Studies in History; containing the history of Rome from its earliest records to the death of Constantine

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STUDIES IN HISTORY; CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF ROME, TROM ITS EARLIEST RECORDS TO THE DEATH OF CONSTANTINE; IN A SERIES O 7 ESSAYS, ACCOMPAH <ZD WITH REFLEC flONS, REFERENCES TO ORIGINAL AUTHORITIES, AND HISTORICAL QUESTIONS. By THOMAS MORELL. Opus adgredior opimnm casibus, atrox prœliis, discors scditioni bus, ipsa etiaiu pace sævum ; nou tamen adeo virtutum sterile, ut non et bona cxempla prodiderit. Tacit. Hist. VOL. II. ST. NEOTS: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND SOLD'HY S. AND E. GEAKD ; GALE, CURTIS, AND 1-LiNNElI, PATERNOS- TER-KOW, AND JOS1AH CONDER, ST. P AC'l's CH U IiCH YARD, LONDON; AND OL1PHANT AND CO. PD1N- BURGH, 1813. TO THE REVEREND JOHN PYE SMITH, D. D. THEOLOGICAL TUTOR IN THE OLD COLLEGE, HOMERTON; ALIKE DISTINGUISHED BY HIS DEFENCE OF EV INGELICAL TRUTH, AND EXTENSIVE ERUDITION; THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED, IN GRATEFUL MEMORIAL OF THE BENEFIT DERIVED FROM HIS INSTRUCTIONS, AND OF THE PLEASURE SINCE REGEIVED FROM HIS CONTINUED FRIENDSHIP, BY THE AUTHOR

ADVERTISEMENT.

. The kind and even flattering reception with which the former volume of " Studies in His tory" has heen indulged, calls for the most grateful acknowledgements of its Author. En couraged by the favourable verdict of the chris tian public, and still more, by the cheering approbation of many judicious and highly esteemed friends, he has endeavoured in part to redeem the pledge formerly given, by pre paring a second volume, which is now, with great deference, submitted to the ordeal of friendship and of liberal criticism. Those who have honoured the " History of Greece," with an attentive perusal, and are disposed to grant a similar indulgence to that of Rome, will perceive that the plan upon which they are conducted is exactly similar ; except that, in the present volume, a somewhat VI

Book I. The History Of Rome From The Building Of The City

TO ITS CAPTURE BY THE GAULS. ESSAY 1. Introductory. The Origin of the Romans — the birth of Romulus — the building of Rome. 2. On the Institutions and Government of Romulus. S. On the reigns ofNuma Pompilius, Tu/liis Ilostilius, and Ancus Martius. 4. On the government of the Tarquiris. 5. The death of Lucretia. 6. On Brutus and Publicola. 7. On the appointment of a Dictator and Tribunes of the People. 8. On Caius Marius Coriolanus. 9. The Agrarian Law — T. Quintius Cincinnatus — the Decemvirate. 10. On the abo/itio?i of the Decemvirate. 1 1. On the creation of Military Tribunes and Censors — Camillus — Rome taken and burnt. 15. A general view of the Religion, Philosophy, and Literature of the ancient Romans. X CONTENTS.

Book II. From The Rebuilding Of The City To The Death Of

JULIUS CÆSAR. ESSAY 1. Victories of Camillus — Condemnation of Manlius — ■ First Plebeian Consul — Pratois and Citrule Ædiles — Death of Camillus. C. On the Samnite War. S. The Tarenline War — Pyrrhus, Icing of Epirus. 4. Thejirst Punic War. 5. The second Punic War, to the battle of Canute. 6. End of the War — Hannibal and Scipio. 7. On the Macedonian Wars — Death of Scipio Africanus — Third Punic War — Destruction of Carthage. 8. On the character and death of the Gracchi. 9- On Mariiisand Sylla. 10. O/f thejirst Tiiumvirate. 11. On the civil War between Pompey and Cccsar. 12. The character and death of Cato of Utica. IS. On the administration aud death of Julius Cæsar. 14. On the literary and public character of Cicero. 15. On the Literature of the Romans during the Commonwealth. CONTENTS. XI

Book III. From The Death Of Julius

CÆSAR TO THE REIGN OF CONSTANTINE. ESSAY 1 . The second Triumvirate — Death of Brutus and Cassim — Antony and Cleopatra — Augustus, Jirst emperor of Rome. 2. On the character and reign of Augustus. . 3. On Tiberius and Caligula. 4. On Claudius and Nero. 5. On Galba, Otho, f itellius, and Vespasian — Jerusalem taken and destroyed by Titus. 6. On the reigns of Titus and Domitian. 7- OnJSlerva, Trajan, and Adrian. 8. On the Government of the Anlonines. 9- On the Roman Emperors from Commodus lo Diocletian. 10. On the reigns of Diocletian and Constantine. 11. On the principal Writers of the Augustan aud following ages. 12. On the Advocates and Ojrponents of Christianity during the three first Centuries. STUDIES IN HISTORY. THE HISTORY OF ROME.

