ilereula'neum, Pompe'ia, &c. This eruption happened 
 August 24, A. D. 79. These towns, after having been buried 
 under the lava for more than 1600 years, were discovered in the 
 beginning of the last century: Herculaneum in 1713, about 24 
 feet under ground, by labourers digging a well; and Pompe'ia, 
 40 years after, about 12 feet below the surface: and, from the 
 houses and streets which, in a great measure, remain perfect, 
 have been drawn busts, statues, manuscripts, paintings, &e. 
 whioh contribute much to enlarge our notions concerning the 
 ancients, and develop many classical obscurities. (Mala.} In the 
 year following this dreadful eruption, a serious fire happened at 
 Rome, which consumed the Capitol, the pantheon, the library of 
 Augustus, the theatre of Pompey, and a great many other build¬ 
 ings. In the ruins of Hercula'neum there have lately been found 
 loaves which were baked under the reign of Ti'tus, and which 
 still bear the bakers mark, indicating the quality of the flour, 
 which was probably prescribed by the regulation of the police. 
 There have also beeu found utensils of bronze, which, instead of 
 being tinned, like ours, are well silvered. The ancients doubtless 
 preferred this method, as more wholesome and more durable. 
 The excavations at Pompe'ia continue to furnish the royal mu¬ 
 seum at Na'pies with all kinds of valuable objects: some build¬ 
 ings have lately been discovered at Pompeii, remarkable for 
 the richness of their architecture. At Paggo'ia, another towu 
 
 buried by the Java from Vesu'vius, some sepulchres have been 
 found, which are stated to he magnificently adorned with sculp* 
 turc of the finest kiud,**-/4terary Gazette , Nov, 1-5, 1817,. 
 
EMPIRE OP ROME. 
 
 327 
 
 17. The Ordovi'ces, or inhabitants of North Wales, were 
 the first that were subdued. He then made a descent 
 upon the isle of Anglesey, which surrendered at discre¬ 
 tion. 13. Having thus rendered himself master of the 
 whole country, he took every method to restore disci¬ 
 pline to his own army, and to introduce politeness among 
 those whom he had conquered. He exhorted them, both 
 by advice and example, to build temples, theatres, and 
 stately houses. He caused the sons of their nobility to 
 be instructed in the liberal arts, and to be taught the 
 Latin language; and induced them to imitate the Roman 
 modes of dress and living. 19. Thus, by degrees, this 
 barbarous people began to assume the luxurious manners 
 of their conquerors, and even to outdo them in all the 
 refinements of sensual pleasure. 20. Upon account of 
 the successes in Britain, Titus was saluted Impera tor 
 for the fifteenth time; but he did not long survive this 
 honour, being seized with a violent fever at a little dis¬ 
 tance from Rome. He expired shortly after, but not 
 without suspicion of treachery from his brother Do¬ 
 minant, who had long wished to govern. He died in 
 the forty-first year of his age, having reigned two years, 
 two months, and twenty days. 
 
 21. The beginning of DomitWs reign was universally 
 acceptable to the people, as he appeared equally r ad 
 remarkable for his clemency, liberality, and * 
 justice 22. But he soon began to show the natural de¬ 
 formity of his mind. Instead of cultivating literature, as 
 
 • Impera'tor, a tit]© of honour among the Romans, conferred 
 on victorious generals by their armies, and afterwards by the 
 senate. 
 
 -j- Domit'ian is supposed to have caused the death of his bro¬ 
 ther by poison. . . .. . 
 
 t It is a remarkable fact, that the most odious tyrants that 
 ever sat on the Roman throne, commenced their reigns with a 
 display of all the virtues that adorn humanity ; on the contrary, 
 Auffus'tus, who was truly the father of his people, began Jjjs 
 reign with cruelties that afforded but a melancholy presage of 
 bis future administration. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 328 
 
 his father and brother had done, he neglected all kinds of 
 study, addicting himself wholly to meaner pursuits, parti¬ 
 cularly archery and gaming, 23. He was so very expert 
 an archer, that he would frequently cause one of his 
 slaves to stand at a great distance, with his hand spread 
 as a mark, and would shoot his arrows with such exact¬ 
 ness, as to stick them all between his fingers. 24. He 
 instituted three sorts of contests to be observed every 
 five years, in music, horsemanship, and wrestling ; but at 
 the same time he banished all philosophers and mathe¬ 
 maticians from Rome. 25. No emperor before him en¬ 
 tertained the people with such various and expensive 
 shows. During these diversions he distributed great re¬ 
 wards, sitting as president himself, adorned with a purple 
 robe and crown, with the priests of Ju' piter, and the 
 college of Fla'vian priests abont him. 26. The mean, 
 ness of his occupations in solitude, was a just contrast to 
 his exhibitions of public ostentation. He usually spent his 
 hours of retirement in catching flies, and sticking them 
 through with a bodkin; so that one of his servants, being 
 asked if the emperor were alone, answered, that he had 
 not so much as a fly to bear him company. 27. His vices 
 seemed every day to increase, and his ungrateful treat¬ 
 ment of Agric'ola afforded a convincing proof of his 
 natural malevolence . 28. Domit'ian was always particu¬ 
 
 larly fond of obtaining a military reputation, and there¬ 
 fore felt jealous of it in others. He had marched some 
 time before into Gaul, upon a pretended expedition 
 against the Cat'ti, a people of Germany, and without 
 even seeing the enemy, resolved to have the honour of a 
 triumph upon his return to Rome. For that purpose he 
 purchased a number of slaves, whom he dressed in Ger¬ 
 man habits, and at the head of this miserable profession 
 entered the city, amid the apparent acclamations and 
 concealed contempt of all his subjects. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 329 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 Was Titus proud of this important conquest ? 
 
 How was he received at Rome? 
 
 What were the most remarkable among the spoi 
 What peculiarity attended this triumph . 
 
 What was the character of \ espasian. 
 
 d «..b * 
 
 What sacrifices did he make for tins purpos . 
 
 What punishment was inflicted on them? 
 
 What were his chief virtues? . , . f 
 
 What remarkable event occurred in this^reign, 
 
 ? 
 
 civilize the conquered 
 
 countries? 
 
 Were his measures successtul. 
 
 20. Did Titus long enjoy the glory of this congest. 
 
 21. How did Domitian commence his reign . 
 
 22. Did he persevere in this meritorious conduc • 
 
 23! In what exercise did he excel ? k 
 
 24. Did he encourage the arts and sciences . 
 
 25. Was he magnificent in his exhibitions. 
 
 2G. How did he employ himself in private . 
 
 27. Did time reuder him less vicious. _ fame’ 
 
 28. By what means did he attempt to acquire military tame. 
 
 1 . 
 
 2 . 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 6 . 
 
 7. 
 
 8 . 
 9. 
 
 10 . 
 
 11 . 
 
 12 . 
 
 13. 
 
 14. 
 
 15. 
 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 
 SECT. XI. 
 
 2. Ta"cit, a. silent. 
 
 8. Appellations, s. names,titles. 
 
 9 . Novelty, s. newness. 
 
 Astrol oger', s. ^^erstm'wh^foretels^feture events by the 
 
 stars. , . L . . .. 
 
 11. Juncture, s. point of time, critical time. 
 
 to .h« p.«r of o..™l!ng.f 
 governing the actions of another. 
 
330 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 14. Extir'pate, v. to root out, to destroy. 
 
 21. Circumspection, s. care, caution. 
 
 22. Alac'rity, *. cheerfulness, readiness. 
 
 24. Sub'altern, a. inferior. 
 
 25. Incredible, a. difficult to be believed. 
 
 S ° De Wll ° performs mirac l es by the power of the 
 
 26. Prist'ine, a. ancient. 
 
 Impos'tnre, s. deceit, imposition. 
 
 1. The success of Agric'ola in Britain, affected Do* 
 roit'ian with an extreme degree of envy. This excellent 
 general pursued the advantages which he had already 
 obtained; he subdued the Caledo'nians*, and overcame 
 Galgacus, the Britisli chief, wdio commanded an army of 
 thirty thousand men; afterwards sending out a fleet to 
 scour the coast, he discovered Great Britain to be an 
 island. He likewise discovered and subdued the Ork¬ 
 neys t; and thus reduced the whole into a civilized pro¬ 
 vince of the Roman empire. 2. When the account of 
 these successes was brought to Domit'ian, he received it 
 with a seeming pleasure, but real uneasiness. He thought 
 Agric'ola’s rising reputation a tacit reproach upon his 
 own inactivity ; and instead of attempting to emulate, he 
 resolved to suppress the merits of his services. 3. He 
 ordered him, therefore, external marks of approbation, 
 and took care that triumphal ornaments, statues, and 
 other honours should be decreed him ; but at the same 
 time he removed him from his command, under a pre¬ 
 tence of appointing him to the government of Syria. 4. 
 By these means AgriVola surrendered up his province to 
 Sallus'tius Lucul'lus, but soon found that Syr'ia was 
 otherwise disposed of. Upon his return to Rome, which 
 was privately, and by night, he was coolly received by 
 
 * Caledo'nians, the ancient inhabitants of Scotland. Cale- 
 do nia, the ancient name of Scotland: Caledo'nii, the people. 
 (Tacitus.) * v 
 
 . + Ork'neys, anciently called the Or'cades. They are about 30 
 m number, of which 26 are inhabited. They are situated to the 
 nortn ot Scotland; and contain about 24,000 inhabitants. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 the emperor; and dying some time after in retirement 
 it was generally supposed that his end was hastened by 
 Domit'ian’s direction. 
 
 5. Domit'ian soon after found the want of so experi¬ 
 enced a commander, in the many irruptions of the bar¬ 
 barous nations that surrounded the empire. The ar- 
 nia'tians * in Europe, joined with those of Asia, made a 
 formidable invasion, at once destroying a whole legion, 
 and a general of the Romans. The Da'ciansf, under the 
 conduct of Dece'balus, their king, made an irruption, 
 and overthrew the Romans in several engagements. 6. 
 At last, however, the barbarians were repelled, partly 
 by force, and partly by the assistance of money, which 
 only served to enable them to make future invasions with 
 greater advantage. 7. But in whatever manner the enemy 
 might have been repelled, Domit'ian was resolved not to 
 lose the honours of a triumph. He returned in great 
 splendour to Rome; and, not contented with thus tri¬ 
 umphing twice without a victory, he resolved to take the 
 surname of German'icus, for his conquests over a people 
 with whom he never contended. 
 
 8. In proportion as the ridicule increased against him, 
 his pride seemed every day to demand greater homage. 
 He would permit his statues to be made only of gold and 
 
 silver; he assumed to himself divine honours; and order¬ 
 ed that all men should address him by the same appella¬ 
 tions which they gave to the divinity. 9. His cruelty 
 was not inferior to his arrogance ; he caused numbers of 
 the most illustrious senators, and others, to be put ho 
 death, upon the most trifling pretences. One & hus 
 
 * Sanaa'tians, the inhabitants of Sarma^ia. This country in 
 its full extent, was divided.intotwo Pfrts.^jropeac£od Arntic. 
 f Ptolemy.} It was sometimes called Scythia, ( ’ > Jj 
 
 Herodotus, Diodorus.) Sarma't*, the people. (Stephanus, and 
 
 b VDaS,°thl inhabitants of Da'cia. This country comprises 
 part of Hun'gary, all Transylvania and Walachia; and par 
 Moldavi. (Cellarius.) 
 
332 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 La'ma* was condemned and executed only for jesting, 
 though there was neither novelty nor poignancy in his 
 humour. Coccea'nus was murdered only for celebrating 
 the nativity of O'tho. Pomposia'nus shared the same fate, 
 because it was foretold by an astrologer that he should 
 be emperor. Sallus'tius Lucul'ius, his lieutenant in 
 Britain, was destroyed only for having given his name to 
 a new sort of lances of his own invention. Ju'nius Rus'- 
 ticus died for publishing a book, in which he commended 
 Thra'sea and Pris'cus, two philosophers who opposed 
 Vespasian’s coming to the throne. 
 
 10. Lu'cius Anto'nius, governor of Upper Germany, 
 knowing how much the emperor was detested at home, 
 resolved upon striking for the throne; and accordingly 
 assumed the ensigns of imperial dignity. 11. As he was 
 at the head of a formidable army, his success remained a 
 long time doubtful; but a sudden overflow of the Rhine 
 dividing his army, he was set upon at that juncture by 
 Norman'dus, the emperor’s general, and totally routed. 
 The news of this victory, we are told, was brought to 
 Rome by supernatural means, on the same day that the 
 battle was fought. 12. Domit ian’s severity was greatly 
 increased by this short-lived success. In order to disco¬ 
 ver the accomplices with the adverse party, he invented 
 new tortures ; sometimes cutting off the hands, at other 
 times thrusting fire into the bodies of those whom he sus¬ 
 pected of being his enemies. 13. In the midst of these 
 severities, he aggravated his guilt by hypocrisy , never 
 pronouncing sentence without a preamble full of gentle¬ 
 ness and mercy. The night before he crucified the 
 comptroller of his household, he treated him with the most 
 flattering marks of friendship, and ordered him a dish of 
 meat from his own table. He carried Areti'nus Clemens 
 
 * Domitian had previously taken from him his wife Bomit'ia, 
 and married her himself $ the jest for which he suffered was an. 
 illusion to this. 
 
333 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 with him in his own litter the day he resolved upon his 
 death. 14. He was particularly terrible to the senate 
 and nobility; the whole body of whom he frequently 
 threatened to extirpate entirely. At one time, he suri 
 rounded the senate-house with his troops, to the great 
 consternation of the senators. At another, he resolved to 
 amuse himself with their terrors in a different manner. 
 15. Having invited them to a public entertainment, he 
 received them all very formally at the entrance of his 
 palace, and conducted them into a spacious hall, hung 
 round with black, and illuminated by a few melancholy 
 lamps, that diffused no more light than was just sufficient 
 to shew the horrors of the place. All around were to be 
 seen coffins, with the names of each of the senators writ¬ 
 ten upon them, together with other objects of terror, and 
 instruments of execution. 16. While the company be¬ 
 held all these preparations with silent agony, several 
 men, having their bodies blackened, each witli a drawn 
 sword in one hand, and a flaming torch in the other, en¬ 
 tered the hall, and danced round them. 17. After some 
 time, when from their knowledge of Domit'ian's capri¬ 
 cious cruelty, the guests expected nothing less than in¬ 
 stant death, the doors were set open, and one of the 
 servants came to inform them, that the emperor gave all 
 the company leave to withdraw’. 
 
 18. His cruelties w r ere rendered still more odious by 
 his lust and avarice. Frequently alter presiding at an 
 execution, he would retire with the lewdest prostitutes, 
 and use the same baths which they did. 19. The last 
 part of the tyrant’s reign was more insupportable than 
 any of the preceding. Nero exercised his cruelties with* 
 out being a spectator; but a principal part ol the Roman 
 miseries, during his reign, was to see and to be seen ; to 
 behold the stern air and fiery visage of the tyrant, which 
 he had armed against sensibility by continued intempe- 
 
334 
 
 HISTORY of the 
 ranee, directing the tortures, and maliciously pleased with 
 adding poignance to every agony. 
 
 20. But a period was soon to be put to this monster’s 
 cruelties. Among the number of those whom he at once 
 caressed and suspected, was his wife Domit'ia, whom he 
 bad taken from iE/lius La'ma, her former husband. 21. 
 It was the tyrant's method to put down the names of all 
 such as he intended to destroy, in his tablets, which he 
 kept about him with great circumspection . Domit'ia 
 fortunately happening to get a sight of them 4 , was 
 struck at finding her own name in the catalogue of those 
 destined to destruction. 22. She shewed the fatal list 
 to Norba'uus and Petro'nius, praefects of the praetorian 
 bands, who found themselves among the number of de¬ 
 voted victims ; as likewise to Steph'anus, the comptroller 
 of the household, who came into the conspiracy with ala¬ 
 crity. They fixed upon the eighteenth day of Septem¬ 
 ber, for the completion of their great attempt. 23. 
 Upon the emperor's preparing to go to the bath on the 
 morning of that day, Petro'nius his chamberlain came 
 to inform him that Steph'anus desired to speak to him 
 upon an affair of the utmost importance. The emperor 
 having given orders that his attendants should retire, 
 Steph'anus entered with his hand in a scarf, which he 
 had worn thus for some days, the better to conceal a 
 dagger, as none were permitted to approach the emperor 
 with arms. 24. He began by giving information of a 
 pretended conspiracy, and exnibited a paper, in which 
 the particulars were specified. While Domit'ian was 
 reading the contents with eager curiosity, Steph'anus 
 
 * The manner in which she otained these tablets was as fol¬ 
 lows: a young child, with whom Domit'ian frequently amused 
 himself, happening one day to enter his chamber, while he was 
 asleep, took the tablets from under his pillow; but being soon 
 after met by the empress, she desired to see them, and thus be¬ 
 came acquainted with the fate destined for her and many others. 
 
 6 
 
335 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 drew his dagger and struck him with much violence; but 
 the wound not being mortal, Domit'ian caught hold of 
 the assassin and threw him upon the ground, calling out 
 for assistance. But Parthe'nius^ with His freed man, a 
 gladiator, and two subaltern officers, now coming in, 
 they ran furiously upon the emperor and dispatched 
 him : Steph'anus, however, was slain by the guards, 
 but the other conspirators escaped in the tumult. 
 
 25. It is rather incredible 9 what some writers relate 
 concerning Apollo'nius Tyane'us, who was then at Eph'e- 
 sus. This person, whom some call a magician, and some 
 a philosopher, but who more probably was only an im¬ 
 postor, was, just at the minute in which Domit'ian was 
 slain, lecturing in one of the public gardens of the city; 
 but stopping short, on a sudden he cried out, " Courage, 
 Steph'anus, strike the tyrant!” then, after a pause, " Re¬ 
 joice, ray friends, the tyrant dies this day;—this day do 
 I say?—the very moment in which I kept silence he suf¬ 
 fered for his crimes ! He dies V 9 
 
 20. Many prodigies are said to have portended his 
 death; and, if the Roman historians are to be credited, 
 more preternatural appearances and predictions an¬ 
 nounced this event, than its importance deserved. The 
 truth seems to be, that a belief in omens and prodigies 
 was again become prevalent, as the people were evidently 
 relapsing into pristine barbarity, ignorance being ever 
 the proper soil for a harvest of imposture *. 
 
 * In the reign of Domit'ian, a violent persecution raged 
 against the Cbristiaus. During this persecution St. John was 
 confined to the Isle of Patmos, in the Archipel'ago, where he 
 wrote the Apocalypse, or Revelation. 
 
330 
 
 history of the 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1 What advantages did Agricola gain in Britain ? 
 
 2. How did Domitian receive the account ol Agricola & 
 
 successes? 
 
 3 In what way did the emperor treat him . 
 
 4. ’ To whom did Agricola surrender up his province? 
 
 5. What nations afterwards made irruptions m the Roman 
 
 6. By^vvhat means were the barbarians at length repelled ? 
 
 7. What surname did Domitian assume? 
 
 8. To what extravagances did his pride lead him . 
 
 9 What trifling pretexts were made used ol by Domitian to 
 put to death some of the most illustrious Romans ? 
 
 10. W ho now assumed the ensigns ol the imperial dignity . 
 
 11 . Bv what general was Lucius Antonius deteated . 
 
 . 12 ! What new cruelties were resorted to by the emperor . 
 
 13 ! By what hypocritical conduct was he distinguished . 
 
 14 To whom was he particularly terrible? 
 
 17 . What terrific ceremonies did he invent on one 
 
 occasion ? 
 
 18. W^as the result fatal to them? ,. 
 
 19. Did not his cruelties become still more insupportable at 
 
 the latter part of his reign? *. 
 
 20 . Who was among the number that he at the same tin 
 
 caressed and suspected ? 
 
 21. Did not Domitia discover her own name among his list 
 
 of victims? . _ , . 
 
 22 . To whom did she shew the fatal list, and what was le- 
 
 solved on ? . , 
 
 23. What means were used by Stephanus to assassinate the 
 
 emperor? 
 
 24. Relate the particulars of the assassination . 
 
 25* What exclamation is Apollonius Tyaneus said to have 
 made at Ephesus, at the time of Domitian’s death ! 
 
 26. Did not the Romans relapse into their pristine state ol 
 barbarity about this period : 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 The Five good Emperors of Rome* 
 
 1. Ob'sequies, s. rites, ceremonies. 
 
 2. Lar'gesses, s. presents, gifts. 
 
 5. Imbecil'ity, $. weakness. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 337 
 
 12. Ignomin'ious, a- disgraceful. 
 
 Co'horts, s. subdivisions of the legions, a body of soldiers. 
 17. Panegyric, s. praise. 
 
 20. Vas'sal, s . a dependant. 
 
 23. Architects, 8 . (pro. arkitects) builders. 
 
 1. When it was publicly known that Domi'tian* was 
 slain, the senate began to load his memory with every 
 reproach. His statues were commanded to be taken 
 down, and a decree was made, that all his inscriptions 
 should be erased +, his name struck out of the registers of 
 fame, and his funeral obsequies omitted. 2. The people, 
 who now took but little part in the affairs of government, 
 looked on his death with indifference ; the soldiers alone, 
 whom he had loaded with favours, and enriched by lar¬ 
 gesses, sincerely regretted their benefactor. 
 
 3. The senate therefore resolved to provide a successor 
 before the army could have an opportunity of taking the 
 appointment upon itself, and Cocce'ius NerVa was chosen 
 to the empire the same day on which the tyrant was slain. 
 
 4. He is said to have been of an illustrious family in 
 Spain I and above sixty-five years old when he was called 
 to the throne, an elevation which he owed solely to his 
 virtues, moderation, respect to the laws, and the blame¬ 
 less tenor of his life. 
 
 5. The people, long accustomed to tyranny, regarded 
 Nerva's gentle reign with rapture, and even gave to his 
 imbecility (for his humanity was carried too far for justice) 
 the name of benevolence. 6. Upon coming to the throne, 
 he solemnly swore, that no senator of Rome should be 
 put to death by his command during his reign, though 
 guilty of the most heinous crimes. This oath he so reli- 
 
 * Domi'tian was the last of those emperors commonly called 
 the Twelve Caesars. 
 
 f Some ancient inscriptions, with the name of Domi'tian 
 erased, remain to this day. 
 
 J This is a mistake; his family was originally of Crete, now 
 ealled Candia. 
 
 Q 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 338 
 
 piously observed, that when two senators had conspired 
 his death, he used no kind of severity against them; but, 
 sending for them to let them see he was not ignorant of 
 their designs, he carried them with him to the public 
 theatre; there, presenting each a dagger, he desired them 
 to strike, assuring them that he should make no resist¬ 
 ance. 8. He had so little regard for money, that when 
 one of his subjects found a large treasure, and wrote to 
 the emperor for instructions how to dispose of it, he re¬ 
 ceived for answer, that he might use it; the finder how¬ 
 ever replying, that it was a fortune too large for a private 
 person to use, Nerva, admiring his honesty, wrote him 
 word that then he might abuse it *. 
 
 9. A sovereign of such generosity and mildness was 
 not, however, without his enemies. Vigil'ius Ru'fus, who 
 had opposed his accession, was not only pardoned, but 
 made his colleague in the consulship. Calpur'nius Cras'- 
 sus also, with some others, formed a conspiracy to destroy 
 htm ; but Nerva was satisfied with banishing those v/ho 
 were culpable, though the senate were for inflicting more 
 rigorous punishments. 10. But the most dangerous in¬ 
 surrection was that of the praetorian bands, who, headed 
 by Caspa'rius Olia'nus, insisted upon revenging the late 
 emperor’s death, whose memory was still dear to them, 
 from his frequent liberalities. 11. Nerva, whose kindness 
 to good men rendered him more obnoxious to the vicious, 
 did all in his power to stop the progress of this insurrec¬ 
 tion ; he presented himself to the mutinous soldiers, and, 
 laying bare his bosom, desired them to strike there, rather 
 than be guilty of so much injustice. 12. The soldiers, 
 however, paid no regard to his remonstrances : but, seiz¬ 
 ing upon Petro'nius and Parthe'nius, slew them in the 
 most ignominious manner. Not content with this, they 
 
 * Nerva, the most remarkable man in Rome for his virtues, 
 recalled all the Christians who had been banished, or had emi¬ 
 grated, under the persecution of Domi'tian. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 339 
 
 even competed the emperor to approve of their sedition, 
 and to make a speech to the people, in which he thanked 
 the cohorts for their fidelity. 
 
 13. So disagreeable a constraint upon the emperor’s 
 inclinations, was in the end attended with the most happy 
 effects, as it caused the adoption* of Trajan to succeed 
 him ; for, perceiving that in the present turbulent dispo¬ 
 sition of the times, he stood in need of an assistant in the 
 empire, setting aside all his own relations, he fixed upon 
 Ul'pius Trajan, an utter stranger to his family, who was 
 then governor in Upper Germany, as his successor. 
 
 14. About three months after this, having put himself into 
 a violent passion with one Reg'ulus, a senator, he was 
 seized with a fever of which he died, after a reign of one 
 year, four months, and nine days. 
 
 15. He was the first foreigner that ever reigned in 
 Rome, and justly reputed a prince of great generosity and 
 moderation. He is also celebrated for his wisdom, though 
 with less reason ; the greatest instance given of it during 
 
 his reign, being the choice of his successor. 
 
 16. On hearing of the death of Nerva, Trajanf C Un¬ 
 prepared to come to Rome from Germany, where < A 
 he was governor. He received upon his arrival C 98. 
 a letter from Plu'tarch}, the philosopher, who had the 
 
 * It was customary among the Romans, for a person destitute 
 of a son, to adopt one from another family, and the son thus 
 adopted became immediately invested with the same rights and 
 privileges as if he had been born to that station ; but he had no 
 longer any claim on the family to which he originally belonged. 
 
 f Trajan was a Spaniard by birth, and of an ancient, but not 
 very illustrious family. He possessed, in an eminent degree, all 
 those qualities which form a great aud excellent prince. His 
 skill in military affairs was equal to that of the greatest generals 
 of antiquity ; and he had rendered himself, by warlike exercises, 
 capable of enduring all the fatigues incident to the most rigor¬ 
 ous campaign. 
 
 + piu'tarch, a celebrated historian, was a native of Ckeronea, a 
 city of Bceo'tia, in Greece, where he died, A.D. 140. The most 
 celebrated of his works are, his Lives of Illustrious Men, and 
 his Morals: both these works have been translated into English ; 
 the former by Dryden and Langhorne; in delineating which, 
 
 9 2 
 
3 40 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 honour of being his master, to the following purport:— 
 a since your merits, and not your importunities, have 
 advanced you to the empire, permit me to congratulate 
 you on your virtues, and my own good fortune. If your 
 future government proves answerable to your former 
 worth, I shall be happy ; but if you become worse for 
 power, yours will be the danger, and mine the ignominy, 
 of your conduct. The errors of the pupil will be charged 
 upon his instructor. Sen'eca* * * * § is reproached for the enor¬ 
 mities of Ne'ro; and Soc'rates + and Quintil'ian % have 
 not escaped censure for the misconduct of their respective 
 scholars. But you have it in your power to make me the 
 most honoured of men, by continuing what you are. 
 Retain the command of your passions; and make virtue 
 the rule of all your actions. If you follow these instruc¬ 
 tions, then will I glory in having presumed to give them ; 
 if you ueglect what I advise, then will this letter be my 
 testimony, that you have not erred through the counsel 
 and authority of Plu'tarch.” I insert this letter, because 
 it is a striking picture of this great philosopher’s manner 
 of addressing that best of princes. 
 
