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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http : //books . google . com/ d by Google d by Google d by Google d by Google . STORIES 7 F&OX ROMAN HISTORY- BY A LADY. ILLUSTRATED BY COPPER-PLATES* LONDON : FRIKTBD FOR HARYET AND DARTOK9 ORACECHURCR-BT&EET. 182S. ^ 2.365. j c] d by Google d by Google INTRODUCTION. The follomng Stories are compiled from the Roman history, and are generally considered &cts. Bat while young people are perusing anecdotes connected with the history of one nation, it is very desirable that they should form some correct idea of the state of other countries at the same period. They should likewise make themselves acquainted with the relative situation of the various places that are mentioned^ by carefully e3Eamining an andent or modem map of the territory or country alluded to. We shall, therefore, first inform our young readers, that Britain was almost an uninhabited island, when the houses, or hutsf, were first built, which became, in the course of time, the magnificent dty of Rome. Germany also, and France, (then named Gaul,) together with other nations in the North of Europe, were in a rude and barbarous state. The inhabitants Worshipped idols; and their chief occupations were hunting in the wide forests that overspread great part d by Google ly IKTRODUCTION. of the country, or in making war upon the neighbour- ing nations* In the East, on the contrary, we find an extensive empire, called the Assyrian, which ocaipied a consi- derable part of Asia. Egypt was a powerful king- dom ; the states of Greece were established under different governments; and the kingdom of Carthage^ in Africa, had become of considerable importance. The countries of Judea and Samaria, then in the possession of the Hebrews,, were ruled by separate kings. The prophet Jonah lived about this period* Upon referring to a map of ancient Italy, it will be seen, that Alba was at a short distance from the Tiber, on the banks of which river the city of Rome .afterwards stood. The Sabines and the Veii weve \both neighbouring people. d by Google STORIES FKOK ROMAN HISTORY. ROMULUS AND REMUS. Anno Mundi, 1 sako Ante Christum, \ j-ea In the year of the world, J *^'*-' Before Christ, f'^^ {(.OMUius and Remus were the grandsons of Kumitor> king of Alba. Aanulius, his brother, was a very ambitious man, who found means to deprive Numitor of his kingdom, and to obtain possession of it himself. The daughter of Numitor having committed, a great crime^ Amai- Jius caused her to be buried alive ; and. her twin children, Rbmulus and Remus, were thrown into the Tiber, by command of this cruel usurper. It happened that the river had overflowed its banks; and the infants, having been thrown into the water where it was less- deep, remained unhurt. d by Google » ROMULUS AND REMUS. Faiistulus^ one of king Numitor's herdsmen^ discovered the children in this perilous situ- ation, and carried them to his wife^ who took charge of them; and the shepherd educated them as his own sons. Other stories are related concerning the childhood of the two brothers ; but the truth of them is not certain, and we have therefore avoided noticing them. When Romulus and Remus grew up, they were dis- satisfied with the occupation of tending flocks and herds, or hunting wild beasts : they chose rather to fight against the robbers who infested their country, whom they often conquered, and shared the plunder witlrtheir fellow shepherds. In one of these • contests, Remus was taken prisoner, and brought before the king, and accused of committing theft. Romulus having* heard of his brother's .situation, assembled his companions, in order to rescue him from his enemies. Faustulus, the herdsman, had informed him- of his near connexion with AmuUus; and the youth determined to force the usurper to give up the kingdom of Alba to Numitor his grand- father. While Romulus collected his friends and fol- d by Google - ^^^f j d by Google d by Google ROMULUS AND REMUS. 3 lowers^ Remus was equally active in making friends of the inhabitants within the city. Amulius was taken and slain; while Numitor, having acknowledged his daughter's children, was restored to the throne. The two brothers then resolved to build a city, upon those hills on which they had for- merly lived as shepherds. Numitor appointed lands for them; but they could not agree in their choice of a suitable place. They had recourse to the superstitious practice of ob- serving the flight of birds, in order to settle the dispute, and placed themselves on different hills. Remus beheld six vultures flying, and Romulus twelve. Another contest arose on account of the superior number beheld by Romulus, who asserted his right to begin the foundations of the new city. He commenced the walls;, but their slenderness was ridiculed by Remus, who leaped over them with contempt. Romulus, provoked at this insult, struck his brother dead on the spot, declaring that no one should insult his walls unpunished. We are not informed if Romulus felt remorse for this wicked action. He continued to erect his city upon the Palatine hills, and made it a d by Google 4 ROMULUS AND REMUS. place of refuge for criminals, strangers, and slaves. The city contained about a thousand houses, or, more properly, cottages, made of rough boards and covered with mud, surrounded by a feeble wall. It received the name of Rome^ in honour of the founder, Romulus. The bad character of the inhabitants made them despised by the neighbouring people, with whom they were frequently at war. On one occasion, R<Mnuhis invited the Sa- l»nes to witness a grand entertainment in ho- noiir of a heathen god; and his ''people haHag seized upon the women who had come to be spectators, forced them to remain in the city as their wives. Such violent proceedings gave great o£fenoe: the Sabines made war against the Romans, but were at last conquered by thait fierce and barbarous people. Romulus afterwards divided the lands that he had gained by conquest, and allotted one third part to his subjects ; anodier for th^ pur- pose of building temples, and providing for the priests; and a third for paying the ezpences of the government An hundred men were chosen from the most aged and experienced of the citizens, to give advice to the king on matters d by Google THE HOBATII AND CURIATII, 5 of importance : these persons were called the senators. After governing his new kingdom thirty-nine years, Romulus disappeared. Some writers assert that he was slain by the senators, who were disgusted with his tyrannical government. A temple was afterwards dedicated to him, and the people honoured him as one of their gods. THE HORATII AND CURIATII. a: M. 3337. A.c.ec7. Rome and Alba were now become separate territories; but the connexion which had for- merly been between the people, did not prevent them from making war upon each other. •Disputes having arisen between the two states, in the reign of TuUus Hostilius, the third king of Rome, their armies met in a plain, a few miles distant from that city, and were drawn up in order of battle, waiting the signal to begin the attack. In this state of suspense, B 2 d by Google g THE HO J the Alban general . that the dispute combati adding, * pion should be o^ Eubmit to the cod* This mode of * ■ tainly the advantr right and wrong or duels. Many courage either side, desir considered the b« is called pairw and Romans it and greatest of ^ It happened t^ three twin brotl courage, and a troops were caUi Alban brothers them it was at li. management of tJ The warriors between the aniii counti7men* T' each other with by Google THE HORAf n ANI) CURIATII. 7 they bore no private hatred, but were devoting themselves -for the pubKc good. The combat then began; whde the spectators, in fear and in silence, looked on, deeply anxious for the success and safety of the young champions. In the first attack, two of thief Horatii were killed ; and the third appeared to take flight, being pursued by the three Curiatii, who were wound* ed. T?he Romans secretly blamed the cowar- dice of the remaining brother, while the Albans raised a joyfiil shout. But they had not long cause to rejoice; for the young man, perceiving that he had succeeded in separating his op- posers from each other, turned about, and at- tacking him who was nearest, quickly slew him. The second advanced, and shared the same fate. The last, already severely wounded, was slain almost without resistance. Young Hcwratius was therefore the' victor; and the Albans were obliged to submit to the Romans, according to the agreement which had been made. As Horatius was returning home after the victory, he naet with his sister, who was very naturally lamenting the death of her two bro« thers. He reproached her for her sorrow in d by Google ^8 BRUTUS. an angry manner; and it would have been well if he had been satisfied with.reproaches only. His sister was on the point of marrying one of the three Curiatii, whom Horatius had just slain^ and this circumstance was an additional cause of grief to her. She upbraided him with the murder of the youth; aud her brother, violently enraged at the rebuke, killed her on the spot! This most inhuman action raised the just indignation of the senate against Horatius, and he was condemned to die ; but the services which he had rendered to the state, in conquer- ing the Albans, saved him from so severe a pu- nishment; for, upon appealing to the people, he received a pardon. BRUTUS. A. M. 3497. A. q. 607. The circumstance that is now to be related, took place in the reign of Tarquinius Su- perbus, the seventh and last king of Rome. The ill conduct of this prince made the peo* d by Google JNtUTUS. 9 pie dislike their form of government, and they expeDed Tarqiiin from the country. The senate now ehose two magistratesj called consuls, who were to govern for one year only; and upon them ais great a degree of power was bestowed, as the kings had formerly possessed. Brutus, and CoQaiinus were the first consuls. The former had been very active in expelling Tarquin, and had caused the people to take an oath, never t^ain to submit to the power of a king. Unhappily, his oWn fiunily were die first tb break this sol^nn proihise. Many persons in Rome secretly favoured Tarquin; particularly some of the young men, who had been used to share the pleasures of his extravagant court. They were displeased with the new government under the consuls, and with the strict and severe laws, which made no distinction between the rich and the poor citizens. Tarquin was then at a small city in Etruria, (now called Tuscany,) and being informed of what was passing at Rome, he sent an ambas- sador, under the pretence of demanding some property he had left behind, but in reality to d by Google 10 BRUTUS. increase the number of his friends. Private meetings were held at the house of one of these treacherous persons^ and they had determined to restore the king, and put the consuls to death, when the whole affair was discovered by accident. A slave, who had been concealed in the room during the meeting of Tarquin's friends, over- heard the whole conversation, and immediately carried to the consuls the information he had obtained. Orders were given to seize the con- spirators, and bring them before the tribunal, or place of judgment. The consuls were seat- ed; the prisoners entered ; and Brutus, the de- liverer of his country, beheld his own sons among the guilty persons who had designed to bring back the proud king Tarquin, and pro- bably would have caused the death of their own father. We can only suppose they had no clear ideas respecting the providence of God, and were ignorant that, sooner or later, he will punish the wicked. The law condemned that man to die, who should attempt to restore kingly government. Brutus himself had made that cruel law, and justice required him to observe it. The young d by Google d by Google -^^^"^&^^ - _:?«tf*ytf Jl^pr^f' d by Google BRUTUS. ' 11 men being accused^ had nothing to plead in their own defence^ but waited for their sentence in silence and anguish. The other judges who who were present, felt for the dreadful situa- tion of the judge aiidithe criminals. Collatinus wept, and Valerius could not re- press his compassion. Brutus alone appeared unmoved. . With a stem:look, and .with a tone of voice that marked his determination, he deinanded of his sons whether they could make any defence. This question he repeated three times, and re- ceived no reply. Brutus then turned to the executioner: "It is now your part," said he, to perform the rest." Having spoken these words, he sat down with an air of resolute dig- nity; nor could the imploring looks of the peo- ple, or his own feelings as a father, alter his de- termination. The unfortunate youths were beheaded in the presence of Brutus himself, who beheld the scene with a steady, unaltered countenance, while the multitude gazed with terror, pity, and admiration. But we must recollect he was not a Christian father, and that those who consider- ed his conduct as virtuous were heathens. d by Google 12 BKUTVS^ The severe justice wEich Brutus had ob« served towards his two sons, greatly increased hi^ authority at Borne ; and Tarquin's expecta- tions being destroyed by the discovery of his designs, he prevailed upon the Veians to asi^st him with an army, and proceeded towards i^ome. The consuls made preparations to op- pose him, and marched out to the borders of the Roman territory. Brutus took the com- mand of the cavalry, or horse soldiersr Aruns, the son of Tarquin, seeing Brutus ad- vancing, hastily led on his troops, and spiuring his horse, rushed onward with great fury. Brutus issued from the ranks of the soldiers to meet him; and they attacked each other with so much rage, that they fell dead together on the field of battle. A terrible contest then followed between the two armies : the Romans were victorious, and the remaining consul re- turned in triumph to Rome* d by Google 13 CORIOLANUS. A. M. 4511. A. C. 493. Caius Marfius Coriolanus was a patrician, who first made himself remarkable at the siege of Corioli, a city of th<e Volscians, whence he re- ceived the surname of Coriolanus. The Romans generally had three names. The last^ or sur- name^ was derived from various circumstances; either from their personal appearance^ as Ma- cer, tJim; or from the cultivation of some ve- getable, as Cicero, from deer, a vetch. Some- times from their good qualities, as Cato, from catus', wise; or from some remarkable event or courageous actipn^ as in the case of Corio- lanus. This young Roman had the misfortune to lose his father during his infancy, and his mo- ther, with ill-judged fondness, suffered him to grow up proud, passionate, and obstinate. He was, however, possessed of generous feelings, for, after the seige of Corioli, he refrised a tenth part of the spoils wluch were taken in the cap- tured city, and asked only for a horse, and one prisoner, to whom he immediately gave liberiy* d by Google 14 CORIOLANUS. Notwithstanding his generosity^ and the ser- vice he had rendered the state, the haughty manner in which he treated the plebeians, made him greatly disliked by them. They were at this time endeavouring to gain a greater share yx the govecnmenti and found no advocate in Coriolanus* So highly dissatisfied with the government had the plebeians been, that they left die city, and settled themselves on Moui^t Sacer, a mountain three miles from Rome. The senate had induced them to return, by allowing them to choose two annual magistrates, called Tri- Ijunes, to protect them from oppressiion. Continual contentbns and disorder having caused the people to neglect the cultivatipn of the lands, a famine ensued, and the senate s^nt to several countries for a supply of provisions ; particularly from Sicily^ whem;^ abundance of grain was received, A debate took place amongst the senators, respecting the price at which the com should be sold; and it was even proposed by some, but chiefly by Coriolanusi that no com should be, given to the peofde, un- less they gave up their tribunes. The plebei- ans were enraged at this unfeeling advice, »xd d by Google d by Google l©n^ V d by Google d by Google J^»J^ d by Google CORIOtANUS. 