Book I. From The Building Of The City, To Its Capture By

THE GAULS. ESSAY I. Introductory. The origin of the Romans — the birth of Romulus — the building of Rome. from A. C. 1182—753 AMONGST the numerous objects of human research, few are more interesting, and perhaps none more difficult of access, than those which relate to the origin of nations. The desire of tracing stupendous effects to their minutest causes is almost universal, but its accomplishment is by no means easy, even to those -who pursue it with the most diligent investigation. The traveller, who would discover the source of an impetuous torrent, and mark the precise spot, where its crystal spring first issues from the rock, must frequently penetrate almost inaccessible wilds, and explore the labyrinths of many a subterraneous cavern, through which it flows ; and not unfrequently after all, h*

BOOK I.

2 STUDIES IN HISTORY. finds that his labours terminate in disappointment and un certainty. It is thus that the moral and political enquirer, who would investigate the earliest traces of ancient empires, must explore the dark mazes of fabulous tradition, and traverse the wildest regions of conjecture, ere he can hope to attain the object of his pursuit ; nor is it improbable, that all his researches will in like manner terminate in *' vanity and vexation of spirit." To no people, cither in ancient or modern times, will these remarks apply more justly than to the Romans, whose origin was as obscure, as their future destinies were great. All who are conversant with the annals of Rome, during the vigour of her republican, or the more splendid period of her imperial government, must have been solici tous to discover, if it were possible, the tenderest germ of that political eminence which she acquired amongst the nations, and which continued to flourish through so many ages.

Whilst contemplating the achievements of her most renowned heroes, the enquiry must have frequently pre sented itself to the reflecting mind, " who were these hardy sons of fame — these mighty conquerors of the world — whence did they spring — and what was their primitive condition ':" But to such an enquiry, all the authentic records of antiquity, will furnish no satisfactory reply. Titus Livius himself, the most faithful and diligent of the Historians of Rome, (to whose labours we are indent ed for many of the facts which will be detailed in the following essays,) abandoned the attempt as utterly imprac ticable, after the lapse of so many ages of intellectual dark ness, and amidst such a mass ot' fabulous and contradictory statements. He seems to have considered the vague tra ditions, which were commonly believed in his d,ay, rathei as poetical fictions, than as monuments of authentic his- ISSAY 1.

THE HISTORY OF ROME. 3 tory. Instertd therefore of attempting to disentangle the web of fancy, or to define with accuracy the boundaries of truth and fable, all that is intended at present, is, to relate as briefly as possible those circumstances relative to the origin of the Romans, which appear most probable, with out either affirming or denying their authenticity. Previously to the building of Rome, Italy contained a great number os' independant states, and rudely fortified cities, of which little more than the names have been pre served, and whose geographical situation it is now difficult to define. Some of these petty kingdoms were inhabited by native tribes, who had probably existed for many ages in that country, and were therefore called Aborigines. Others were established by colonists from Gaul or Greece, who had acquired at different periods a precarious settle ment, by conquest or treaty.

None however of these pri mitive inhabitants of Italy deserve particular notice, but the Etruscans, and the Latins; the former on account of their early civilization, and the latter, as having given birth to the founder, and first king of Rome. The Etruscans, (or as they were sometimes called, the Tyrrhenians,) flourished in Etruria, a province of an cient Italy, long before Rome existed. That they were of Phœnician extraction is rendered probable by -many circumstances connected with their history, but especially by the similarity of their language, manners, literature, and superstitious rites. From the scattered records of this people, and the specimens of their progress in useful arts which are still preserved in the cabinets of the curious, it may be inferred, that they were a well-disciplined and highly-cultivated nation, when the surrounding tribes were immersed in barbarism.