 17. This good monarch’s application to business, his 
 moderation towards his enemies §, his modesty in exalta- 
 
 Plu'tarcb has shewn great impartiality, an abhorrence of tyranny 
 and vice, and an accurate acquaintance with the human mind. 
 (Vossius de Hist. Grsec.) ^ 
 
 * Sen'eca, a famous philosopher, was born at Cor duba, in 
 Spain; sometimes written Cordo'via. , , 
 
 f Soc'rates, the most celebrated philosopher of all antiquity, 
 was a native of Athens, in Greece He was the son of a sculptor, 
 and followed the same profession for some years. The actions, 
 sayings, and opinions of this great man, have been carefully and 
 faithfully recorded by two of the most celebrated of his pupils, 
 Xen'ophon and Pla'to. 
 
 + Quintilian, a celebrated orator and critic, was a native of 
 Spain, but became a public teacher at Rome. His Institutiones 
 Oratoricae, may be justly pronounced the linest system of rhe¬ 
 toric ever written. . . 
 
 § He used to say, that it was better a thousand criminals 
 should escape, than one innocent person suffer; yet he was 
 rigorous tow ards himself. On presenting a sword to the captain 
 of his guard, on his appointment to that office, he made use of 
 
341 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 tion, his liberality to the deserving, and his frugal ma¬ 
 nagement of the resources of the state, were the subjects 
 of°panegyric among his cotemporaries, and continue to 
 be the admiration of posterity. 
 
 18. The first war he was engaged in after his coming to 
 the throne, was with the Da'cians, who, during the reign 
 of Domi'tian, had committed numberless ravages upon 
 the provinces of the empire. To revenge these, he raised 
 a powerful army, and with great expedition marched into 
 those barbarous countries, where he was vigorously op¬ 
 posed by Deceb'alus, the Da'cian king; who for some 
 time withstood his boldest efforts. 19. At length, how¬ 
 ever, this monarch being constrained to come to a general 
 battle, and no longer able to protract the war, was 
 routed with great slaughter. The Roman soldiers upon 
 this occasion, wanting linen to bind up their wounds, the 
 emperor tore his own robes to supply them. 20. This 
 victory compelled the enemy to sue for peace, which 
 they obtained upon very disadvantageous terms; their 
 king coming into the Roman camp, and acknowledging 
 himself a vassal of the Roman empire. 
 
 21. Upon Trajan’s return, after the usual triumphs and 
 rejoicings, he was surprised with an account that the 
 Da'cians had renewed hostilities. Deceb alus, their king, 
 was a second time adjudged an enemy to the Roman 
 state, and Tra'jan again entered his dominions. 22. In 
 order to be enabled to invade the enemy’s territories at 
 pleasure, he undertook a most stupendous work, which 
 was no less than building a bridge across the Danube *. 
 23. This amazing structure, which was built over a deep, 
 broad, and rapid river, consisted of more than twenty-two 
 
 these memorable words:—“ Employ this sword forme, but turn 
 it against me if I deserve it.” 
 
 * The Dan'ube, usually called by the Romans Danu'bius, the 
 noblest river of Europe, (Herodotus.) It was the boundary to 
 Germany on the south, (Ptolemy.) It was called by the Greeks, 
 Is'tros ; and by the Germans, Do'nau. 
 
 S3 
 
342 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 arches; the ruins, which remain to this clay, shew modem 
 architects how far they were surpassed by the ancients, 
 both in the greatness and boldness of their designs. 
 24. Upon finishing this work, Trajan continued the war 
 with great vigour, sharing, with the meanest of his sol¬ 
 diers, the fatigues of the campaign, and continually encou- 
 raging them to their duty by his own example. 25. By 
 these means, notwithstanding the country was spacious 
 and uncultivated, and the inhabitants brave and hardy, he 
 subdued the whole, and added the kingdom of Da'cia as 
 a province to the Roman empire. Deceb'alus made some 
 attempts to escape; but being surrounded, he slew him¬ 
 self. 26. These successes seemed to advance the empire 
 to a greater degree of splendour than it had hitherto 
 acquired. Ambassadors came from the interior parts of 
 India, to congratulate Trajan’s success, and solicit his 
 friendship*. On his return, he entered Rome in triumph, 
 and the rejoicings for his victories lasted a hundred and 
 twenty days. 
 
 27. Having given peace and prosperity to the empire, 
 he was loved, honoured, and almost adored. He adorned 
 the city with public buildings; he freed it from such men 
 as lived by their vices; he entertained persons of merit 
 with familiarity ; and so little did he fear his enemies, 
 that he could scarcely be induced to suppose he had any. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1 . How was the account of Domitian’s death received» 
 o ,Vr. as ,le re £ re tted by any description of his subjects ? 
 
 -tx i ^ consec l lience ensued from this regret? 
 
 4. Who was Cocceius Nerva? 
 
 Was liis government acceptable to the people? 
 
 *' afforded a presage of his future mild administra- 
 
 tion ? 
 
 7. Did he keep this oath inviolate? 
 
 the Pfl < llo-<>«?ift Xt f nSiVe co “ ntr y of the eastern world, divided by 
 and rlif / *"° S reat P arts > namely, India intra Ganger,,', 
 *««is a rinff G , ange ,^; (Ptolemy.) It was anciently, g a nd 
 *tli! is, a rich country. (Strabo.) Indi, the people. (Ovid!) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 343 : 
 
 8 . 
 
 9 . 
 
 10 . 
 
 11 . 
 
 12 . 
 
 13. 
 
 14. 
 
 15. 
 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 
 19. 
 
 20 . 
 21 . 
 22 . 
 
 23. 
 
 24. 
 
 25. 
 
 26. 
 27. 
 
 ; time ? 
 
 Was Nerva avaricious? 
 
 Was his reign free from disturbances. 
 
 Were all conspiracies repressed from this tir 
 Did Nerva exert himself to quell it. 
 
 Wprp his endeavours successful ? 
 
 What important consequences ensued from these com¬ 
 motions ? 
 
 What occasioned his death ? 
 
 What was his character? . , t 
 
 How did Trajan acton his accession, and what advice 
 
 What sentiments did his subjects entertain of their new 
 
 emperor? ...... -> 
 
 With whom did lie commence hostilities? 
 
 What was the event of the campaign ? 
 
 What was the consequence of this victory . 
 
 Did peace long continue 7 
 
 What great undertaking did he accomplish m this expe¬ 
 dition ? 
 
 Was it a difficult work? v>1 
 
 What followed the building of the bridge . 
 
 What was the event of this second campaign . 
 
 What advantages arose from this conquest. f 
 
 Did Trajan suffer prosperity to make him neglectful ot 
 his duties? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 I. Judicial, a. legal, belonging to trial. 
 
 3. Mas'sacre, r. to kill. 
 
 6. Retaliation, s. a return of like tor like. 
 
 Outra'geous, a. violent. 
 
 8. Predecessor,'T’the former emperor Trajan, literally an an- 
 cestor. 
 
 II. Contrasted, part, opposed. 
 
 Deviation, s. a departure from. 
 
 19. Molestation, s disturbance, interruption. 
 
 Initiated, part, instructed. 
 
 24. Aggravate, v. to heighten, to make worse. 
 
 25. Insurgents, s. rebels, seditious persons. 
 
 Demolition, s. destruction. 
 
 It had been happy for this great prince’s * memory, 
 had he shewn equal clemency to all his subjects; but. 
 
 * Trajan. 
 Q4 
 
344 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 about the ninth year of his reign, he was persuaded to 
 ^ iook upon the Christians with a suspicious eye, 
 A. D. I ar| d g re at numbers of them were put to death, 
 107. by popular tumults and judicial proceedings. 
 2. However, the persecution ceased after some time; for 
 the emperor, finding that the Christians were an innocent 
 and inoffensive people, suspended their punishments. 
 
 3. During this emperor’s reign there was a dreadful 
 insurrection of the Jews in all parts of the empire. This 
 wretched people, still infatuated, and ever expecting some 
 signal deliverance, took the advantage of Trajan’s expe¬ 
 dition to the east, to massacre all the Greeks and Romans 
 whom they could get into their power. 4. This rebellion 
 first began in Cyre'ne *, a Roman province in Africa; 
 from thence the flame extended to Egypt, and next to the’ 
 island of Cy prus. Dreadful were the devastations com¬ 
 mitted by these infatuated people, and shocking the bar¬ 
 barities exefcised on the unoffending inhabitants. 5. Some 
 were sawn asunder, others cast to wild beasts, or made to 
 kill each other, while the most unheard-of torments were 
 invented and exercised on the unhappy victims of their 
 fuiy. Nay, to such a pitch was their animosity carried, 
 that they actually ate the flesh of their enemies, and even 
 wore their skins. G. However, these cruelties were of no 
 long duration: the governors of the respective provinces. 
 
 Cyre'ne, a city of great note in Libya, in the north of 
 
 fromtC Me°rf“t 0f those ca Hed Pentap'olis ; distant eleven miles 
 1 ‘^.Mediterranean sea. (Pliny.) It was once so powerful 
 as to contend with Carthage for pre-eminence. It was situated 
 
 the* chief e tv n a art 0f , L ' bya ’ P r °P er, y so called ; and as it was 
 Uie chief city, it sometimes gave the name of Cyrena'ica to the 
 
 V 10 ? country; which, by the sacred writer, is called Lib'va 
 about Cyre'ne. (Actsii. 10 ) The city itselfis’famous in profane 
 
 ticH,7 of r*n ? i* 6 b,rth -P lace of Erastosthe'nes, the ralthema- 
 of . Calllm acllu s, the poet; and, (in sacred history) of 
 
 hiWlf Z!?^ j° m Pj ed t0 bcar our Saviour’s cross, after 
 himself had fainted under it. This country has been in the 
 
 Egyptians, Grecians, Romans, 
 desetr aSt y TurkS) under whom U has become almost a 
 
 CvreW ?[ be ? f realer P art ° ru ' is country is now called Barca; 
 Cyrene, the city, now Carin. (Allen’s Ancient Geography.) 
 
345 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 making head against their tumultuous fury, caused them 
 to experience the horrors of retaliation , and put them to 
 death, not as human beings, but as outrageous pests of 
 society. In Cyprus it was made capital for any Jew to 
 set foot on the island. 
 
 7. During these bloody transactions, Tra'jan was pro. 
 
 secuting his successes in the east, where he carried the 
 Roman arms farther than they had ever before pene. 
 trated ; but resolving to visit Rome once more, he found 
 himself too weak to proceed in his usual manner. He 
 therefore determined to return by sea; but on reaching 
 the city of Seleu'cia, he died of an apoplexy, in the 
 sixty-third year of his age, after a reign of nine- c a. D. 
 teen years, six months, and fifteen days *. I 
 
 8. A'drian, the nephew of Tra'jan, was chosen to suc¬ 
 ceed him. He began his reign by pursuing a course op¬ 
 posite to that of his predecessor , taking every method of 
 declining war, and promoting the arts of peace. His first 
 care was to make peace with the Par thians, and to restore 
 Chos'roes, for he was satisfied with preserving the ancient 
 limits of the empire, and seemed no way ambitious of 
 extensive conquest. 
 
 9. A'drian was one of the most remarkable of the 
 Roman emperors for the variety of his endowments. He 
 was highly skilled in all the accomplishments both of 
 body and mind. He composed with great beauty, both 
 in prose and verse; he pleaded at the bar, and was one 
 of the best orators of bis time. 10. Nor were his virtues 
 fewer than his accomplishments. His moderation and 
 clemency appeared by pardoning the injuries which he 
 
 * Trajan was not only a just, wise, and warlike prince^ but a 
 ffreat benefactor to the empire, by the useful and magnificent 
 works which he undertook and completed ; the limits ot a note 
 will not admit of an enumeration and description of them. 
 Suffice it to mention, that he levelled a hill in Rome, 144 feet 
 hi°ffi and erected the famous pillar, still existing, which is 
 exactly the height of the hill. It is generally supposed that 
 Trajan’s ashes were deposited at its base. 
 
 Q5 
 
346 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 had received when he was yet but a private man *. One 
 day, meeting a person, who had formerly been his most 
 inveterate enemy: “My good friend,” said he, “ you 
 have escaped; for I am made emperor.” He was affable 
 to his friends, and gentle to persons of meaner stations; 
 he relieved their wants, and visited them in sickness : it 
 being his constant maxim, that he had been elected em¬ 
 peror, not for his own good, but for the benefit of man¬ 
 kind at large. 
 
 11. These virtues were, however, contrasted by vices 
 of considerable magnitude!; or rather he wanted strength 
 of mind to preserve his rectitude of character without 
 deviation . 
 
 12. He was scarcely settled on the throne, when seve¬ 
 ral of the northern barbarians began to devastate the 
 frontier provinces of the empire. These hardy nations, 
 who now found the way to conquer, by issuing from their 
 forests, and then retiring upon the approach of a superior 
 force, began to be truly formidable to Rome. 13. A'drian 
 had thoughts of contracting the limits of the empire, by 
 giving up some of the most remote and least defensible 
 provinces; in this however he was overruled by friends, 
 who wrongly imagined that an extensive frontier would 
 intimidate an invading enemy. 14. But though he com¬ 
 plied with their remonstrances, he broke down the bridge 
 over the Dan'ube, which his predecessor had built, sen¬ 
 sible that the same passage which was open to him, was 
 equally convenient to the incursions of his barbarous 
 neighbours. 
 
 15. Having staid a long time at Rome, to see that all 
 things were regulated and established for the safety of 
 the public, he prepared to make a progress through his 
 
 * This moderation and clemency w ere not lasting. 
 
 ! Among these, cruelty was not the least conspicuous, parti¬ 
 cularly in the latter part of his reign ; when a painful distemper 
 lendered him furious, he not only put to death many illustrious 
 persons, but even attempted to lay violent hands on himself. 
 
347 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 whole empire. 16. It was one of his maxims, that an 
 emperor ought to imitate the sun, which diffuses warmth 
 and vigour over all parts of the earth. He therefore 
 took with him a splendid court, and a considerable force, 
 and entered the province of Gaul, where he caused the 
 inhabitants to be numbered. 17. From Gaul, he went 
 into Germany, thence to Holland *, and afterwards 
 passed over iuto Britain ; where, reforming many abuses, 
 and reconciling the natives to the Romans, he, for the 
 better security of the southern parts of the kingdom, 
 built a wall of wood and earth, extending from the river 
 FAlen, in Cum berland, to the Tyne, in Northumberland, 
 to prevent the incursions of the Piets, and other barbarous 
 nations of the north. 18. From Britain, returning through 
 Gaul, he directed his journey to Spain, his native country, 
 where he was received with great joy. 19. Returning to 
 Rome, he continued there for some time, in order to pre¬ 
 pare for his journey into the east, which was hastened by 
 a new invasion of the Par thians. His approach compel¬ 
 ling the enemy to peace, he pursued his travels without 
 molestation. He visited the famous city of Athens +; 
 there making a considerable stay, he \\&sinitiated into the 
 Eleusin'ian mysteries J, which were accounted the most 
 sacred in the Pagan mythology ; and took upon him the 
 office of archon, or chief magistrate. 20. In this place, 
 also, he remitted the severity of the Christian persecution. 
 He was even so far reconciled to this sect, as to think of 
 
 * The seven united provinces, which are so called from the 
 
 chief province. . 
 
 + A thens, the celebrated capital of Attica in Greece. It was 
 generally called by the Grecians As'tu, the city, by way ol emi¬ 
 nence, as Rome was called IJrbs ; and as urbanus, or urbanity, 
 denoted politeness of manners, expressed either in behaviour or 
 language, among the Romans, so As'teum did among the Greeks. 
 
 + These were mysteries instituted in honour of Ceres. The 
 initiated, alter performing many previous ceremonies, were first 
 terrified with the most appalling scenes, and afterwards gratified 
 with the most delightful visions which it was possible tor the 
 ingenuity of meu to present to the eyes of the deluded votaries, 
 
 Q 6 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 introducing Christ among the number of the Gods. 
 
 21. From thence he crossed over into Africa, and spent 
 much time in reforming abuses, regulating the govern¬ 
 ment, deciding controversies, and erecting magnificent 
 buildings. Among the rest, he ordered Carthage * * * § to be 
 rebuilt, calling it after his own name, Ad'rianople +. 
 
 22. Again he returned to Rome; travelled a second time 
 into Greece|; passed over into Asia Minor§; from thence 
 into Syria|l; gave law s and instructions to all the neigh¬ 
 bouring kings ; entered Palestine IT, Arabia **, and 
 Egypttt, where he caused Pompey’s tomb, that had been 
 long neglected, and almost covered with sand, to be re¬ 
 paired and beautified. 23. He gave orders for the re¬ 
 building of Jerusalem ; which was performed with great 
 expedition by the assistauce of the Jews, who now began 
 to conceive hopes of being restored to their long lost 
 kingdom. 24. But these expectations only served to 
 
 i A ar t J ,ag £’ t;" 3 celebrated capital of Africa Propria, was 
 built by the Tyrians, under Di'do. This city, the mistress of 
 spam, Si oily, and Sardinia, was long the rival of Rome, till it 
 was totally destroyed by Scip'io the Second, surnamed Africa'- 
 
 of700,000\ni;abRan t ?s heiSht ° f P roS P erit y> il “P^rds 
 
 f Ad'rianople, tliQ second city of European Turkey, was found* 
 ed about A.M. 2782, and repaired by the emperor Adrian, A.D. 
 122. Hence its name. 
 
 | Greece,'comprising the greater part of European Turkev. 
 
 § Asia Minor, now called Anatolia, comprised Bithyn'ia, 
 Paphlago nia, Galatia, Pon'tus, My'sia, Lyd'ia, Cari'a, Ly'cia 
 Pamphy ha, with Pisi dia, Insau'ria, Fili"cia, Phry''gia, and Cap- 
 padocia. (Allen’s Ancient Geography.) * 
 
 || Syria a very considerable country of Asia, generally in¬ 
 cluding with it Pal estine, Mesopotamia, and Pboeni"cia. 
 
 Palestine properly denotes the country of the Philistines, 
 which name was given them by the Hebrews. (Josephus.) Bv 
 the Greeks and Romans, they were generally called Palestine/. 
 The country has had the several names of Canaan, the Land of 
 
 Holy Land and ° f IsVacJ> and Jude '*i but more generally 
 
 ** Ara bia, an extensive country in Asia, extending from 
 Egypt to Chalde a, and from Syria to the ocean. 
 
 ft Egypt, a celebrated country in the north-east part ofAfrica, 
 and on the south-west of Ca'naan. It was anciently called 
 and the’AV . of ■ Ham * T be Hebrews called it Miz'raim; 
 
 of Hum, who p S eop°Iedft U ^ son 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 349 
 
 aggravate their calamities; for, beiug incensed at the 
 privileges which were granted the Pagan worshippers in 
 their new city, they fell upon the Romans and Christians 
 that were dispersed throughout Jude'a, and unmercifully 
 put them all to the sword. 25. Adrian, sending a power, 
 ful body of men against them, obtained many signal, 
 though bloody victories, over the insurgents . The war 
 was concluded in two years, by the demolition of above 
 one thousand of their best towns, and the destruction of 
 nearly six hundred thousand men in battle. 
 
 26. Having thus effectually quelled this dangerous in¬ 
 surrection, he banished all those who remained in Judea; 
 and by a public decree forbade them to come within view 
 of their native soil. But he was soon after alarmed by a 
 dangerous irruption of the barbarous nations to the north¬ 
 ward of the empire; who entering Me'dia * with great 
 fury, and passing through Arine'nia, carried their devas¬ 
 tations as far as Cappado'cia. Preferring peace, how ever, 
 upon any terms, to an unprofitable war, A'drian bought 
 them off by large sums of money; so that they returned 
 peaceably into their native wilds, to enjoy their plunder, 
 and to meditate fresh invasions. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Was Trajan uniformly merciful ? 
 
 2. Was the persecution of long duration ? 
 
 3. What remarkable event happened in this reign? 
 
 4. Where did the rebellion principally rage? 
 
 5. What were these barbarities? 
 
 6. Were no steps taken to repress this insurrection? 
 
 7. How was Trajan employed at this time, and what was 
 
 his end ? 
 
 8. Who succeeded him T 
 
 9. What was the character of Adrian? 
 
 10. Was he a virtuous character? 
 
 * Me'dia, a very extensive country of Asia, on the south of 
 the Cas pian sea, and to the north of ancient Persia. 
 
350 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 11. Were not his virtues counterbalanced? 
 
 12. By whom was the empire now invaded ? 
 
 13. What wise measure did Adrian contemplate? 
 
 14. What remarkable edifice did he destroy? 
 
 15. Was he attentive to the concerns of the empire ? 
 
 Hi. Why diil he do this ? 
 
 17. What places did he next visit? 
 
 18. Whither did he next proceed? 
 
 19. Mention his further progress, and the incidents that oc¬ 
 
 curred. 
 
 20. Was he merciful to the Christians ? 
 
 21. Whither did he next repair, and how did he employ him¬ 
 
 self? 
 
 22. Proceed in the description of his route. 
 
 23. Did he not favour the Jews? 
 
 24. Did they not profit by this favourable disposition in the 
 
 emperor? 
 
 25. Was this cruelty punished ? 
 
 26. What followed this dangerous insurrection? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 5. Len'ity, s. mildness, mercy. 
 
 7. Vehemently, ad. earnestly, ardently, 
 y. Re"gimen, s. rule of diet, &c. 
 
 14. Ar'rogantly, ad. proudly. 
 
 23. Volup'tuous, a. luxurious, fond of pleasure. 
 
 30. Feigning, part, pretending. 
 
 32. Disseminated, v. spread, scattered as seed. 
 
 33. Inunda'tions, s floods. 
 
 34. Lectister'nia, s. funeral banquets to the gods. 
 
 Mar'tyrdom, s. the act of suffering death for the cause of 
 
 virtue or religion. 
 
 Persecu tion, s. the act of harassing or pursuing with malig¬ 
 nity j the act of punishing for the sake of religion. 
 
 1. Having spent thirteen years in travelling and re¬ 
 forming the abuses of the empire, A'drian at last resolved 
 to end his fatigues at Rome. 2. Nothing could be more 
 grateful to the people than his resolution of coming to 
 reside for the rest of his days among them ; they received 
 him with the loudest demonstrations of joy; and though 
 
EMP [RE OF ROME. 
 
 351 
 
 he now began to grow old and unwieldy, he remitted not 
 the least of his former assiduity and attention to the public 
 welfare. 3. His chief amusement was in conversing with 
 the most celebrated men in every art and science, fre¬ 
 quently asserting, that he thought no kind of knowledge 
 inconsiderable, or to be neglected, either in his private or 
 public capacity. 4. He ordered the knights and senators 
 never to appear in public, but in the proper habits of their 
 orders. He forbade masters to kill their slaves, as had 
 been before allowed; but ordained that they should be 
 tried by the laws. 5. He still further extended the lenity 
 of the laws to those unhappy men, who had been long 
 thought too mean for justice : if a master was found 
 killed in his house, he would not allow all his slaves to 
 be put to the torture as formerly, but only such as might 
 haye perceived and prevented the murder. 
 
 6. In such employments he spent the greatest part of 
 his time ; but at last finding the duties of his station 
 daily increasing, and his own strength proportionally upon 
 the decline, he resolved on adopting a successor, and 
 accordingly chose Antoni'nus to that important station. 
 
 7. While he was thus careful in providing for the future 
 welfare of the state, his bodily infirmities became so in¬ 
 supportable, that he vehemently desired some of his at¬ 
 tendants to dispatch him. 8* Antoni'nus, however, would 
 by no means permit any of the domestics to be guilty of 
 so great an impiety, but used all the arts in his power to 
 reconcile the emperor to sustain life. 9. His pain daily 
 increasing, lie was frequently heard to cry out, “ How 
 miserable a thing it is to seek death, and not to find it!” 
 After enduring some time these excruciating tortures, he 
 at last resolved to observe no regimen , saying, that 
 kings sometimes died merely by the multitude of their 
 physicians. 10. This conduct served to hasten that 
 death he seemed so ardently to desire; and it was pro¬ 
 bably joy upon its approach which dictated the cele- 
 
362 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 bra ted stanzas that are so well known *, and while repeat¬ 
 ing which he expired, in the sixty-second year of his 
 age, after a prosperous reign of twenty-one years and 
 eleven months. 
 
 11. Titus Antoni'nus, his successor, was born at La- 
 vin'ium, near Rome, but his ancestors came originally 
 U. C. I from Nismesl, in Gaul. His father was a noble- 
 
 S man, who had enjoyed the highest honours of 
 the empire. At the time orf his succeeding to the throne 
 he was above fifty years old, and had passed through 
 many of the most important offices of the state with great 
 integrity and application. 12. His virtues in private life 
 were no way impaired by his exaltation, as he shewed 
 himself one of the most excellent princes for justice, cle¬ 
 mency, and moderation: his morals were so pure, that 
 he was usually compared to Nu'rna, and was surnamed 
 the Pious, both for his tenderness to his predecessor 
 A'drian, when dying, and his particular attachment to 
 the religion of his country. 
 
 13. He was an eminent rewarder of learned men, to 
 whom he gave large pensions and great honours, collect¬ 
 ing them around him from all parts of the world. 14. 
 
 * These stanzas are— 
 
 An inula, vagula, blandula 
 Hospes, comesque corporis 
 Qua? nunc abibis in loca, 
 Pallidula, rigida, nudula ? 
 Nec, ut soles, dabis jocos. 
 
 Thus imitated by Prior:— 
 
 Poor, little, pretty, fluttering thing. 
 
 Must we no longer live together ? 
 
 And dost thou prune thy trembling wing 
 
 To take thy flight, thou know’st not whither ? 
 
 Thy hum’rous vein, thy pleasing folly, 
 
 Lie all neglected, all forgot; 
 
 And pensive, wav’ring, melancholy, 
 
 Thou dread’s! and liop’st thou know’st not what, 
 f Nis'mes, anciently called Nemau'sus. (Strabo, Ptolemy.) 
 Nemau'sum. (Pliny.) Here are the remains of a Ronfan amphi¬ 
 theatre, and several other vestiges of its former magnificence. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 353 
 
 Among the rest, he sent for Apollo'nius, the famous stoic * 
 philosopher, to instruct his adopted son, Marcus Aure'- 
 lius. Apollo'nius being arrived, the emperor desired his 
 attendance; but the other arrogantly answered, that it 
 was the scholar’s duty to wait upon the master, not the 
 master upon the scholar. 15. To this reply, Antoni nus 
 only returned with a smile, “ That it was surprising how 
 Apollo'nius, who made no difficulty of coming from 
 Greece to Rome, should think it hard to walk from one 
 part of Rome to another;’’ and immediately sent Mar'cus 
 Aurelius to himf. 16* While the good emperor was 
 thus employed in making mankind happy, in directing 
 their conduct by his own example, or reproving their 
 follies with the keenness of rebuke, he was seized with a 
 violent fever, and ordered his friends and principal offi¬ 
 cers to attend him. 17. In their presence he confirmed 
 the adoption of Mar'cus Aurelius; then commanding 
 the golden statue of Fortune, which was always in the 
 chamber of the emperors, to be removed to that of his 
 successor, he expired in the seventy-fourth year of his 
 age, after a prosperous reign of twenty-two years and 
 almost eight months J. 
 