16 d^aiided that he shotdd be thrown headlong from the TarpSian rock ; a mode of punishment common in ancient - Rome. The patricians^ howe^eif, defended him in this dangerous situa^ don^ and the senate Ibund it necessary to allow a triad to take place in the assembly of the peo^ pie ; and he was at length condemned to per*- petual baiusfament, a Very severe t)imishment to a Roman, whos^ attachment to hia country was superior to evefy other. . » Amid the tumult- which this sentence pro*- duced^ Corioianus alone stood unmoved. He tamed from the assembly, and, followed by the most re6|>eetable eitusenSj went to bid fareweft to his wife, his children, and his mother j Ve- tuiia. Revenge now filled the mind of Coriolailus. To return good for evil was a lesson which he had never been taught; and, as he journeyed, he considered how he might best gratify this base passtton. He wandered to Antium, and entering the city by night, sought the house of Tulliis, the chief of the Volscians; and having discovered himself^ he offered to lead the army against the Romans: so little consideration had d by Google 16 CORIOLANXJS. he for his near relations, fiiends, and country- men! He was gladly received. Means were quickly found to break the truce between the two peo- ple, and Coriolanus, at the head of the Vol- scians, took several towns, and laid waste the country around, always taking care to spare the lands belonging to the patricians. He was now within five miles of Rome, and all classes of people were terrified at the approach of such a foe. Twice he refused to listen to the en- treaties sent from the senate by the priests and most venerable citizens. At length the Roman matrons besought his mother, with his wife and children, to go forth, and endeavour to move him to compassion, and induce him to make a treaty with Rome. They advanced to the ene- my's camp, and sought the hard-hearted Roman. The sight of his mother, Veturia, kneeling at his feet, overcame his cruel inflex- ibility. He raised her, exclaiming, " O mother, you have saved Rome, but you have lost your son !'* He then gave orders to withdraw the troops firom the city. Tullus had long envied Coriolanus, and re- presented him as treacherous to himsslf and the d by Google WINTUS ClNCiNNATUS. 17 Vbiscians^ and so incensed that people against him, that they rose in a tumult and slew hiiri, without hearing any thing in his defence. ' Some historians relate that he Hved to old age, and that the Roman matrons mourned for him a whole yean Three yeais before the date of this anecdote, the battle of Marathon was fought between the Greeks and Persians. 4JUINTUS CINeiNNATUS. A. M. 3534. A. C 470. At^tas period, Rome had been built nearly three hundred years, and tibe number of its in- habitants was greatly increased. The division of the people into two ranks, caUed patricians and plebeians, which Romulus had made, still continued. The patricians were usually, but not always, possessed of wealth; and the ple- bians may be considered as the poorer class of people. Quintus Cindnnatus was a patrician, who d by Google 18 ' QUINTUS CINCINNATUS. was reduced to poverty by the misconduct of his son. A violent dispute had arisen between these two classes of the people, concerning the establishment of a law, by which the plebeians would obtain a share in the lands that had been taken from their enemies, during their frequent wars. This law was strongly opposed by the higher orders, and Caeso, the son of Cincinna- tus, was among the most active in his attempts to silence the clamours of the people in favour of the measure. The tribunes were resolved to pimish the young patrician, Caeso, for op])Osing the agra- rian law, that we have just ioientioned. His father was obliged to give a very large sum of money, as a pledge for his appearance before the tribunes, and to save him from imprison- ment ; but instead of appearing when he was ordered, he went into Etnuia, and nearly all his father's wealth was forfeited. Cincinnatus quietly retired to a little cottage beyond the Tiber, cultivating a few acres of ground with his own hands, and living upon the fruits of his industry. The people continued to require that the agrarian law should be established; and during d by Google d by Google /, ,,,S-4hantuj Cinan/tatus ohl^vt^ ^le .^qui and Volsdur ^^--^ ^•■ife pass un der ^le yoke. {' S3 :pa^2C d by Google QUINTUS eiNCINNATUS. 19 the quarrels that took place^ the city had nearly been taken by a foreign enemy. One of the consuls was slain while he was defending the citadel, and Cincinnatus was chosen, by the consent of both parties, to succeed him in the office, for he was universally respected. . The deputies from the senate found him in the dress of a labourer, ploughing his fields Cincinnatus was not rejoiced when he was in- formed that the senate had chosen him consul; neither was he pleased at the sight of the pom- pous gjarments that were presented to him. He regretted that his assistance was necessary, and, tuming to his wife, he exclaimed: "Myi fields theuy will not be sown this year.'* He conducted himself with so much justice^ moderation, and skill, that he quieted the tu- mults among the people, and induced them to give up the disputed law. H^ retired again to his little farm, and.was enjoying his usual quiets when he was caiUed a second time to assist in the affairs of the state. The Romans wer& now at war with the iEqui and the Vblsci, two neigh- bouring nations, and, through the unskilfulness gf their general, the troops were surroimded by d by Google so OUINtUS CINOIKNATUS. the enemy 9 and were in /danger of perishing or bmg made prisoners. The senate was unwilling to trust any leader but Cincinnatus. He was made dictator, an office which gave him absolute power over die people. He received the notice of his new dignity with perfect calmness; and having en- tered the dty, he entreated all who were able to bear arms^ to meet at sun^set in a neighbouring plwi^ with their weapons^ and food for five days. He marched all night towards the ene- my, and, before day, came in sight of dieir cwip. He then caused entrenchments to be made, to prevent tSeir escape; and ordered his troops to shout aloud, that the Romans, who were 6unx>unded5 might know relief was near. The Volsci, being attacked on all sides, begged a truce. The dictator gave them their Bves, but obliged them to pass under the yoke, as a token of servitude. For the performance of this ceremony, two spears were placed up- right in the ground, and a third across the top of them: beneath this spear the vanquished army was obliged to pass. Cincinnatus reftised all share in the plunder taken from the enemy; and, satisfied with hav- d by Google IDjff )rtk ne» gflf oil iin bei ar- d by Google ^»*lf» J* dbyGODgt 3rCCn» DENTATUS. 21 ing rescued his countrymen^ he resigned his office^ having held it, only fourteen days. The senate would have offered him riches ; but he rejected all: rewards, and withdrew once more to his farm, more honourable from the integrity of his life, than any wealth or title could have made him. About this period ThemlstSGles, the celebrated Athenian, flourished; and Ssdras obtained permission of the Persian king, Artaxgrxes Longunllnus, to return to Jerusalem, and restore the religion and laws of the Hebrews, who had been long in edle^ SICCIUS DENTATUS. A. U. 0.296. A.C. 466. Th£ Romans were accustomed to reckon their time from ;the foundation of their city by Romulus: we shall therefore make use of that date in future, together vith the year before Christ which corresponds with it. The words signified by the initial letters are these, " Ab Urbe C6ndita,"^077i the beginning of the city^ d by Google 89 SlCCIirS DEKTATUS. The people stUl continued to assert their elajjns upon the conquered lands; and after muny contests, they obtained the grant of Mount Aventine, a hill which was not, at that timci within the bounds of the dty. But thi^ concession did not long satisfy the plebeians, and a day was appointed for the full discussion of the important point. A great multitude of all ranks assembled, either to give their votes or their opinions. Several of the ci^i^ns related the actions that they had performed for the public good, and complained of the trifling rewards they had received. Among those who came forward td speak upon the occasion, was Sicc!us Dentatus, a plebeian advanced in years, but possessing a fine person and noble demeanour. He had served forty years in the Roman armies; had fought an hundred and twenty battles; and he had received forty>five wounds, chiefly in the breast: a proof that he had not turned his back upon the foe. Dentatus had gained many civic and other crowns of honour, and he had saved many lives. He complained that he had not received the smallest share of the lands he d by Google SfCCtCB D£NTATUS. SS b^ assisted m eonqueritig; but that he Btiil led a life of hardship tiad poverty, while the patri- diui3 divided the tenitbries among themselves. We mu^ hcare observe, diat one of the high* est rewards of bravery among the ItoniaHs, waa the civic crowns It was given to him who had 9aved the life of a citizen^ and was made of oak« lean^su The crown was presented by the per- son whose Hfe had been saved, in the presence of tiie whole army. When jflie troops were set free from a blockade, (as M the case of the Roman army delivered by Cincinnatos,) they gave tbenr de- liverer a crown, formed of the grass which grew in the place whi»re they had been surrounded. These crowns weve always kept ^th great care, and w^e worn by the possessors ^at the public shows and festivals. The story of Dentatus rendered the people more violent in favour of the agrarian, law, and they loudly demanded that his valour should not be left unrewarded. The senators in vain at- tempted to sp^ak; while the young patricians, running furiously into the throng, dispersed the peo|^, aiad broke up the assembly. It generally happened that the disputes of d by Google 24 SICCIUS DENTATUS. the citizens were quieted by the invasions of the neighbouring states. The i£qui now ad** vanced within a few miles of the city ; and in the war which followed, Dentatus acqxiired greater praise than the consul to whom the victory was attributed. This general had com- manded the old veterans to attack the enemy, in a quarter where he knew they were very strongly fortified; and Dentatus represented to him the certain dangers that his troops must encounter, without the chance of success. The consul accused him of cowardice. Dentatus, being provoked, assembled his eight hundred veteran soldiers, and prepared to obey. It is probable that the consul designed the destruc- tion of Dentatus; but the warrior having dis- covered a secret path, surprised the forces of theiEqui; while the consul, with the rest of the army, also attacked them, and a complete vic- tory was gained. Dentatus, however, persuaded that he had been sent on this dangerous service in order to procure his death, or disgrace, related the treachery of the consul on his return to Rome, and prevented him from recdving the honour of a triun^>h« d by Google SIOCIUS DBNTATUS. 