Their commerce was extensive, and their skill in agriculture, navigation, and military t«f? « STUDIES IN HISTORY. BOOR I. tics most remarkable, considering the period in which they flourished. To them, the first inhabitants of Rome were principally indebted for the education of their youth, the elements of science, and many of their civil, political, and religious institutions. The first kings of Latium of whom tradition speaks, were, Picas, Faunus, and Latinus. During the reign of the second of these princes, and about 70 years before the destruction of Troy, Evander is supposed to have conducted a colony of Arcadians from Greece to La tiuin. By the permission of Faunus, he built a city upon an uncultivated hill on the banks of the Tiber, which he called Pallantium, after the name of the capital of Arcadia.

He is said to have introduced amongst his Latin subjects many civil and religious rites, similar to those which prevailed in Greece. The following reign was ren dered memorable by the arrival of Æneas and his com panions, after having escaped from the calamities of the Trojan war, and the perils of a tedious voyage*. When these illustrious strangers landed on the shores of Latium, the reigning prince was engaged in a war with the Rutuli, a small, but martial tribe, whose territories bordered on his own. On being informed that an hostile band had effected a landing on his coast, he hastened to meet them, expecting to find a rude and undisciplined banditti who would retire at the approach of his army. But on the contrary, he found to his surprise, a well-appointed band of veteran warriors, drawn up in order of battle, fully prepared for defence, and at the same time holding forth the olive branch of peace.

Latinus, unwilling to risk an engagement with these formidable strangers, sounded a parley ■, and, 'Hist, of Greece. Book I. Eisay 4. ESSAY I. THE HISTORY OF ROME. 5 having learnt the name, country, and misfortunes of the Trojan adventurers, offered them his friendship, and ratified the alliance, by giving his daughter Laviuia in marriage to their chief. The nuptials of Æneas and Lavinia rekindled the flame of war hi Latium. Turnus, the queen's nephew, who had made pretensions to the daughter of Latinus, enraged at the loss of his anticipated prize, joined the Rutuli, and in cited them to renew the contest. This warfare terminated in the subjugation of the Rutuli, the slaughter of Latinus and Turnus, and the quiet accession of Æneas to the va cant throne of Latium. The latter days of the Trojan prince were occupied with building the city of Lavinium, erecting temples and altars, and instituting religious festi vals in honour of the gods of Greece, as well as of those who were previously yvorshipped by the Etruscans and La tins.

For this reason, he was honoured by his superstitious descendants with the appellation of " the pious Æneas." After a reign of four years, he was killed in a battle with Mezentius, king of Etruria, and was succeeded first by As canius or Julus (who founded the city of Alba Longa, which afterwards became the 6eat of government,) and then by Æneas Silvius, his younger son by Lavinia. Thirteen kings of his family reigned successively in Alba, of whom nothing memorable is recorded. The last of this dynasty was Numitor, who was scarcely seated on the throne of his father Procas, when Amulius, his younger brother, formed a conspiracy against him, wrested from him the crown and sceptre, murdered his only son, and compelled his daughter Rhea Silvia to take the vestal vow, by which she devoted herself to perpetual virginity.

Having thus, as he supposed, removed every obstacle to his ambition, and opened to himself and his family an unobstructed passage to the Al ban throne, he HOOK 1. STUDIES IN HISTORY. flattered himself that a new and permanent dynasty waw established, which should bear his name, and continue in the line of his descendants. But these acts of injus tice .ultimately recoiled upon himself. Rhea Silvia, the only surviving child of his dethroned brother, having been violated by some unknown warrior, whom the an cients dignified with the name of Mars, produced two sons at a birth, the elder of whom was named Romulus, and the younger Remus. These infants were no sooner born, than by an express order of the inhuman tyrant, they were exposed on the banks of the Tiber ; but before the tide had risen sufficiently to wash away the slender bark in which they were deposited, they were discovered by Faus tulus, the king's shepherd, and brought up by his wife Acca Lauren tia as her own offspring.

This woman is supposed on account of her disorderly life to have been commonly called Lupa, or a she-wolf; which circumstance probably gave rise to the absurd fable of Romulus and Remus, ha ving been nourished by a wolf. Unacquainted for many years with the secret of their birth, these foundlings grew up in rustic ignorance, amongst the shepherds and herdsmen of the valley ; distinguished alone from their associates by the superior dignity of their mien, and a spirit of enterprise far beyond their years. The manners of the age and country in which they lived, were calculated to form aud cherish this adventurous character. Accustomed to defend their flocks from beasts of prey, and their lowly habitations from midnight depreda tors, they were early habituated to hardships and dangers, which gradually pit-pared them for higher achievements.