 18. Mar'cus Aurelius, though left sole successor to the 
 throne, took Lu'cius Ve'rus as his associate and c u. C. 
 equal, in governing the state. 19. Aurelius was \ 914 * 
 the son of An'nius Ve'rus, of an ancient and illustrious 
 
 * Stoic philosopher is owe who follows the sect of Zeno, hold¬ 
 ing all things indifferent, being void of passions, and destitute of 
 mental feelings. This sect received its name from a Greek word, 
 signifying a porch , because Zeno taught his disciples in a com¬ 
 mon porch of the city of Athens. 
 
 f Antoni'nus being made a model of wisdom and virtue, he 
 was as much respected by foreigners as by his own people. 
 
 1 This emperor was remarkably favourable to the Christians, 
 and wrote thus to his governors in Asia:—•“ If any one shall, for 
 the future, molest the Christians, and accuse them merely on 
 account of their religion, let the person who is arraigned be dis¬ 
 charged, though he is found to be a Christian, and the accuser 
 be punished according to the rigour of the law.” 
 
354 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 family, which claimed its origin from Nu'ma. Lu'cius 
 Ve'rus was the son of Com'modus, who had been adopted 
 by Adrian, but died before he succeeded to the throne. 
 20. Aure'iius w'as as remarkable for his virtues and accom¬ 
 plishments, as his partner in the empire was for his un¬ 
 governable passions and debauched morals. The one was 
 an example of the greatest goodness and wisdom ; the 
 other of ignorance, sloth, and extravagance * * * § . 
 
 21. The two emperors were scarcely settled on the 
 throne, when the empire was attacked on every side, from 
 the barbarous nations by which it was surrounded +. The 
 Cat'tij invaded Germany and Rhoe'tia§, ravaging all 
 with fire and sw r ord ; but were repelled by Victorious. 
 The Britons likewise revolted, but were repressed by 
 Capur'nius. 22. But the Par'thians, under their king 
 Vologesus, made an irruption still more dreadful than 
 either of the former; destroying the Roman legions in 
 Arme'nia; then entering Syria, they drove out the Roman 
 governor, and filled the whole country w ith terror and 
 confusion. To repel this barbarous eruption, Ve'rusw'ent 
 in person, being accompanied by Aure'iius part of the way. 
 
 * The only reproach that can be made against Aure'iius is for 
 having associated Ve'rus in the empire, and sulTered the Chris¬ 
 tians to be persecuted under his reign. 
 
 f A little time previous to this invasion, a domestic calamity 
 occurred of no small importance ; a dreadful inundation of the 
 Tiber overturned many private and public edifices in the city, 
 carried aw ; ay great numbers of people and cattle, and laid the 
 neighbouring country under water to a great distance. This 
 inundation was followed by earthquakes, conflagrations, and a \ 
 general infection of the air, w hich produced an infinite number 
 of insects, that destroyed what the flood had spared, and caused 
 a grievous famine. 
 
 X Cat'ti; these people were very extensive, and widely spread 
 throughout Germany, occupying Hes'se, the territory on the 
 Rhine, &c. The Hercyne'an forest began and ended in their 
 territory. (Tacitus.) 
 
 § Rhoe'tiawas situated partly in Germany and partly in Italy. 
 It was peopled by Rhce'tis, B. C. 185, who left Tuscany to avoid 
 the oppression of the Gauls, and planted a colony between the 
 Tyrol and Helvetia, to which he gave the name of Rhce'tia, 
 (Justin, Pliny, Stephanus.) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 35& 
 
 23. VeTus, however, proceeded no farther than An'- 
 tioch *, and there gave an indulgence to every appetite, 
 rioting in excesses unknown even to the voluptuous 
 Greeks; leaving all the glory of the field to his lieute¬ 
 nants, who were sent to repress the enemy. 24. These, 
 however, fought with great success; for in the four years 
 that the war lasted, the Romans entered far into the 
 Parthian country, and entirely subdued it; but. upon 
 their return their army was wasted to less than half its 
 original number by pestilence and famine +. This, how¬ 
 ever, was no impediment to the vanity of Ve'rus, who re¬ 
 solved to enjoy the honours of a triumph, so hardly earned 
 by others. Having appointed a king over the Arme nians, 
 and finding the Par'thians entirely subdued, he assumed 
 the titles of Arm e'nius and Part hie us; and on his return 
 to Rome he partook of a triumph with Aurelius, which 
 was solemnized with great pomp and splendour. 
 
 20. While Ve'rus was engaged in this expedition, Au- 
 re'lius was sedulously intent upon distributing justice and 
 happiness to his subjects at home. He first applied him¬ 
 self to the regulation of public affairs, and to the correct¬ 
 ing of such faults as he found in the laws and policy of 
 the state. 27. In this endeavour he shewed a singular 
 respect for the senate, often permitting them to determine 
 without appeal J; so that the commonwealth seemed in a 
 mannei\onc« more revived under his equitable administra- 
 
 * An'tioch, the capital ofSyr'ia: there were no less than six¬ 
 teen cities of this name in Asia, w hich were all founded by Se- 
 leu'cus Nica'tor, the first Sy'ro-Grecian monarch, to perpetuate 
 the name of Anti'ochus his father. 
 
 f We may be ready to consider this as a just judgment on them 
 for their atrocious cruelties. The city of Seleucia, on the Ti¬ 
 gris,opened its gates to Cassius, and received him in a friendly 
 manner, yet he inhumanly ordered the whole of the inhabitants, 
 amounting to 400,000 persons, to be slaughtered .—O bella , hor - 
 rida bella! 
 
 + He used to say, that it w as more reasonable for him to fol¬ 
 low the advice of so many wise men, than for so many wise men 
 to follow his! 
 
356 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tion. 28. Besides, such was his application to business, 
 that he often employed ten days together upon the same 
 subject, maturely considering it on all sides, and seldom 
 departing from the senate-house till the assembly was 
 dismissed by the consul. 29. But he was daily mortified 
 with accounts of the enormities of his colleague; being 
 repeatedly assured of his vanity, lewdness, and extrava¬ 
 gance. 30. However, feigning himself ignorant of these 
 excesses, he judged marriage to be the best method of 
 reclaiming him; and therefore sent him his daughter 
 Luciila, a woman of great beauty, whom Ve'rus married 
 at An tioch. 31. But even this was found ineffectual, for 
 Lucil la proved of a disposition very unlike her father; 
 and, instead of correcting her husband’s extravagancies, 
 only contributed to inflame them. 32. Aure'lius still 
 hoped that, upon the return of Ve'rus to Rome, his pre¬ 
 sence would keep him in awe, and that happiness would 
 at length be restored to the state. In this also he was 
 disappointed. His return seemed fatal to the empire; for 
 his army carried back the plague from Par'thia, and dis¬ 
 seminated the infection into the provinces through which 
 it passed. 
 
 33. Nothing could exceed the miserable state of things 
 upon the return of Ve'rus. In this horrid picture were 
 represented an emperor, unawed by example or the ca¬ 
 lamities surrounding him, giving way to unheard-of de¬ 
 baucheries *; a raging pestilence spreading terror and 
 desolation through all parts of the western world ; earth¬ 
 quakes, famines, and inundations 9 almost unexampled 
 in history ; the products of the earth through all Italy 
 devoured by locusts; the barbarous nations around the 
 empire taking advantage of its various calamities, and 
 
 * Among other follies, he erected a statue of gold to his horse 
 Celer, fed him with raisins and almonds, covered him with pur¬ 
 ple, ordered him to be kept in a room in the palace, and, when 
 he died, erected a stately monument to him in the Vatican. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 357 
 
 making their irruptions even into Italy itself. 34. The 
 priests doiug all they could to put a stop to the miseries 
 of the state, by attempting to appease the gods*, vowing 
 and offering numberless sacrifices; celebrating all the 
 sacred rites f that had ever been known in Rome; and 
 exhibiting the solemnity called lectisternia, seven days 
 together. 35. To crown the whole, these enthusiasts, as 
 if the impending calamities had not been sufficient, as- 
 scribed the distresses of the state to the impieties of the 
 Christians. A violeut persecution ensued in all parts of 
 the empire ; and Justin Martyr, Polycarp'us, and a pro¬ 
 digious number of less note, suffered martyrdom . 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Did Adrian enjoy repose from this time? 
 
 2. Was this resolution agreeable to the people ? 
 
 3. How did he amuse himself? 
 
 4. What new edicts did he issue? 
 
 5. Did he not ameliorate the condition of slaves? 
 
 6. Was he still equal to the fatigues of the empire ? 
 
 7. Were not his sufferings great? 
 
 8. Were his wishes complied with? 
 
 9. Were these arts successful? 
 
 10. What was the consequence of this conduct 
 ] 1. Who was his successor ? 
 
 12. Did he preserve his virtue on his exaltation 
 
 13. Was he a favourer of learning? 
 
 14. What anecdote is related of oue of these? 
 
 15. What was the emperor’s reply ? 
 
 16. Did he experience a long and prosperous reign ? 
 
 17. Whom did he appoint as his successor? 
 
 18. Was Marcus Aurelius sole emperor ? 
 
 19. Who were Aurelius and Lucius Verus? 
 
 20. Were their characters similar? 
 
 21. Was their reign peaceable ? 
 
 22. Was there not a more formidable invasion still? 
 
 23. Did Verus shew himself worthy of the trust ? 
 
 24. Were they successful ? 
 
 25. Did Verus appear to feel this misfortune ? 
 
 26. How was Aurelius employed in the mean time? 
 
 * False deities, idols. 
 
 t Religious ceremonies. 
 
358 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 27. Did be do this solely by liis own authority ? 
 
 28. Was he hasty in his decisions ? 
 
 29. Was he acquainted with the follies of his colleague . 
 
 30. How did he attempt his reformation ? 
 
 31 . Was this effectual ? 
 
 32. What farther hopes did Aurelius entertain ? 
 
 33 ] What was the state of the empire at this period ? 
 
 34 . What were the means made use of to avert these cala * 
 
 mities ? 
 
 35 . To whom were they imputed ? 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 5. Col league, s. a partner or associate in the same office. 
 
 8. Pagan, a. heathen, 1 idolatrous. 
 
 Mirac'ulous, a. supernatural, above the powers 01 human 
 nature. 
 
 9. Subli'mely, ad. nobly, greatly. 
 
 1. In this scene of universal tumult, desolation, and 
 distress, there was nothing left but the virtues and the 
 wisdom of one man to restore tranquillity and happiness 
 to the empire. 2. Aure'lius began his endeavours by 
 marching against the Marcoman'ni* and Qua'dit, taking 
 VeTus with him, who reluctantly left the sensual delights 
 of Rome for the fatigues of a camp. 3. They came up 
 with the Marcoman'ni near the city of Aquile'ia t, and, 
 after a furious engagement, routed their whole army ; 
 then pursuing them across the Alps, overcame them in 
 
 * Marcoman'ni (the same as Mora'vi, Moravians), a people of 
 Germany, occupying the territory on the eastern part ot the 
 Rhine, "and on the north of the Dan'ube. (Tacitus, Caesar). 
 Cluverius allots to them the duchy of Wurtemberg, part of Sua - 
 bia, the Brisgau, &c. who on being expelled their country took 
 up their abode in Bohemia. (Strabo, Velleius). 
 
 f Qua'di, or Qua'dians, a people of Germany, who inhabited 
 part of Mora'via, Bohemia, and Hungary. (Tacitus). 
 
 + Aquile'ia, a celebrated city in the north ol Italy. It was a 
 place of great renown in the time of Julius Caesar. It was de¬ 
 stroyed by At'tila. In this city St. Mark wrote his gospel, which 
 manuscript is said to be preserved with great care at ^ emee. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 359 
 
 several contests; and, at last, entirely defeating C U.C. 
 them, returned into Italy without any consider- < 
 able loss. 4. As the winter was far advanced, \ 169. 
 Ve'rus was determined upon going to Rome, in which 
 journey he was seized with an apoplexy that put an end 
 to his life, at the age of thirty-nine, have reigned in 
 conjunction with Aure'lius nine years, 
 
 5. Aure'lius, who had hitherto sustained the fatigues of 
 governing, not only an empire, but his colleague , began to 
 act with greater diligence, and more vigour than ever. 
 After thus subduing the Marcoman'ni, he returned to 
 Rome, where he resumed his attempts to benefit mankind 
 by a farther reformation. 
 
 G. But his good endeavours were soon interrupted by 
 a renewal of the former wars. In one of the engagements 
 that ensued, he is said to have been miraculously relieved 
 when his army was perishing with thirst, by the prayers of 
 a Christian legion* which had been levied in his service : 
 for we are told, that there fell such a shower of rain, as 
 instantly refreshed the fainting army. The soldiers were 
 seen holding their mouths and their helmets towards 
 heaven, to catch the water which came so wonderfully to 
 their relief. 7. The same clouds which served for their 
 rescue, discharged so terrible a storm of hail, accompani¬ 
 ed with thunder, against the enemy, as astonished and 
 confused them. By this unlooked for aid, the Romans, re¬ 
 covering strength and courage, renewed the engagement 
 with fresh vigour, and cut the enemy in pieces. 8. Such 
 are the circumstances of an event, acknowledged by Pa¬ 
 gan as well as Christian writers; only with this difference, 
 that the latter ascribe the miracle to their own, the 
 former to the prayers of their emperor f. However this 
 
 * Legion, a body of soldiers in the Roman army, consisting of 
 300 horse and 4,000 foot. Figuratively, an army, a military force, 
 or any great number. 
 
 f Very cogent reasons have, by some critics, been brought to 
 prove that this deliverance of the Roman army was no miracle 
 but merely the result of a natural occurrence. 
 
360 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 be Aure'lius seemed so sensible of miraculous assistance, 
 that he immediately relaxed the persecution against the 
 Christians, and wrote to the senate in their favour. 
 
 9. Soon after this event, Avid'iusCassius *, one of the 
 generals who had fought with such success against the 
 Parthians, assumed the imperial purple, but was shortly 
 after killed in an engagement. When his head was 
 brought to Aure'lius, he expressed great sorrow, turned 
 his eyes away, and caused it to be honourably interred ; 
 complaining that he been robbed of an opportunity of 
 shewing mercy. On being blamed for his too great 
 lenity to the relatives and friends of Cassius, he sub¬ 
 limely replied, “ We have not lived nor served the gods 
 so ill, as to think that they would favour Cassius.” 
 
 10. He usually called philosophy his mother, in oppo¬ 
 sition to the court, which he considered as his step¬ 
 mother. He also frequently said, “ the people are happy 
 whose kings are philosophers.’’ He was, independent 
 of his high dignity, one of the most considerable men 
 then existing; and though he had been born in the 
 meanest station, his merits as a writer (for his works re¬ 
 main to this day,) would have insured him iramortalitji. 
 
 11. Having thus restored prosperity to his subjects, 
 and peace to mankind, news was brought him that the 
 Scythians +, and the barbarous nations of the north, were 
 
 * This Cas'sius was remarkable as a strict disciplinarian, of 
 which the following is an instance: as he was encamped near 
 the Danube, some of his soldiers, understanding that the enemy 
 lav carelessly on the banks of that river, attacked them without 
 orders, killed 3,000 of them, and returned to the camp loaded 
 with booty. Instead, however, of receiving from Cas sius the 
 praises they expected, their centurions who had promoted this 
 enterprise, were seized and crucified. This severity occasioned 
 mutiny ; but Cas'sius undauntedly appeared, unarmed, amidst 
 the incensed soldiers, crying out, “ Kill me ; and to your neg¬ 
 lect of duty add, if you dare, the murder of your general. 
 This intrepidity put an end to the tumult, and firmly establish¬ 
 ed his authority . . .. _ 
 
 f Scyth'ians, the inhabitants of Tartary, now Asiatic Russia, 
 were for the greater part wanderers. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 361 
 
 up in arms, and invading the empire. 12. He once 
 more, therefore, resolved to expose his aged person in the 
 defence of his country, and made speedy preparations 
 to oppose them. He went to the senate, and desired to 
 have money out of the public treasury. He then spent 
 three days in giving the people lectures on the regulation 
 of their lives; and, having finished, departed upon his 
 expedition, amidst the prayers and lamentations of his 
 subjects. 13. Upon going to open his third campaign, 
 he was seized at Vienna* with the plague, which stopped 
 his farther progress. Nothing, however, could abate his 
 desire of being beneficial to mankind. 14. His fears for 
 the youth and unpromising disposition of Com'modus, 
 his son and successor, seemed to give him great uneasi¬ 
 ness. He therefore addressed his friends and the prin¬ 
 cipal officers that were gathered round his bed; express¬ 
 ing his hope, that as his son was now losing his father, 
 he would find many in them. 15. While thus speaking, 
 he was seized with a weakness which stopped his utter¬ 
 ance, and brought on death. He died in the fifty-ninth 
 year of his age, having reigned nineteen years. It seemed 
 as if the glory and prosperity of the empire died with 
 this greatest of the Roman emperors. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. To whom did the Romans look for a restoration of the 
 
 tranquillity of the empire? 
 
 2. Against whom did Aurelius march, and who accompanied 
 
 him ? 
 
 3. Where did they come up with the Marcomanni, and what 
 
 was the result of the engagement? 
 
 4. What was the fate of Verus? 
 
 5. How did Aurelius act on his return to Rome? 
 
 6. What miraculous event was ascribed to the prayers ot a 
 
 Christian legion? 
 
 ♦ Vienna £so called even in the time of Caesar) the metropolis. 
 - R 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 362 . 
 
 7. How did it operate on the enemy? 
 
 8. Did not Aurelids In consequence interest himself in fa¬ 
 
 vour of the Christians ? 
 
 9. What reply did Aurelius make to those who blamed him 
 
 for his lenity to the friends of Cassius ? 
 
 10. What sayings are recorded of him, and what was his 
 character? 
 
 J1. What news was brought to Aurelius soon after peace had 
 been restored? 
 
 12. In what way did he occupy himself previous to his de¬ 
 
 parture to oppose the enemy? 
 
 13. At what place was he seized with the plague ? 
 
 14. What seemed to give him great uneasiness? 
 
 15. How old was Aurelius when he died, and how many 
 
 years had he reigned? 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 U. C. 933.-A. D. 180. 
 
 From Commodus to the transferring of the Seat of 
 Empire , under Constantme, from Rome to Con¬ 
 stantinople. 
 
 2. Tis'sue, s. a continued series. 
 
 Simil'itude, s. likeness, resemblance. 
 
 3. Chap'man,s. a dealer, a tradesman. 
 
 13. Parricide, s. a parent-killer. 
 
 15. Profusion, s. too great liberality, extravagance. 
 
 Par'simony, s. frugality, sparingness. 
 
 21. Laconic, a. brief, short. 
 
 24. Imprecations, s. curses. 
 
 38. Timid'ity, s. fearfulness. 
 
 i. The merits of Aure'lius procured Com'modus an 
 easy accession to the throne*. He was acknowledged 
 emperor by the army, by the senate and people, and 
 afterwards by all the provinces. 
 
 * Com'modus was the first emperor that was born in his fa¬ 
 ther’s reign, and the second that succeeded his father in the 
 empire. 
 
empire of Rome. 3g3 
 
 2. But Ins whole reign was a tissue of wantonness and 
 folly, cruelty and injustice, rapacity and corruption. So 
 strong a similitude was there between his conduct and 
 that of Domit'ian, that a reader might imagine he was 
 going over the history of the same reign. 3. He went 
 with his associates to brothels; spent the day in feasting, 
 and the night in the most abominable debaucheries. He 
 would sometimes go about the markets in a frolic, with 
 small wares, as a petty chapman; sometimes he affected 
 to be a horse-courser; at other times he drove his own 
 chariot, in a slave’s habit. Those he promoted resembled 
 himself, being the companions of his pleasures, or the 
 ministers of his cruelty. 
 
 4. If any person desired to be revenged on an enemy, 
 by bargaining with Com'modus for a sum of money, he 
 was permitted to destroy him in any manner that he 
 thought proper. He commanded a person to be cast to 
 the wild beasts for reading the life of Calig'ula in Sueto'. 
 nius. He ordered another to be thrown into a burning 
 furnace, for accidentally overheating his bath*. He 
 would sometimes, when he was in a pleasant humour, cut 
 off men’s noses, under pretence of shaving their beards ; 
 and yet, he was himself so jealous of all mankind, that he 
 thought it necessary to be his own barber. 
 
 5. At length, upon the feast of Janusf, resolving to 
 fence naked before the people, as a common gladiator, 
 three of his friends remonstrated with him upon the inde¬ 
 cency of such behaviour!: these were Lae'tus, his gene- 
 
 * This barbarous command was not executed, tlioueh Com' 
 modus was made to believe that it was. ugncom- 
 
 nftt J X nU wi i a h fi at i le » fy^ogy,) supposed to be the first king 
 V.!, 1 . - ’ J Y ‘ : ! le ; at ius death, and depicted with two faces^ 
 tTme ‘7il dCdlC / ed t0 - *T at Rome> was always kept shut in 
 
 tune of peace, and open in time of war. 
 
 irifL? 6 . wa * °^ such u ® com m° n strength, that he is said to have 
 killed, m the amphitheatre, a hundred lions, each with ono 
 blow; and to have conquered seven hundred and thirty-five 
 tunes in combat with gladiators. Hence he often subscribed 
 himself the conqueror of a thousand gladiators. U 
 
 R 2 
 
 
gg4 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ral; Elec'tus, his chamberlain; and Mar'cia, a concu¬ 
 bine, of whom he always appeared excessively fond. 6. 
 Their advice was attended with no other effect than that 
 of exciting him to resolve upon their destruction. 7. It 
 was his method, like that of Domit'ian, to set down the 
 names of all such as he intended to put to death in a roll, 
 which he carefully kept by him. However, at this time, 
 happening to lay the roll on his bed, while he was bath¬ 
 ing in another room, it was taken up by a little boy whom 
 he°passionately loved. The child, after playing with it 
 some time, brought it to Mar'cia, who was instantly 
 alarmed at the contents. 8. She immediately discovered 
 her terrors to Lae'tus and Elec'tus, who perceiving their 
 dangerous situation, instantly resolved upon the tyrant s 
 death. 9. After some deliberation, it was agreed to dis¬ 
 patch him by poison ; but this not succeeding. Mar cia 
 hastily introduced a young man, called Narcissus, whom 
 she prevailed upon to assist in strangling the tyrant *. 
 Com'modus died in the thirty-first year of his age, after 
 an impious reign of twelve years and nine months. 
 
 10. Such were the secrecy and expedition with which 
 U. C.l Com'modus was assassinated, that few were ac- 
 >■ quainted with the real circumstances of his 
 192. ) death. His body was wrapt up as a bale of 
 useless furniture, and carried through the guards, most 
 of whom were either drunk or asleep f. 
 
 I 
 
 * These circumstances so nearly resemble what has been re¬ 
 lated of the death of Domit'ian, as to lead to a suspicion that 
 they are wrongly applied ; indeed Dio Cas sius, w ho re a c 
 Particulars in the death of Domit'ian, mentions nothing of the 
 Kind on the present occasion, but merely that Com modus was 
 cut off' by a conspiracy of Lae'tus, Elec'tus, and Mar cia. 
 
 f The senate, on hearing of the death of Com modus, assem¬ 
 bled the same night, and declared him a public enemy, loade 
 him with curses, ordered his statues to bebrokeD.his “““* *° 
 
 be erased out of all public inscri PV“ DS \ and t dema r d t hrown b into 
 that it might be dragged through the streets, and thrown into 
 
 the Tiber. Being told that it was already b ” ne . d ’,* h ®J i ffj 
 pressed great indignation that such an honour should be paidt j 
 so vile a wretch. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 365 
 
 11. Hel'vius Per'tinax, whose virtues and courage ren¬ 
 dered him worthy of the most exalted station, and who 
 had passed through many changes of fortune, had been 
 previously fixed upon to succeed him *. When, therefore, 
 the conspirators repaired to his house, to salute him em¬ 
 peror, he considered it as a command from the emperor 
 Com'modus for his death. 12. Upon Lae'tus entering his 
 apartment, Per'tinax, without any shew of fear, cried out, 
 that for many days he had expected to end his life in that 
 manner, wondering that the emperor had deferred it so 
 long. He was not a little surprised when informed of the 
 real cause of their visit; and being strongly urged to ac¬ 
 cept of the empire, he at last complied. 13. Being carried 
 to the camp, Per'tinax was proclaimed emperor, and soon 
 after was acknowledged by the senate and citizens. They 
 then pronounced Com'modus a parricide , an enemy to the 
 gods, his country, and all mankind; and commanded 
 that his corpse should rot upon a dunghill. 14. In the 
 mean time they saluted Perti'nax as emperor and Caesar, 
 with numerous acclamations, and cheerfully took the 
 oaths of obedience. The provinces soon after followed 
 the example of Rome; so that he began his reign, with 
 universal satisfaction to the whole empire, in the sixty- 
 eighth year of his age. 
 
 15. Nothing could exceed the justice and wisdom of 
 this monarch’s reign, during the short time it continued. 
 But the praetorian soldiers, whose manners he had at¬ 
 tempted to reform, having been long corrupted by the 
 indulgence and profusion of their former monarch, began 
 to hate him for his parsimony , and the discipline he had 
 
 * Hel'vius Per'tinax was oflow extraction ; his father, an en¬ 
 franchised slave, procuring his livelihood by making charcoal. 
 This mean employment Per'tinax followed for some time, but 
 afterwards kept a grammar school in Rome. Finding lJjttle en¬ 
 couragement, he renounced this profession, and entered the 
 army, where, by his courage and conduct, he rose to eminence, 
 and at length mounted the imperial throne. 
 
 R 3 
 
366 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 introduced among them. 16. They therefore resolved to 
 dethrone him ; and accordingly, in a tumultuous manner, 
 marched through the streets of Rome, entered his palace 
 without opposition, where aTungrian soldier* struck hint 
 dead with a blow of his lance. 17. From the number of 
 adventures, he was called the tennis-ball of fortune ; and 
 certainly no man ever experienced such a variety of situ¬ 
 ations, with so blameless a character. He reigned but 
 three months. 
 
 18. The soldiers having committed this outrage, made 
 U.C. \ proclamation, that they would sell the empire to 
 A?D r w ^ oever would purchase it at the highest price. 
 201. ) 19. In consequence of this proclamation, two 
 bidders were found, namely, Sulpicia'nus and Did'ius. 
 The former a consular person, prefect of the city, and 
 son-in-law to the late emperor Per tinax. The latter a con¬ 
 sular person likewise, a great lawyer, and the wealthiest 
 man in the city. 20. Sulpicia'nus had rather promises 
 than treasure to bestow. The offers of Did'ius, who pro¬ 
 duced immense sums of ready money, prevailed. He was 
 received into the camp, and the soldiers instantly swore 
 to obey him as emperor. 21. Upon being conducted to 
 the senate-house, he addressed the few that were present 
 in a laconic speech, “ Fathers, you want an emperor, 
 and I am the fittest person you can choose.” The choice 
 of the soldiers was confirmed by the senate, and Did'ius 
 was acknowledged emperor, in the fifty-seventh year of 
 his age. 22. It should seem, by this weak monarch’s 
 conduct when seated on the throne, that he thought the 
 government of an empire rather a pleasure than a toil. 
 Instead of attempting to gain the hearts of his subjects, 
 he gave himself up to ease and inactivity, utterly re¬ 
 gardless of the duties of his station. He was mild and 
 gentle indeed, neither injuring any, nor expecting to be 
 
 *Tun'grian soldier, one of the Tungri, a people of Gallia 
 Bel'gica, the northern part of Gaul. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 3 67 
 
 injured. 23. But that avarice by which he became opu¬ 
 lent, still followed him in his exaltation ; so that the 
 very soldiers who elected him soon began to detest him, 
 for qualities so very opposite to a military character. 24. 
 The people also, against whose consent he was chosen, 
 were not less his enemies. Whenever he issued from his 
 palace, they openly poured forth their imprecations 
 against him, crying out, that he was a thief, and had 
 stolen the empire. 25. Did'ius, however, patiently bore 
 all their reproach, and testified his regard by every kind 
 of submission. 26. Soon after, Seve'rus, an African by 
 birth, being proclaimed by his army* *, began his reign 
 by promising to revenge the death of Per'tinax. 
 