95 For nearly aixty years, the Romans had been disputing among themsdyes, and now grew weary of their continual quarrels. They began to wish for written laws, which, being known to all persons in the state, might either prevent crimes, or punish them when committed. At that time, the countries of Greece pos- sessed the most celebrated laws; and three senators were dispatched to Athens, to collect those which had been found, by experience, to be most just and useful. The ambassadors returned with numerous laws, which were after- wards formed into the famous code, called the twehe tdblM, many parts of which remain to the present times. But the blessing of peace was seldom long known to the Romans^ Ten men, called De- CCTiviri, were appointed instead of the consuls, who acted very tyrannically; and the soldiers became so unwilling to serve under their com- mand, that they allowed themselves to be con- quered by the Volsci. Old Dentatus, who was tribune, always spoke his opinions freely: he dedared that the gene- rals were unfitted for their office, and pointed d by Google 26 SICCIUS DENTATUS. out the faults which they had committed. Be- ing sent with some supplies to the army, he ob- served that the place in which the troops were encamped was not well chosen; nor did he hesi- tate to assure the leaders that their situation was wrong. He was appointed to choose a more suitable station, attended by an hundred men. Thesa were assassins, whom the De- cemviri had engaged to murder him, in order to gratify their revenge. Dentatus departed without suspicion. When they had proceeded some distance, he was led, on some pretence, into a hollow glen among mountains, where they attacked him from be- hind. Dentatus too late perceived the treachery of his enemies; but placing his back against a rock, he resolved to defend himself to the last. Though now grown old, he retained the re- mains of his former valour : he killed fifteen of his assailants, and wounded thirty. The assas- sins were terrified at his bravery, and threw their javelins at a distance, which he received upon his shield. At length they ascended the rock against which he stood, and poured down stones upon him from the top. This succeeded: the old soldier fell beneath the blows, after hav- d by Google CAMILLUS. 27 mg shown the greatest courage and resolution in defending his life. The Decemviri pretended to join in the ge- neral grief for the fate of Dentatus, and ordered him funeral honours; but this deceitful sorrow only rendered them more despised by the people. Their power did not continue much longer. But in changing their rulers, the Ro- man people did not change their warlike incli- nations; and in the succeeding anecdotes' we shall find them still contending with the neigh- bouring states, and afterwards extending their conquests over distant countries. The prophet Nehemiah flourished about this period. camiLlus. A. U. C. 360. A. C. 392. The Romans were engaged for nine years in the siege of Veii, a powerful city of Etruria. Being dissatisfied with their generals, they chose CamiUus dictator, expecting great suc- cess &om his bravery and skill. He was gene- d by Google ^8 CAMILLUS. roUs« prudent j and far too noble-minded to love revenge. Having found the city of Veil so wellde&nded> that it, could not be taken by j^rce^ he caused hid troops to make a mine, or subterraneous way, beneath the walls, which wa9 carried /under the centre of the citadel. The work being finished, he directed his men to break through; and in an instant the city was filled with armed men, to die amazement of the inhabita^ts,r who beHeved ^ themselves in perfect safety. Thus was V^ taken, like Troy, after a siege often years. Two years after this event, Camillus was sent against the Falisci, and besieged their chief city* Here he acted in a manner highly de- serving of praise. It was usual among the Falisci to entrust th^ir children to an instruc- tor, after the manner of the Greeks. The tutor of the chQdren belonging to the chief men, generally, in time of peace, led his pupils beyond the walls of the town, to exercise and dmuse themselves; and continuing this practice during the siege, he found meaps to entice the children into the Roman camp. The tutor be- ing brought to the general's tent, informed Camillus, that, by placing these boys in his d by Google Fof* 2S d by Google d by Google CAMILLUS. 29 power^ he put him in possession of the city; for the chiefs would not fail to give up the place« m order to receive back their children. Camillus detested such base conduct; and ordering him to be uncovered^ and his hands to be tied be- hind his back, he delivered a rod to each of the scholars^ desiring them to beat their unworthy master back to the city. This generosity had such an effect upon the Falisci^ that they gave up their city to Camillus. Notwithstanding the proofs of generosity which Camillus had shown^ the tribunes ac- cused this great man of taking part of the plunder of Veil for his private use; and Camil* ius^ perceiving that he should be condemned by the ungrateful Romans, went into voluntary banishment; having expressed his hopes that, if the sentence they pronounced upon him should prove unjust, his country might soon feel the loss of him. The country which is now called France was at that time inhabited by a very fierce and bar- haxous race of men^ called the Gauls. They were remarkably tall and strong ; and, in battle, their fury was terrible. The Gauls had several times invaded the north of Italy ; for they had. » 2 d by Google m CAMICliVdi t^gted thexibh vines of (feafc country,, and were dlarmed with tiie mild and delightful climate. The Romans were entreated to come and fight- ag!aijis4> the bbebarians; but in a short time the Gkuls so completely 'conquered them^ that they marched toi Rome, took < the city, asid^ set it on fere, Nti vpart remained - but the Capitol; or. fortreii^ whidr' stood u^on the Targeiaii rodt^ emd the Bomans who had fled thither were resolved to defend themselves. In/the mean timei, eamiUtis> who wars at Ardea^ persuaded the inhabitunls to take arms agbiiiBt the Gaul^. The Rjbbiatis who had fled likewise assembled^ and Camillus took the com- iband of the tioops. But the citedel bad once neai^ly been- surprised; for the Gauls, having &uiid a part of the rook,, which could be ascended^ <3li«nbed to t^e top unifioticed- by the sentinel oh the w4itoh^^gs^ but the noise of their approach was^ heard by *Sidiiie geese {which are very wsQibfiil animals) belohging to a tern* p]e &ijthe «itadelji andtheir gabbling awakened- MinliTuSr >nho^ ^snatching up his arms, threw down the' Gaul who had fii*st reached the top^ and the garrison comtftg to hii6 aissistance^ the enemy was soon ovi^ceme. d by Google fa^* 33 d by Google cai k pla it d by Google CAMILLITS. SI The Stotnans had been besieged in their capitol seven months^ and they began to want food. The Gauls also were seized with the plague. At last a treaty was made; and it was agreed that the Gauls should depart upon re- ceiving a thousand pounds weight of gold ; for at that period the Romans had no money of that metaL B^ennus, the leader of the Gauls> having used unjust weights, the Romans com« plained of the proceeding; but the Gaul an- swered, " The conquered must put up with every thing:' White the dispute continued, news arrived that Camillus was hastening to their relief with his army. He speedily appeared, and entering the place with the air of a man determined not to submit to fraud,, he ordered the gold to be taken back to the capitol. A battle then took place, in which Camillus entirely defeated the Gauls; and the Roman territories were soon free from these fierce in- vaders. The continued success of Camillus rendered Mm almost absolute at Rome ; but his modera- tion and bve of justice prevented him from making an. ill use of his power. He prevailed. d by Google 32 BfANLIlT^ TORQtJATUS. upon the people to rebuild the city^ rather than remove to Veil; while the soldiers, in their songs, celebrated him as a second Romul^s, and as the founder of the city* The contrast between Coriolanus and Camil- lus is very striking. Camillus was most unjusdy banished; yet he no sooner knew his country's danger, than, laying aside all resentment, he assembled an army and rescued it from de- struction; while Coriolanus, who was far from possessing the virtues of Camillus, and had performed fewer patriotic actions, brought a foreign enemy to the walls of Rome, merely to gratify his own revenge* About the time of Camillus, the Carthaginiaxis were con- tending for the island of Sidlj. MANLIUS TORQUATUS. A.U.C.394. A.C.36& The father of Manlltus was a very severe man: he treated the soldiers under his com- mand with great rigouxj and his conduct to- d by Google MANLIUS TORQUATUS. 83 wards his son was harsh and unkind. This young man was banished from the city by his cruel parent^ and obliged to work in the fields like a slave^ because he had a defect in his ' speech^ and a countenance resembling that of an ideot. The elder Manlius was generally disliked: a tribune accused him of various crimes, and related the severity he practised towards his son. Young Manlius being in* formed of this, went early one morning to the city, without informing any one of his in- tentions, and entering the house of the tri* bune, told the porter to inform his master that Titus ManUus desired to speak with him im- mediately. The tribune, supppsing that he was come to accuse his father, ordered him to be admitted. When they were alone, the young man drew a dagger, which he had concealed under his garment, and standing over the tribune, who was in bed, he threatened to kill him, if he did not take an oath to drop the prosecution against his father. The tribune being terrified, made the solemn promise that young Manlius required, and Lucius Manlius thus escaped a trial. The people of Rome were so pleased with the youth. d by Google 34 MANLIUS TORQUATUS. that, he was immediately chosen to fill an office of some importance. .The motives that influ- enced young Manlius were indeed most worthy of approbation; imt we cannot consider the violent: measures he adopted as equaHy laud- able. Three years after this event, - the Giuds en- camped upon the bai^s of the Anio, while the Rpmans drew up their forces on the Opposite sidte of the river. . There was a bridge between the armies. A Gaul of very enormous si^e ad- vanced upon this bridge, and, with a loud voice, challenged the bravest of the Romans to single combat.' Titus 'Manlius alone had the courage to accept the challenge; but he first asked the permission of his commander. The .combat ap- peared very unequal in the eyes .of the specta- tators; but Manlius, by the skilful use of his weapons, soon laid his mighty enemy prostrate on the ground.. He took nothing from him but a golden chain or collar, which he put round his own neck, whence he received the name of Torquatus, the word torquis signifying a chain. The Gauls were so much alarmed by the success of the Roman, that they withdrew d by Google / '^^-yTffr^uatus ManUus sentencing fas Son Titus to Death. /'"^^ ^ T^^ 97 d by Google d by Google TITUS MANLIUS. 85 in the night; and thus a battle was fortunately avoided. About three years after this period, Alex&nder, usually called the Great, was bom. He was king of Macedonia, and a most ambitious prince, who conquered a g^at part of Asia, and the whole of Greece. TITUS MANLIUS. A.U.C421. A.C331. Titus Manlius, the son of Torquatus, who was the subject of the last anecdote, was a brave youth, and remarkable for his dutiful behaviour to his father. Titus, Uke most other Romans, was called to exercise his courage in battle. During the consulship of his father, a dispute arose between the Romans and the Latins, a people closely connected with them. As their language, arms, and habits were very much alike, Torquatus and DSeiiis, the two consuls, considered it proper to enforce the most strict obedience to their orders, that all confusion might be avoided during the engage ment between the two annies. d by Google 36 T1TU8 MANLIUS. Commands were therefore issued by Tor- quatus^ that no soldier should leave the ranks upon any account, even if he should meet with provocation; declaring also, that the man who ventured to disobey, should certainly be put to death. The armies having been drawn out in battle- array, Metius, the general of the enemy's caval- ry, pushed forward, and challenged any knight to single combat. For some time there was a pause, no one daring to disobey oriiers, till Titus Manlius, provoked to see the whole Roman army intimidated, boldly advanced to- wards Metius. This conduct was undoubtedly wrong; and Titus would have been more truly courageous, had he borne the taunts of the Latin general till he had permission to fight with him. The two combatants drove their horses- with fury against each other : the horse of Metius was killed, and the rider thrown upon the ground. He endeavoured to defend himself with his shield; but, as he was attempting to rise, the Roman slew him. Having taken off the armour of his foe, Titus returned to his father's tent. Gratified as the youth had been, by his d by Google TITV8 aUXLSXS. 