At length these adopted sons of Famtulus acquiied such reputation and influence amongst the companions of their youth, as to collect an adventurous band, by whose aid they were enabled to enter the palace of Amulius, put the ESSAY I. THE HISTORY OF ROME. 7 usurper to the sword, and reinstate their grandfather in those regal honours, of which he had long been unjustly deprived. Nor were they contented with having restored to Alba its rightful sovereign ; their restless ambition ex cited them to new projects. They proposed to plant a colony, and build a city on one of those hills, amongst which they had formerly fed their flocks. They invited the companions of their youth, and others from Alba and Lavinium, who were favourable to the enterprise, to assist them in its execution. They fixed upon the Palatine hill, and proceeded to consecrate the ground on which their projected city was to be built, by the celebration of auguries and other religious observances, customary on similar occasions.

But scarcely had the work commenced, when a quarrel arose between the twin-brothers, which ended in the murder of Remus by the hand of Romulus. No longer controuled in his schemes, the survivor applied himself with redoubled vigour to the prosecution of his design, till the city was built, if indeed a contemptible village can be so denominated, which contained, according to ancient tradition, about two thousand straw-roofed huts, defended with a wall of clay, and occupied by a rude and lawless rabble. Yet such in her infancy was proud imperial Rom E, the conqueror of nations, — the subverter of ancient and flourishing empires, — the mistress of the world, — so celebrated in future ages, for the wisdom of her councils, the splendour of her triumphs, and the extent of her do minions ! This event is generally supposed to have taken place towards the end of the sixth, or the beginning of the seventh Olympiad, that is, about 753 years before the Chris tian æra.

Consult Dionys. Halicain. lib. 1. passim. Liv. Hist. Rom. lib. 1. Pint, iu Romul. Aurel. Victor, de Orig. Rom. REFLECTIONS. Whilst uncertainty and obscurity characterize, in a greater or less degree, all the pursuits of human wisdom, we have reason to be thankful that " a more sure word " of divine revelation has been granted to us, which is as " a light shining in a dark place." In tho«e ancient and infallible records, which were first dictated by the Spirit of Truth, and have since been miraculously preserved from age to age, facts are revealed which had otherwise been buried in perpetual oblivion — doctrines are taught which would surpass all human belief, did they not rest on divine authority — and scenes are unfolded, of yvhich the mind of man could never have conceived. By the glimmering taper of traditional history, we are able to trace but a few steps backward, ere we find ourselves immersed in thickest shades of ignorance and doubt — but by the light which Revelation sheds, we can recur, not merely to the origin of one family, tribe, or nation, but to the birth of Nature herself, and the beginning of Time.

We can discern the first morning-beam darting through the empire of darkness, in prompt obedience to the Omnipotent mandate of Je hovah, " Let there be Light." We see the Sun for the first time shining forth in his meridian strength and splendour — the moon entering on her majestic course, and walking in brightness through the heavens — the celestial luminaries, either fixed in their distant stations, or harmo niously moving in their appointed orbits — all the various orders and classes of created beings springing into exist ence, and moulded into the perfection of beauty — but especially man, the last and noblest of the inferior works of Cod, shining forth in the moral image of his divine Crca ESSAY I. THE HISTORY OF ROME. tor! Whilst contemplating this scene of varied wonders, and devoutly exploring the records of these remote, but not uncertain events, who can forbear exclaiming, " Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty ! in wisdom hast thou made them all.

For thou didst speak and it was done ; thou commandedst and it stood fast. Thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created." In the preceding sketch of the origin of Rome, there are some obvious points of resemblance to the commence ment and progress of the spiritual kingdom of Christ. It appears, that the calamities and dispersion of the Trojans gave rise to the Roman empire— an empire, whose soun ders were rude and illiterate, whose origin was lowly and obscure, and whose first subjects were few and despised ; yet which was preserved and nurtured amidst the storms and perils of war, till it overspread the earth, and gathered its laurels and trophies from remotest climes. Thus lowly was the origin, thus small the number, and thus despised the condition of the first champions of the Christian faith.