 27. Did'ius, upon being informed of his approach to¬ 
 wards Rome, obtained the consent of the senate to send 
 him ambassadors, offering to make him a partner in the 
 empire. 28. But Seve'rus rejected this offer, conscious 
 of his own strength, and of the weakness of the proposer. 
 The senate appeared to be of the same sentiments j and 
 perceiving the timidity and weakness of their present 
 master, abandoned him; 29. Being called together, as 
 was formerly practised in the times of the commonwealth, 
 by the consuls, they unanimously decreed, that Did'ius 
 should be deprived of the empire, and that Seve'rus 
 should be proclaimed in his stead. They then com¬ 
 manded Did'ius to be slain, and sent messengers for this 
 purpose to the palace, who, having found him, with a 
 few friends that still adhered to his interest, they struck 
 off his head. 
 
 _ 
 
 * Seve'rus was now commanding his army in Illyr'ia, the 
 north-west part of European Turkey. 
 
 R 4 
 
368 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Did Commodus succeed peaceably? 
 
 2. Did he imitate his father's virtues? 
 
 3. Mention some of his follies. 
 
 4. Was he cruel likewise? 
 
 5. Was he permitted thus to act without remonstrance? 
 
 6. What etfect did this remonstrance produce ? 
 
 7. How was this discovered ? 
 
 8. What was the consequence? 
 
 9. How was it effected? 
 
 10. Were the circumstances of his death generally known? 
 ] l, Who succeeded him ? 
 
 12. Did he discover any signs of fear? 
 
 13. What ensued on his compliance? 
 
 14. Was he acceptable to the Roman people ? 
 
 15. How did he govern? 
 
 16. What was the consequence ? 
 
 17. By what appellation was he distinguished, and why ? 
 
 18. How was the imperial purple next disposed of? 
 
 19. Who were the candidates? 
 
 20. Who was the successful candidate? 
 
 21. Was he acknowledged by the senate? 
 
 22. What was his conduct as emperor? 
 
 23. What gained him the hatred of the soldiers? 
 
 24. Was he a favourite of the people? 
 
 25. How did Didius bear this? 
 
 26. What new competitor for the throne appeared ? 
 
 27. How did Didius act on this occasion ? 
 
 28. Was his offer accepted? 
 
 29. What was the event? 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 1. Competitors, s. rivals. 
 
 2. Ex'ecrated, part, hated, detested, cursed. 
 
 Per'iidy, s. a breach of faith, treachery. 
 
 3. Arbiters, s. deciders. 
 
 11. Ingenuously, ad. openly. 
 
 15. Intricate, a. entangled. 
 
 30. Mutinying, part, rebelling. 
 
 Note, Eques'trian, a. of the degree of a knight; such being pri¬ 
 vileged to serve on horseback in the Roman armies. 
 
 6 
 
309 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 1. SevE'RUS having overcome Ni'ger*, A.D. 194, and 
 Albi'nusf, A.D. 198, who were his competitors for the 
 empire, assumed the reins of government, uniting great 
 vigour with the most refined policy ; yet his African cun¬ 
 ning was considered as a singular defect in him. 2. He 
 is celebrated for his wit, learning, and prudence; but 
 execrated for his perfidy and cruelty j. In short, he 
 seemed equally capable of the greatest acts of virtue, 
 and the most bloody severities. 
 
 3. He loaded his soldiers with rewards and honours, 
 giving them such privileges as strengthened his own 
 power, while they destroyed that of the senate. Foi the 
 soldiers, who had hitherto shewed the strongest inclina¬ 
 tions to an abuse of power, were now made arbiters of 
 the fate of emperors. 
 
 4. Being thus secure of his army, he resolved to gite 
 
 * Pescen'nius Niger was proclaimed emperor on the death of 
 Per'tinax, he was of an equestrian family, and served originally 
 as a centurion, but rose by his merits to the first military em¬ 
 ployments in the empire. He was a gallant soldier, an excellent 
 officer, an experienced general, an illustrious consul, but an 
 unfortunate emperor. 
 
 fClo'dius Albi'nus, though a native of Africa, was descended 
 from the most illustrious families of Rome, and distinguished 
 for his learning and knowledge. His martial genius, however, 
 did not allow him to pursue the peaceable profession ot letters. 
 He filled many important posts, and was governor of Britain at 
 the time that he assumed the imperial purple. He was ex- 
 tremely severe, never pardoning the least fault, and even cru¬ 
 cified the centurions who were remiss in their duty. He is said 
 to have possessed an extraordinary appetite, having ate, at one 
 breakfast, 500 figs, 100 peaches, 10 melons, 20 bunches of grapes, 
 100 beccaficos, and 400 oysters. On being completely defeated 
 by Seve'rus in Gaul, he killed himself ; and such was the hatred 
 that emperor bore him, that he rodo over his dead body repeat¬ 
 edly, causing his horse to tread it under fpot; then leaving it 
 to be torn by dogs, he at last ordered the miserable remains to 
 be cast into the Rhone. His wife and children were likewise 
 inhumanly massacred. 
 
 + Within a few days forty-two senators were put to death, and 
 many other persons, whose only crime was their great wealth. 
 Narcis'sus, the wrestler, who strangled Com modus, was thrown 
 to be devoured by wild beasts. All the partizans of Albi nus wero 
 cut off, and the city was said to have been floating in blood. 
 
 R 5 
 
370 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 way to his natural desire of conquest, and to turn his anus 
 against the Parthians, who were then invading the fron¬ 
 tiers of the empire. 5. Having, therefore, previously, 
 given the government of domestic policy to one Plau'tian, 
 a favourite, to whose daughter he married his son Cara- 
 cal'la, he set out for the east, and prosecuted the war 
 with his usual expedition and success. 6. He compelled 
 submission from the king of Arme'nia, destroyed several 
 cities in Ara'bia Fe'lix, landed on the Par'thian coast, 
 took and plundered the famous city of Ctes'iphon *, 
 marched back through Palestine and Egypt, and at length 
 returned to Rome in triumph. 
 
 7. During this interval, Plau'tian f, who was left to 
 direct the affairs of Rome, began to think of aspiring to 
 the empire himself. Upon the emperor’s return, he em¬ 
 ployed a tribune of the praetorian cohorts, of which he was 
 commander, to assassinate him, and his son Caracal'la. 
 
 8. The tribune informed Seve'rus of his favourite's 
 treachery. He at first received the intelligence as,an im¬ 
 probable story, and as the artifice of one who envied his 
 favourite's fortune. However, he was at last persuaded to 
 permit the tribune to conduct Plau'tian to the emperor's 
 apartments, to be a testimony against himself. 9. With 
 this intent, the tribune went and amused him with a pre¬ 
 tended account of his killing the emperor and his son ; 
 desiring him, if he thought fit to see him dead, to go with 
 him to the palace. 10. As Plau'tian ardently desired their 
 death, he readily gave credit to the relation, and, follow- 
 
 * Ctes'iphon, a fine city of Chaloni'tis, the most southern pro¬ 
 vince of Assyria. (Pliny.) It was situated on the east side of 
 the Tigris, opposite tp Seleu'cia, on the west side. It was built 
 by the Par thians, to rival Seleu'cia. Here the Parthian kings 
 passed their winter, (Strabo); and their summer at Ecbat ana, 
 the capital of Me'dia. 
 
 f Plau'tian, or Plautia'nus, was captain of the praetorian 
 guards, and possessed of vast power and riches. His table was 
 better served than the emperor's, and his equipages far more 
 magnificent. All orders of men paid court to him ; and he fre¬ 
 quently put to death persons of the highest rank, without con¬ 
 sulting Seve'rus. 
 
371 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 ing the tribune, was conducted at midnight into the in¬ 
 nermost apartments of the palace. But what must have 
 been his surprise and disappointment, when, instead of 
 finding the emperor lying dead, as he expected, he be¬ 
 held the room lighted up with torches, and Seve'rus, sur¬ 
 rounded by his friends, prepared in array to receive him. 
 11. Being asked by the emperor, with a stern counte- 
 nance, what had brought him there at that unseasonable 
 time, he ingenuously confessed the whole, mtreatmg 
 forgiveness for what he had intended. 12. The emperor 
 seemed inclined to pardon ; but Caracal'la, his son, who 
 from the earliest age shewed a disposition to cruelty, ran 
 him through the body with his sword. 
 
 13. After this, Seve'rus spent a considerable time in 
 visiting some cities in Italy, permitting none of his officers 
 to sell places of trust or dignity, and distributing justice 
 with the strictest impartiality. He then undertook an ex¬ 
 pedition into Britain, where the Romans were in danger of 
 being destroyed, or compelled to fly the province. After 
 appointing his two sons, Caracal'la and Ge ta, joint suc¬ 
 cessors in the empire, and taking them with him, he 
 landed in Britain, A.D. 208, to the great terror of such as 
 had drawn down his resentment. 14. Upon his progress 
 into the country, he left his son Ge'ta in the southern 
 part of the province which had continued in obedience, 
 and marched , with his son Caracal'la, against the Caledo'- 
 nians. In this expedition his army suffered prodigious 
 hardships in pursuing the enemy; they were obliged to 
 hew their way through intricate forests, to. drain extensive 
 marshes, and form bridges over rapid rivers; so that he 
 lost fifty thousand men by fatigue and sickness. 10. How¬ 
 ever, he surmounted these inconveniences with unremit¬ 
 ting’ bravery, and prosecuted his successes with such 
 vigour, that he compelled the enemy to beg for peace ; 
 which they did not obtain without the surrender of a con¬ 
 siderable part of their country. 17. It was there that fox 
 R 6 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 372 
 
 its better security he built that famous wall, which still 
 goes by his name, extending from Solway Frith, on the 
 west, to the German Ocean, on the east. He did not 
 long survive his successes here, but died at York, in the 
 sixty-sixth year of his age, after an active, though cruel 
 reign of about eighteen years. 
 
 18. Caracal'la* * * § and Ge'ta, his sons, being acknow- 
 U. C. \ ledged as emperors by the army, began to shew 
 A*D i a mu * ua l h a t re d to each other, even before their 
 211. ) arrival at Rome. But this opposition was of no 
 long continuance; for Caracal'la, being resolved to go¬ 
 vern alone, furiously entered Ge'ta’s apartment, and, fol¬ 
 lowed by ruffians, slew him in his mother’s arms f. 
 
 19. Being thus sole emperor, he went on to mark his 
 course with blood. Whatever was done by Domit'ian or 
 Nero, fell short of this monster’s barbarities 
 
 20. His tyrannies at length excited the resentment of 
 Macri'nus, the commander of the forces in Mesopota'- 
 mia, who employed one Mar'tial, a man of great strength, 
 and a centurion of the guards, to dispatch him. 22. Ac¬ 
 cordingly, as the emperor was riding out one day, near a 
 little city, called Carrse§, he happened to withdraw him¬ 
 self privately, upon a natural occasion, with only one 
 page to hold his horse. This was the opportunity Mar'tial 
 had so long and ardently desired ; when, running to him 
 hastily, as if he had been called, he stabbed the emperor 
 
 * Caracal'la was merely a nickname, in consequence of his 
 having introduced a kind of short cassock, called, in the Gaulish 
 language, by that name among the Romans. His real name was 
 Bassi'anus. 
 
 f His murderer afterwards ordered that he should be wor¬ 
 shipped as a god. 
 
 X Being offended by the Alexan'drians, he commanded them 
 to be put to the sword, without distinction of sex, age, or con¬ 
 dition ; every house was tilled with carcases, and the streets 
 were obstructed with dead bodies; this was merely in revenge 
 for some lampoons which they had published against him. 
 
 § This place is also memorable for the defeat and death of 
 Cras'sus. (Pli"ny, Flo'rus, and Lu'can*) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 373 
 
 in the hack, and killed him instantly. 22. Having per¬ 
 formed this hardy attempt, he, with apparent unconcern, 
 returned to his troop; but, retiring by insensible degrees, 
 he endeavoured to secure himself by flight. His compa¬ 
 nions, however, soon missing him, and the page giving 
 information of what had been done, he was pursued by 
 the German horse, and cut in pieces. 
 
 23. During the reign of this execrable tyrant, which 
 continued six years, the empire was every day declining ; 
 the soldiers were entirely masters of every election ; and 
 as there were various armies in different parts, so there 
 were as many interests opposed to each other. 
 
 24. The soldiers, after remaining without an 
 emperor two days, fixed upon Macri nus, who 
 took all possible methods to conceal his being 
 privy to Caracal'la’s murder. The senate confirmed their 
 choice shortly after; and likewise that of his son Diadu- 
 menia'nus, whom he took as a partner in the empire. 25. 
 Macri'nus was fifty-three years old when he entered upon 
 the government. He was of obscure parentage ; some say 
 by birth a Moor, who, by the mere gradation of office, 
 being made first prad’ect of the praetorian bands, was 
 now, by treason and accident, called to fill the throne. 
 
 26. He was opposed by the intrigues of Mosa, and her 
 grandson Heliogab alus ; and being conquered by some 
 seditious legions of his own army, he fled to Chalce'don *, 
 where those who were sent in pursuit overtook him, and 
 put him to death, together with his son Diadumenia'nus, 
 after a short reign of one year and two months. 
 
 27. The senate and citizens of Rome being obliged to 
 submit, as usual, to the appointment of the ar- / U. C. 
 my, Heliogab alus ascended the throne at the < 
 
 age of fourteen. His short life was a mixture v 218. 
 of effeminacy, lust, and extravagance. 28. He married 
 
 * A city of Bithyn'ia, in Asia Minor, opposite to Constantinople. 
 
 (U.C. 
 ) 970. 
 ) A. D 
 C 217. 
 
~ZJ 
 
 3 7 4 history of the 
 
 six wives in the short space of four years, and divorced 
 them all. He was so fond of the sex, that he earned h,s 
 mother with him to the senate-house, and demanded th 
 she should always be present when matters of import¬ 
 ance were debated. He even went so far as to build a 
 senate-house for women, appointing them suitable or¬ 
 ders, habits, and distinctions, of which his mother was 
 made president. 29. They met several times; all then 
 debates turned upon the fashions of the day, and the 
 different formalities to be used at giving and receiving 
 visits To these follies he added cruelty and boundless 
 prodigality ; he used to say, that such dishes as were 
 cheaply obtained were scarcely worth eating. t is even 
 said that he attempted to foretel what was to happen, 
 by inspecting the entrails of young men; and that h 
 chose the most beautiful youths throughout Italy to be 
 
 slain for that horrid purpose. 
 
 30 However, his soldiers mutinying, as was now 
 usual with them, they followed him to his_ palace, pur¬ 
 suing him from apartment to apartment, till at hurt be 
 was found concealed in a privy. Having dragged him 
 from thence through the streets, with the most bitter in¬ 
 vectives, and dispatched him, they attempted once more 
 to squeeze his pampered body into a privy- but not 
 easily effecting this, they threw it into the T*ber, with 
 heavy weights, that none might afterwards find it, or 
 give it burial. This was the ignominious death of Helio- 
 gab'alus, in the eighteenth year of his age, after a de- 
 testable reign of four years. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 Who succeeded DidiusJulianus? 
 
 2 . What was the character of Severus. ? 
 
 3. By what means did he strengthen his po 
 
 4! What were his first acts ? absence ' 
 
 5 . To whom did he commit the government in his absence 
 
 6 . What were his exploits? 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 375 
 
 7. How did Plautian conduct himself in his important post? 
 
 8. How was this treachery discovered ? 
 
 9. How was this effected? 
 
 10 . Did Plautian fall into the snare ? 
 
 11. How did he act on the occasion? 
 
 12. Was he pardoned ? 
 
 13. How did Severus next employ himself? 
 
 14. What were his first measures in Britain ? 
 
 15. Was it a difficult campaign? 
 
 16. Did he overcome these difficulties? 
 
 17. What famous work did lie execute, and where did he die ? 
 
 18. Who succeeded him, and how did the two emperors re¬ 
 
 gard each other ? 
 
 19. What was the conduct of Caracalla on thus becoming 
 
 sole emperor? 
 
 20. Were these cruelties tamely suffered ? 
 
 21. How was this effected? 
 
 22. Did the assassin escape ? 
 
 23. What was the state of the empire during this reign? 
 
 24. Who succeeded Caracalla? 
 
 25. Who was Macrinus? 
 
 26. By whom was he opposed, and what was his fate? 
 
 27. How did Heliogabalus govern ? 
 
 28. Give a few instances of his folly. 
 
 29. Did they enter into his views, and of what farther follies 
 
 and vices was he guilty ? 
 
 30. What was his end T 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 1. Adula'tion, s. flattery. 
 
 2. Sculpture, s. the art of making statues. 
 7. Sym'metry, s. proportion. 
 
 9. Afchlet'ic, a. robust, strong. 
 
 14. Alie'nated, v. changed, estranged. 
 
 19. Mutineer's, s. rebels, seditious soldiers. 
 21 . Fomented, v. encouraged. 
 
 Note. Versed, part, instructed, skilful. 
 Def'erence, s. respect. 
 
 I. Heliogab'alus was succeeded by Alexander, his 
 cousin-german*, who, being declared emperor without 
 
 * A term generally applied to the children of brothers or 
 sisters. 
 
316 
 
 history of the 
 
 U. C. a opposition, the senate, with their usual adula- 
 (. Hon, were for conferring new titles upon him; 
 ^> 22 ! $ but he modestly declined them all. 2. To the 
 most rigid justice he added the greatest humanity. He 
 loved the good, and was a severe reprover of the lewd 
 and infamous. His accomplishments were equal to his 
 virtues. He was an excellent mathematician, geome¬ 
 trician, and musician ; he was equally skilful in painting 
 and sculpture; and in poetry few of his time could equal 
 him. In short, such were his talents, and such the soli- 
 ditv of his judgment, that though but sixteen years of 
 age, he was considered equal in wisdom to a sage old 
 mal1 ** 
 
 3. About the thirteenth year of his reign, the Upper 
 Germans, and other northern nations, began to pour 
 down in immense swarms upon the more southern parts 
 of the empire. They passed the Rhine and the Danube 
 with such fury, that all Italy was thrown into the most 
 extreme consternation. 4. The emperor, ever ready to 
 expose his person for the safety of his people, made what 
 levies he could, and went in person to stem the torrent; 
 which he speedily effected. It was in the course of his 
 successes against the enemy, that he was cut off by a 
 mutiny among his own soldiers. He died in the twenty- 
 ninth year of his age, after a prosperous reign of thirteen 
 years and nine days f- _ 
 
 « To compensate for the inexperience of extreme youth, he 
 chose sixteen senators for his council, all men of known probity, 
 and long versed in public affairs, by whose advice he constantly 
 acted: he paid likewise the utmost deference to bis mothei 
 Julia Mamme'a, and bis grandmother Maisa, b ^ U wo ’ n *: n 
 great understanding, experience, and honour. Alexander was 
 considered one of the best princes ever seated on the throne. 
 Artaxerx'es, king of Persia, having made irruptions upon some 
 of the Roman provinces, Alexander inarched against him, and 
 after a successful war of four years, returned toftomeintr.- 
 umph. Soon after this followed the incursions of the Germans 
 into Illvr'ia, Gaul, Sec. 
 
 f One instance of the noble-mindedness of Alexander ougiit 
 not to be omitted* Hearing that Ovin ius Camil lus was making 
 
377 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 5 . The tumults occasioned by the death of Alexander 
 being appeased, Max imin, who had been the C 
 chief prornotor of the sedition, was chosen em- < a. D. 
 peror. 6. This extraordinary man, whose cha- C 
 racter deserves a particular attention, was born of very 
 obscure parentage, being the son of a poor herdsman of 
 Thrace *. He followed his father’s humble profession, 
 and had exercised his personal courage against the rob¬ 
 bers who infested that part of the country in which he 
 lived. Soon after, his ambition increasing, he left his 
 poor employment, and enlisted in the Roman army, 
 where he soon became remarkable for his great strength, 
 discipline, and courage. 7. This gigantic man, we are 
 told, was eight feet and a half high; he had strength 
 corresponding to his size, being not more remarkable for 
 the magnitude, than the symmetry of his person. His 
 wife’s bracelet usually served him for a thumb-ring; and 
 his strength was so great, that he was able to draw a 
 carriage which tw r o oxen could not move. He could strike 
 out the teeth of a horse with a blow of his fist, and break 
 its thigh with a kick. 8. His diet was as extraordinary 
 as his endowments : be generally ate forty pounds weight 
 of flesh every day, and drank six gallons of wine, with¬ 
 out committing any debauch in either. 9. With a frame 
 so athletic , he was possessed of a mind undaunted in 
 danger, and ueither fearing nor regarding any man. 10. 
 The first time he was made known to the emperor Seve'- 
 
 interest to raise himself to the empire, he sent for him, thanked 
 him for offering to take upon him so great a burthen; staled 
 him his colleague, offered him the command of the array, and 
 took him with him on an expedition. They both set out to¬ 
 gether on foot, but Camil'lus soon growing fatigued, was allow¬ 
 ed a horse, and afterwards a chariot; ashamed of conspiring 
 against a prince of such magnanimity, he resigned all preten¬ 
 sions to sovereignty, and returned to his former private station. 
 
 * Thrace, an extensive province of ancient Greece, now call¬ 
 ed Roma'nia, in Turkey, 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 rus, was while he was celebrating games on the birth¬ 
 day of his son Ge'ta. He overcame sixteen in running, 
 one after the other; he then kept up with the emperor 
 on horseback; and having fatigued him in the course, 
 he was opposed to seven of the most active soldiers, and 
 overcame them with the greatest ease. 11. These ex¬ 
 traordinary exploits caused him to be particularly no¬ 
 ticed ; lie had been taken into the emperor’s body guard, 
 and, by the usual gradation of preferment, came to be 
 chief commander. In this situation he had been equally 
 remarkable for his simplicity, discipline, and virtue; 
 but, upon coming to the empire, was found to be one 
 of the greatest monsters of cruelty that ever disgraced 
 power; fearful of nothing himself, he seemed to sport 
 with the terrors of all mankind *. 
 
 12. However, his cruelties did not retard his military 
 operations, which were carried on with a spirit becoming 
 a better monarch. He overthrew the Germans in several 
 battles, wasted all their country with fire and sword for 
 four hundred miles together, and formed a resolution of 
 subduing all the northern nations, as far as the ocean. 
 
 13. In these expeditions, in order to attach the soldiers 
 more firmly to him, he increased their pay ; and, in 
 every duty of the camp he himself took as much pains as. 
 the meanest centinel in his army, shewing incredible 
 courage and assiduity. In every engagement, where the 
 conflict was hottest, Max'imin was seen fighting in per¬ 
 son, and destroying all before him; for, being bred a 
 barbarian, he considered it as his duty to combat as a 
 common soldier, while he commanded as a general. 
 
 14. In the mean time, his cruelties had so alienated 
 
 * So ashamed was he of the meanness of his origin, that he is 
 $aid to have privately put to death all those who knew his pa¬ 
 rents, or any of his family; a sure way to reveal it more ef¬ 
 fectually to the world. He was by birth a Goth, from the north 
 of Germany. 
 
379 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME, 
 the minds of his subjects, that several conspiracies were 
 secretlv aimed against him *• !None of them, however, 
 succeeded, till at last his own soldiers, long harassed 
 by famine and fatigue, and hearing of revolts on every 
 side, resolved to terminate their calamities by the tyrant’s 
 death. 15. His great strength, and his being always 
 armed, at first deterred them from assassinating him ; 
 but at length the soldiers, having made his guards accom¬ 
 plices in their designs, set upon him, while he slept at 
 noon in his tent, and without opposition, slew both him 
 and his son, whom he had made his partner in the em¬ 
 pire. 16. Thus died this most remarkable man, after 
 an usurpation of about three years, and in the sixty-fifth 
 year of his age. His assiduity, when in humble station, 
 and his cruelty when in power, serve to evince, that 
 there are some men whose virtues are fitted for obscurity» 
 as there are others who only shew themselves great when 
 placed in an exalted station. 
 
 17. The tyrant being dead, and his body thrown to 
 dogs and birds of prey, Pupie'nust and Balbie- ( 
 nus, who had usurped the imperial purple, con- \ A 
 tinued for some time emperors, without opposi- v. 238. 
 tion. 18. But, differing between themselves, the praetorian 
 soldiers, who were the enemies of both, set upon them 
 in their palace, at a time when their guards were amused 
 with seeing the Capit'oline games J, and dragging them 
 
 * Of these, the most formidable was that of the two Gordians, 
 father and son - who, after wearing the imperial diadem for 
 little more than a month, with the entire approbation of the 
 senate and people, were slain in battle with the troops of Max - 
 imin (who were commanded by Capel'lian, governor of Mauri- 
 ta'nia), near Carthage, in Africa. 
 
 f Pupie'nus was of low birth, the son of a blacksmith, but oi 
 extraordinary merit; BaJbie'nus, of an illustrious lamily ; the 
 former was celebrated for his military, tlie latter for his political 
 talents. They were chosen to the empire by the senate, but 
 were soon afterwards killed, as mentioned in the text. 
 
 + Capit'oline games were those which were celebrated in ho¬ 
 nour ol Jupiter Capitoli'nus, who was so named from Capito'- 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 380 
 
 from the palace towards the camp, slew them hotli, 
 leavin'* * their dead bodies in the street, as a dreadful in¬ 
 stance of unsuccessful ambition. 
 
 19. In the midst of this sedition, as the mutineers were 
 U.C.l proceeding along, they by accident met Gor'- 
 \ I) ( dian, th e grandson of him who was slain in 
 238. ) Africa: him they declared emperor on the spot. 
 20. This prince was but sixteen years old when he began 
 his reign, but his virtues seemed to compensate for his 
 want of experience. His principal aims w^ere to unite the 
 opposing meml ers of government, and to reconcile the 
 soldiers and citizens to each other. 21. The army, how¬ 
 ever, began as usual to murmur; and their complaints 
 were artfully fomented by Philip, an Arabian, who was 
 praetorin praefect, and aspired to the sovereignty. Things 
 thus proceeded from bad to worse. 22. Philip was, at 
 first, made equal to Gor'dian in the command of the 
 empire; shortly after he was invested with the sole 
 power, and at length, finding himself capable of perpe¬ 
 trating his long meditated cruelty, Gor'dian was by his 
 order slain, in the twenty-second year of his age, after 
 a successful reign of nearly six years *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Who succeeded Heliogabalus ? 
 
 2. What was his character ? 
 
 3. Was his reign peaceable? 
 
 4. How did Alexander act on the occasion ? 
 
 5. Who succeeded Alexander? 
 
 bum, a superb temple at Rome, situated on the Tarpe'ian Rock, 
 which was dedicated to Jupiter. 
 