87 idptory, h^ now xfioollected that he had disr pheyed miUtary orders, and he was douhtful in what manner he should be received. Head*- yanoed, with wme apprehensiimi to lay ihe qpoils, that he had taken from MetiuBt at liie consul's fiset. But whs^ mvst hare been bis constemation, jwiien hi9 &t}ier> tuixiing away, commanded |iim to be led forth in sight of the whole army, Torquatus Manliiui, with a stem countenance, jjret with tears, ti^u» addressed his unfortunate son : ** Tho)} bast regarded neither the oom*- «ipu]i^ pf thy fo^eff nor the dignity of his lugh x^q?; thpvL h»st ^t an example of disobedir ence. Go, lictar, bind him; and 1st his dea& serve as an examjj^." The whole army were strudk With horror at this terrible sentence; but when they saw their young warrior's head severed from his body, they could not restrain their groans and lamentations. The battle th ^ begsn, and Manlius gained a complete victory; but on his return in triumph to Rome, he was met only by the aged; the yputtlful pAX^ 0f the ekizens revising to honour jm^ ^fter the cruelty exercised towards las d by Google 38 FABRICIUS. son : a proof that the Roman character had lost somewhat of its ferocity since the days of Brutus. . The Zic^or mentioned in this story was a pub- lic servant, attendant upon the consuL lActors were first appointed by Romulus. They carried on their shoulders a number of rods, bound to- gether in the form of a bundle, with an axe jutting out in the centre of them. The office of the lictors was to remove the crowd, by ex- claiming, Make way^ the constd comes; also to inflict punishment upon criminals. The con- suls and superior magistrates were attended by several lictors^ who went, one by one, in a line before them. The Macedonians weze now conquering the eastern .nations. FABRICIUS. A.U.C.477. A.C275. The Samnites, Tarentines, and other neigh- bouring nations, being no longer able to defend themselves against the Romans, sent to ask the d by Google FABRICIUS, 39 assistance of Pyrrhus, king of Eplrus, a warlike and ambitious man. He immediately prepared to cross the Adriatic, and ordered a large army to attend him ; but only part of these troops reached Italy^ many of his ships being lost in a violent storm. When the king reached Tarentum^ he found the inhabitants given up to luxury ; and while he was trying to reform their habits, and train- ing them to bear the hardships of war, the Romans sent an army to oppose him. The city of Tarentum, now called Tarento, was situated on the gulf of that name. Laevinus, the consul, was defeated by P3rrrhus ; and the elephants, which he employed in the battle, were one great cause of his success, the Romans never yet having fought against those animals. Pyrrhus, on looking over the field of battle, was struck with the strength and manly appearance of the slaughtered Romans, and wished for soldiers who resembled them. The Romans, on their side, learned caution from their misfortunes, while they fiercely re* fused all offers of peace, which Pyrrhus, though victorious, made them. Cineas, the friend of Pyrrhus, was sent to Rome for this purpose; d by Google 40 9A%VMP$ff. but the senate dismissed him with this reply i That they woul dtreat of peace when the kin^ had withdrawn his army from Italy. Soon after FraUduswas sent bs an ambai^sa* dor' tb Pyrrhus^ to procure aja eicchange of the prisoners taken in the late battle. Fabridus was an old senator, famous for his integrity, and cohtentment in the midst of poverty ; one who really deserved to be called a great xban. Pyrrbtis knew his character, and received him kindly. When large presents were ofibred, the Roman steadily refused to accept them, and Pyrrhus wai^ struck with admiratign. FindingFabridus above all^neanness/Py^hus, as a proof of his good opinion, allowed the Ro- man prisoners to return with htm, taking his word alone, that, in ease the senate continued the war, they would return when he required them. Another battle was fought some time after- wards,, in which Pyrrhus was again the con-^ queim^ but great numbers of his friends and followers were slain% The iNCct year Fabricius was made consul, and the two armies again prepared for battle. When they approached each other, a letter^ d by Google '3^1^41 d by Google d by Google FABRICIUS. 41 written by the physician of Pyrrhus^ was deli- vered to Fabricius. The writer offered, for a reward, to poison the king, and thus relieve the Romans from their enemy. This offer was treated by the consul with disdain : he ordered the letter to be conveyed to Pyrrhus, who caused his physician to be put to death. The king expressed great approba- tion of this conduct, and sending back the prisoners he had taken, again desired to make peace with Rome; but the senate returned him the same answer as before. Soon after, he passed over into Sicily, to de- fend the inhabitants from the cruelty of the Carthaginians, who had seized their island. After two years he returned to Tarentum, and was defeated by Curlus Dentatus, the con- sul. In this last battle the elephants were again employed, but the Romans no longer feared them. They had improved so much by their contests with Pyrrhus, that they were now able to oppose him skilfully. The Roman commander returned in triumph to Rome; and Pyrrhus, leaving only a few soldiers in Taren» tum, soon afterwards embarked for his native country. £ 2 d by Google 4e FABKiCnJS. After a war which had lasted many yearv, ihe Tarentines at last submitted to Rome. The dbamcter of the Roman people^ at this time, was very respectable. The example of Fabricius was umnh followed; and when he beca«e cenfior^ he severely pwBdied evei*y kkid ef vice. The couers nuiked h^her than even the ccnsuis ; it was 4heir du^ to correct the man- ners of the people^ and lo take an account of the property «ach ^ti2Msn possessed. They had also the charge of painng the streets; makiiig the public i^ads^ bridges, and aque- ducts ; and of the erection of public Iraildings ingen^^aL The Egyptians send an embassy to Home. About tins time the Hebrew Scriptures were translated iB%6 I9ie Greek language, by order of Ptolemy, king of ItoTKb. d by Google 43 REGULUS. A.U.C.496. A.C25e. THE FIRST PUNIC OR CARTHAOINIAN WAR^ About an hundred years before the building or Rome, the city of Carthage was founded by a. colony of Fhcenlcians from Tyre, who followed the celebrated Dido to Africa. The city of Tmiis now stands near the spot formerly oc- cupied by Carthage, not fat from the rirer T^LgrMstj' now named Megerda. The Cartha-- ginians had large territories in Africa; and had also obtained^ by conquest, a great part of Spain, Sicily, and the neighbouring islands. They were a commercial nation, and very skilful in the art of ship-building. The mines of Spain affinded them vast quantities of silver, equat in Takie to eight hundred pounds of our money, daily« The RoBsaxis were now in possession of aQ Italy; yet the desire of extendbig their con- quests remained undiminished, and the ndgh- bouring kingdom of Carthage became the ob* ject of dueir jealousy and hatred. d by Google <4 REGtJLUS. The Mamertines of Sicily having sought the assistance of the Romans^ they boldly declared war against Carthage; and having made a league with the king of Syracuse, they con- trived to send over a smaH body of troops, upon a raft of timber; for they were destitute of shipSj and wholly unpractised in maritime affairs. They began to apply themselves to this art ; and their perseverance and resolution in overcoming every obstacle, is well worthy of approbation, though we cannot applaud the motives that influenced them. A Carthaginian vessel chanced to be driven ashore in a storm; and notwithstanding its shat- tered conditicm^.the Romans immediately began to imitate the cdndtruotion of the ship, and built an hundred and tweiity, according to the model they had acquired. But the men being iinused Xq the sea, refused to embark : to over- come this difficulty, therefore, they taught the people to row upon land ; and instructed them in the naVal m^mnar of fighting, expecting sue-* cess from the habitual courage and bravery of the RoB^an charlEicter. The consul Druilius put to sea with tibifr fleet, ill constructed as it was. 'He came to a d by Google s^crj>t^nt\ S* d by Google d by Google clo86 engagement with the Carthaginian yesseb, and proved successfuL In the mean time, Regulus contanued the war in SicQy, and conquered the island of Me- Bta or Malta. The senate now resolved to carry the war into Africa^ and thus attack the Carthaginians in their own territories^ With this intention, Regulus was sent with a fleet of three hundred sail, to invade the African coasts. Regulus was the bravest and modt esteemed warrior that Rome at that period possessed: he was temperate, frugal, more severe towards himself, than austere to others; and, in the love of his country, he was excelled by none, for patriotism was his ruling passion^ This celebrated general, accompanied by Manlius, sailed from the Tiber ; and a contest with the Carthaginian -fleet soon took place. After an obstinate battle, the Romans were again successfrd; they landed upon the Afri-^ can shores, and took the city of Clypea. The consul advanced to the river BagrSda^ and awaited the Carthaginian forces. Here he met with a new and unexpected foe. A serpent of enormous sixe had placed itself on the bai^ of the river, and attacked the soldiers who went d by Google 46 REGULUS. for water. This creature was above an hun-* dred feet in lengthy covered' with scales so hard that no weapon could penetrate them, and a poisonous vapour issued from its mouth. Some of the bravest troops werekiDed in their attempts to oppose it, and the soldiers were so terrified^ that they woidd have preferred meet- ing the whole army of the enemy.. At'Iast, Regulus was obliged to malce. use of machines for hurling stones^ and battering downtheWalBs of cities^ to overcome this enemy. The serpent long resisted these efforts, and destroyed a number of men, but a heavy stone at last broke the spine, or back-bone,, and prevented it from mpvitig; the soldiers then surrounded and killed it. R^gulus sent the sidn of this serpent to Rome, where it remained till the time of Pliny^ about seventy years after Christ. The Carthaginians at this time had no gene-^ rals equal to Regulus ; they sent, therefore, to the Spartans, a people of Greece, offering the commatid of their amues to Xantippus, who undertook the charge. Under this valiant leader, the Carthaginians were again victorious; the Romans were soon after defeated, with dreadftd slaughter, and Regulus was taken prisoner. d by Google Fa^e 4^. d by Google d by Google REGtJLUS. 47 Four years passed on^ with various success on either side^ during which period Regulus remained in a dungeon. The Carthaginians at length resolved to make proposals of peace, or, at least, to procure an exchange of prison- ers. For this purpose they supposed that Regulus woidd be a suitable person, since he had himself been so long in captivity. He was accordingly sent, with ambassadors, to Rome ; but a promise was first obtained from him, that he would return, if he was not able to prevail upon the Romans to grant his request; and he had reason to believe that his life de- pended upon the success of his undertaking. Regulus having arrived before the walls of his native city, was received with joy by the people, but he refused to pass through the gates. Neither would he enter his own little dwelling, or see his wife and family. He de- dared, with a melancholy countenance, that he was no longer a free citizen of Rome, but a Car- thaginian slave, unworthy to partake of the ad- vantages enjoyed by his countrymen. The senate now assembled outside the city walk, according to their custom when they gave audience to ambassadors from distant countries. a by Google 46 ^BavLVSi I I Regultts tbep declared the proposals, mlach I the CarthagiQians had mode to the senaite. I This assembfy was weary of a WAr« which had contkued more than eight yenrs^ aod words of jpea^ewere also yery agreeable to the people; not only that war and bloodshed might cease, hut that their brave general might be set at liberty. This was the opiiEuion of the whole senate; it only remamed for Regulust^.dedare his sentimentik To the great surprise of the senator Regukifi advised them to continue the war* He asrared them, that the best generals of the Carthagi- nians were prisoners in Rome, while few of th^ Romans were ciqptives; that dicar aupplies of money, and their stores, w^ren^ariy exhausted; that<lie intere«;t of the eoupticy seqiui|:«d &^ continuance of the war ; aud he nemiRdediliep;! that then: forefather^ never jmade peaoe tiHtikaf were victorious. This advice disturbed iiiie senate. They were much disposed to prolong the war« aftw such great hopes pf victoiy were givj|ui by .Regulus; hut they ha^&w notia what mawier to jjporeserve this dev5>ted patriot^ whose CQadnict ih^ adxair^* .l$4^;«hv(, >hQveyer, put^an end d by Google d by Google _ II T^^SS.^ d by Google REGULUS. 49 to the difficulty, by breaking off the treaty, with the resolution of returning to bonds and imprisonment. In vain did the senate and his dearest friends entreat him to" stay: he persisted in keeping his promise; and, without. seeing his familyi or taking leave of his frien4», he de-* parted with the ambassadors for Carthage. Many Roman authors relate, that the severest tortures were inflicted upon Regulus, on his arrival at Carthage. It is said that his eyelids were cut off, and after remaining ^in prison some time, in that dreadful condition, he was exposed to the burning sun. At last he was placed in a barrel, through which strong nails were driven, and in that condition he expired. • It must be observed, that our information concerning the Carthaginians is chiefly obtain-^ ed from Roman historians, whose hatred of this rival nation often leads them to represent the actions of their enemies in the most unfavoura- ble manner. The people of Carthage were in- dustrious, ingemoUs, and enterprising; but their religious ceremonies were most inhuman, and probably tended to make them cruel and im- just. Their chief deity was Saturn, supposed d by Google 50 HANNIBAL. to be the same as Moloch^ to whom human victims were offered in sacrifice. At this period, the empire of Alexander of Macedon, was divided into four great kingdoms, by the chief generals of his armj: and Judea was under the dominion of Syria, one of those power&l states. HANNIBAL. A.n.C.634. A.C.218. THE SECOND PUNIC WAR. In the foregoing anecdote, a celebrated Ro« man was the principal character; in the pre- sent, the actions of a Carthaginian general will engage our attention. The second Punic war was begun by Hanni-* bal, who advised the Carthaginians to break the treaty which they had made with the Romans. Again these powerfiil states sent forth their armies to conquer and destroy f and while we briefly relate the history of those called great, from their skiU in commanding troops and con^ ducting military affairs, we must unwillingly de« d by Google HANNIBAL. 