Thus did the persecution and consequent dispersion of the primitive disciples of Christ, tend to the furtherance of the Gospel, and lead to its propagation throughout the world. Thus was the infant Church nurtured amidst storms aud dangers, and notwithstanding all the efforts of her adver saries, " mightily grew and prevailed." And thus too will this heaven-protected empire pursue its triumphant career, till its boundaries thall stretch " from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth." But there are also some points of extreme difference be tween the rising empire of Rome and the kingdom of the Messiah. The former was founded on usurpation, and upheld by violence and oppression; but justice and judges ment are the foundations of the latter; " a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of His kingdom," whom God "hath set upon his holy hill of Zion."

The far-famed city of Rome was built by a colony of sanguinary warriors — its soil was saturated and its yvalls were cemented with blood — its first inhabitants subsisted chiefly by plunder and rapine, and were defiled with every kind of loathsome impurity — but the hallowed city of our God is filled with the meek, the merciful, and the pure in heart — on its walls and gates, its temples and palaces, is inscribed, " Glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace; good will toward men" — and on the very garments of its citizens is written, " Holiness to the Lord." Rome has long since fallen, her capitol, her temples, her altars, and all her magnificent edUices have perished in the wreck of ages ; she ultimately became the prey of those nations, which once trembled at her power, or cowered beneath her wing — but never shall the Church of God be subverted — never shall the gates of hell prevail against this sacred and imperishable structure — for it is founded upon a rock.

The Messiah's kingdom shall prove an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion en dtireth throughout all generations! ESSAY II. On the Institutions and Government of Romulus. BORN A. C. 771. REIGNED S7 YEARS. DIED A. C. 716. One of the most remarkable circumstances connected with the origin of Rome, is, the rapid transition of its primitive inhabitants from a rude and almost barbarous state of society, to the discipline and subordination of a well organized government. It could scarcely have be« ■ \ pected, that a company of fugitives, a band of needy ad venturers, with arms in their hands, and accustomed to predatory exploits, should suddenly submit to legi' te authority, and instead of struggling for property or power, resign themselves to the guidance of salutary laws. This is a sufficient proof of the policy and wisdom of their elected Chief, and fully demonstrates the excellence of his administration.

No sooner was the building of the city completed, than Romulus applied himself to the internal regulation of the colony assembled within its walls. On numbering them, he found they amounted to 3000 infantry, and 300 cavalry. But as this was a small number, compared with the wishes and hopes of their leader, he resolved to open an asylum for the reception of all who were compelled by their ne cessities or their crimes to leave their homes, as well as for those who from curiosity, the hope of gain, or any other cause, were desirous of change. By this means, considerable numbers of strangers and fugitives were attracted from neighbouring states, and even from the remotest parts of Italy. Rome being thus replenished with a mixed multi tude of inhabitants, Romulus divided the entire popula tion into three tribes ; to each of which, a third portion of the city was allotted.

Each of the tribes was subdivided into ten Curiæ, and these latter \yere again distributed into ten lesser ramifications, called Decuriæ. The super intendance of these wards, or compartments of the city, was assigned to certain officers, who on account ol the stations they occupied, were called Curiones and Dccu riones. The territory of Rome, which is said to have ex-

BOOK 1.

12 STUDIES IN HISTORY. tended at that time about six miles beyond the walls of the city, was divided into thirty portions, one for each of the Curiæ, exclusive of tvyo shares of land which were reserved one for the king's revenue, and the other for the support of the priesthood. Besides these minuter classifications, the population of Rome was divided into two orders, the Patrician, and the Plebeian; the former consisted of those who were distin guished from their fellow-citizens by age, wisdom, yalour, or property ; the latter included the mass of the Roman people. The rights of patronage belonged exclusively to the Patricians, who considered themselves bound to ad vise, protect, and, in every possihle way, assist their Clients; and in return for the privilege of choosing a Patron from amongst the Patricians, the Plebeians considered them selves bound to aid their protector in the execution of his civil or military functions.

This regulation, which bears a strong resemblance to the feudal system, that afterwards prevailed throughout Europe, was admirably adapted to the existing state of society, as it rendered both the higher and lower classes mutually dependant. The form of government instituted by Romulus was one, in which liberty and authority were wisely blended. In this respect it resembled the British Constitution ; for the supreme power was balanced between the King, the Senate, and an Assembly of the People. The authority of the King in civil affairs was exceedingly limited ; he could do little more than convene the deliberative bodies, and, having received their instructions, carry into effect their decrees. But as General of the Army, he exercised an uncontrolled authority over all the military forces of the kingdom.