 * Two years preceding this event, the frontiers of the Roman 
 empire were invaded by Sapor, king of Persia, when Gor'dian 
 advanced against him, and alter having, in his way through 
 Illyr'ia, reduced the Goths and Sarma'tians, he gained a great 
 victory over Sapor, and retook several cities. It was in his re¬ 
 turn from this successlul campaign against the Persians, in 244, 
 when his army revolted, and he was slain. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 381 
 
 6. Who was Maximin? 
 
 7. Describe his person ? 
 
 8. What farther distinguished him ? 
 
 9. Was his mind proportioned to his body? 
 
 10. How did he attract the notice of Severus ? 
 
 11. By what means did he attain rank in the army? 
 
 12. Was he equally a terror to his foreign enemies? 
 
 13. By what means did he gain the confidence of his soldiers? 
 
 14. What effect had his cruelties on the minds of his subjects ? 
 
 15. How did they accomplish their purpose? 
 
 16. How long did he reign, and what inference may be drawn 
 
 from his conduct? 
 
 17. Who next mounted the imperial throne ? 
 
 18. What was their end? 
 
 19. Who succeeded Pupienus and Balbienus ? 
 
 20. What were the character and views of this prince? 
 
 21. Was his administration approved of by all? 
 
 22 . Did Philip accomplish his ambitious designs? 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 U. C. 996.—A. D. 243. 
 
 13. At titude, s. posture. 
 
 1. Philip, having thus murdered his benefactor, was 
 so fortunate as to be immediately acknowledged emperor 
 by the army. Upon his exaltation he associated his son, 
 a boy of six years of age, as his partner in the empire ; 
 and, in order to secure his power at home, made peace 
 with the Persians, and marched his army towards Rome. 
 2. However, the army revolting in favour of De'cius, his 
 general, and setting violently upon him, one of his cen- 
 tinels at a blow cut off his head, or rather cleft it asun¬ 
 der, separating the under jaw from the upper. He died 
 in the forty-fifth year of his age, after a reign of about 
 five years *. 
 
 * Philip, the Arabian, was the son of a chief of banditti. He 
 commanded in Mesopotamia : and, with the view of expediting 
 his journey to Rome, he gave it up to the Persians. He cele¬ 
 brated the secular games, with a magnificence exceeding all that 
 
382 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 3. De'cius was universally acknowledged as his suc- 
 U. C.l cessor. His activity and wisdom seemed, in some 
 100 ^ C measure, to stop the hastening decline of the 
 248. j Roman empire. The senate seemed to think so 
 highly of his merits, that they voted him not inferior to 
 Tra'jan; and indeed he appeared in every instance to 
 consult their dignity, and the welfare of all the inferior 
 ranks of people. 4. But no virtues could now prevent 
 the approaching downfall of the state t the obstinate dis - 
 putes between the Pagans and the Christians within the 
 empire, and the unceasing irruptions of barbarous nations 
 from without, enfeebled it beyond the power of remedy. 
 
 5. He was killed in an ambuscade of the enemy, in the 
 fiftieth year of his age, after a short reign of two years 
 and six months *. 
 
 6. Galius, who had betrayed the Roman army, had 
 U.C address enough to get himself declared emperor 
 A°°D V by that part of it which survived the defeat: he 
 251. 3 was forty-five years old when he began to reign t, 
 and was descended from an honourable family in Rome. 
 
 7. He was the first who bought a dishonourable peace 
 from the enemies of the state, agreeing to pay a ConsU 
 derable annual tribute to the Goths, whom it was his 
 duty to repress. He was regardless of every national ca- 
 
 had been seen before. Decius revolted in Panno'nia, where 
 Philip was defeated and killed by his own soldiers. 
 
 * Though Decius w as in other respects as here described, a 
 o-ood and virtuous prince, he was a furious persecutor of the 
 Christians, many thousands of whom were tortured and put to 
 cruel deaths. Great numbers betook themselves to barren 
 mountains, rocks, and deserts ; choosing rather to dwelt among 
 wild beasts, than with men who had divested themselves of rea¬ 
 son and humanity. 
 
 f He took his son Valu'sian as his associate. The dishonour¬ 
 able peace which he made with the Goths w as soon broken by 
 the latter ; and, about the same time, Sapor, the king of the 
 Persians, invaded Mesopotamia and Syria, and conquered Ar¬ 
 menia. It was from his not seeming to notice these invasions, 
 that his soldiers were exasperated at his indolence, and killed 
 him with his son. 
 
 5 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 lamity, and was lost in debauchery and sensuality. The 
 Pagans were allowed a power of persecuting the Chris, 
 tians through all parts of the state. 8. These calamities 
 were succeeded by a pestilence from heaven, that seemed 
 to have spread over every part of the earth, aud conti¬ 
 nued raging for several years, in an unheard-of manner; 
 as well as by a civil war, which followed shortly after: 
 between Gallus and his general iEmilia'nus, who having 
 gained a victory over the Goths, was proclaimed empe¬ 
 ror by his conquering army. 9. Gallus, hearing this, 
 soon roused from the intoxications of pleasure, and pre¬ 
 pared to oppose his dangerous rival: but both he and 
 his son were slain by /Emilia'nus, in a battle fought in 
 Mesia, His death was merited, and his vices were such 
 as to deserve the detestation of posterity. He died in the 
 forty-seventh year of his age, after an unhappy reign of 
 two years and four mouths, in which the empire sutfered 
 inexpressible calamities. 
 
 10 . Fhe senate refused to acknowledge the claims of 
 ./Emilia'nus • ; and an army that was stationed r U.C. 
 near the Alps chose Vale'rianf, who was their < a°°D 
 commander to succeed to the throne. II. He C 253. 
 set about reforming the state with a spirit that seemed 
 to mark a good and vigorous mind. But reformation was 
 now grown almost impracticable. 12. The Persians, 
 under their king Sapor, invading Svr'ia, took the unfor¬ 
 tunate Valerian prisoner!, as he was making prepara- 
 
 * He was slain by his own troops, after a short reign of three 
 or lour months, as he was marching against Vale'rian, who had 
 been proclaimed emperor in Rhe'tia. 
 
 f Valerian was of an illustrious family, and adored by all ranks 
 lor his integrity, prudence, modesty, and extraordinary accom¬ 
 plishments. He was a triend to virtue, and an enemy to all 
 wickedness and tyranny. J 
 
 i Some sa 7 that this disaster was occasioned by the treachery 
 ot one Macrianus, a celebrated magician, who persuaded Vale' 
 
 rian f rv nn rvo rvn « a ,1 .... _ i . F ' 
 
 , .* ~ 1.110.51010.11, wuu pei _ 
 
 nan to engage on disadvantageous ground; others affirm ’that, 
 jus defeat, being prevailed upon to confer in person with 
 
 0 r r 77° * , ^ m person with 
 
 Sapor, he was by that treacherous prince seized and carried into 
 Persia. 
 
3g 4 history of the 
 
 tions to oppose them ; and the indignities as well as the 
 cruelties which were practised upon this unhappy mo- 
 narch, thus fallen into the hands of his enemies, are 
 almost incredible. 13. Sapor, we are told, used him as 
 a footstool for mounting his horse; he added the bitter¬ 
 ness of ridicule to his insults, and usually observed, that 
 an attitude like that to which Vale'rian was reduced was 
 the best statue that could be erected in honour of his 
 victory. 14. This horrid life of insult and sufferance 
 continued for seven years ; and was, at length, termi¬ 
 nated by the cruel Persian commanding his prisoner s 
 eyes to be plucked out, and afterwards causing him to 
 be flayed alive*. 
 
 15 . When Vale'rian was taken prisoner, Galie nus, his 
 U.C.'j son, promising to revenge the insult, was chosen 
 !° n f emperor, being then about forty-one years old. 
 259. ) However, he soon discovered, that he sought 
 rather the splendours than the toils of empire; for, after 
 having overthrown Inge'nuus, who had assumed the title 
 of emperor, he sat down, as if fatigued with conquest, 
 and gave himself up to ease and luxury +. Id. At this 
 time, no less than thirty pretenders were seen contending 
 with each other for the dominion of the state, and adding 
 the calamities of civil war to the rest of the misfortunes 
 of this devoted empire. These are usually mentioned 
 in history by the name of t he thirty tyrants. 17. In this 
 
 * That he was flayed, and his skin dressed, dyed red, and ei- 
 
 Ind might hive fallen in the field; you must >in 
 
 stroy all the males, old and J the son of Vale'rian, 
 
 ill to me, none who have spoken ill ot me, Torn- 
 
 the father and brother of prinees lngen'uus empcmr^ Tear, 
 kill, and cut in pieces ivithout mercy, do > „ Hc was too 
 
 do, who have written to you with my own hand, 
 well obeyed. 
 
385 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 general calamity, Galie'nus, though at first seemingly 
 insensible, was at length obliged, for his own security, 
 to take the field, and led an army to besiege the city of 
 Milan, which had been taken by one of the thirty usurp¬ 
 ing tyrants. In this expedition he was slain by his own 
 soldiers; Mar'tian, one of his generals, having conspired 
 against him. 
 
 IB. Fla vius Clau' dius being nominated to succeed, was 
 joyfully accepted by all orders of the state, and i 
 his title confirmed by the senate and the people. < A . D * 
 19. He was a man of great valour and conduct, v 268. 
 having performed the most excellent services against the 
 Goths, who had long continued to make irruptions into 
 the empire; but, after a great victory over that barba¬ 
 rous people *, he was seized with a pestilential fever at 
 Ser'mium in Panno'nia, of which he died, to the great 
 regret of his subjects, and the irreparable loss of the 
 Roman empire. 
 
 20. Upon the death of Clau dius, AureTian was ac¬ 
 knowledged by all the states of the empire, and i JhCk 
 assumed the command with a greater share of \ A . 1). 
 power than his predecessors had enjoyed for a * 2/0 * 
 long time before. 21. This active monarch was of mean 
 and obscure parentage in Dacia, and about fifty-five 
 years old at the time of his coming to the throne f. He 
 had spent the early part of his life in the array, and had 
 risen through all the gradations of military, duty. He 
 was of unshaken courage and amazing strength. He, iu 
 one engagement, killed forty of the enemy with hi& own 
 hand; and at different times above nine hundred. In 
 short, his valour and expedition were such, that he was 
 compared to Julius C«sar; and, in fact, only wanted 
 
 * With a comparatively small body of men, he defeated and 
 destroyed 320,000 of the barbarians; and for this memorable, 
 victory the emperor took the surname of Goth'icus. 
 
 f At the time of his being chosen .emperor, he was general .oL 
 the armies of Thrace and lllyr'ia. 
 
 S 
 
386 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 mildness and clemency to be every way his equal. 22. 
 Among those who were compelled to submit to his power, 
 was the famous Zeno'bia, queen of Palmy'ra. He sub¬ 
 dued her country, destroyed her city, and took her pri¬ 
 soner*. Longi'nus, the celebrated critic, who was secre¬ 
 tary to the queen, was by Aure'lian’s order put to death. 
 Zeno'bia was reserved to grace his triumph; and after¬ 
 wards was allotted such lands, and such an income, as 
 served to maintain her in almost her former splendour. 
 23. But the emperor’s severities were at last the cause of 
 his own destruction. Mnes'theus, his principal secretary, 
 having been threatened by him for some fault which he 
 had committed, formed a conspiracy against him, and 
 as the emperor passed, with a small guard, from Ura'clca, 
 in Thrace, towards Byzan'tiumf, the conspirators set 
 upon him at once and slew him, in the sixtieth year of 
 his age, after a very active reign of almost five years. 
 
 24. After some time]; the senate made choice of Ta"- 
 citus, a man of great merit, and no way ambi¬ 
 
 tious of the honours that were offered him, being 
 
 275. j at that time seventy-five years old. 25. A reign 
 begun with much moderation and justice, only wanted 
 continuance to have made his subjects happy : but, after 
 enjoying the empire about six months, he died of a fever 
 in his march to oppose the Persians and Scyth'ians, w ho 
 had invaded the eastern parts of the empire. 26. During 
 this short period, the senate seemed to have possessed a 
 large share of authority, and the historians of the times 
 are liberal of their praises to such emperors as were thus 
 willing to divide their power. 
 
 * This was but an ungrateful return for the services her hus¬ 
 band, Odena'tus, had rendered the empire; who, for his vic¬ 
 tories over the Persians, had been associated faith Galie'nusiu 
 the imperial throne. 
 
 f Byzan'tium, a noble city of Thrace, now called Constant 
 tinople. 
 
 X The interregnum was eight months. 
 
T 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 387 
 
 27. Upon the death of Ta"citus, his half-brother took 
 upon himself the title of emperor, in Cile sia; but being 
 twice defeated by Pro bus, he killed himself in despair, 
 when the whole army, as if by common consent, cried 
 out that Pro'bus* should be emperor. 28. He was then 
 forty.four years old; was born of noble parentage, and 
 bred a soldier. He began early to distinguish himself 
 for his discipline and valour; being frequently the first 
 man that scaled the walls, or that burst into the enemy’s 
 camp. He was equally remarkable for single combat, 
 and for having saved the lives of many eminent citizens. 
 Nor were his activity aud courage, when elected to the 
 empire, less apparent than in his private station. 29. 
 Every year now produced new calamities to the state ; 
 and fresh irruptions on every side threatened universal 
 desolation. Perhaps at this time no abilities, except 
 those of Pro'bus, were capable of opposing such united 
 invasions. 30. However, in the end, his own mutinous 
 soldiers, taking their opportunity, as he was marching 
 into Greece, seized and slew him, after he had reigned 
 six years and four months with general approbation f. 
 He was succeeded by Carus. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1. Did Philip succeed without opposition? 
 
 2. Was his reign of long duration ? 
 
 3 . What was the character of Decius? 
 
 4 . Did he restore the empire to its former grandeur. 
 
 5. What was his end? 
 
 6. Who succeeded him? 
 
 7 . What was his character? 
 
 * A native of Panno'nia. , . 
 
 + Pro'bus was every where victorious, aud \aranes II. kiftg 
 of Persia, was so much terrified by his triumph over the Sarma'- 
 tians in Illyr'ia, that he went in person to meet him, and ask 
 for peace. Pro'bus having restored tranquillity to his empire, 
 paid particular attention to agriculture, when he was taken off, 
 as mentioned in the text. 
 
 s 2 
 
388 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 8. Wliat farther calamities distinguished this reign? 
 
 9. What effect had this news on Gallus ? 
 
 10. Who succeeded Gallus? 
 
 11. What were his first acts and their effects? 
 
 12. What disaster befel him ? 
 
 13. How was he treated in captivity ? 
 
 14. Did he long survive this cruelty ? 
 
 15. Who succeeded him ? 
 
 36. Was Galienus the only pretender to the throne ? 
 
 17. What measures did Galienus adopt on this? 
 
 18. Who succeeded Galienus? 
 
 19. What were his character and end? 
 
 20. Who succeeded Claudius? 
 
 21. Who was Aurelian? 
 
 22. Over whom did he triumph? 
 
 23. What occasioned his destruction ? 
 
 24. Who succeeded Aurelian? 
 
 25. Did he govern well ? 
 
 26. What distinguished his reign? 
 
 27. Who succeeded Tacitus ? 
 
 28. What were the qualifications of Probus? 
 
 29. What was the state of the empire at this time? 
 
 30. What was the end of Probus? 
 
 SECT. Y. 
 
 U. C. 1035.—A. D: 282. 
 
 1. Sul'lied, v. soiled, defiled. 
 
 3. Inconsolable, a. not to be comforted. 
 
 4. Mercenary, a. one who acts for hire. 
 
 7. Saga"city, s. wisdom, acuteness. 
 
 8 . Inaccessible, a. not to be approached. 
 
 9. Perseverance, s. steadiness in pursuit. 
 
 13. Disparity, s. inequality. 
 
 Baffled, v. confounded. 
 
 16. Sublunary, a. terrestrial, earthly. 
 
 Ejaculations, s. short, but fervent prayers. 
 
 17. Arus'pices, s. diviners who foretold future events from the 
 
 entrails of the victim sacrificed. 
 
 Inauspicious, a. unlucky. 
 
 18. Celes'tial, a. heavenly. 
 
 1. Ca'RUS, who was praetorian prefect to the deceased 
 emperor, was chosen by the army to succeed him; and 
 he, to strengthen his authority, united his two sons, 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME- 
 
 389 
 
 Cari'nus and Nutne'rian, with him in command; the 
 elder of whom was as much sullied by his vices, as the 
 younger was remarkable for his virtues, his modesty, and 
 courage. 
 
 2. The next object of Ca'rus was to punish the mur¬ 
 derers of Pro'bus, and procure public tranquillity. Several 
 nations of the west having revolted, he sent his son Ca¬ 
 ri'nus against them, and advanced himself against the 
 Sarma'tians, whom he defeated, with the loss of sixteen 
 thousand men killed, and twenty thousand prisoners. 
 Soon after this he entered Persia, and recovered Mesopo¬ 
 tamia. Vara'nes the Second, king of Persia, advancing 
 against him was defeated, and lost Ctes'iphon, his capital. 
 This conquest gained CaTus the surname of Per'sicus; 
 but he had not enjoyed it long, when he was struck dead 
 by lightning, in his tent, with many of his attendants, 
 after a reign of about sixteen months. Upon the death of 
 Ca'rus, the imperial power devolved on his sons Cari'ntts 
 and Nume'rian, who reigned jointly. In the first year of 
 their accession, having made peace with the Persians, 
 Cari'nus advanced against Julian ; who had caused him¬ 
 self to be proclaimed in Vene'tia *, and whom he defeat¬ 
 ed ; when he returned again into Gaul. 
 
 3. Cari'nus was at this time in Gaul, but Nume'rian, 
 the younger son, who accompanied his father in his 
 expedition, was inconsolable for his death, and brought 
 such a disorder upon his eyes with weeping, that he was 
 obliged to be carried along with the army, shut up in a 
 close litter. 4. The peculiarity of his situation, after some 
 time, excited the ambition of A'per, his father-in-law, who 
 supposed that he could now, without any great danger, 
 aim at the empire himself. He therefore hired a merce¬ 
 nary villain to murder the emperor in his litter ; and, the 
 better to conceal the fact, gave out that he was still alive. 
 
 * Now called Ven'ice. 
 
 s 3 
 
390 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 but unable to endure the light. 5. The offensive smell, 
 however, of the body, at length discovered the treachery, 
 and excited an universal uproar throughout the whole 
 army. 6. In the midst of this tumult, Diocletian, one 
 of the most noted commanders of his time, was chosen 
 emperor, and with his own hand slew A per ; having 
 thus, as it is said, fulfilled a prophecy, that Diocletian 
 Should be emperor after he had slain a boar *. 
 
 7 . Diocletian was a person of mean birth; he received 
 U.C.} his name from Dio'cleaf, the town in which he 
 A° 5 D.t was born, and was about forty years old when 
 
 284. ) he was elected to the empire J. He owed his 
 exaltation entirely to his merit; having passed through 
 all the gradations of office with sagacity , courage, and 
 success. 
 
 8 . In his time, the northern hive, as it was called, 
 poured down its swarms of barbarians upon the Roman 
 empire §. Ever at war with the Romans, they issued 
 forth, whenever that army that was to repress their inva¬ 
 sions was called away; and, upon its return, they as 
 suddenly withdrew into their cold, barren, and inacces¬ 
 sible retreats, wffiich themselves alone could endure. 9. 
 In this manner the Scythians, Goths, Sarmatians, Alani, 
 Car'sii, and Qua'di, came down in incredible numbers, 
 while everv defeat seemed but to increase their strength 
 
 ♦ A'per signifies a boar. 
 
 f A town on the coast of Dalma tia, on the eastern shore of 
 
 the Gulf of Ven'ice. _. . . 
 
 + Cari'nus, on hearing of his brother’s death, and Dioclesian s 
 accession, hastened from Gaul to oppose the usurper and com- 
 pletely routed him in a general engagement; but, while pursu¬ 
 ing the enemy, was killed by his own soldiers. 
 
 § On account of the numerous enemies which Dioclesian had 
 to oppose on every side, he made Maxim'ian his associate ; and, 
 in 292 took two other colleagues, Constan'tius Chlorusand 
 Galerus. In 296, Dioclesian went into Egypt, against the tyrant 
 Achil'leus, whom he defeated and took prisoner. In 303, he be¬ 
 gan to persecute the Christians; and his great cruelty against 
 them has been justly branded with the appellation of unbounded 
 tyranny, and insolent wantonness. 
 
391 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 and perseverance. 10. After gaining many victories over 
 these, and in the midst of his triumphs, Diocle'sian and 
 Maxira'ian*, his partner in the empire, surprised the 
 world by resigning their dignities on the same day, and 
 both retiring into private stations. 11. In this manner 
 Diocle'sian lived some time, and at length died either by 
 poison or madness, but by which of them is uncertain. 
 His reign of twenty years was active and useful; and 
 his authority, which was tinctured with severity, was 
 adapted to the depraved state of morals at that time. 
 
 12. Upon the resignation of the two emperors, the two 
 Caesars, whom they had before chosen, were C U.^C. 
 universally acknowledged as their successors, \ a. D. 
 namely, Constan'tius Chlo'rus, so called from the C 304. 
 paleness of his complexion, a man virtuous, valiant, and 
 merciful; and Gale'riusf, who was brave, but brutal, in¬ 
 continent, and cruel. 13. As there was such a disparity 
 in their tempers, they readily agreed, upon coming into 
 full power, to divide the empire. Constan'tius was ap- 
 
 * Maxim'ian was of a mean extraction, and of a savage and 
 cruel disposition ; but a valiant, experienced, and trusty com¬ 
 mander ; which was also a reason why Diocle'sian chose him lor 
 his colleague. Soon after his association in sovereign power* 
 he went into Gaul, where he subdued the Bau'gaudi, a faction 
 of peasants, who had rebelled. Afterwards he made war against 
 the Burgundians, He'ruli, and Germans. In 297 he went into 
 Africa, and reduced five towns of Lybia. Diode sian and Max¬ 
 im'ian abdicated the throne the 1st of May, A.D.304; this was 
 not done willingly, but to avoid a civil war, which was threat¬ 
 ened by Galie'nus, if they refused. Diocle'sian retired to his 
 palace near Salo'na, now Spala'to, where he amused himself by 
 cultivating his garden. Maxim'ian, after his death, resumed the 
 empire, and reigned withgreat glory twenty years; but, making 
 some unsuccessful attempts on Con'stantine, his colleague, he 
 was arrested, condemned, and nothing left him but to choose 
 his own death, when he strangled himself at Marseilles, A. D. 
 310, in the 60th year of his age. His body was found fresh and 
 entire in a leaden coffin, about the middle century. 
 
 f Gale'rius was originally a cowherd, afterwards a common 
 soldier; but by his valour and conduct rose by degrees to the 
 imperial throne. He governed principally over the provinces 
 of Thra'cia and Illy'ria. 
 
 s 4 
 
392 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pointed to govern the western parts, and died at York, 
 in Britain, A.D. 396, appointing Con stantine, his son, 
 as his successor. Gale'rius was seized with a very extra¬ 
 ordinary disorder, which baffled the skill of his physi¬ 
 cians, and carried him off. 
 
 14. Con'stantine, afterwards surnamed the Great, had 
 U. C. -V some competitors at first for the throne. Among 
 A°D i the rest was Maxen'tius, who was at that time in 
 211 . 3 possession of Rome, and a steadfast asserter ot 
 Paganism. 15. It was in Con'stantine’s march against 
 that usurper, we are told, that he was converted to Chris- 
 tiauity, by a very extraordinary appearance. 16. One 
 evening, the army being on its march towards Rome, 
 Con'stantine was intent on various considerations upon 
 the fate of sublunary things, and the dangers of his ap¬ 
 proaching expedition. Sensible of his own incapacity 
 to succeed without divine assistance, he employed his 
 meditations upon the opinions that were then agitated 
 among mankind, and sent up his ejaculations to heaven 
 to inspire him with wisdom to choose the path he should 
 pursue. As the sun was declining, there suddenly ap¬ 
 peared a pillar of light in the heavens, in the fashion of 
 a cross, with this inscription, TOYT12 NIKA, In this 
 Overcome. 17. So extraordinary an appearance did 
 not fail to create astonishment, both in the emperor and 
 his whole army, who reflected on it as their various dis¬ 
 positions led them to believe. Those who were attached 
 to Paganism, prompted by their aruspices, pronounced 
 it to be a most inauspicious omen, portending the most 
 unfortunate events ; but it made a different impression on 
 the emperor’s mind: who, as the account goes, was 
 farther encouraged by visions the same night. 18. He 
 therefore, the day following, caused a royal standard to 
 be made, like that which he had seen in the heavens, 
 and commanded it to be carried before him in his wars. 
 
393 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME.. 
 
 as an ensign of victory and celestial protection. After 
 tliis he consulted with the principal teachers of Chris¬ 
 tianity, and made a public avowal of that holy religion, 
 
 19. Con stantine having thus attached his soldiers to 
 his interest, who were mostly of the Christian persuasion, 
 lost no time in entering Italy, with ninety thousand foot 
 and eight thousand horse, and soon advanced almost to 
 the very gates of Home. Maxen tius advanced fiom the 
 city with an army of a hundred and seventy thousand 
 foot and eighteen thousand horse. 20. The engagement 
 was fierce and bloody, till the cavalry of the latter being 
 routed, victory declared upon the side of his opponent, 
 and he himself was drowned in his flight by the breaking 
 down of a bridge, as he attempted to cross the Tiber. 
 
 21. In consequence of this victory, Constantine entered 
 the city, but disclaimed all the praises which the senate 
 and people were ready to offer ; and ascribed his success 
 to a superior power. He even caused the cross, which he 
 was said to have seen in the heavens, to be placed at the 
 right of all his statues, with this inscription : “ That under 
 the influence of that Victorious Cross, Constantine had 
 delivered the city from the yoke of tyrannical power, and 
 had restored the senate and people of Rome to their an¬ 
 cient authority.” 22. He afterwards ordained that no 
 criminal should, for the future, suffer death upon the 
 cross, which had formerly been the most usual way of 
 punishing slaves convicted of capital offences. Edicts 
 were soon after issued, declaring that the Christians 
 should be eased of all their grievances, and received into 
 places of trust and authority. 
 
 23. Things continued in this state for some time. Con¬ 
 stantine contributing every thing in his power to the in¬ 
 terest of religion, and the revival of learning, which had 
 long been upon the decline, and was almost wholly extinct 
 in his dominions. 24. But, in the midst of these assi¬ 
 duities, the peace of the empire was again disturbed by 
 
394 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the preparations of Max'imin, who governed in the east; 
 and who, desirous of a full participation of power, 
 inarched against Licin'ius with a very numerous army. 
 25. In consequence of this step, after many conflicts, a 
 general engagement ensued, in which Max'imin suffered a 
 total defeat; many of his troops were cut to pieces, and 
 those that survived submitted to the conqueror. Having, 
 however, escaped the general carnage, he put himself 
 at the head of another army, resolving to try the fortune 
 of the field ; but his death prevented the design. 2(5. 
 As he died by a very extraordinary kind of madness, the 
 Christians, of whom he was the declared enemy, did not 
 fail to ascribe his end to a judgment from heaven. But 
 this was the age in which false opinions and false mi¬ 
 racles made up the bulk of every history. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Who succeeded Probus? 
 
 2. Mention the actions of Cams, and the manner of his 
 
 death ? 
 
 3. How were his sons affected by this catastrophe ? 
 
 4. What was the consequence? 
 
 5. How was this atrocious act discovered ? 
 
 6. Hid Aper reap the reward of his treachery ? 
 
 7. W 7 ho wasDiodesian ? 
 
 8. By whom was the empire now invaded ? 
 
 9. Were they effectually repelled? 
 
 10. What remarkable event now occurred ? 
 
 11. What w as the end of Dioclesian? 
 
 12. Who succeeded Dioclesian and Maximian? 
 
 13. How did they conduct the administration? 
 
 14. Did Constantine succeed without any opposition ? 
 
 15. Did not a remarkable occurrence happen about this time 
 
 16. Repeat the particulars? 
 
 17. What effect had this appearance on the emperor and his 
 
 men ? 
 