51 scribe terrible battles, in which thousands lost jtheir lives. Hannibal was brought up in his father'is camp. At nine years of age he took a solemn oathy at the request of his parent^ never to be at peace with the Romans. Before he had reached his twenty-fifth year^ he was made chief commander of the Carthaginian armies. Hannibal was possessed of great courage and presence of mind: no fatigue could subdue him, nor any misfortune break his spirit. He was able to bear both heat and cold; was con- tent with the plainest food, and with a small quantity. He frequently rested on the ground, covered only with a garment. He was the best horseman, and the most swift runner of his time. In his plans he was prudent; and equally skilful in perplexing his enemies, or in rescuing his own soldiers from danger. Such was Han- nibal, esteemed the greatest general of ancient times. But, according to the account of his enemies, he was cruel and faithless, and with- out honour or religion; and, from never having been taught that it was his duty to forgive in- juries, he appears to have believed that revenge was a virtue. d by Google 52 HANNIBAL* Having conquered the whole of Spain^ he marched towards Italy. To pass into that country from Spain^ it is necessary to cross the Alps. And here we would recommend the reader to trace^ on a map, the march of the bold Hannibal, who ventured to traverse unknown, and almost pathless regions, over mountains and rocks that the foot of man had never before trodden. He departed from the city of Sa- gimtum, now called lyEerverdo, which is situa- ted near the Iberus, or Ebro, on the east coast of Spain. He crossed the Pyr^nean mountains into Gaul, a wild country, inhabited by people who were his enemies. Neither woods nor rivers prevented his progress. The rapid stream of the Rhone, the banks of which were covered with armed men, was speedily passed^ and in ten days he reached the Alps, with nine thousand horse, and fifty thousand foot. It was in the midst of winter, when Hannibal first attempted to cross these vast mountains, which were then covered with snows, while the ice and the intense cold of the season, assisted to hinder their progress. The natives of these wild regions dwelt in rude cabins, that seemed to hang from the craggy steeps, and their dress. d by Google HANNIBAL. 5S formed of skins, with long shaggy hair, render- ed their appearance fierce and barbarous. The Carthaginian general was not terrified by the prospect before him: he addressed his army in language suited to the occasion, animated them with the hope of conquering Rome, and led them up the sides of the mountains. The soldiers had many hardships and diffi- culties to overcome during their march. The cold of these lofty regions, the height of the precipices which they had to climb, the smooth and slippery surface of the ice, and the oppo- sition of the inhabitants, who threw down great rocks upon them, all contributed to lower their spirits. After nine days' journey through these untrodden paths, Hannibal reached the top of the mountains, and pointed out to his army the fertile valleys of Italy which lay beneath. Hav- ing rested twx) days, they prepared to descend. This was more dangerous than their march up the mountains, for prodigious quantities of snow having lately fallen, a great number of men were lost in it ; while every advance they made^ seemed to increase their danger. At length their progress was entirely stopped, by a pes* F 2 d by Google Sif HANNIBAL. pendicukr precipice, three handred feet high. Every one bat Hannibal then began to despair. He first endeavoured to find a more convenient |>ath: this attemjit was vain, and he detennined to cut through the rock. For this purpose, a large quantity of trees was felled, and set on fire against it. The rock being heated, Han- nibal otd^^d vinegar to be poured upon it, which softeried, and made it capable of being cut through, and the army then salely de- scended. The dangers of the march now be- gan to decrease; the valleys became green and fruitful; the animals and the soldiers here found repose. Thus, at the end of fifteen days, Hannibal accomplished hb design; but he lost half his army, either by the cold, or by the attacks of the natives, while they were crossing the Alps. It may be easily imagined, that the Cartha- ginian army did not spare a couaqtry, which they had undergone so many difiSculties to reach. The ravages of war overspread those parts through which they took their way, and the battles of Trebia, ThrasymSne, and Cannae, are remarkable for the overthrow of the Ro- mans, and the complete success of the Cartha- d by Google BAimifiAT.. 55 .ginians. The first was fought near the river Trehia, which falls into the Po^ orPadus, to th^ west of PlacSntia in Italy : the second near the lake Thrasymene. So great was the fury of the contending armies^ that not one man perceived the earthquake which occurred during the bat- tle. At Cannae^ in Apulia, on the eastern side of Italy, near the river Auf idus, the third took place, and dreadful was the overthrow of the Romans. Three bushels of gold rings are said to have been taken from the fingers of the knights slain iti battle. The Romans were in great distress. They had previously chosen Fabius Ma&imus for dic-^ tator, whose method of opposing Hannibal was by avoiding any engagements between the forces; for he knew that the best way was to harass the enemy, and prevent them from receiving necessary supplies. Being sent against the enemy, he constantly watched their movements, always encamped on high grounds^ and followed wherever they marched. In vain Manriibal endeavoured to bring Fabius to an engagement ; he always avoided him, and de- fesited him by delay. Hence Fabius was named Cunctatory delayer. d by Google 56 ' .HANNIBAL. After the battle of Caimaey it was expected that Hannibal would march immediately to Rome.^ The alarm of the people was exceed- ingly greats but the courage of some brave men raised their hopes once more; and when the Carthaginian general offered terms of peace^ they refused them, unless he withdrew his army from Italy. Hannibal judged it knproper to lead the forces to Rome, and passed the winter at Capua, . in Campania, where the soldiers enjoyed the luxuries of the place, and were rendered less robust and hardy by rioting and intemperance. Several years :passed on; the celebrated Scipio was sent into Africa, and attacked the Cartha?^ ginians in their own country. After remaining fifteen years in Italy, Han- nibal was recalled to defend Carthage: he obeyed the command,., but quitted Italy with regret. Upon reaching Cartht^ge, he demand- ed an interview with the Roman general, that they might confer respecting peace. The meeting between these two great generals took place in a plain between the armies; but the ne- gotiation failed, and both parties prepared to renew the contest. Hannibal was entirely de- d by Google ~~j^CffK If^-' d by Google d by Google d by Google ~J^f^^. d by Google HANNIBAL. 57 feated at the battle of Zama, (a town in Numi- diai,) which ended the second Punic war; the Carthaginians having submitted to the condi- tions offered by Rome. Hannibal having been ill-treated by his coun- trymen, was forced to withdraw from Carthage, attended orily by two followers. He embarked, and sailed to a small island iii the Mediterra^ nean sea, ithei^e he was received by a man who had fought under his command. Thence he went to the court of Antiochus, king of Syria; but the Romans attacked the king, and de- manded that Hannibal should be delivered up.. ' The circumstances of the warrior were how changed: instead of leading vast armies to con- quer foreign nations, he was become an outcast and a wanderer in his old age. He made his escape to Prusias, king of Bithynia in Asia Minor; and thither the Romans, with a re- vengeful spirit unworthy of them, sent oiie of their chief generals to require that their ancient enemy should be placed in his hands. The king, fearing the power of Rome, yet unwilling to act such a treacherous part, at length ordered a guard to be set over Hannibal. The old war- rior speedily relieved Prusias from his difficulty; d by Google 58 THE GRACCHI. for, finding the house surrounded, and all means of escape hopeless^ he desired one of his attend- ants to bring him poison, which he had always ready prepared, and immediately drank it, ex- claiming, '^ Let us free the Romans from these terrors, since they are unwilling to wait for the death of an old man like me. There was a time when they had more generosity ; but now they seek the life of a banished man, and force a weak monarch to break the laws of hospitality.'* It is to be observed, that suicide was not esteemed a crime among the heathen nations. They were not blessed with the religion that in- culcates patience under hardships and afflic- tions; nor could they look forward with any clear, well-founded hope of future happiness. The Maccabees flourished at this period, at JerusaleniA THE GRACCHI. A.U.C. 621. A.C. 131. After the death of Hannibal, the Carthaginians had too much reason to regret that they had treated him with scorn, and forced him to leave d by Google ttLE GRACCHir. S9 the country. They beheld the ruin of theit city, which was totally destroyed by Scipio Africanus, and wished in vain for anothef Hannibal to protect it. Nor did the Rotnans derive the advantage they elspected from the spoils of Carthage. The riches of the Cartha- ffmanif when possessed by the Romans, only gave them a taste for luxury and idleness. Such a character as Regulus was not now to be met with in Rome. The people lost theit plain manners, their industry, and persever- ance, for which they had often been so justly admired. Two brothers, called the Oracchi, one named Tiberius, and the other Caius Gracchus, were the first who endeavoured to prevent the evil that might arise to Rome from such prosperity. They were the grandsons of Scipio ; and the celebrated Cornelia was their mother. Tiberius, the elder, possessed many good qualities ; but he loved to gain power, and to command, in* ste^^d of studying the wisest means of improving the country, and correcting its laws. He was generous and benevolent. The poor loved him, because he was always their friend; but he was less in favour with the rich. The great d by Google 60 THE GRACCHI. defect of his character was rashness. His schemes for the wdfare of his country were uncertain and unsteady, seldom succeeding; for if they met with the slightest opposition^ they were usually given up, Tiberius betrayed a want of judgment in many actions of his life. He was fond of novelty, as usually we find to be the case with those who act without reflection; while the mse man considers seriously before he makes any change.. Tiberius continued in power for some time ; tut the rich were resolved to ruin him. A king of Pergamus having left a large property to be divided amongst the Romans, Tiberius pro- posed, in a public assembly^ th^t it should be divided only amongst the poor. The Romans suspected that he was ambitious enough to wish to be made king, and as they had deter-- mined not to be governed by kings, they re« • solved to put an end to his Ufe. Tiberius tried to escape ; but^ unfortunately, he rushepl for* wa];ds close to one of his enemies, who/ with a blow^ struck him dead. Caius Gracchus, when he heard of his bro- ther's fate, thought it prudent to remain in d by Google THS GRACCHI. 61 retirement. He was only twenty-one years of age, and totally different from his brother iq disposition. In solitude he practised the art of oratory ; and when he was able to speak elo* quently, and felt capable of being useful to his country, he offered himself as quceator to the army in Sardinia, which situation he easily ob- tamed. There, were four quassiors^ two of whom re- mained in the city; the others accompanied the armies* Their office was to take care that pro- visions and pay were ftimished to the soldiers, to keep the money and spoils taken in war, and to return a just account of every thing to the public treasury. The conduct of the young Roman soon ob- tained the respect of all ranks. A king of Numidiai' when he sent a present of com to the Romans, ordered the ambassadors to proclaim that he sent it as a tribute to the virtues of Caius Gracchus. The senate disapproved of the message, and dismissed the ambassadors with contempt, telling them they were ignorant barbarians. The high spirit of Caius Gbracchuis could scarcely bear this insult* His eloquence. d by Google 62 THE GRACCHI. vb^n he represented to the people how great an affront he had received, was of much service to him, and now he reaped advantage from his studies. The senate found him a much more formi- dable enemy than his brother had been.. The rich disliked him as much as they did Tiberius, and feared him more. Caius conducted him- self so prudently in this precarious situation, that, for a long time, the senate could find no pretext for a quarrel. At length he was chosen tribune, and then resolved to study the welfare of the people. He ordered public granaries to be built, that they might be stored with com, in case of a scarcity. He improved the highways; and in every regu- lation that he made, was just and moderate. However, Rome was too much degenerated to estimate the worth of such a character. Caius had enemies. The senate were jealous of the power he possessed: they invented many plans for destroying him; but the most fatal was the report which they caused to be circu- lated, that he was the murderer of Scipio ; that hero having been, about this time, found, dead in his bed. Caius treated this suspicion with d by Google THE GRACCHI. 68 contempt. He joined in the project of rebtiild- ing Carthage^ and six thousand families accom- panied him to Africa* The Romans were yet in a state of igno- rance. They had a firm belief in omens, such as the flight of birds; and whilst turning over the ruins of Carthage, they fancied that they beheld some ill-boding signs, and left their work in dismay. Caius was not sorry to return to Rome ; for, during his absence, his character had been in- jured, and he wished to vindicate himself. He soon, experienced that public praise is very un- certain. He was once beloved by the people; but they had forgotten him, and faithlessly be- lieved all they heard against him. They re- fused to elect him a third time to the tribune- ship, and he became only a common citizen of Rome. When the senators beheld him in this humble situation, they seized every opportunity of in- sulting him. He made many attempts to speaks but they would not hear. Turning from them, he bent his steps towards the Forumy a place for public speaking, in which was a statue raised to his father's memory. He stopped be- d by Google 64 tBE GRAOCHI. fore the statue^ a&d burst into tears. The grief of Cams afiected those vrho followed him. fie had still friends; but^ ui^rtunately, some of them werendt so cautious as hinaself^ and often injured hkn seriously. The senate^ in order to weaken the paity who had formed themselves to t>rotect Ca&is^ issued a decree that all those soldiers who would forsake him should be forgiven^ and taken into favour. ' He* wishied for pe^Mse, but the senate were resolved upon his death : ihey published a declaration^ that Whoever brought the bead of Caius Gracchus to Rome, sboidd receive its weight in gold as a reward. All treaties of peace were, declined by the tsenate. They ordered an army to march up Mount Aventine, and to attack the people: they kiQed three thousand of their fellow- citizens. „ Gracchus retired to the temple of Diana, where he would have put an end to^his^Hfe, had he not been prevented by the entreaties of two friends, who 'Urged him to fly. His enemies overtook him speedily ; and T)eing sur-- rounded on all sides, he turned to Phildcrates, a slave, and entreated him to kill him. The d by Google FapeSaT d by Google d by Google CAIUS MAR1U9; 65 slave complied, and then put an end to his own life, having thrown himself upon the body of his unfortunate master. The enemy coming up, cut off the head of Caius, and carried it on a spear, as a trophy.