He was attended on all occasions by twelve Lictors, armed with fasces, or officers carrying axes surrounded by bundles of rods, which were intended to represent the administration of Justice. When at the head of the army, he was surrounded by a guard of three hundred chosen youths, who, on account of their agility, were called Celeres. The Senate, as first constituted by Romu lus, consisted of 100 Patricians, who were the official counsellors of the king. These were elected by the people, and were usually called Fathers, either on account of their age, or their supposed parental attachment to their fellow-citizens. They deliberated on all questions of poli cy or religion submitted to them, either by the King, or by an Assembly of the People, and decided by a majority of suffrages. To this august body, all the civil, military, and religious dignities were exclusively attached for several centuries.

So great was their influence, that they were con sidered the living guardians of the State, and supreme interpreters of the law. The People were assembled for the election of Magistrates, the enactment of laws, and the determination of war or peace; subject however, to the final approbation of the Senate. These assemblies were usually characterized by violence, and proved a perpetual source of discord, yet to the energy they inspired, are to be ascribed the vigour, the triumphs, and the unrivalled pros perity of the Roman Commonwealth in future ages. Besides these political institutions of Romulus, there were others which related to the worship of the Gods. Many of these religious rites were borrowed from his Etruscan neighbours ; some were derived from the Greeks' and had probably been introduced by Evander or Æneas ; but others were ceremonies ordained by himself, suited to the superstitious character of his subjects, and evidently intended to answer political as well as religious purposes.

The principal of these were, the appointment of a temple. BOOK t. 14 STUDIES IN HISTORY. a priest, and a separate deity to each of the Curia, or wards of the city; the establishment of a college of priests, Augurs, and Aruspices*; and the institution of festivals in honour not only of the Gods of Greece and Italy, but of others also who were elevated to that dignity by himself, such as the Goddess of Counsel, the Asylæan God, Jupiter Feretrius, Jupiter Stator, &c. It seemed necessary to be thus particular in describing the ancient constitution of Rome, because it formed the basis of that towering superstructure which was afterwards reared ; and also, because there will be frequent occasion to allude to some or other of these institutions of Romulus in subsequent. essays. The Roman government thus constituted gained strength daily, and became increasingly formidable to its jealous neighbours.

But as its population consisted almost entirely of unmarried youths, it became the obvious policy of its founder, that he might both perpetuate and strengthen his kingdom, to engage them in matrimonial alliances. For this purpose ambassadors were sent to the Sabines and " Tbe Avgurs or Soothsayers were persons appointed to interpret dreams, oracles, prodigies, &o.and to foretell future events by what Were considered prosperous or disastrous omens. They did this by observing remarkable appearances in tbe heavens, the flight of birds, the motion of beasts, or any unusual accident. Romulus was consid ered skilful in this art, and being well aware of its influence upon a superstitious multitude, instituted three augurs, one for each tribe. Their number was afterwards augmented at different periods to fifteen.

The Aruspices were so called from their office of inspecting the altars and predicting future occurrences from the appearances of the victims offered in sacrifice. Roth these kinds of divination were held so sacred by the Romans, that it would have been considered profane in the highest degree to found a city, build a temple, pro claim war, elect magistrates, or hold a public assembly, wilhool having first consulted the Avgurs and Arnspiew. other contiguous states, to propose a league, the leading irticle of which should be, the marriage of their daughters to the Roman youth. But these overtures were rejected with scorn ; the messengers were treated with great indignity ; and it was tauntingly proposed, " that the Romans should open an asylum for female fugitives and slaves." This insult was soon afterwards signally avenged by Rom ulus, who seized and carried off a great number of Sabine virgins and others, who were assembled with their parents at a festival which Romulus had proclaimed for that purpose, though professedly in honour of Neptune.

All resistance was vain ; the Romans were alike deaf to threats and entreaties; the bereaved and injured parents were haughtily driven from the city, and their daughters detained in violation of all the rights of hospitality and justice. The whole number said to have been carried off was siS3, of whom, one of distinguished beauty, (named Hersilia,) was chosen by Romulus, and the rest were distributed amongst his bravest warriors, all of whom were immediately married according to the Roman custom. The injured parties breathed revenge and slaughter. Borne along by their inflamed passions, rather than guided by prudence, they flew to arms; but, instead of acting in con cert, they separately invaded the Roman territories, and thus became the easy prey of the conqueror. The inhabitants of Cœnina, of Crusturninum, and of Antemnæ, were suc cessively vanquished and their cities taken.