 18. What orders did he issue in consequence? 
 
 19. What was the respective strength of the hostile armies l 
 
 20. WHiat was the result of the engagement? 
 
 21. W 7 hat use did Constantine make of his victory ? 
 
 22. What edicts did he publish on the occasion ? 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 23. How was Constantine employed after this? 
 
 24. Did the peace long continue ? 
 
 25. What was the consequence? 
 
 26. To what was his death ascribed? 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 395* 
 
 
 8. Implicitly, ad. without hesitation, without resistance. 
 Her'esy, s. an error in religion. 
 
 9. Pres'byters, s. priests or elders. , 
 
 Dea'cons, s. inferior priests, officers of the church. 
 
 11. Plau'sible, a. specious, likely. 
 
 1. Con'staNTINF. and Licir/ius thus remaining un- 
 disputed possessors of, and partners in, the empire, all 
 things promised a peaceable continuance of friendship 
 and power, 2. However, it was soon found that tire 
 same ambition that aimed after a part, would be content 
 with nothing less than the whole. Pagan writers ascribe 
 the rupture between these two potentates to Con stan- 
 tine; while the Christians, on the other hand, impute it 
 wholly to Licin'ius. 3. Both sides exerted all their 
 power to gain the ascendancy; and, at the head of very 
 formidable armies, came to an engagement near Cy'balis, 
 in Panno'nia. 4. Con'stautine, previous to the battle, 
 in die midst of his Christian bishops, begged the assist¬ 
 ance of heaven ; while Licin'ius, with equal zeal, called 
 upon the Pagan priests to intercede with the gods in 
 their favour *. 5. The success was on the side of truth. 
 
 Constantine, after experiencing an obstinate resistance, 
 became victorious, took the enemy’s camp, and after 
 some time compelled Licin'ius to sue for a truce, which 
 was agreed upon. G. But this was of no long eontinu* 
 
 * Writers of credit assert, that Licin'ius designed, if victo¬ 
 rious, to commence a most furious persecution against the 
 Christians. 
 
 s 6 
 
396 
 
 HISTORY OF THE^ \ 
 
 ance; for, soon after, the war breaking out afresh, the 
 rivals came once more to a general engagement, and it 
 proved decisive. Licin'ius was entirely defeated, and 
 pursued by Con'stantine into Nicome'dia, where he sur¬ 
 rendered himself up to the victor; having first obtained 
 an oath that his life should be spared, and that he should 
 be permitted to pass the remainder of his days in retire¬ 
 ment. 7. This, however, Constantine shortly after 
 broke; for, either fearing his designs, or finding him ac¬ 
 tually engaged in fresh conspiracies *, he commanded 
 him to be put to death, together with Mar tian, his ge¬ 
 neral, who some time before had been created Caesar. 
 
 8. Con'stantine being thus become sole monarch, re¬ 
 solved to establish Christianity on so sure a basis, that no 
 new revolution should shake it. He commanded that, in 
 all the provinces of the empire, the orders of the bishops, 
 should be implicitly obeyed. He called also a general 
 council f, in order to repress the heresies that had al¬ 
 ready crept into the church, particularly that of A'riusJ. 
 
 9. To this council, at which he presided in person, re¬ 
 paired about three hundred and eighteen bishops, be¬ 
 sides a multitude of presbyters and deacons; who all, 
 except about seventeen, concurred in condemning the 
 tenets of A'rius, who, with his associates, was banished 
 into a remote part of the empire. 
 
 10. Thus he restored universal tranquillity to his do¬ 
 minions, but w as not able to ward off calamities of a more 
 domestic nature. As the wretched historians of this pe¬ 
 riod are entirely at variance with each other, it is not 
 easy to explain the motives which induced him to put his 
 wife Faus'ta, and his son Cris'pus, to death. 11. The 
 
 * Soc*rates (not the celebreted Athenian philosopher) asserts 
 that this was actually the case. 
 
 f Called, from the place where it assembled, the Council of 
 Nice. 
 
 J A'rius was the head of the sect who denied the proper divi- 
 pity of Christ. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 397 
 
 most plausible account is this: Fans'ta, the empress, who 
 was a woman of great beauty, but of extravagant desires, 
 had long, though secretly, loved Cris'pus, Constantine’s 
 son by a former wife. 12. She had tried every art to 
 inspire this youth with a mutual passion ; and, finding 
 her more distant efforts ineffectual, had even the confi¬ 
 dence to make him an open confession of her desires. 
 13. Tiiis produced an explanation which was fatal to 
 both. Cris'pus received her addresses with detestation ; 
 and she, to be revenged, accused him him to the empe¬ 
 ror. 14. Con'stantine, fired at once with jealousy and 
 rage, condemned him to death without a hearing; nor 
 did his innocence appear till it was too late for redress*. 
 15. The only reparation, therefore, that remained, was 
 the putting Faus'ta to death, which was accordingly ex¬ 
 ecuted upon her, together with some others, who had 
 been accomplices in her falsehood and treachery. 
 
 16. But it is supposed, that all the good he did was not 
 equal to the evil the empire sustained by his transferring 
 the imperial seat from Rome to Byzantium, or Constan¬ 
 tinople, as it was afterwards called. 17. Whatever might 
 have been the reasons which induced him to this under¬ 
 taking ; whether it was because he was offended at some 
 affronts he had received at Rome, or that he supposed 
 Constan tinople more in the centre of the empire, or that 
 he thought the eastern parts more required his presence, 
 experience has shewn that they were all weak and 
 groundless. 18. The empire had long before been in a 
 most declining state; but this, in a great measure, gave 
 precipitation to its downfall. After this, it never resumed 
 its former splendour, but, like a flower transplanted into 
 
 * Cris'pus was a prince of extraordinary endowments, and was 
 universally beloved by the people and soldiery, on account of 
 his bravery, his obliging behaviour, generosity, and other excel-, 
 lent qualities. This cruel execution is a sad blot in the charac¬ 
 ter ol Con'stantine. 
 
 5 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 398 
 
 a foreign clime, languished by degrees, and at length 
 sunk into nothing. 
 
 19. At first, his design was to build a city, which he 
 might make the capital of the world; and for this purpose 
 he mad$ choice of a situation at Chal'cedon, in Asia 
 Minor; but we are told that, in laying out the ground 
 plan, an eagle caught up the line, and flew with it over 
 to Byzan'tium, a city which lay upon the opposite side of 
 the Bos'phorus. 20. Here, therefore, it was thought ex¬ 
 pedient to fix the seat of empire; and, indeed, nature 
 seemed to have formed it with all the conveniences, and 
 all the beauties which might induce power to make it the 
 seat of residence. 21. It was situated on a plain, that 
 rose gently from the water: it commanded that strait 
 which unites the Mediterranean with the Euxine sea, and 
 w r as furnished with all the advantages which the most in¬ 
 dulgent climate could bestow. 22. The city, therefore, 
 U. C. he beautified with the most magnificent edifices; 
 A°D f divide lt * nto fourteen regions ; built a capi- 
 330. .) tol, an amphitheatre, many churches, and other 
 public works; and having thus rendered it equal to the 
 magnificence of his idea, he dedicated it in a very solemn 
 manner to the God of Martyrs ; and in about two years 
 after repaired thither with his whole court. 
 
 23. This removal produced no immediate alteration in 
 the government of the empire. The inhabitants ot Rome, 
 though with reluctance, submitted to the change; nor was 
 there, for tw r o or three years, any disturbance in the state, 
 until at length the Goths, finding that the Romans had 
 withdrawn all their garrisons along the Danube, renewed 
 their inroads, and ravaged the country with unheard of 
 cruelty. 24. Con'stantine, however, soon repressed their 
 incursions, and so straitened them, that nearly a hundred 
 thousand of their number perished by cold and hunger. 
 
 25. Another great error ascribed to him is, the dividing 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 309 
 
 the empire among his sons. Con'stantine, the emperor’s 
 eldest son, commanded in Gaul and the western pro¬ 
 vinces ; Constan'tius, his second, governed Af'rica and 
 Illyr'icum; and Con'stans, the youngest, ruled in Italy. 
 26. This division of the empire still further contributed 
 to its downfall; for the united strength of the state be¬ 
 ing no longer brought to repress invasion, the barbarians 
 fought with superior numbers, and conquered at last, 
 though often defeated. When Con'stantine was above 
 sixty years old, and had reigned about thirty, he found 
 his health decline. 27. His disorder, which was an ague, 
 increasing, he went to Nicome'dia, where, finding him¬ 
 self without hopes of a recovery, he caused himself to 
 be baptized, lie soon after received the sacrament and 
 expired *. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. What was the state of the empire at this period ? 
 
 2. Was this peace lasting, and by whom was it broken? 
 
 3. Was the contest likely to be vigorous? 
 
 4. In what way did the two emperors prepare for the con¬ 
 
 flict ? 
 
 5. What was the result? 
 
 6. Was this truce religiously observed ? 
 
 7. Did Constantine fulfil his engagement? 
 
 8. What was Constantine's resolution on becoming sole 
 
 monarch, and what steps did he take? 
 
 9. By whom was it attended, and what was the result? 
 
 10. Was he happy in his domestic relations? 
 
 11. What is the most plausible account? 
 
 12. Was Crispus aware of her love ? 
 
 13. How was it received? 
 
 14. How r did Constantine act on the occasion? 
 
 15. What reparation was made for this injustice? 
 
 * The character of Constantine is variously represented, ac¬ 
 cording to the affections or passions of the writers. By the 
 Heathens, he is represented as a compound of every vice ; by 
 the Christians, as pious and virtuous in the extreme ; but ail 
 agree, that he possessed the qualities requisite to form a great, 
 if not a good prince. 
 
400 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 16. AVas the removal of the seat of the empire beneficial to 
 
 the state ? 
 
 17. AVere his reasons for doing so well grounded ? 
 
 18. AVhat was the consequence? 
 
 19. AVhat was his original intention, and what induced him 
 
 to alter it ? 
 
 20. AA^as it a convenient spot? 
 
 21. Describe its situation? 
 
 22. AVhat alteration did he make, and to whom was it dedi¬ 
 
 cated? 
 
 23. AVhat was the immediate effect of this transfer ? 
 
 24. AA r ere they vigorously opposed ? 
 
 25. Of what error is Constantine accused besides ? 
 
 26. AVhat was the consequence of this division ? 
 
 27- Relate the particulars of his death ? 
 
 Dr. Goldsmith having concluded his History too abruptly , it has 
 been thought advisable to cancel his last chapter , and substitute 
 the following brief notice of the events which occurred from the 
 death of Constantine to the final extinction of the Empire of the 
 West. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 From the Death of Constantine the Great, to the 
 Death of Theodosius the Great. 
 
 1. Transient, a. short-lived, passing away. 
 
 2: Frater nal, a. brotherly. 
 
 6. Allegiance, s. the duty of a subject to a sovereign. 
 
 10. Circumvented, part, deceived. 
 
 19. Obelisks, s. small pyramids. 
 
 22. Supremacy, s. highest authority. 
 
 23. Asper'ity, s, roughness, sharpness. 
 
 29. Premature, a. early. 
 
 34. Conlid'ed, part, entrusted. 
 
 45. Stipulating, part, making an agreement. 
 
 46. Contravention, s. opposition. 
 
 47. Perlid'ious, a. treacherous. 
 
 1. From this dreary period, the recovery of the em¬ 
 pire became desperate, no wisdom could obviate its de¬ 
 clension, no courage effectually oppose the evils that 
 surrounded it on every side; and though the increasing 
 
401 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 gloom was now and then dispelled by a few transient 
 flashes, they served only to render the succeeding dark¬ 
 ness more horrible. 
 
 2. After the death of Constantine, his three sous con¬ 
 tinued for a short time to govern their respective c a. D. 
 
 j 333 
 
 portions of the empire in peace ; but ambition «■ 
 soon getting the better of fraternal affection, Constantine 
 invaded the dominions of his brother Cou'stans, spreading 
 terror and devastation wherever he appeared. 3. Being 
 opposed, however, b} a body of troops detaehed by Con'- 
 stans to retard his progress, he was decoyed into a wood, 
 and there met with the fate his unprincipled ambition 
 and covetousness deserved. 
 
 3. By this event, Con'stans became master of the ter¬ 
 ritories of his brother, which he added to his r A.D. 
 own: but, as it is easier to acquire dominion l 34 °- 
 than to rule with wisdom and moderation. Con stans soon 
 lost the affections of his subjects, which encouraged 
 Magnen'tius, an enterprising soldier, of barbarian ex¬ 
 traction, to proclaim himself emperor. 5. Against this 
 usurper Con'stans could make no resistance; for so com¬ 
 pletely had he disgusted the army by his vices and his 
 weakness, that they almost to a man deserted his stand, 
 aid, and went over to his rival: he himself was overtaken 
 and slain as he was attempting to escape, about thirteen 
 years after the death of his father had placed the sceptre 
 in his hands. 6. The legions of Ulyr'icum, however, 
 refused to acknowledge Magnen'tius for their sovereign, 
 and swore allegiance to their general, Vetra nio. 
 
 7. In the mean time, Constan'tius had been carrying on 
 an inglorious and unsuccessful war against Sa por, king 
 of Persia, who had invaded his territories, and penetrated 
 as far as Antioch. 6. In this war Constan tius sustained 
 repeated defeats, but the battle of Singa'ra * having ter- 
 
 A city 6f Mesopotamia, now Singar. 
 
402 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 minated in his favour, and put the two sons of Sa'por in 
 his power, he is said to have caused the princes to be in¬ 
 humanly scourged, and publicly executed in the Roman 
 camp; an action more becoming a barbarous savage, 
 than the ruler of an enlightened empire, and a professor 
 of the Christian religion. 
 
 9. No sooner, however, did he hear of the death of 
 Con'stans, and of the usurpation of Magnen'tius and 
 Vetra'nio, than he hastened to conclude a treaty with 
 Sa'por, and marched with all expedition to oppose these 
 intruders on his rights. 10. Vetra'nio he circumvented by 
 a stratagem, and generously pardoned, allotting him the 
 city of Pru'sa* for his residence, and permitting him to 
 spend the remainder of his life in ease and affluence. 11. 
 Rut Magnen'tius proved a more formidable opponent, 
 determined to maintain by arms what he had by treachery 
 acquired. The spot chosen to decide the contest was at 
 Mursa, on the Drave, in Panno'niaf. 12. Here Con- 
 stan'tius, after having animated his soldiers by an elo¬ 
 quent harangue, retired to a place of safety, and com¬ 
 mitted to his generals the fate of this important day. 
 13. Nor was his confidence misplaced. After a long and 
 bloody contest, in w hich fifty thousand are computed to 
 have fallen on both sides, victory declared in favour of 
 Constan'tius. 14. Magnen'tius after this made several 
 efforts to retrieve his shattered fortunes, but finding 
 them ineffectual, and having nothing to hope from the 
 victor, he put an end to his existence by falling on his 
 sword, and thus the Roman empire became again united 
 under one head. 
 
 15. Soon after this event, Constan'tius bestowed the 
 title of Caesar, and his sister Constan'tia, on Gal'lus, the 
 
 * A town of Bitliy'nia. 
 
 f Panno'nia contained the modern provinces of Croa'tia, 
 Carnio'la, Sclavo'nia, Bos nia, Win'disch, March, part of Ser'- 
 via, with Hungary and Austria. 
 
403 
 
 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 nephew of Con'stantine the Great. 16. Gal'lus fixed his 
 residence at An'tioch ; but, conducting himself impro¬ 
 perly in his government, he was recalled, thrown into 
 prison, and there beheaded. 17. His brother Ju ban suc¬ 
 ceeded to the vacant title, and was appointed to govern 
 the provinces beyond the Alps. 13. Though brought 
 up in retirement, and utterly unversed in military affairs, 
 Julian displayed a courage and conduct worthy a \eteran 
 commander. He freed Gaul from the incursions of the 
 barbarians, and fixing his residence at Paris, adorned 
 that city with many useful and magnificent works. 
 
 19. While Julian was thus employed in Gaul, Constan'- 
 tius visited the ancient capital of the Roman world ; but 
 was constrained to shorten his stay by the distress of the 
 Illyr ian provinces: before his departure, however, he 
 caused the largest of the obelisks that had been brought 
 from Egypt, to be erected in the Circus Maximus at 
 Rome. 20. The renown which Julian bad acquired by 
 his brave and prudent administration, began to arouse the 
 jealousy of Constan'tius, who thereupon sent him orders 
 to quit Gaul with his legions, and hasten into Asia, tore- 
 pel the Persians. 21. His troops, however, warmly at¬ 
 tached both to their commander and their native soil, 
 boldly refused to obey the mandate ; and, saluting Ju'- 
 lian as Augus'tus, compelled him to assume the impe¬ 
 rial purple. 
 
 22. Finding resistance useless, he wrote a respectful 
 letter to Constan'tius, acknowledging his supremacy. 23. 
 To this the emperor replied with great asperity , com¬ 
 manding him to resign his newly acquired dignity, and to 
 this mandate he prepared to enfore obedience by arms ; 
 but his designs were interrupted by death, which cut him 
 off in the forty-fifth year of his age, and the twenty-fourth 
 of his reign, leaving Julian in quiet possession of that 
 throne, which seemed likely to have cost him a vast effu¬ 
 sion of blood. 24. Though Ju'liau had been educated in 
 the principles of Christianity, he early shewed a predi- 
 
404 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 lection for the religion of his forefathers; and no sooner 
 was he released from all constraint, by the death ofCon- 
 stan'tius, than he hastened to restore it to its original 
 splendour. 25. But while he thus rejected the truths of 
 the Gospel, and bowed down to idols, the work of men's 
 hands, he treated all those who differed from him in 
 opinion with the utmost lenity and mildness, compelling 
 none to worship God contrary to the dictates of their 
 own conscience. 
 
 26. Determined to prosecute the Persian war with 
 vigour, Ju'lian raised an army of sixty-five thousand well 
 disciplined troops, a formidable body of Scythian aux¬ 
 iliaries, and a considerable number of irregular forces; a 
 fleet of eleven hundred ships carried stores and provi¬ 
 sions on the Euphrates, along whose banks he marched. 
 27. With the fortitude of a hero, he shared the perils 
 and fatigues of the enterprise with the meanest soldier, 
 marching on foot at the head of his legions, and par¬ 
 taking with them of their coarse and homely fare. 28. 
 At length, however, after having given repeated proofs 
 of his generalship, as well as of his personal valour, he 
 was pierced by a javelin, in a skirmish with the enemy, and 
 died praising the gods that they had vouchsafed him so 
 glorious an end, in the midst of an honourable career, 
 
 29. So contradictory are the accounts given us by 
 Christian and Heathen writers, of the actions of this 
 piince, that it is almost impossible to draw his character 
 with impartiality. Candour, however, obliges us to say, 
 that his conduct in general was such as might put many 
 Christians to the blush, and his premature death may be 
 considered as hastening the downfall of that empire he 
 appeared so well calculated to govern *. 
 
 Christian writers have given a very unfavourable character 
 of Ju lian, and represented him as a monster of cruelty and hy¬ 
 pocrisy. St. Gregory Nazienzcn affirms, that during his re¬ 
 sidence at An'tioch, the river Orentes was choked up with the 
 dead bodies of such as had been by his order privately murder* 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 405 
 
 30. The army being left in perilous circumstances by 
 the decease of the emperor, elected Jo'vian, one of their 
 own body, to the imperial command. 31. He was a person 
 of mean birth, and but little fitted for the important sta¬ 
 tion to which he was elevated, as appears by his imme¬ 
 diately making a disgraceful peace with the Persians, 
 surrendering to them the greatest part of Mesopotamia, 
 which had cost so much blood and treasure in the ac¬ 
 quirement. No sooner was he invested with the imperial 
 purple, than he restored the Christian religion, and shut 
 up the Heathen temples, which had been opened with 
 such magnificence by his predecessor. 32. On his re¬ 
 turn, however, to Constantinople, he was suffocated by 
 the fumes of charcoal, which had been placed in his 
 apartment, after a short reign of eight months, A.D. 364. 
 
 33. On the death of Jo'vian, Valentin'ian, an officer of 
 rank, was elected to fill the imperial throne. 34. He was 
 a native of Panno'nia, and the son of Count Gra'tian, who 
 had filled the highest offices in the state. Finding the 
 concerns of his extensive empire too much for him to 
 attend to with the care which their importance required, 
 he conferred the title of Augustus on his brotherVa'lens, 
 and confided the eastern provinces to his care, together 
 with Constantinople, the capital. 35. He himself go¬ 
 verned Illyr'icum, Italy, and Gaul, and fixed his resi¬ 
 dence at Milan. Thus were the Roman dominions finally 
 divided into the eastern and western empires; and as the 
 latter seems more immediately connected with the history 
 of Rome, we shall confine ourselves to a brief narrative 
 of its principal events, adverting to those of the eastern 
 division only when peculiar circumstances render it ne¬ 
 cessary. 
 
 36. During the reign of Valentin'ian, the repose of the 
 empire was repeatedly disturbed by the revolt of disaf- 
 
 ed ; and that the ponds and ditches were filled with the bodies 
 of young virgins and children, whom ho had inhumanly sacrific¬ 
 ed with the hope of discovering future events by their entrails. 
 
406 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 feeted provinces, or by the incursions of the neighbouring 
 barbarians; by bis prudence and military skill, however, 
 he brought back the former to their allegiance, and re¬ 
 pelled the inroads of the latter, chastising them with fire 
 and sword. 37. Unable himself to manage the war in 
 Britain against the Piets* and Scots, who dreadfully 
 harassed that province, he sent thither his general Theo- 
 do'sius, who defeated the invaders in several engage¬ 
 ments, compelled them to take shelter in the most north¬ 
 erly part of the island, and restored the cities and for¬ 
 tresses to their former strength and splendour. 38. In 
 the mean time the emperor continued his successes in 
 Gaul, and having subdued the Qua'di, t that nation sent 
 ambassadors to deprecate his anger. 39. Valentin'ian 
 received them with the utmost haughtiness, and while in 
 the act of warmly upbraiding them for their perfidy and 
 cruelty, he ruptured a blood-vessel, and soon after ex¬ 
 pired, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, and the twelfth 
 of his reign, A.D. 375. 
 
 40. Valentin'ian was succeeded by his sons Gra'tian and 
 Valentin'ian the Second ; the latter of whom w as but an 
 infant at the death of his father. 41. Scarcely was 
 Gra'tian seated on the throne, than he was called on to 
 oppose the united forces of the Huns}, the Goths, and 
 the Alleman ni, which he did with such conduct and cou¬ 
 rage, that in one battle he slew thirty thousand of them. 
 42. By the death of his uncle Va'lens, having become 
 monarch of both the eastern and western empires, he as- 
 
 * Inhabitants of the northern part of Scotland, but originally 
 from Scyth'ia. 
 
 f An ancient nation of Germany, on the borders of the Da¬ 
 nube, in modern Mora'via. , , . 
 
 + The Huns were a people of Sarma tia,\vho invaded the terri¬ 
 tories of the Goths, and drove them to seek new habitations : 
 these latter presented themselves on the banks of the Danube, 
 and humbly solicited of Va'lens a place of refuge. Lands were 
 accordingly assigned them in Thrace; but no measures being 
 taken to supply their immediate necessities, they rose against 
 their protectors, and, in a dreadful engagement, destroyed la- 
 lens, and almost all bis army. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 407 
 
 sociated the brave Theodo sius with him in the imperial 
 dignity, and committed Constantinople and the east to 
 his care, 43. But the zeal with which he endeavoured to 
 root out idolatry, having displeased great numbers of his 
 Pagan subjects, Maximus, his commander in Britain, 
 was encouraged to declare against him. 44. Gra'tian 
 hastened to chastise the usurper; hut being deserted by 
 his army, he was basely murdered, in the twenty-fourth 
 year of his age, and the eighth of his reign, A. D. 383. 
 
 43. Theodo sius was deeply affected by the fate of 
 Gra'tian, but as yet no fit opportunity offered for re. 
 venging his death ; he therefore contented himself with 
 stipulating that Max'imus should content himself with 
 the countries beyond the Alps, and leave Valentin'ian, 
 the brother of Gra'tian, in quiet possession of Italy, 
 Af'rica, and the Western Illyr'icum. 
 
 4G. In direct contravention, however, of this treaty, 
 Maxi'mus entered Italy with a numerous army, and ra* 
 vaged it, even to the gates of Rome, which were readily 
 opened to the invader. 47. Roused by this perfidious 
 conduct, and stimulated by the entreaties of his empress, 
 Galla, the sister of Valentin'ian, Theodo'sius marched 
 against the usurper, and defeated him near Aquile'a *. 
 48. Maxi'mus himself having fallen into the hands of the 
 conqueror, was divested of the purple, and beheaded on 
 the spot, A.D. 388. His son Victor, who shared the 
 imperial dignity with him, was soon after sacrificed to 
 the fury of the soldiers. 
 
 49. Valentin'ian, thus put in peaceable possession of 
 the western empire, enjoyed it but a short time; for, 
 before he had completed his twentieth year, he was 
 strangled by the contrivance of Arbogas'tes, prefect of 
 the palace, whom he had loaded with honours and power. 
 
 * A town built by a Roman colony, to the north of the Actri 
 atie sea, and called, from its size and grandeur, Roma Secunda. ’ 
 
 6 
 
history of the 
 
 50. To escape the punishment due to his crime, the 
 traitor bestowed the imperial purple on Euge'mus, a 
 creature of his own, whom he had raised from an humble 
 station. 
 
 51. Theodo'sius, though solicited to form an alliance 
 with the new emperor, lost not a moment in revenging the 
 assassination of Valentin'ian. He raised a large army, 
 and, after a long and bloody contest, defeated the army 
 of Euge'nius, and having taken him prisoner, caused him 
 to be beheaded ; Arbogas tes perished by his own hand. 
 
 52 For a short time the whole Roman empire again 
 acknowledged only one head; hut Theodo'sius falling ill 
 at Milan, he there died, the 17 th of January, A.D, 305, 
 in the sixteenth year of his reign *. 
 
 1 . 
 
 2 . 
 
 3. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 6 . 
 
 7. 
 
 8 . 
 9 . 
 
 10 . 
 
 11 . 
 
 12 . 
 
 13. 
 
 14. 
 
 15. 
 
 16. 
 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 19. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 What was the state of the empire from this period? 
 
 Did the sons of Constantine continue satisfied with their 
 
 respective portions of the empire ? 
 
 What was the result of this unprincipled attack ? 
 
 What advantages did Constans obtain from this event. 
 Did the usurper prevail ? , 
 
 Was the army unanimous in the choice of Magnentius? 
 How was Constantius employed in the mean time. 
 
 Was lie successful, and how did he use his victories. ^ 
 How did he act on hearing ol the death of his brother. 
 Did he suppress the usurpers ? 
 
 Was Magnentius an easy conquest, 
 
 How did Constantius act on this occasion! 
 
 Were they worthy of his confidence ? 
 
 What was the fate of Magnentius? 
 
 What happened after this ? 
 
 Was Gallus deserving of this honour . 
 
 Who succeeded Galius? 
 
 Was Julian equal to his station ? 
 