^ They filled it with lead, in order to increase its waght, and received seventeen pounds of gold as a recompense. CAIUS MARIUS. A.n.C643. A.C109. This Roman has been styled the glory and the scourge of his country. He was. a man of ex« traordinary stature, great strength, and un-» daunted bravery. His parents supported them- selves by their labour. Marius grew up to share their toils; and his manners were as rude as his countenance was frightful. But afterwards, preferring a soldier's life, he entered the army of Scipio, and obtained great applause for his courage and intrepidity. Among the instances mentioned of his firm*- q2. d by Google 60 CAius ujoavsi 11088,^ select the foSowtng. A tumour in both I^gs obliged him to apply to a physician, who urged th^ necessity of cutting it off. Manns con- ^entedy SLud saw the operation perfonned with- QVkt a groan, or a movementiof his countenanoe. The phyncian desired :to pevfetm a jsinular Operation on the dther ieg; snd Marios >eR- dured the torture a second time^.'widi equal composure. Mariu3 quickly passed- through the lower offices of the state, and made himself of conse-^ quence in the. city by his intrigues. When he was elected tribune of the people, his ambition began to show itself; nor did he hesitate to manifest bis gfeat 4isHke to the sdiittte, whose vices tndy merited his disapprobation. He boldly 8CcuBed:tkem^of iU conduct, ev'en in the senate4KNise; nor was he alarmed •% threats ef imprhouuient* c iMarius vms chesen to 'tssny 4m , the war against Jugfirtha, -an African ' prince, and proved snceessfiil. Jugurtba was brought in ehains to Rome, and cruelty starved to death fai prison. • ;8(»ircely had this tietoi*y been obtained, when the Romans were mformed that several d by Google a«Wf**c d by Google d by Google thousand 'barbatiand were marching to invade italy. Mayius was^comidered the only peraon capable of opposing them. The invaders l*e- mained several years in the country, but were finally conquered 1^ the 'Roman general, in a battle which lasted two days. Sixty thousand were taken prisoners. The women fought fu- riously beside the war-chariots of their hus- bands ; and when they saw the defeat of their countrymen, slew their 'children, and destroyed each-other. After Marius had delivered his country from foreign enemies, his restless ambition caused him to oppose the power of Sylla, another ambitious character. Sylla was resolved to overcome Marius ; and, on his return from the conquest of the Marsi, a people of Italy, he entered Rome sword in hand. Marius attempted to oppose him, but was forced, with his son, to seek safety by flight. Sylla then declared that it was lawful for any person to kiD Marius, and sent soldiers to apprehend him. After wandering about in a miserable man- ner, being separated from his son, he perceived that hts pursuers were daily drawing nearer: d by Google 68 / €AIUS MARIUSw he concealed himself in the marshes by the river Lir£Sy near MintOmumy a town in CampsU nia. He was dragged out of the mud by die inhabitants; and the magistrates^ who were of ^ Sylla's party^ condemned him to die. A slave was commanded to behead Marius.in the dun- gepn, but his stem countenance terrified the executioner. ^' Darest thou kill CaiusMaJius ?' exclaimed the prisoner^ in a tone that made the slave drop his sword ;^ and, rushing back froai the prisoner, he exclaimed, " I dare not kill him/' This singular adventure induced the Mintur*'^ nians to release Marius.. They provided him withasUp, in which he proceeded to Africa; and landing-near Carthage, he went, melancholy and wretdhedj to place himself among the ruins of that once powerful city.. The place of his retreat was soon known ; and the governor of the Roman territories in Africa obliged him to remove to a neighbouring island. He soon after learned that Cinnaj who was then pos- sessed of great power, had been active in hi& behalf; and, accompanied by his son, he has- tened to join him. The first attempt of Marius was to take d by Google d by Google d by Google CAIUS HARIUS. 65 Ostia^ at the mouth of the Tiber: he was as- sisted by Ciima, ajid.they both resolved to be- siege their native city, which, however, sub- mitted to them. Marius entered Rome like a eoncpieTor^ and his ^emies were inhumanly put to death. DreddM were the massacres gvrhkh this revengeful man not only permitted, but saw with gadsfaction, and at last his own officers approached lum with terror. When Marius and Cinna had suffidiently gvat^ed their xe*-^ venge, th^ made themselves consuls. Marius, already worn out with old age and infirmities, died sixteen days after he had be- come consul the seventh time. His end is sup- posed to have been haetened by large quantities of wine, winch he took while sufiering under a dangerous disease; being desirous of silencing the reproaches of a guilty conscience, by continual intoxication. Rome rejoiced at the death of a man, who had destroyed his feUow-^citissens to gratify the base feelings of revenge. d by Google 7a POMPEY. A, XJ. C. 680. A. C. 72* A NOTED character now comes before us; Pompeius Magnus, or, as he is usually called by English writers, Pompey the Great. Pom- pey distinguished himself at an early age in the field of battle. Soon after he was elected con- sul, he cleared the sea of some daring pirates^ who had long infested the Mediterrsmean. He was then commissioned to finish the war against Mithridates, king of Pontus, a country near the Black Sea, which was formerly called Pontus Euxinus. Pompey totally defeated the king, and next received the submission of Tigranes, king of Armenia in Asia. He visited and sub- dued countries that were scarcely known to the Romans. Having entered Syria, he- extended his con- quests to the Red Sea, conquered part of Ara- bia, reduced Judea, and took Jerusalem and its temple, after u siege of three months. He entered the most sacred places of the temple, which, according to the religious customs of the Jews, was permitted only to the priests at d by Google PDMPEY. 71 certain periods. He did not, however, reniove the vast treasures which were placed there, but took Aristobulus, the chief of the nation, a prisoner to Rome. Upon his return, the peo- ple gazed with astonishment upon the riches and spoils which he brought from the east. Pompey then joined CaBsar and Crassus, and formed the first triumvirate; the three chiefs solemnly declaring that they would be firm friends to each other, for their object was to rule the nation, and dispose of the offices of state to any persons whom they should appoint. This union did not last. Caesar and Pompey became enemies, and each assembled an army to support his own claims. Caesar succeeded in gaining the favour of the people of Italy; while their former favourite^ Pompey, was obliged to leave the country, and remain in Greece, with the forces he had as- sembled. Caesar followed him, and after se- veral engagements, he was totally defeated at the battle of Pharsalia, in Thessaly. Pompey fled to Larissa, and wandering through the vale of. Tempe, took refuge in a fisherman s tent. This beautiful valley lies between the mountains Olympus and Ossa: the river Peneas, which is d by Google 1ft MMPEYi thtK largest m Oifeeo^ flows through it. The poets have described the vale of Tem|ie as a most<delig]aiful spot, aboundiiig in shady groves and verdant walks^' which the wacbHng of a va- riety of birds rendered yet. m^e delightfid. Pompey thence went oit board a' small vessel, and sailed to the iisland efXesbos^in the j^Etgean Sea, to take in his wife, Cornelia. They 'pro- ceeded to Egypt, and sent to the young kmg, Ptolemy, to implore protection. Pompey had fonnerly assisted the father of the Egyptian king, and expected a grateful return. But Ptolemy's kingdom was under the government of two persons, who prevented him from re- ceiving the unfortunate man, fearing Cesar's resentment if they favoured his enemy. These mean and treacherous ministers resolved to per- mit Pompey to land, but gave orders that he should be immediately assassinated. A small boat was sent to bring him oh shore. Pomjiey was surprised at the want of respect with which he was treated, and his friends began to sus- pect the Egyptians of treachery. He took leave of his wife, who watched Win to the shore. The moment Pompey arose to leave '^he boat, he was stabbed in the back, and the d by Google ^t^y,r d by Google d by Google SQumr. 73 mQWd w^ imviediately .x&peaJbsd. Pompey p^ro^iy^d .iiksnt death mss ^not .to be avoided^ aad 0Qye7iDg:l)iBisdlffWith his robe ,he fell, xe- stgnedrto^his fate. .Corndia shrieked with hor- ror; :bat the mariners, who knew her danger, .isunediatelyrsailed awayjfrom Egypt. JPompey'smmdeirers haying cut off his head, caused it to:be.embafaned, intending to send it jas >a present to^Cassar. The body was thrown ,|ipon the sl^ore, exposed to the sight of any ooe who .^ose to examine it. His £utfafiil <$er- .yaiit,:Phi]ip, who .had .attended him, still kept near, and when the crowd had departed, jie looked roimd for wood, and made a funeral pile* While he was thus . ^mplpyed, an old Roman soldier drew near, who had seryed in Pompey's army. He desired to sjiare in the last atten- tions to his general, and the body being con« sumed, they' hid the ashesimder a small moimd of earth, which they scraped together with their hands. In early times, the llomans buried the dead, .but afterwar4s in^tfted the. custom jof tl^e ;(^eks„who lujiq^ them^pn.a f^n^ ^al pUe. Jli'her bp4^^s pf cjb^l4>rfp^®f;^J^Q^<bu^i^ d by Google 74 JULms CiESAR. died before they cut their teeth. The funerfil pile was built of such wood as easily catches fire, as fir, pine^ and oak^ to which paper and pitch were added. It was made in the form of an altar, with four equal sides. The nearest rela- tions of the deceased person set fire to the pile with lighted torches, turning away their faces, to show that it was done with regret and reluct- ance. Rich perfumes were then thrown into the fire, with the clothes, and every other thing supposed to be agreeable to the deceased during life. The relations sometimes added their own * appareL JULIUS CiESAR. A. U. C. 709. A. C 43. FROM THE DEATH OF POMPEY TO THE DEATH OF C^SAR. This celebrated Roman has already been men- tioned in the preceding story of Pompey; and connected as his name is, with the earliest ac- counts of our own island, his actions may pro- d by Google JULIUS CJ&SAK. 76 hably interest us more than those of Marias or the Gracchi. Csesar was the surname of a Roman family, andy after the time of Julius, was always assu- med by the Roman emperors. . Sylla, the opposer of Marius, perceived the growing ambition of this youth, and is thought to have had designs upon his life; but Caesar understood his intentions, and, to avoid disco- very, changed his abode every day. Sylla afterwards took him into his favour, but foretold that he would one day destroy the liberty of the country. . When Caesar went to finish his studies in the island of Rhodes, he was seized by pirates, who offered him his freedom for thirty talents*. He gave them forty, and boldly threatened to revenge their insults: no sooner was he out of their power, than he armed a vessel, pursued, and put them all to death 4)y crucifying them. His eloquence procured him friends at Rome, and having passed through the lower offices of the state, he was sent into Spain. On his re- • * The Roman talent was worth nearly £.193 of our money. d by Google 76 jvzieff QMSAsc. tam^ Gaesar wa9 made o^nsiil; aikl appointed to command in Graul. He first conqaei^ the Helvetii^ who inhabited the liiodem country of Switzerlaady and advanced as fixr air the Britbh channel. In nine yeaifs he coilkfaered the whole of Gaul; between the Alps, the Rhotte, ai^d die Rhine.- Gassar wa^ the fir^t RomAi* who cross^ ed the latter river, by meansr of at Midge, whicK he constructed for the purpose of conveying las army over the stream. This w^s a work of considerable difficulty, he tellsr us, in the ^- countof his Gallic Wars; for the river Was broa^f, deep, and rapid. Caesar their resolved to cfosi^ the sea, and m« vade Britain, a eotuitry separated, as the ^fti- cients* thought, fiH>m flie rest of the world; hot wats it known to have Vten aXk- island t^ the liilie of Agricola, governor of the eoimtr^ in the reign of the emperor Domitiah. This expe£tion to am nneultivated i^daMlt across a sea widz which Che Romania W^e ^hoUy teaequidntedy was tindertakew id order to chastise the Britonsf, fot giving assistifnee to their neighbours the Gauls, whilst they were fighting against the Romans. The Britons bravely opposed the invaders, but they suceeed-^ d by Google JULIUS CiESAR. T7 ed in landing upon the coast of Dorsetshire, near Lime. Caesar returned to Gaul, but left his army under the command of lieutenants, to continue the conquest of Britain. When the Romans entered Britain, there was not either a city or town in the island. The Britons gave the name of a town to a thick wood, fortified by a mound of earth and a ditch. Having cut down trees, they formed a circle, and built houses and sheds for themselves and their cattle. The first Roman colony esta- blished was at Maldon, or, as some think, at Colchester. London was a collection of huts, but soon became of some consequence. While the Roman general remained in Gaul, a decree was made, through the influence of Pompey, his former associate, to deprive him of his power. Anthony, who was tribune of the people, hastened to inform Cassar, who made it a pretence for marching his troops towards Rome. Having reached the RubKcon, which was the boundary of the province he gpvemed, he paused to consider the conse- quences of passing it. Ambition prevailed, and Caesar entered Italy, resolved to be its master. H 2 d by Google The Rubicon is a smaH rirer of Itely, now called Ragone> rising in the Apperanes, and falling into the gulf of Venice. We have ahreftdjr related the successes of QsBS93c over Pompey.