 What engaged the attention of Constantius at this pe¬ 
 riod? ° 
 
 * Tn the reicn of Theodo'sius, defensive armour is said to have 
 been laid aside, a circumstance which not a little contributed to 
 the repeated defeats the Romans from that time sustained. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 409 
 
 20. How were Julian's praises received at court? 
 
 21. What was the consequence of this mandate ? 
 
 22. How did Julian act on the occasion? 
 
 23. Did Constantius acknowledge him as his colleague ? 
 
 24. Did Julian profess Christianity ? 
 
 25. Was he a persecutor ? 
 
 26. What was his first enterprise ? 
 
 27. How did he conduct himself at the head of his troops? 
 
 28. What was his end? 
 
 29. What was the character of Julian? 
 
 30. Who succeeded Julian? 
 
 31. Who was Jovian, and what were his first acts ? 
 
 32. What was his end? 
 
 33. Who succeeded Jovian ? 
 
 34. Who was Valentinian, and with whom did he share the 
 
 government? 
 
 35. What portion did he reserve for himself? 
 
 36. Was his reign a peaceful one ? 
 
 37. How did he manage the war in Britain ? 
 
 38. How was the emperor at the same time employed? 
 
 39. What occasioned his death ? 
 
 40. By whom was Valentinian succeeded? 
 
 41. What enemies had he to contend with? 
 
 42. With whom did he share the fatigues of government? 
 
 43. What encouraged a usurper to declare against him ? 
 
 44. What was the result? 
 
 45. How did Theodosius act on the occasion ? 
 
 46. Did Maximus observe this treaty ? 
 
 47. Did Theodosius avenge this outrage? 
 
 48. What was the fate of Maximus? 
 
 49. Did Valentinian II. enjoy a long and peaceful reign ? 
 
 50. What w as the next act of the traitor ? 
 
 51. Did their treachery prosper ? 
 
 52. What was the end of Theodosius? 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 3. Sanguinary, a. bloody. 
 
 4. Pusillanimous, a. cowardly, timidly* 
 
 8. Ta"cit, a. silent. 
 
 9. Piilaged, part . plundered. 
 
 19. Inveigled, part, enticed. 
 
 26. Abdicated, part, gave up, resigned. 
 
 Sub'lunary, a. beneath the moon, earthly. 
 
 1. On the death of Theodo sius, his two sons succeed¬ 
 ed to his dominions: to Ar'cadius was committed the 
 
 T 
 

 410 
 
 HISTORY OF JHE 
 
 sceptre of the East, to Hono'rius that of the West. 2. 
 These princes inherited none of the talents and virtues of 
 their father; indeed, so totally unfit was Hono'rius to 
 prop the falling empire, and to stem the torrent which 
 assailed him on every side, that his name need scarcely 
 be mentioned, in relating the important events which 
 took place during his long reign. 
 
 3. Al'aric, a Gothic chieftain, who had served with 
 bravery and fidelity under the banners of Theodo'sius, 
 encouraged by the weakness of his successors, assumed 
 the title of king of the Goths, and fought many sanguinary 
 battles with the Romans, in which, though often defeated 
 by the courage and conduct of Stil'icho, the general of 
 Hono'rius, he seemed to gather strength by defeat, and 
 advanced even to the gates of Rome. 4. The pusillani¬ 
 mous emperor of the West retreated for safety to the 
 strong city of Raven na*, and purchased a short-lived 
 peace of this formidable invader. 5. While these things 
 were transacting in Italy, the provinces of Gaul were 
 successfully invaded by the Vandals + and the Ala'ui J, 
 and the rest of the Roman dominions, beyond the Alps, 
 fell by degrees an almost unresisting prey to the troops 
 of barbarians that poured in on every side ; so that Ho¬ 
 no'rius saw his empire circumscribed within the bounds 
 of Italy, and the most formidable preparations making 
 to deprive him of what still owned his sway. 
 
 6. As though the infatuated Hono'rius desired to hasten 
 the ruin that awaited him, he with the most impolitic 
 cruelty caused the wives and children of the barbarians 
 who served in his army, that had been delivered to him 
 
 * Raven'na is a town in Italy, on the Adriatic sea; though 
 now but a poor place, it was formerly remarkable for its strength 
 and beauty; but particularly for its noble harbour, which was 
 capable of containing 250 ships. The sea appears to have gra¬ 
 dually retreated, as Raven'na is now four miles from it, and sur¬ 
 rounded with swamps und marshes, 
 f A people of Germany. 
 
 + A people of Sarma'tia, (now Russia, Poland, &c.) 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 411 
 
 as pledges of their fidelity, to be massacred. 7. This 
 inhuman butchery caused an instant defection of thirty 
 thousand of those hardy soldiers, who went over to Al'a- 
 ric, and thus at the same time weakened the forces of 
 the empire, and strengthened those of his inveterate foe, 
 8. To complete the measure of his follies, he put the 
 brave Stil icho to death, on pretence of being engaged 
 in a conspiracy, but in reality because his valour and 
 activity were tacit reproaches on the timidity and indo¬ 
 lence of his infatuated master. 
 
 9. So many favourable circumstances concurring to 
 promise Ai'aric the accomplishment of his designs, he 
 lost no time in recommencing hostilities ; and by bold 
 and rapid marches, took and pillaged some of the richest 
 cities of Italy. 10. Rome, however, was the chief ob¬ 
 ject of his ambition, and he sat down before it with a 
 numerous army, totally cutting off all communication 
 with the surrounding country, and intercepting the sup¬ 
 plies necessary for the maintenance of its immense po¬ 
 pulation *. II. Famine, and its attendant, pestilence, 
 soon made their appearance in this devoted city, and vast 
 numbers became the victims of these dreadful scourges 
 of mankind. 12. At length Ai'aric was induced, by the 
 payment of five thousand pounds weight of gold, thirty 
 thousand pounds of silver, and many precious commo¬ 
 dities, to break up the siege, and for a time retire. 13. 
 But the respite so dearly purchased was but of short con¬ 
 tinuance ; the following year Alaric again appeared be¬ 
 neath the walls of Rome, and one of its gates having 
 been opened to him by the treachery of some slaves, this 
 magnificent city was abandoned to the avarice and licen¬ 
 tious fury of men, who neither valued nor respected the 
 glorious monuments of literature and the arts which it 
 contained. They spread slaughter and devastation into 
 every quarter, and those who escaped the unrelenting 
 
 * Rome at this time contained about 1,200,000 inhabitants. 
 T 2 
 
412 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sword of the barbarians were destined to the still severer 
 
 fate of becoming captives and exiles from their native 
 
 14. Nor was this devastation confined to Rome alone ; 
 after six days the savage conqueror abandoned the ruins 
 of the imperial city, and extended Lis ravages through the 
 finest provinces of Italy. 15. But while he was meditating 
 fresh conquests, he was cut off by a premature death, and 
 the miserable remnant of this once flourishing empire 
 was thus delivered from its most formidable enemy . 
 
 15. After a long and inglorious reign, Ilono'rius ex¬ 
 pired, in the 39th year of his age, A.D. 423 ; and, leav¬ 
 ing no issue, was succeeded by Valentin'iau III. the son 
 of*his sister Placid'ia, then only six years of age. 16. In 
 his reign a new enemy appeared, in the person of At tila, 
 king of the Huns; who, after a memorable defeat, still 
 rendered himself so formidable that his alliance was 
 sought; and Hono'ria, the sister of the emperor, be¬ 
 stowed on him in marriage. 17. The night of his nup¬ 
 tials was the last of his life, for he was found dead in his 
 bed the next morning +. 
 
 18. Instead of attempting, by wise and prudent mea¬ 
 sures, to bring back the empire to something like its for- 
 
 * The ferocious character of the barbarians was displayed in 
 
 the funeral of their chief. The unhappy captives were compelled 
 to divert the stream of the river Busentinus, which washes the 
 
 walls of Consen'tia (now Cosenza, in farther Cala bna, Italy,) 
 the bed of which the royal sepulchre was formed: with the body 
 
 were deposited much of the wealth and m»y « V.rcturnto 
 obtained at Rome. The river was then periniUed to return t 
 its accustomed channel, and the prisoners employed in the work 
 were inhumanly massacred, to conceal the spot in whi 
 
 ceased hero was entombed. 
 
 f With At'tila vast quantities of the spoils obtained in bis wa 
 wore interred ; and the same horrid means were had recourse to, 
 to conceal the spot, (namely, tbe massacre of those «£» 
 the ground,) as at the funeral of Al aric.— Though this is tn 
 reason usually assigned for the murder of the captives, 1 1 
 more probable that it was done to secure their services to their 
 master in the other world, (a custom still kept up in some he a 
 then countries) as the place of interment must have been known 
 to many besides those who contructed the tomb. haitor • 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 413 
 
 mer grandeur and vigour, Valentinian abandoned himself 
 to all kinds of folly and debauchery ; and at length fell 
 a victim to his unbridled licentiousness. 19. Having con¬ 
 ceived a passion for a virtuous lady, the wife of Petro'- 
 niusMax'imus, he inveigled her to the palace by false pre¬ 
 tences, and there violated her chastity. 20. Her hus¬ 
 band, exasperated at this outrage, procured the assassi¬ 
 nation of the emperor, and assumed the imperial purple. 
 21. His reign however was short, for Gen'seric, king ot 
 the Vandals, having, at the instigation of Eudox'ia, widow 
 of Valentin'ian, whom Petro'nius had forcibly married, 
 invaded the empire, he was killed in an insurrection of the 
 populace. 22. The invader entered Rome, and delivered 
 it up to a pillage which lasted fourteen days and nights ; 
 thus what Al'aric and At'tila had spared, now became the 
 prey of the forces of Gen'seric, aud was either destroyed 
 or carried off to Carthage. 23. On the death ot Petro- 
 nius, Majo'rianwas elevated to the imperial dignity: he 
 appears to have been an active, humane, and virtuous 
 prince, but perished in a sedition of his subjects. 
 
 24. Lib'ius Seve'rus performed nothing remarkable, 
 and was poisoned after a reign of six years. During this 
 period Italy suffered much from the incursions of the 
 Vandals, who spread devastation from the columns of 
 Hercules to the mouth of the Nile*. 26. From this pe¬ 
 riod no monarch deserving of mention mounted the impe¬ 
 rial throne, and the title of emperor of the west became 
 extinct in the person of Augus tulus, who abdicated his 
 power at the command of Odoa cer, general of the Herulif , 
 who from that time assumed the title of king of Italy. 
 
 Such was the end of this great empire, which had risen 
 from the most contemptible beginning to be mistress of 
 the world, thus fulfilling the law which governs all sublu- 
 
 * That is, from Gibraltar to Carthage. 
 
 + A people of Germany, anciently called Lemo vn, whose coun¬ 
 try was on the Baltic, between the Oder and the Vis'tula. 
 
 T 3 
 
414 HISTORY OF THE EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 7 iary things, by progressively arriving at maturity, and as 
 progressively declining till it sunk into ruin, and existed 
 only in the pages of the poet and historian ! 
 
 “ Cast back thine eye, and ponder upon all 
 Which in her ample bosom the vast earth 
 Enfolds : there shalt thou see the fatal scythe 
 Of time mow all before it, like the grass 
 Of spring; shalt see the temples, palaces, 
 
 The pride of empire, and the wealth of kings, 
 
 From their foundations rock, and nought remain 
 Of state or city, once renowned in fame, 
 
 Save the faint rumour, that it once had been,” 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. Who succeeded Theodosius the Great ? 
 
 2. Were they equally fitted to govern the Roman empire? 
 
 3. Who first took advantage of the weakness of Hon otitis ? 
 
 4. Was lie bravely opposed by Honorius? 
 
 5. What other invaders opposed the peace of the empire? 
 
 6. Did Honorius adopt judicious measures for repelling 
 
 these attacks ? 
 
 7. What was the consequence of this butchery ? 
 
 8. What other act of folly and cruelty disgraced his reign? 
 9- What consequences arose from these measures? 
 
 10. Did Rome suffer in this invasion? 
 
 11. What was the result of this? 
 
 12. By what means was Rome delivered from these calamities ? 
 
 13. Did the city enjoy a long peace ? 
 
 14. Was Rome alone the sufferer? 
 
 15. When did Honorius die, and who was his successor ? 
 
 16. By whom was the empire invaded in his reign? 
 
 17. Did he long enjoy the advantages of this alliance ? 
 
 18. What was Valenti man's general conduct ? 
 
 19. What hastened his end ! 
 
 20. How was this revenged ? 
 
 21. Was his reign prosperous ? 
 
 22. Did Geuseric injure Rome ? 
 
 23. Who succeeded Petronius? 
 
 24. Who was the successor of Majorian? 
 
 25. Who succeeded Severus, and who was the last monarch 
 
 of the Western, or Roman empire ? 
 
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 S araceas, Arabs, 
 
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the 
 
 INCURSION’S OF THE BARBARIANS, 
 
 THEIR 
 
 Origin, Settlements, Dispersions , Sfc. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 1. Having seen, in the previous history, Rome rising 
 from an obscure city, gradually increasing in extent and 
 power, till she became almost literally the “ Mistress o 
 the Worldhaving also witnessed her decline, when her 
 feeble supporters, no longer governed by those noble 
 maxims of their ancestors, which taught them to subdue 
 their passions, and live only for the glory of their country, 
 were enervated by luxury and sunk in effeminacy; we 
 now turn our eyes to that period when she became a prey 
 to various adventurous nations, who issuing from t e 
 desert regions of the north, poured in upon her terri¬ 
 tories, crushed the stupendous edifice she had raised, 
 and established themselves on its rums. 
 
 2 To exhibit a clear account of the various causes 
 which led to a change so important, it will be necessary to 
 o-ive a separate history, in as concise a manner as possible, 
 of the different barbarous nations, whose actions in pro¬ 
 ducing this great revolution are most conspicuous; and in 
 doing°this we shall avail ourselves of the best authorities 
 that can be collected, for the purpose of forming a useful 
 and interesting appendage to the Roman history. 
 
 The Barbarians who successively made incursions 
 into the Roman empire, and who eventually became mas¬ 
 ters of all that was valuable in Europe, were,—the Huns, 
 T 4 
 
416 
 
 THE INCURSIONS OF 
 
 the Alains, the Vandals, the Goths, the Heruli, the 
 Gepidae, the Suevi, the Burgundians, the Franks, the 
 Saxons, the Lombards, the Saracens, the Normans, the 
 Turks, the Bulgari, the Alemani, the Venedi, or Sclavi, 
 and the Avari; the last four, from their comparative in¬ 
 significance, being termed minor Barbarians. 
 
 THE HUNS. 
 
 4. We shall first endeavour to give an account of the 
 Huns, a fierce and savage nation, who originally inhabited 
 the vast deserts which border the north of China, known 
 by the name of Scythia. It appears that after a series of 
 civil wars in which these barbarians had been engaged, 
 the vanquished tribes retired westward, and settled to the 
 north of the Caspian Sea, near the source of the river 
 Ural. 5. In the year 376 they advanced towards the 
 Palus Maeotis, or Sea of Azof, under the command of 
 Balimir, their chief, who subdued the Alains, and com¬ 
 pelled such as were able to bear arms to join them. 
 
 6. Having this accession to their force, they next 
 crossed the Tanais or Don, and bent their course to¬ 
 wards the Danube, forcing the Ostrogoths and Visigoths 
 from their territories, and taking possession of the whole 
 country between these rivers. 7. In the year 391, they 
 entered Mcesia and Thrace, where they were defeated 
 and driven back by Stilicho, the commander of the Ro¬ 
 man army in those provinces; but they still continued 
 to make incursions to the south of the Danube. 
 
 8. Uldes, the successor of Balimir, in the year 400, 
 several times attacked and at length vanquished the rebel 
 Gainus, who, after having served in the Roman armies, 
 had been banished, and who ineffectually endeavoured to 
 seize the ancient country of the Goths; in the attempt, 
 however, he lost his life, and his head was sent to the em¬ 
 peror Arcadius, and carried in triumph to Constantinople. 
 
 0. In the war between the Romans and Goths, Uldes 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 411 
 
 joined his forces to those of Stilicho, the Roman general, 
 and very materially contributed to the decisive victory 
 which was gained near Florence over the Gothic geneial 
 Radagaisus. 10. Notwithstanding, however, the amity 
 which at that time subsisted between the Huns and Ro¬ 
 mans, we find that in three years afterwards Uides was 
 engaged in a war against his former allies; but the Ro¬ 
 mans having succeeded in introducing their emissaiies 
 into his camp, he was abandoned by a part of his army, 
 and compelled to retire beyond the Danube. 
 
 'll. Caraton succeed Uides about the year 412, and 
 being enraged with the Romans for having assassinated 
 another chief of his nation, named Donatus, he actively 
 prepared for war, resolving to avenge his death. The em¬ 
 peror Theodosius, however, found means to appease his 
 resentment, by making him some very valuable presents. 
 
 12. The Roman general Actius, iu 424, obtained from 
 the Huns an army of 60,000 men, to support the cause of 
 the tyrant John, formerly secretary to the emperor Hono- 
 rius; but John being beheaded in the following year, it 
 was necessary to give them a large sum of money to in* 
 duce them to retire. 13. Shortly after this, in the year 
 427, the Huns were driven from Pannonia by the united 
 force of the Romans and Goths; but they soon re¬ 
 entered it, and assisted Actius, who had retired thither, 
 in obtaining better terms from the emperor Valentin'ian 
 111. than he could have gained without their aid. 
 
 14. The celebrated Attila, who from his excessive cru¬ 
 elty obtained the name of the Scourge of God , appeared 
 at the head of the Huns in 433, and resolving on a new 
 war with the Romans, took Viminacium on the Danube, 
 over-ran Mcesia, Thrace, and lllyricum, and then con¬ 
 cluded a peace with the Roman emperor Theodosius 
 15. In the reign of Valentinian III. Attila invaded Gaul, 
 at the head of a formidable army, and rendered his name 
 execrable by the cruel devastations and unheard-of mas* 
 
 T 6 
 
418 
 
 THE INCURSIONS OF 
 sacres which marked his way, 16. Having without any 
 serious opposition pursued his bloody career through 
 great part of Gaul, he at length arrived at Orleans, wliich 
 he besieged and took in 451. Here, however, the tide of 
 success turned against him : he was defeated by Aetius, 
 the Roman general, and Theodoric, king of the Visigoths; 
 and in three months after he lost the famous battle of 
 Chalons, where it is , asserted 300,000 of his followers 
 perished in the field ; though some accounts state his loss 
 as not amounting to two-thirds of that number. In this 
 battle Theodoric was slain. 17. The fierce Attila, en¬ 
 raged at this defeat, crossed the Rhine, and having re¬ 
 cruited his army, entered Italy, where he took Milan, 
 Pavia, and several other cities, and was proceeding‘to¬ 
 wards Rome, but by the persuasion of Pope Leo, he made 
 peace and returned to his own country, where he shortly 
 after died. 18, His body was enclosed in three coffins, 
 the first of gold, the second of silver, and the third of 
 iron, and secretly buried ; and, in order to prevent the 
 possibility of the place of his interment being known, all 
 those who had been employed about his grave were put to 
 death. Thus of this terrible scourge of the human race, 
 it may be truly said, that both living and dead he was in¬ 
 strumental in inflicting misery on his fellow-creatures. 
 
 19. The successors of Attila w'ere distracted by party 
 feuds and internal divisions, and the empire of the Huns 
 sunk into numerous petty sovereignties, which were finally 
 overturned by the warlike Charlemagne, who ravaged 
 their country : and, after a desolating war of eight years 
 continuance, burned the towns, and dispersed among 
 the neighbouring nations those Huns who escaped his 
 conquering sword,. 
 
 THE ALAINS. 
 
 if ' - ' 
 
 20. The northern part of Asiatic Sarmatia was inhabited 
 Jty the Alains, a people known to the Homans in the time 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 
 
 of Pompey. Under the first Roman emperors they several 
 times invaded the frontier provinces, and in the reign of 
 Vespasian they entered Media, and penetrated as far as 
 Armenia. 21. When their country was overrun by the 
 Huns about the year 376, such Alains as could escape 
 the fury of their powerful invaders, retired towards Pan- 
 nonia, whence advancing westward, they united with the 
 Vandals and Suevi, with whom they crossed the Rhine, 
 passed through France, and entering Spain under the 
 command of Respendial, eventually settled in the pro¬ 
 vince of Lusitania, (now Portugal), where they were sub¬ 
 dued in 477, by the Visigoths, who at that time had made 
 themselves masters of the greater part of the peninsula. 
 
 THE VANDALS. 
 
 22. Like many other barbarous tribes who at this period 
 over-ran Europe, the Vandals issued from Scandinavia 
 (now Sweden), and having crossed the Baltic, first settled 
 in that part of Germany now called Mecklen burgh and 
 Brandenburgh. 23. Their numbers, however, rapidly 
 increasing, many of them again emigrated, and taking their 
 route eastward, settled in the country between the Cimme¬ 
 rian Bosphorus and theTanais, whence they made several 
 incursions upon the Roman provinces, and at length 
 united with the Alains and Suevi in Germany. 24. Headed 
 bv Gonderic they marched into Spain, and settled in a 
 province which they named Vandalusia, since altered to 
 Andalusia. 25. In 420 the Vandals left Spain, headed 
 by Genseric their king, and marched into Africa, where 
 they took possession of all the country between the 
 Straits of Gibraltar and Carthage. 26. The Vandals at 
 this period were extremely formidable ; they ravaged 
 the island of Sicily, and in 455 even assaulted and took 
 Rome, which, with characteristic barbarism, Genseric 
 gave up to his followers for fourteen days* pillage, and 
 then returned to Africa. 27. Their power afterwards 
 
 T 6 
 
420 
 
 ZJ 
 
 THE INCURSIONS OF 
 
 declined, and in the year 535, the gallant Belisarius, a 
 general of the emperor Justinian, attacked the Vandals 
 in Africa, took Gillimer their leader prisoner, and not 
 only annihilated their power, but erased the name of 
 Vandals from the list of nations. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 !• What striking contrast do we see between the early, 
 middle, and later ages of the Roman empire? 
 
 2. Whose history is it necessary that we should concisely 
 
 relate? 
 
 3. What were the names of the barbarians who successively 
 
 made incursions into the Roman empire? 
 
 4. What country did the Huns originally inhabit? 
 
 5. Where did they advance to in the year 376, and what 
 
 people did they compel to join them? 
 
 6. What river did they cross, where did they next bend their 
 
 course, and of whose country did they take possession ? 
 
 7. By whom were they defeated, and when ? 
 
 8. Who succeeded Balimir, and what was the fate of the 
 
 rebel Gainus? 
 
 9. Did not Uldes join the forces of the Roman general Si* 
 
 licho ? 
 
 10. How long did the Huns and Romans remain on friendly 
 
 terms ? 
 
 11. Who succeeded Uldes, and what was his reason for pre¬ 
 
 paring for war? 
 
 12. How large an army did Actius obtain from the Huns? 
 
 13. What happened to them in the year 427? 
 
 14. What name did Attila obtain, and what were his sue- 
 
 cesses in 433 ? 
 
 15. W hat country did he next invade ? 
 
 16. At what place did the tide of success turn against him ? 
 
 17. W 7 hat followed? 
 
 18. Describe his burial. 
 
 19. Who overturned the empire of the Huns? 
 
 20. What country did the Alains originally inhabit? 
 
 21. Tow ards what country did they retire in 376? 
 
 22. Whence did the Vandals originate, and in what part of 
 
 Germany did they first settle? 
 
 23. With whom did part of them afterwards unite? 
 
 24. In what province of Spain did they settle? 
 
 25. io what country did they march on leaving Spain ? 
 
 SS* J ear ^*4 the Vandals assault and plunder Rome ? 
 
 J7. \\ hen, and by whom, was their pow er annihilated ? 
 
THE BARBARIANS, 
 
 421 
 
 dabnaV ditt SECT. II. 
 
 THE GOTHS. 
 
 1. The Goths were of Scandinavian origin. They first 
 settled in Pomerania, but afterwards advancing towards 
 the east, they formed a settlement to the north of the lake 
 Maeotis, where they divided into Visigoths, or Goths of 
 the West, and Ostrogoths, or Goths of the East. 2. The 
 Huns, however, compelled them to abandon their newly 
 acquired territories, and a part of them (the Ostrogoths) 
 took refuge in Pannonia, where they afterwards erected 
 the new kingdom of Italy, under Theodoric, which con¬ 
 tinued till the year 553, when they were finally subdued 
 by Narses, who governed their former kingdom with the 
 title of Duke, till the year 567. 
 
 3. Those Visigoths who escaped from the Huns, were 
 allowed by the emperor Valens to settle in Thrace, in 376. 
 They however soon revolted against him, and plundered 
 the country which he had humanely assigned to them as 
 an asylum. 4. Returning from Antioch, where he had 
 been concluding the Persian war, Valens advanced 
 against the Goths, but in this expedition he was truly 
 unfortunate, two-thirds of his army being cut to pieces 
 at the battle of Adrianople; and the emperor himself 
 being w'ounded, was carried to a cottage, w'here he was 
 burnt alive by the barbarians ou the same day. This 
 disastrous event happened in 378. 5. Alaric, king of 
 
 the Visigoths, in 395 overran Greece and the Pelopon¬ 
 nesus; in 403 he entered Italy, where he was met by 
 the Roman general Stilicho, who defeated him and com¬ 
 pelled him to retire. 
 
 6. Radagaisus, another general of the Goths, shortly 
 afterwards invaded Italy with an army of 400,000 men ; 
 but in a battle with Stilicho, and Uldes, the king of the 
 Huns, which took place near Florence, Radagaisas was 
 8 
 
422 THE incursions of 
 
 slain, and his army totally routed. 7. Notwithstanding 
 such a signal defeat, we find that, in 408, Alaric re¬ 
 turned to Italy, besieged and took Rome, and advanced 
 into Calabria, where he died while besieging Khegio. 
 
 8. Ataulphus, the successor of Alaric, left y Italy and 
 inarched into Gaul, where he reduced Narbonne and 
 Toulouse, aud laid the foundation of a kingdom in 
 Aquitaine, which subsisted till the reign of Clovis, who 
 destroyed it in the year 508. 
 
 9. The province of Catalonia, in Spain, had been in 
 the possession of the Visigoths upwards of fifty years, 
 when Euric, their king, in 477, achieved the conquest 
 of Spain, w ith the exception of Gailicia. and Navarre, 
 and until they were finally subjugated by the Saracens 
 in 712, it remained in their possession. 
 
 THE HERULI. 
 
 10. We trace the origin of this people also from Scan¬ 
 dinavia, who, crossing the Baltic, and at first settling ill 
 Pomerania, afterwards took their route, like the Goths, 
 towards the east, and established themselves on the 
 borders of the Palus Mseotis. 11. Being, however, con¬ 
 tinually subject to the oppressions of their more power¬ 
 ful neighbours, they returned towards the west, and set 
 sail for Thule, one of the Shetland Isles, and finally 
 settled in Iceland. 12. On the establishment of the 
 new kingdom of Italy, in 476, we find that Odoacer, 
 one of the Ileruli, was the first monarch, where he 
 reigned without opposition for thirteen years ; till Theo- 
 doric invaded Italy at the head of the Ostrogoths, and 
 having entered into a treaty with Odoacer, basely assasr 
 sinated him. 
 