- The foniter, when h^ be- held the bead of his en^mj, which fhe Egjrp^ tians had sent with a view to please him^ tlinied away his face dnd burst into tears. CsBsar theii went mto.Afriisat whidier sevtrrat noble Romans had retiredj who oppos^ his de* signs. Among these wk& C^to, a virtuotEs ihisOf who neither loved power, hdt sought to 6b^ tain it. In whatever office he was eBf{doyedy .he always reformed (he regulations vf it$ aiid as a commander in the armyi his exceUeht con- duct made him universally beloved. Cato ife- mained with some tfoops. at Uti^ a city ia Africa^ on .the same bay as Carthage: it was the chief city of the Roman territories in that quar- ter. Cato still preserved the form of a free government: he assembled the chief citiaens fl» a senate, and resolved to defend the town against Csesar. But he perceived that they were not disposed to lose their lives in defeiroe of their liberty, and Cato would not /br/^e mea even to be free. For himself, he resolved not d by Google Tn^t // . itized by Google d by Google d by Google d by Google jvhtm eMsAXi. 79 todtiffttttfliidfi'dedotiiofhii^eouiitry; ftndhkr- ing seen ddnfe of Ms fHends safe on board tlie tessels, irbk^ w^e to ccrttvey them to a phce df safeff^ fce enlffily sat down to read a work of the phiIoil9]dl4^ Plato, Onth^ iminortality of the 9011I4 No Bo(M€* was Catd ala&e, than he tabbed biniself hi the breast; This last action of his life, We, Who toe Christiaiis, cannot ap- prove; but the ^ph&osophers whose opinions he had adopted, did not consider sidcide as criminal. Caesar at l^gth £>rced every thing to sabmit to his poWer, and was dreated perpetual dicta- tor. Money was stamped with* his image, his^ statue was raised in every city of the empire, and at a public festivi^ Anthony offered him a crown, which he immediately refused, while the people loudly applauded him; for the title of TcingwsiS still disagreeable to them, although they had been ruled by tyrannical chiefs for many years, who had brought as much evil upon the country, as any lang could have done. But his glory was now at an end; a conspi- racy was formed against his life, by Brutus his friend, idad many sefmtors, who could not bear to see him possi«sed at absolute powen He d by Google 80 AUGUSTUS^. Was stabbed in the senate-house ^ and seeing Brutus among his murderers, he exdaimed, **And thou oho, Brutus T then, covering him- self with his robe, he sunk down before the statue of Pompey, after having received twenty- three wounds, from the hands of those whom he believed to be his friends, and upon whom he had bestowed numerous benefits. Caesar had raised himself to power by his military talents, like Pompey: like him, he abused the power he had acquired, and became the oppressor of his country; and, like him, ended a life of ambition by becoming the vic- tim of treachery. AUGUSTUS BECAME EMPEROR OF ROME, A.U.C724 A.C.28. The conspirators who put an end to the life of JuUus Caesar, were prevented by Anthony from restoring liberty to the Romans. Digitized by VjOOQ IC An!Si6tiyvr^s' ar tibious m&n, and extremisly d^isbrbud of rtding^ becauise it gave him greater oppo!rtahWte8 for iiidtilfeing his Ibve* of pleaBttTfe atid' unlkwfill e^tti^Vagance. The setiate de- cbtfed him the cwemy of Rotne, and sent tfic two constds against him, together with Obtavias, the nephew and heit of Julius Caesar. But the consuls being slain in battle, the armies became subject to* €)ctiwius. He flien joined' Anthony and Lepidb:^, who were also at the head of a large artny. These three men formied the se-^ cond tritmrotrate^ anrf divided tfhe provinces of the empire between them. Wkett the triunr- virttte relAafmedf to Rdme, they caused many of* the first tiiefn fo be put to death. Among these was tlbte celebrated Cieera, some of whose workd have been preserved to the present times, and still continue to please and instruct the lovers of aenciefit learning* Anthony traveBed into Greece and Egypt, Where he devoted himself to Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, i?e!markable for her beauty and her vices. The Romans were highly displeased with Anthony's proceedings in Egypt; and Ctt^ar took advantage of their anger, to increase his own- power and influence. He declared war d by Google 8£ AUGUSTUS. against Anthony, and totally defeated him in a naval battle near Actium, a city. of Epirus. Cleopatra, who had accompanied Anthony with sixty of her ships, basely deserted him; and Anthony was so weak and foolish as to follow her back to her country. . Cleopatra shut her- self up in a tower, with her treasures, and spread a report that she was dead. Anthony being forsaken by his friends, stab- bed himself; but news being brought that Cleopatra was still alive, he earnestly desired to be carried to her. He was taken to the gate, but Cleopatra would not allow it to be opened: she threw down cords- from a high window, to draw him up; and in this manner he was raised from the ground by the queen and her attendants. . Anthony expired soon after. Cleopatra was made captive by Caesar's friends ; but resolving not to live as a prisoner, she found means to have a small venomous serpent, caUed an asp, sent to her in a basket of fruit. Having suffered the creature to sting heri she soon expired. CsBsar was mor- tified that Cleopatra had destroyed herself; fpr he wished to have m^de her walk by d by Google d by Google d by Google AUGUSTUS. 83 liis chariot, when he entered Rome as a conqueror. By the death of Anthony, CaBsar became master of the Roman empire. The senate gave tim the title of Augustus, a name by which he has since been distinguished. He pretended that he was imwilling to accept the honours that were offered to him, and sometimes ap- peared to be desirous of resigning the govern- ment. Augustus is considered as a good ruler* He was active, prudent, and experienced ; and he estabUshed many useful laws. He died at Nola in Italy, after having held the sovereign power forty-four years. The poets Virgil, Horace, and Ovid, and the historian Livy, flourished in the reign of Au- gustus. The Roman empire had reached its greatest extent during the reign of this emperor: it con- tained Italy, Gaul, Spain, Greece, (at that pe- riod called Achaia,) lUyricum, Dacia, Pann5nia, Britain, and some part of Germany. In Asia, the Romans possessed all those provinces con- tained in Asia Minor, with Armenia, Syria, Judea, Media, and Mesopotamia. In Africa, they had Egypt, Numidia, Mauritania, and Lybia. d by Google ^ OEIUU^ICyS. JE'ew^dditiQoswere iDdde.to'^|;iceAt,e]mpuce after the time of Augustus. Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was bom in ^tbe rdga of Augustus Caesar, and crucified in tjie^time. of Til^us. GERMANICUS; .A»U«.C4i7CB. *A.I>««rA]UioJDoiiiim,.10» To Augustus, Tiberias, succeeded, j9fi Rpman .eii^eror. In the b^inning of his rei^-he wi^ moderate and just ; but Jus^good qunJljitiQS.iirere ,Oply assumed: bis tme jchar«u:t^r ,^o.on *ap- ,p9ared* His,tyraxmy.^uQd.9Ppresj^i(Vi r^i4ei^ him odious to the people, and made h^pi^sius- ^pected,eyen by hia chief fevpurites. The success of his nephew^ Grennim<nas.j£brst .ex<J^ted hia euYy« This .^jenf ^^ wa;s,QXtx(^ae^y beWyed bythe sioldiers; and he, might, Q^y have raised hUus«lf. to , the highei^t dignity, ^bipt .bis dufy forbade hipn to jmake tl^ie atti^vff^ Tiberius .was pleased with (ke cpnduqt.ofr^ l^i^phew, but,be>gr^^^e]|Yied the ii^cj^njeiit iifJtiich,tbe^n»y sbawisd.|;o^aji^d$ lapi^r .(G^ejmti' d by Google OBB3CANICU0. 85 •lacuB finfadaed ihe nations tidiieh' frequently invaded ithe borders of the Roman territories, .and every good or brave action served to raise ihe jealoisy of Tiberius stillmore. This empe- 2ror determined to recall his cnepfaew from Gexi- wany, that he might interrupt his success; and .|xrocnred:him theihonourofa^riumph, that he anight iOb]ige;him' to return and enjoy it. Ger- jmanicnsy ihaving tried ^ every means to obtain ipermission to reriiain in G^ermany with the iegions, was at length forced to comply. He ^iras met at a eonsid^iaUe distance from the .city by multitudes df people, «rho all joined in jduiiring.him.every mad: of (respect Germani- .eus juihranced (in a splendid.chariot, . attended by his ifive children; and Tiberius, though he seoKtly repined^ seemed .to join in the general 'joy with which his neplww was received. A triumph was the highest mflitary^honoar 'that could be ^bestowed upon a general. It was ^a sidemn procession of the victorious army, ^through 'the most public parts df the city to the -Capitol. The streets were strewed with flo^«crs, and incense was burned upon the altars. Musicians went fisst in thetrain: next were led d by Google '86 OEBMANICU9. the oxen to be sacrificed ; for these heathens faxr- cied the gods were pleased with such oiBPerings. Then followed the spoils taken from the enemy; as statues, pictures, armour, gold, silver, and brass* The titles of the vanqiushed nations were inscribed on wooden frames, which were also carried in procession. The chief captives followed in chains, with their children, and the other prisoners of war. The general then advanced, dressed in purple and gold, with a crpwn of laurel on his head, and an ivory sceptre in his hand with an eagle on the top. He was drawn in a gilded chariot, by four white horses, attended by his children and relations. But to prevent him from being vain and presumptuous, he was followed by a person who frequently whispered to him, " Remember, thai thou art a manr The whole army followed, with the consuls and senators. It was the savage practice of the Roman generals to order the captive kings to be led to prison, and there put to death, as soon as the chariot turned towards the Capitol ; and grand as these triumphs might be, we think that our readers will be more disposed to pity the unfor- tunate captives, and the animals about to be d by Google GERMANICUS. 87 slain, far more than they will approve the kind of reward bestowed on the victorious general, or the cause of his triumph. Such, however, was the custom of the times in which Germani- cus Uved : no doubt, had he flourished in later ages, he would have rejected honours like these. Tiberius could not bear to see Germanicus so great a favourite at Rome, yet he feared to be- stow any high office upon him in a distant part of the empire. At length he was sent to go- vern the provinces of Asia; but the wicked Tiberius gave orders to Piso^ whom he made ruler in Syria, to oppose Germanicus upon every occasion, and even to procure his death, if an opportunity should offer. Germanicus departed for Asia, accompanied by his wife and children. PLso, in the mean time, did not fail to comply vrith the orders- of Tiberius : he was assisted by his wife, PlacCntia, who is represented as a woman of a cruel dispo- sition. Germanicus travelled into Egypt, to avoid the snares of these wicked persons ; but on his return, he fell sick, and growing daily worse, his friends began to be much alarmed. Germa- d by Google 89 aBBlCANIGUS.. i^cUB finding his end approaehihg^ besought his friends, who stood weeping around' his bed,: to in&rm the emperor that he died by the treack« ery of. his enennes; and,, tumihg to his wife, he entreated her to bear with her ndsfortuiies^aiid avoid the power of Piso and Plao^tia. The death of Germanicus was deeply h^ mented by the peo^e; Not only Piso and his wife, but the emperor himsetfy and hssi mothes Livia, were suspected of haviogcaoBed thede- strucdoh of their general, by poison^ Agrippma, his widow, ar woman in; high esti^ mation- for hey virtue, sooa after arrived: at Rome, bearing tiie ashes of ber husband, and followed by all her children. As she drew neajr the city, the senate went out to meet her; asid &e old soldiers, with the inhabitants of RcH&e, attended her to the tomb of Augustus, m whieh the urn containing tbe ash6s> of Genaankn? was deposited. The apostle Paul was converted to Christiataity durii^ this period ; and in the following reign the helievers ia the mission of Christ w^re first called Christians, at Antioch in Syii* Matthew wrote his gospel at thiff time. \ d by Google d by Google d by Google 89 ARRIA^ A.U.C. 704. A.D. 42. Arria^ and her husband, Paetus, lived in the reign of Claudius, emperor of Rome. Claudius was a weak, despicable man, who was raised to the office of emperor by the soldiers. The first years of his reign, however, promised well, and he began to be loved by the people. Claudius determined to go in person to Britain, and sub- due the insurrections in that country ; but he remained there only sixteen days, and was chiefly occupied in receiving the homage of those subjects who were not in ^arms against him. In this reign, the brave Caractacus was taken prisoner by the Romans in Britain, and sent to the emperor. Claudius did not long continue to act justly towards the people. His chief ministers gained great power over his weak mind, and persuaded him to commit the most €ruel actions. His vicious conduct did not fall to displease the people; and a conspiracy was I 2 d by Google 90 ARltlA. formed against his tife by Camillus, his general in Dalmatian (a country op the east side of the Adriatic sea,) which was discovered^ and pu- nished with inhuman severity. Many persons were condemned to die/ without any proof of their guilt being produced; and even ihode who were ovly suspected, were forced to pur- chase their Uves by giving Up their fbrtunes. Among those who i^ufi^red on this occasion, were Paetus, and his wife^ Arria»« P^tuswas apprehended in Dahnatia, and placed on bosurd a ship, to be conveyed to Rome* Arria eib* treated leave to. go in the same yesse} with her husband. '* It is usufi£]|*' ilaid she, ^^ to grant a man of his rank a few seryaiit^. to attend upon him : I .will perform the office^'* Het request was denied ; but the affectioff of Arria sug- gested another j^an. She hired the bark of a fishernian 'y and thus performed the voyage to Rome, always keeping sight of her husband's vesseL The fortitude of Arria was put to a severe trial during her husband's imprisonment. They bad an only son, remarkable for his excel* lent qualities, and the beauty of his person. This youth died, at the time his father was d by Google J^p< ^S- d by Google d by Google ARRIA. 