 THE GEPIDiE, 
 
 13. Of Scandinavian origin also were the Gepida?; 
 they first settled on the banks of the Vistula, and after¬ 
 wards travelled towards the river Tauais, 14, The 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 
 
 423 
 
 Iluns, under Attila, subdued them, with the other 
 northern nations, and they marched, as his allies, in his 
 famous expedition to Gaul. 15. On the death of Attila, 
 the Gepidae shook off the yoke that had been imposed 
 on them, and received permission of the Roman empe¬ 
 rors to settle in Dacia and Illyricum, where they re¬ 
 mained till 572, when they were subdued by Alboinus, 
 king of the Lombards. 
 
 THE SUEVI. 
 
 18. The Suevi were a wandering, but warlike nation 
 of Germany, residing for the most part near where the 
 city of Berlin now stands. 17. When the Alains and 
 Vandals entered Gaul in 408, the Suevi accompanied 
 them, and also passed into Spain with their new asso¬ 
 ciates, receiving the province of Gallicia for their share, 
 w'hich they retained till the year 585, when the kingdom 
 of the Suevi was destroyed by the Visigoths, under 
 Leuvigild their king. 
 
 i 
 
 THE BURGUNDIANS. 
 
 18. This nation originally inhabited that part of the 
 banks of the Vistula which now forms the kingdom of 
 Prussia; but in 245 they were expelled by the Gepidae, 
 and driven beyond the Elbe. 
 
 19. About thirty years afterwards they moved towards 
 
 the Rhine, which river they crossed, and took upwards 
 of seventy towns on the other side of it, but were obliged 
 to give up their conquests by the emperor Probus, in 
 the year 277. 20. They re-entered Gaul in 287, but 
 
 were shortly after expelled by Maximian Hercules. 
 Having been invited thither by Stilicho, they once more 
 invaded Gaul, under their chief Gundicarius, and being 
 reinforced by such of their countrymen as bad remained 
 beyond the Rhine, they overran Alsace, and advanced 
 as far as Geneva, where they established themselves, 
 
THE INCURSIONS OF 
 
 424 
 
 and proclaimed Gundicarius their king. 21. He, how¬ 
 ever, afterwards removed the seat of the kingdom to 
 Vienne in Dauphine, where his family reigned the time 
 of Ciotoire the First, king of France, who, in conjunc¬ 
 tion with Childebert and Theodobert, conquered B ur- 
 gnndy, and gave it to Goutran his son ; since which 
 time it has formed a province of France. 
 
 THE FRANKS. 
 
 22. These people originally inhabited that part of 
 Germany w hich lies between the Rhine and the Weser, 
 which now forms part of Holland and Westphalia. It 
 is supposed that when Germany w r as invaded by the Ro¬ 
 mans, various native tribes united themselves together 
 in defence of their country, and styled themselves 
 Franks, or Free Men. 23. About the year 235 they 
 made an irruption into Gaul, but experienced a consi¬ 
 derable defeat by Aurelian, afterwards emperor of Rome. 
 They, however, in the year 264, renewed their invasion, 
 and overran Gaul, where they obtained a permanent 
 footing, and eventually changed the name of the coun¬ 
 try from Gaul to France. 
 
 THE SAXONS. 
 
 24. The Saxons originally inhabited the western part 
 of Holstein, and being invited by the Britons to assist 
 them in repelling the Piets, they were joined by the 
 Angles, who dwelt in the eastern part of Holstein, and 
 joining their forces, they set sail and landed in Kent, in 
 449. 25. They w'ere so well pleased with the country 
 
 which they came to deliver from its enemies, that they 
 felt no inclination to return, aud being more warlike 
 than the natives, found little difficulty in establishing 
 themselves in Britain, where they founded the seven 
 kingdoms called the Saxon Heptarchy. 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 
 
 425 
 
 THE LOMBARDS. 
 
 26. The Lombards emigrated from Scandinavia, and 
 first settled on the banks of the Vistula, after which they 
 advanced towards the Danube, and infested the Roman 
 provinces in that quarter by their predatory incursions. 
 27. After the destruction of the kingdom of the Goths, 
 they invaded Italy, and founded the new kingdom of the 
 Lombards, in 563, which lasted till 774, when it fell 
 under the dominion of Charlemagne. 
 
 Questions for Examination* 
 
 1 . Describe the origin of the Goths. 
 
 What names did the Western and Eastern Goths re¬ 
 spectively bear? 
 
 2. Which of them took refuge in Pannoma ? 
 
 What kingdom did they found, and when were they 
 finally subdued ? 
 
 3. What became of the Visigoths? 
 
 4. What was the fate of the emperor Valens? 
 
 5. What countries did Alaric overrun? 
 
 6. With what force did Radagaisus invade Italy, and what 
 
 was his fate? 
 
 7. Did not Alaric besiege and take Rome m 408 ! 
 
 8. Who founded the kingdom of Aquitaine in Gaul, and 
 
 when was it destroyed? 
 
 9. Who achieved the conquest of Spam, and how long did 
 the Visigoths retain possession of it? 
 
 10. Were not the Heruli originally from Scandinavia ? 
 
 Did they not take a similar route with the Goths ? 
 
 11. Where did they finally settle? , . 
 
 12. Who w as the first monarch of the new kingdom of Italy . 
 
 13. On their arrival from Scandinavia, where did the Ge- 
 
 pidae first reside ? ' 
 
 14. Who subdued them, and in what expedition did they 
 
 engage? 
 
 15. Who eventually subdued the Gepidae ? 
 
 16 . Who were the Suevi ? ' 
 
 17. What province of Spain was allotted to them, and how 
 
 long did their kingdom exist? 
 
 18. What country did the Burgundians originally inhabit? 
 
 19. Describe their future progress? 
 
 20. When did they re-enter Gaul, and where did they at 
 
 length establish themselves ? 
 
426 
 
 THE INCURSIONS OF 
 
 21. Who conquered the Burgundians? 
 
 22. Who were the Franks ? 
 
 23. In what year did they obtain a permanent footing in 
 
 Gaul? 
 
 Does not France ow e its name to these people ? 
 
 24. What was the origin of the Saxons ? 
 
 What induced them to visit England ? 
 
 25. What were the seven kingdoms called which they found¬ 
 
 ed in Britain ? 
 
 26. Where did the Lombards emigrate from, and on what 
 
 part of the Roman provinces did they at'terw ards make 
 incursions ? 
 
 27. Under w hose dominion did the kingdom of the Lombards 
 
 fall, and when ? 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 THE SARACENS, ARABS, OR MOORS. 
 
 1. The Saracens who came from Arabia Deserta, are 
 supposed to have been descended from Ishmael, the son 
 of Abraham and Hagar; they were the first disciples of 
 Mahomet, who was born at Mecca, where he began to 
 preach and propagate his new doctrine, in which he so 
 far succeeded as to gain a number of followers. 2. In 
 the year 622 he was expelled from Mecca by the magis¬ 
 trate, and this circumstance gave rise to the new era, 
 called the Hegira, or flight of Mahomet. 3. Having re¬ 
 tired to Medina, his fame spread with' great rapidity, 
 and his disciples increased so fast that he was enabled 
 to make war against Christians, Jews, and Pagans, all of 
 whom the arch.impostor stigmatized as idolaters. 
 
 4. The success of Mahomet was uninterrupted, and 
 after his death, which happened in t532, his disciples 
 conquered Syria, invaded Egypt, and took Alexandria, 
 wdiere with a zeal truly characteristic of their ignorance 
 and bigotry, they burned the famous Alexandrian library. 
 5. In 652 the Saracens destroyed the kingdom of Persia, 
 which was governed by Caliphs till the year 1258, when 
 Bagdad the capital, was taken by the Moguls. 6. Those 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 427 
 
 Saracens who had settled in Mauritania, thence obtain¬ 
 ing the name of Moors, invaded Spain in 712, and hav¬ 
 ing destroyed the kingdom of the Visigoths, they found¬ 
 ed a new empire, which extended all over the peninsula, 
 except the province of Asturias, and was not finally de¬ 
 stroyed till the time of Ferdinand the Catholic, in 1492. 
 
 THE NORMANS. 
 
 7. The inhabitants of Norway and Denmark, called 
 Men of the North, or Normans, who lived chiefly by 
 piracy, made their first attack on France in the year 839. 
 They proceeded up the river Loire, and advanced as 
 far as the city of Tours, but were repulsed and com¬ 
 pelled to retire. 8. They afterwards made frequent de¬ 
 scents along the French coast, and during the reign of 
 Charles the First of France, they besieged Paris, and 
 then made an advantageous peace with the French mo¬ 
 narch. The peace, however, was of short duration, and 
 they carried on war with various success for several 
 years, till having obtained some decisive advantages 
 under Rollo, their chief, they were allowed by Charles 
 the Simple to settle in Neustria, which from that time 
 obtained the name of Normandy. 
 
 THE TURKS. 
 
 9. The Turks derive their origin from the Avares, a 
 tribe of the Huns, and w^ere anciently divided into many 
 distinct bodies, inhabiting Great Tartary, and extending 
 themselves gradually over Tartary and Persia. 10. A 
 considerable body of these people, distinguished by the 
 name of Onigars, emigrated towards the west, about the 
 end of the ninth century, and settled in Pannonia, which 
 from them received the name of Hungary. Another pow¬ 
 erful class, called the Seldjucides, gave rise to the Sul- 
 taus of Damascus, Aleppo, and Iconium, 
 
 . If. The first monarchy of the Turks was founded by 
 
428 
 
 THE INCURSIONS OF 
 
 Solyman I. in 1074, who invaded Asia Minor, and made 
 Iconium the seat of his empire, which at length was over¬ 
 turned by the Emirs, or governors of the provinces, who 
 in 1294 rendered themselves independent of their sultan. 
 12. They did not, however, long remain independent, for 
 Othman I. one of the principal emirs, restored the em¬ 
 pire of Iconium to its former state about five years after¬ 
 wards ; and Mahomet the Second having taken Constan¬ 
 tinople in 1453, the seat of the Turkish empire was 
 transferred to that city. 
 
 13. In speaking of the Turks, we should not omit to 
 notice Nouradin and Saladin, the Sultans of Aleppo, 
 both of whom distinguished themselves so much during 
 the crusades. 14. It was against Nouradin that the em¬ 
 peror Conrad III. and Louis VII. conducted the second 
 crusade; and at his death, which happened in 1173, the 
 brave Saladin succeeded to the throne, and retook from 
 the crusaders uearly all the conquests which they had 
 so dearly purchased. 15. His bravery rendered him an 
 object of universal admiration among his subjects, and 
 his generous conduct to his enemies excited their es. 
 teem, so that his death, which happened in the year 
 1193, was deplored by both. 
 
 THE BULGARI. 
 
 16. The Bulgari were but little known till towards the 
 middle of the seventh century. They were of Scythian 
 origin, and anciently inhabited Asiatic Sarmatia, west¬ 
 ward of the mouths of the Volga, where they built the 
 city of Bulgar, which still remains. 17. Like the other 
 northern tribes, when their own country became too po¬ 
 pulous to support them, they went in quest of new habita¬ 
 tions. Some established themselves near Benevento in 
 Italy, where their descendants may still be distinguished 
 by their language and peculiar dress, but the greater 
 part of them crossed the Danube, and took up their re- 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 
 
 429 
 
 sidence in lower Moesia, Moldavia, &c. enjoying their 
 usurped territories without much interruption. 18. Their 
 most celebrated king, Crumnus, invaded the eastern 
 empire in 810, and though at first defeated by the em¬ 
 peror Nicephorus, and compelled to sue for peace, the 
 good fortune of Crumnus soon returned, and Nicephorus 
 being slain, the barbarian ordered his head to be 
 brought to him, and had a cup made of his skull. 19. In 
 813 he marched towards Constantinople, and laid waste 
 its territory; he afterwards captured Adrianople and 
 Arcadiapolis, and sent all the inhabitants, with their 
 goods and cattle, to Bulgaria. Pie died the next year, 
 and his successors soon lost what Crumnus had gained. 
 20. In the year 1019 Bulgaria became a province of the 
 eastern empire, and was governed by dukes till 1186, 
 when the descendants of its former kings were restored 
 to the sovereignty, and it continued as a monarchy till 
 the reign of Bajazet the First, who conquered and united 
 it to the Ottoman empire. 
 
 THE ALEMANI. 
 
 21. The Alemani were a people of Germany, which 
 country is still called by the French Allemagne. It is 
 supposed that they originally consisted of an union of 
 several nations, as the etymology of their name (all man) 
 imports. 22. We hear nothing of them till the begin¬ 
 ning of the third century, in the reign of Caracalla, when 
 they made several incursions on the Roman provinces, 
 in one of which, after having ruined forty-five cities, and 
 overrun a large extent of country, they were defeated by 
 the emperor Julian: this happened in the year 355. 
 23. Having again experienced a dreadful overthrow by 
 Clovis, king of France, in 496, they retired to their own 
 country, now called Suabia. 
 
430 
 
 THE INCURSIONS OF 
 
 THE VENEDI. 
 
 24. Towards the end of the fourth century, the Veuedi, 
 who inhabited that part of the coasts of the Baltic Sea 
 near where the city of Riga now stands, crossed the 
 Vistula, and took possession of the country which the 
 Vandals had abandoned, as far as the Elbe, where they 
 obtained the name of Sclavi, or Slaves. 25. They after¬ 
 wards, in the reign of the emperor Justinian, crossed 
 the Danube, and settled between the rivers Drave and 
 Save, which track of country received from them the 
 name of Sclavonia. 
 
 THE AVARI. 
 
 26. The Avari originally dwelt in the western part of 
 Chinese Tartary, near the source of the river Irtish, 
 which springs from the Attay Mountains. 27. About 
 the middle of the sixth century they were expelled from 
 their territory by a horde of Turks, and retiring west¬ 
 ward, they settled on the banks of the Danube, where 
 they remained till their subjection by the Bulgarians: 
 and they are not mentioned in history after the year 614, 
 when they formed part of the army under Doucom, which 
 had for its object the invasion of the eastern empire. 
 
 Questions for Examination. 
 
 1 From whom are the Saracens supposed to have been de¬ 
 
 scended? . , , . 
 
 2 What circumstances gave rise to the new era, and what 
 
 was it called ? 
 
 o io-ainst whom did Mahomet make war ? 
 
 4 what celebrated library did die Mahometans destroy? 
 
 5. ’ In what year did the Saracens destroy the kingdom of 
 
 Persia? , - . 
 
 6. How did the Saracens obtain the name of Moors, and 
 
 when were they finally destroyed ? 
 
 7 When did the Normans make their first attack upon 
 France ? 
 
THE BARBARIANS. 
 
 481 
 
 8 . 
 
 9. 
 
 10 . 
 
 11. 
 
 12 . 
 
 13 . 
 
 14. 
 
 15. 
 
 16 . 
 
 17. 
 
 18. 
 
 19. 
 
 20 . 
 21 . 
 22 . 
 
 23. 
 
 24. 
 
 25. 
 
 26. 
 26. 
 
 What was the ancient name of the province of Nor¬ 
 mandy ? 
 
 From whom did the Turks derive their origin? 
 
 W hence did Hungary receive its name ? 
 
 When was the first monarchy of the Turks founded ? 
 
 At what time was the seat of the Turkish empire trans¬ 
 ferred from iconium to Constantinople? 
 
 VY hat Christian monarchs did Nouradiu contend with? 
 
 la ^ was .^ a ^ a ^* n s0 eminently successful ? 
 
 W hat was his character ? 
 
 Who were the Bulgari? 
 
 In stilTbe tracedV^ ^ (iescendants the Bulgari 
 
 By what act of savage barbarity is the memory of Crum- 
 nus distinguished ? y um 
 
 What cities were captured by him ? 
 
 3 o what empire was Bulgaria at last united ? 
 
 W ho vvere the Alemani ? 
 
 What is the first account we have of them 7 
 1 o what country did thev retire ? 
 
 “ e 
 
 rro " 
 
 V\ hat became of them ? 
 
A SUMMARY ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, 
 
 UNDER THE 
 
 ROMAN EMPERORS; 
 
 Extracted from Whitworth’s Epitome of Roman History. 
 
 9 nis'solute. cl- debauched, wicked. 
 i Unrelenting, part, that docs not relent or pardon. 
 5. Pres'byters, s. elders. 
 
 12. Intervening, part, coming between. 
 
 15. Eva'de, v. to escape. . 
 
 16. Martyrdom, s. death for religion. 
 
 17. Exasperated, part. e ? ra f® d * 
 
 18. Enthusiasm, s. warmth ot reeling. 
 
 21. Ali enated, part, turned, changed. 
 
 27. Transient, a. short, passing away. 
 
 31. Pros'elytes, s. converts. 
 
 1 The rapid progress of our sacred religion, under 
 the "governors of the Roman world, may be attributed to 
 a variety of causes. 2. Next to the ruling providence of 
 its Great Author, the following may be considered the 
 principal: the primitive Christians were generally emu 
 ment for their virtues, and remarkable for the purity of 
 their lives : averse from the gay and luxurious pleasures 
 indulged in by the dissolute Pagans, they were meek, 
 humble, patient, temperate, and chaste. 3. In imitation 
 of their Divine Master, they preached the Gospel ot 
 Christ throughout the Roman empire, and effected an 
 
UNDER THE ROMAN EMPERORS. 433 
 
 entire reformation of manners in every one whom they 
 converted to the true faith. 4. The cruel persecutions 
 commenced against them by the unrelenting Nero, far 
 from exterminating the sect, served only to unite them 
 more closely together, and to manifest to the world their 
 firmness in the defence of their holy religion. 
 
 5. Soon after the death of our Saviour, the public du¬ 
 ties of religion were intrusted to some of the wisest and 
 most holy of the Christians; these were dignified with 
 the names of presbyters , a word expressive of their gra¬ 
 vity and wisdom ; and their office was, to guide with 
 equal authority, and with united counsels, their respec¬ 
 tive congregations. G. But a regard for the public tran¬ 
 quillity at length induced these fathers of the church to 
 appoint a superior magistrate, who might discharge the 
 functions of an ecclesiastical governor. 7. To these 
 new presidents was appropriated the sacred appellation 
 of Bishops; they were chosen by the suffrages of the 
 whole congregation, and they retained their dignity for 
 life. Though originally they were only considered as 
 the first of their equals, their authority afterwards be“ 
 came so great, that they exacted an implicit obedience 
 from every member of the church. 8. The great theatre 
 on which the apostle of the Gentiles (St. Paul) display¬ 
 ed his zeal in the propagation of the Christian religion, 
 were the provinces of the Eastern empire. Here the 
 §eeds of the Gospel were plentifully scattered by that 
 holy minister, and as diligently cultivated by his pious 
 successors. 9. Of the societies instituted iu Syria, 
 those of An'tioch and Damascus were the most ancient, 
 and the most illustrious* The new religion was favour¬ 
 ably received in Ephe'sus, Smyr'na, aud Per'gamus; 
 many of the inhabitants of Philadelphia, Laodice'a, and 
 Sar'dis, embraced with ardour the Christian faith, and 
 in all these cities churches were established, and bishops 
 were elected to administer the sacraments, to superin- 
 
 v 
 
434 PROGRESS OP CHRISTIANITY 
 
 tend all religious ceremonies, and to determine any dif¬ 
 ferences that might arise among the faithful. 13. In 
 the west, the church of Rome was the greatest, and the 
 most ancient of all the Christian establishments. It had 
 been honoured by the preaching and martyrdom of those 
 eminent men, St. Peter and St. Paul, whereas none of 
 the other societies could boast of more than one apos¬ 
 tolic founder. 
 
 11. After the death of Nero, the Christians enjoyed a 
 respite from persecution, many of them were restored to 
 their rank and fortunes; and it was not until the reign 
 of the inhuman Domit'ian, that they were again treated 
 with severity. 12. The indulgence of a few of the in¬ 
 tervening princes, and the indifference of the rest, per¬ 
 mitted the pious Christians to enjoy a full toleration of 
 their religion. 23. But the emperor Domit'ian, a few 
 years after his accession to the empire, published a se¬ 
 vere edict against them, and many fell victims to the re¬ 
 sentment of this capricious tyrant. Under the gentle 
 administration of Ner'va, the Christians were again suf¬ 
 fered to live in perfect security; but his successor, the 
 virtuous Tra'jan, influenced by mistaken notions of po¬ 
 licy, in some degree subjected this unhappy sect, by the 
 severity of his laws, to a renewal of their former mise¬ 
 ries. 11. This prince, however, who always discovered 
 a sincere regard for justice and humanity, would not 
 softer any to be put to death till they had undergone a 
 fair and lawful trial, and their accusers, if they failed in 
 bringing full proof against them, incurred the heavy pe¬ 
 nalties which would have been inflicted on the defend¬ 
 ants, had they been condemned^ 15. After sentence of 
 death was passed on any individual for his adherence to 
 the Christian religion, he still had it in his power to 
 evade punishment, by consenting to burn incense on the 
 Pagan altars. 16. A few, whose desire of life prevailed 
 over the glory of martyrdom , accepted this meaus of 
 
UNDER THE ROMAN EMPERORS. 435 
 
 preserving their existence ; others, and by far the greater 
 number, submitted with resignation, and even with joy, 
 to the dreadful tortures prepared for them. 17. In¬ 
 stances are recorded of martyrs who exasperated the fury 
 of the lions appointed to devour them, who pressed the 
 executioner to hasten his office, who even leaped into 
 tlie fires that were kindled for their destruction, and dis¬ 
 covered a sensation of pleasure in the midst of the most 
 exquisite torments. 18. This intrepid constancy was 
 productive of the most salutary effects ; the generous 
 enthusiasm communicated itself to the spectators; many, 
 whose minds w ere formed by grace or nature for the easy 
 reception of religious light, viewed, pitied, and admired 
 the faithful sufferers; and numbers were thus converted 
 to Christianity. 
 
 19. Aure lius was the next emperor who treated with 
 severity the followers of our holy religion. The hardships 
 they endured under this prince were discontinued at the 
 accession of Com'modus, who behaved towards them with 
 singular lenity. 20. This is generally attributed to the 
 influence of the celebrated Marcia, one of his concu¬ 
 bines, who had long entertained an affection for the op¬ 
 pressed Christians, and had publicly declared herself 
 their patroness. 21. Seve'rus, at the commencement of 
 his reign, shewed them great favour, and even treated 
 with peculiar distinction several persons who had em¬ 
 braced their religion. Some time before his death, how¬ 
 ever, the mind of this prince was so alienated from them, 
 that he endeavoured to restrain the rapid progress of 
 Christianity, by publishing several severe edicts against 
 the new converts. 22. Under the emperor Caraeafla 
 these restraints were removed, and the Christians enjoy¬ 
 ed perfect tranquillity for upwards of thirty years. 
 During the short reign of De'cius, they experienced 
 treatment so rigorous, that, compared with this dreadful 
 period, their condition, ever since the death of Do¬ 
 it 2 
 
436 PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY 
 
 mit'ian, may be considered a state of freedom and se¬ 
 curity. 23. Vale'rian, towards the end of his reign, 
 adopted the maxims, and imitated the severity of his 
 predecessor De'cius ; but under the succeeding emperors 
 the sword of persecution was sheathed, and the Chris¬ 
 tians were allowed a free exercise of their religion 
 throughout the Roman empire. 24. In every city the 
 ancient churches were found insufficient to contain the 
 increasing numbers of converts; and edifices more capa¬ 
 cious and more magnificent were continually erected for 
 the worship of the faithful. 2«>. But a dreadful period 
 now approached: Diocletian, a short time before his 
 resignation of the imperial purple, was prevailed on by 
 Gale'rius, who then possessed the dignity of Caesar, to 
 commence a persecution against the unfortunate Chris¬ 
 tians. 26. The churches of Nicome'dia were accord¬ 
 ingly burned to the ground; ravages were committed on 
 many other sacred buildings. All who refused to deliver 
 to the flames the volumes of Holy Scripture, were put to 
 death in a variety of ways ; and though Diocle tian, who 
 was naturally averse to the effusion of blood, endea¬ 
 voured to moderate the fury of Gale^ius, yet very rigoi- 
 ous punishments were inflicted on all who were too firm, 
 and too faithful, basely to renounce their religion. 
 
 27. These transient calamities, however, were fully 
 and unexpectedly recompensed by the sunshine of royal 
 favour, which, during the reign of the great Con'stan- 
 tine, beamed w ith such lustre on the followers of Chris¬ 
 tianity. 28. Even before his accession to the empire, 
 when he exercised a limited authority over the Gallic 
 provinces, he protected, by his laws and by his autho¬ 
 rity, his Christian subjects. When appointed to sway 
 the sceptre of the Roman world, he immediately sus¬ 
 pended or repealed the dreadful edicts of the late empe¬ 
 rors, and allowed the free exercise of their religious 
 ceremonies to all those who had already declared them- 
 
UNDER THE ROMAN EMPERORS. 437 
 
 selves members of the church of Christ. 29. He com¬ 
 manded that all public lands, and all places of worship, 
 should be restored to them without delay or expence; 
 and if any of the purchasers had bought them in the late 
 reigns, at a fair and adequate pricfe, they were to be re¬ 
 paid from the imperial treasury. 30. Thus were all the 
 temporal disadvantages, which had hitherto retarded the 
 progress of Christianity, effectually removed ; its active 
 and numerous ministers received a free permission, and 
 even a liberal encouragement, to extend the salutary 
 truths of the Gospel over the whole world; and in this 
 pious work every argument, capable of affecting the 
 reason or piety of mankind, was strongly enforced. 31. 
 The example of the emperor contributed greatly to in¬ 
 crease the number of proselytes; and by the education 
 of his children in the doctrine of Christianity, Constan¬ 
 tine secured to his subjects a succession of princes, who 
 from their infancy imbibed the spirit of the new religion. 
 32. In the reign of Theodo'sius the Pagan worship was 
 entirely abolished; its altars and its temples were de¬ 
 stroyed, and scarcely a vestige of idolatry remained. 
 
 Questions for Examination . 
 
 1. To what may the rapid progress of Christianity be attri¬ 
 
 buted? 
 
 2. What were the principal? 
 
 3. Did they coniine themselves to example ouly? 
 
 4. Did the persecutions raised against them diminish their 
 
 zeal and success ? 
 
 5. What was the primitive form of church government? 
 
 6. Was their authority sufficient? 
 
 7. What name and authority did these presidents possess ? 
 
 8. What was the principal scene of St. Paul's labours? 
 
 9. In what cities of the Past was the Gospel early received? 
 
 10. What part of the West was first enlightened by the 
 
 truth ? 
 
 11. Did the successors of Nero imitate his cruelties? 
 
 12. What was the conduct of succeeding princes? 
 
 13. How were they treated by Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan? 
 
PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY, &C. 
 
 438 
 
 14. Did not Trajan soften those severities by wise regula- 
 
 15. Was°there any chance of escape after condemnation ? 
 
 1G. Did many avail themselves ot this? 
 
 17. W hat proofs did they give of this ? 
 
 18. What effects did their enthusiasm produce . 
 
 19* Who was the next persecutor ? 
 
 20. To whom may this lenity be attributed 
 
 21. How were the Christians treated by Scverus . 
 
 22. What was the conduct of Caracalla and Decius towards 
 
 23. How were they treated by Valerian and his successors ? 
 
 24. Did they increase in consequence ? 
 
 25. Did this tranquillity last? 
 
 26*. Was this persecution rigorous ? 
 
 27. What succeeded this storm? . 
 
 28. What was the conduct of Constantine towards them . 
 
 29. Did he not add farther favours ? 
 
 30. By what means was Christianity farther promoted 
 
 31. How did Constantine personally contribute to this . 
 
 32. When was Paganism entirely abolished *! 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Printed by R. Gilbert, St. John’s-Square, London. 
 
 I