91 cofifined to hn bed with a dangerous disorder. TJhe earefiil Arria concealed her son's death, lest the afflicting intelligence should injure Pectus ; and in her risits to the prison^ she wore no appearance of grief. Being asked concerning her child, she replied that he was at rest, and restrained her tears till she left her husband's presence. Paetus was at length condemned to die, and ordered even to put an end to his own life. Arria used .every means to inspire him with sufficient resolution, hut without success. Find- ing that he still continued fearful and hesitat- ing, she took the dagger, and plunged it into her own breast in his presence. Then present- ing it to her husband, slie exclaimed, " It gives me no pain^ my Pcetus /" Many Roman women have been celebrated for their fortitude, constancy, and patriotism. Among them were Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi; Portia, the daughter of Cato; and Agrippina, the wife of Germanicus. In early times, the Roman ladies employed themselves in spinning and weaving, surrounded by their female servants: when riches and luxury were introduced, they left these occupa- tions to their slaves. d by Google 92 TITUS. The dress of the Roman women was at first very simple^ and generally white. They seldom went out, and were always covered with a veil. The love of show and ornament uicreased with their wealth, and the satirical poets ridicule their lofty piles of false hair, curled with hot irons, and their paints and washes for the improve- ment of their complexions. During several centuries, the Roman garments were made of wool. The use of linen was introduced from Egypt, in the time of the emperors. About twenty years after this time, the apostles^ Peter atod Paul, were put to death. TITUS. A. U. C. 831. A. D. 79. We pass over the events which took place in the reigns o^ Galha, Otho, and Vitellius, and proceed .to relate the actions of Titus, the son of Vespasian, tenth emperor of Rome. During the reign of his father, this young prince re- ceived the command of the army which was d by Google TITUS* 9S appointed to beaiege Jemttafem, the capital cdF Judea. That countiy had been under the Roman govenunent for some jrears:; but the Jewsy who were always inclined to i erolt, had now determined to resist the* power of Ronei and defend their city to the utmost. Unfortunately^ the inhabitants were difided into, two parties^ who hated and injured each other, and united only in their resolution to op-* pose the invading army. It was at the time of the Passover, when the Jews made a practice of going to Jerusalnn^ that Titus enoi^mped be- fore the city. He bcfgan his attack by batter- ing down one of the three waUs. with ^irluch Je- rusalem was surrounded. But^ at the same tkne^ he frequently o£Eered the Jews pardoui and eren sent their countryman, Josephus, to persuade them to comply. But they despised his kind- nessi and considered his humanity as the effect of fear. Titus then surrounded the city with a trench, to prevent aU supplies of food from en* teiing, and famine soon began to alarm the peo* pie. Dreadftd now was their situation^ every hole was searched for the putrid bodies of ani- mak, and a woman killed her own child^ and prepared the flesh for her food. Titus forced a way through all the fortiflci^ d by Google 94 TITTTS. tionSy and reached the wall of the temple. He was very desirous of preserving this nohle i structure ; but a soldier having set fire to some adjoining buildings, the flames communicated to the temple, and the whole edifice was en- tirely destroyed. The spot on which the city stood, was ploughed over; and thus the predic- tion was fulfilled, that *^ not one stone should he left upon another y When Titus became emperor, he behaved with the greatest humanity and forbearance. During the Hfe of his father, he was guilty of many improper actions; but when he began to rule, he recollected that he ought to be the fa- ther of his people— rthe patron of virtue, and he ceased to indulge himself in luxury and extra- vagance. To do good to his subjects was his ambition. Having recollected one day, that he had not either done any person a service, or granted any favour, he^ exclaimed: ** My JHendSf I have lost a dayT So greatly was this prince disposed to humanity, that he was accustomed to say, he would rather die himself, than be th^ cause of death to one of his people. These ex- cellent qualities gained Titus the appellation of " The Delight of Mankind." d by Google TITUS. 95 Titus finisbed the building of an amphithe- atre, which had been begun by Vespasian, for the purpose of amusing the people with shows of gladiators and wild beasts. An amphitheatre is a building of an oval form. That erected by, Titus is sometimes called the Colisseum, from a colossal or large statue of Neroy which stood near. It is said to have contained eighty-seven thousand specta- tors: the ruins of this theatre are still to be seen. Gladiators were usually slaves or criminals, who were obliged to fight in the centre of the amphitheatre, sometimes with wild beasts, but more frequently with each other. They fought till one of them was killed; or if either yielded, his conquerors could not grant him his life, without the consent of the spectators. Free citizens sometimes fought as gladiators. An eruption of Mount Vesuvius, in the year 79, caused considerable damage to the sur- rounding country; and the towns, Herculaneum and Pompeii, were buried in the ashes that issued from the mountain. Af);er remaining con- cealed for more than one thousand six hundred years, Herculaneum was discovered by accident, d by Google 96 CARACAIiLA AND GETA. in the y€^r 1713, and Pompeii foity year^ after. The latter was not mote than twdve feetj or four ycvrd^, underground. An entrance to the town was speedily found, and the streets, houses, statues, tod a Tariety of utensils, were .disco* vered in good preservation. During the reign cif Titus, Rome was on fire three days ; and the empire abo suffered from a dreadful plague, which destrojred a rast num- ber of persons. »The emperor comforted the af- flicted, bestowed money upon them, and ex- erted himseli^forChe benefit of all. The, Romans did not long .enjoy the gorem- ment of this egcjseUent monaroh. Me. was adoed with a fever, .which terminated in his deatib, A. D. JSl, after a reign of Utdermore than two years. . ^ • > CARACALLA AND GETA. A.U. C.963. A.D. 211. Sevcrus, the twenty-fourth emperor of Rome, •and the father -of Caracalla and Geta, was cele- famted for his learning, prudence, and bmvevy. These qualities were, however, obscured by the d by Google ■^^ d by Google d by Google CABACALLA AND GETA. 97 extreme severity and cruelty which he exercised towards those who offended him. Caracalla, his son, somewhat resembled his father in the worst part of his character. From his childhood he had manifested a fierce and ungovernable disposition; he always approved the severe orders which the emperor was accus- tomed to give, while his brother Geta, who was far better disposed, endeavoured to soften the harshness of his father, and pleaded in behalf of offenders. In the latter part of his reign, SeVerus passed over into Britain, being resolved to conquer the northern parts of the island, whose inhabitants had attacked the Roman settlements. Cara* calla and Geta accompanied him; and Geta being left to command the southern part of the country, Caracalla proceeded with the emperor, who marched against the Caled5nians. In this expedition his army suffered very great dis- tresses: they were obliged to cut their way through extensive forests, to drain marshes, and form bridges over rapid rivers. Fifty thousand men lost their lives through fatigue and sick- iiessy and for no better purpose than the con- K d by Google 100 CARACALLA AND GETA. self-defence, to take away his life. He then sought the protection of the soldiers^ who had long heen permitted to interfere in the concerns of the government, and making the same ex- cuses for his inhuman conduct, began to entreat their assistance. To attach them more strongly to his interest, he promised them large rewards, and distributed among them ahnost all the trea- sures which -had been left by his father. The unfortunate Geta, after his death, was declared a traitor, and an enemy to his country, while the senate was persuaded to approve of Caracalla's proceedings. This abandoned, guilty man, ob- tained his object: he became sole emperor of Rome. The barbarities of Nero and Domitian were exceeded by Caracalla. He ordered all the governors to be put to death, whom his brother had appointed, and destroyed two thousand persons who had been attached to his party. Perceiving that he was hated by the people, he declared publicly that he neither valued their love, nor feared their reproaches, for he could provide for his own safety. This detestable tyrant having reigned six years, was at length murdered by a centurion of d by Google ZENOBIA. 101 the guards, who hated him for having caused the death of a relation. In the reign of Severus, the Christians were severely persecuted for the fifth time ; and Tertullian, one of their writers, flourished ahout this period. ZENOBIA. A. U. a 1022. A.D. 270. The subject of our concluding anecdote shall be the history of Zendbia, queen of Palmyrene, a country eastward of Syria, situated among sandy deserts. Its capital, Pahnyra or Thad- mor, is now in ruins. The splendour and mag- nificence of the temples, palaces, and other edifices, have induced many curious and learn- ed trayellers to examine their remains. Odenatus, the husband of Zenobia, was in alliance with the Romans, whom he greatly assisted in a contest with Sapor, king of Persia. As a recompense for his services, the emperor gave Odenatus a share in the government of the empire; but he did not long enjoy his high office. He perished by the dagger of an assas*- d by Google 102 ZENOBIA. sin, whom he had dightly offfend^d at an entet- tainment. Zenobia succeeded^ to the kingdom of her husbafid^ atnd respired to estahUiSih an empire of het own. At this time, Egypt and all the provinces of Asia Minor were under her do- minion. This extraordinary woman possessed the most undaunted courage: she bore the hard- ships of the military life lijke the lowest of her soldiers, and, in time of war, walked among her troops, fearless of danger. ZenoHawas also ad- mixed for her literary talents. She was acquiaint^ ed with, every branch of useful learmUg, and spoke, with ease, the language of. the Egyptians, the Qreeks, and the Rothans. Longinus, ^.tce- lebrirted (Jreek philosopher and critic, some of whosfe writings remain to this fime, was her pte- ceptor, apd afterwards bet pcmcipal minister in the affairs of state.. . ' .. Aiireliah .being /chosen emperor of Rome, immediately passed dver ii^ Ai^a with a larg^ army, in order to subdue this powerful prince«5* When Aurelian approached the plains of Pal- ihyra, the warlike queen appeated at the head of 700,000 men. Two battles were fought, in which Zenobia had the advantage; but her cavalry d by Google d by Google d by Google d by Google d by Google flSENOBU. 108 haying pursued the Roman horse too far, the foot soldiers, or infantry, rushed forwards upon the forces of Zenobia, aud the Palmyreans were totally defeated. The queen withdrew to Palmyra, determined to b6ar a siege. Aurelian foQowed her; and finding that he had greatly diminished his stofe 'of provisions, he proposed terms of peace, which Zenobia rejected with disdain. Her hopes of victory were soon disappointed, though she attacked the Romans, night and- day, from the walls of the city. She was in- formed that the troops which were marching from Armenia, and Persia for her relief, had been partly bribed, and partly overcome by the Romans. Zenobia now lost all hope, and fled from Palmyra during the night, mounted on a swift dromedatyj but Aurelian, who was in- formed of her escape, sent a party of soldiers to jmrsue her, and she was taken in crossing the river Euphrates. When this princess was first made prisoner, she conducted herself with her usual spirit and dignity. But the rude language and angry conif^laints of the soldiers, who wished for her death, began to subdue her courage ; and the once brave Zenobia had recourse to the mean* d by Google 104 ZENOBIA. ness of throwing the blame of her resistance upon her preceptor and secretary, Longinus, who was accordingly put to deaths by order of ' Aurelian; who then returned to Rome, followed by the queen and her children. She was treat- ed with great humanity^ but was obliged to fol- low the triumphal chariot of her conqueror, and show herself to the Roman people as a captive. Aurelian afterwards bestowed large posses- sions upon Zenobia; and she retired to her appointed abode near Tibur, an ancient town on the river Anio. Here she continued to reside in great splendour, and, by degrees, adopted the manners of a Roman matron. The victorious Aurelian having restored peace to the empire, endeavoured to render his people more virtuous, by the most rigorous laws. But he carried his severe measures be- yond reasonable bounds, and fell by the hands of a few persons, who conspired against his life. THE END. Hanrey, Dartom and Co. Piioten^ Onecdutfch-Strect, London* d by Google d by Google d by Google by Google