The republic of Rome

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I. The War With Porsenna

The Koman Republic may be said to have commenced upon the day wben Brutus and Collatinus were elected consuls. Tarquinius Superbus was at this time king of Eome ; and at the very moment when the revolution took place, he and his immense army were encamped before the walls of Ardea, endeavoring to bring that strong city in subjection to Eome. To be completely stripped of his power at home, and to be shamefully and helj)lessly driven from the midst of his troops, was an event of which neither he nor his subjects had dreamed two days before its occurrence. Still it is not a matter which should occasion surprise, for Tarquinius was a detested tyrant, whom the people, under a resolute leader, were at any moment ready to crush. . This leader was Brutus ; and the Roman

Things related in the Stories of the Kings of Eome.

people vested him and his colleague, Collatinus, with the government of the city. The army was withdrawn from the walls of Ardea. Joy took the j)lace of the mm^mnring and discontent which had prevailed throughout the city. The excellent laws which had been established by King Servius, and abolished by Tarquinius, were now restored. The people again exercised the rights of freemen ; and peace and prosperity seemed to be the destiny of Eome.

But Tarquinius was still alive. The city of Cumse had opened its gates to receive him ; arid here, mortified and enraged, he spent his time in devising means for the recovery of his throne. First he resorted to stratagem ; but he accomplished nothing except the sacrifice of the sons of Brutus and the destruction of all the friends 'whom he still possessed in Eome. Then he appealed to the Yeientians and Tarquinians to aid him in his design. Here again he failed, himself and allies being driven in terror from the battle-field, while the Eoman army, laden with spoils, went home in triumph.

N"ot long before this last-mentioned event, Collatinus, the colleague of Brutus, had been obliged to resign the consulship and leave Eome, simply because he bore the hated name

The consul Publius Valerius.

of Lucius Tarquinius. Publius Valerius was appointed in his stead. JS^ow Brutus was gone too, having been the first to shed his blood in the cause of the Republic. All these things liave been related in the stories of The Kings OF RoitE.

The loss of Brutus was a grievous thing for the Koman people. He had done more than any other man for the accomplishment of their freedom. He was, in fact, regarded as their deliverer. He had caused his own sons to be slain because they had conspired against the State, and in him therefore they could place the utmost confidence. His death filled them with apprehensions ; and they straightway imagined themselves surrounded with snares, and destined to become the prey to a tyranny more fearful than that from which they had just escaped. Even the consul Publius became an object of jealousy and suspicion, because he did not immediately cause the vacancy occasioned by the death of Brutus to be filled. It was noised about that he wished to rule alone, in order that he might more easily make himself king of Rome. " Why does he choose Mount Yelia for his residence?" asked one. "He has grown proud and wishes to place himself above the common people," was the

18 Bepublic of Kome.

The consul Publius Valerius.

reply of some. "He desires to be king, and means to build an impregnable fortress," said others.

Though these remarks and suspicions were not accompanied by threats, or violent demonstrations, yet they had great effect upon the consul Publius. He heard them indeed with indignation, for it was far from his intention to usurp authority greater than he already possessed. Still he resolved to dispel the fears entertained concerning him, and therefore issued a proclamation for the people to meet him in a public assembly. When they were all convened, he went into their midst, and ordering the fasces to be lowered, mounted the tribunal to speak to them. This proceeding was highly grateful to the people, for by lowering the fasces he acknowledged their sovereignty. "Eomans," said he, "how excellent was the fortune of my colleague, who, after having accomplished the deliverance of his country, and after having been raisecl to the highest post of honor, fell dying in defence of the republic ! When his glory was in its perfection he departed ; before the glance of suspicion had been directed towards him, before the tongue of jealousy had wounded him. But I, surviving the glory which I have won, have

The consul Publius "Valerius,

at last become the object of calumny, and, from the character of deliverer of my country, I am sunk to the level of those who would have betrayed it. Will no degree of merit, then, ever gain your confidence, so far as to be secure from the attacks of suspicion ? Could I have the least apprehension that I, the bitterest enemy to kings, should undergo the charge of aiming at kingly power? Supposing that I dwelt in the very citadel, and in the capitol, could I believe that I was an object of terror to my countrjTnen ? Does my reputation among you depend on so mere a trifle ? Is my title to your confidence so slightly founded that it is more to be considered where I am, than what I am? Citizens, the house of Publius Yalerius shall be no obstruction to youi- freedom : the Yelian Mount shall be secure to you. I will not only bring down my house to the plain, but will fix it under the hill, that your dwellings may overlook that of your suspected countryman. Let those build on the Yelian Mount to whom you can better intrust your liberty than to Publius Yalerius."

These few words were sufficient to convince the people that their suspicions were unfounded. They served also to remind them that Yalerius was the coadjutor of Brutus and Collati-

The consul Publius Valerius.

nus in expelling tlie tyrant who had so long oppressed them. Shame therefore took possession of them, and they separated for their respective homes, leaving Valerius to enjoy the satisfaction of having triumphed over their suspicions.

Faithful to his promise, he immediately caused the workmen who were engaged upon his palace to remove the stones and timbers from the top of the mount to the vale below. Here he erected a modest mansion, and laying aside every thing which was calculated to excite envy or jealousy, applied himself to the administration of his office. The excellent laws which he proposed, and his manifest devotion to the cause of the people, soon secured the confidence of his fellow-citizens ; and he even became so popular that the surname of Publicola was bestowed upon him.

In a short time Spurius Lucretius was elected consul in the place of Brutus ; but being far advanced in years, he died in a few days after his election. Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was placed in his stead. Of him nothing remarkable is related, except that on one occasion he showed a good deal of self-possession. It seems that the temple of Jupiter, though some time completed, had never been dedicated. The

Wak with Poksenna. 21

Anecdote of Horatius Pulvillus.

honor of performing the ceremonies on such an occasion being very considerable, the two consuls, Publius and Horatius, cast lots for the office. The lot fell to Horatius. This gave great displeasure to the friends of Publius, who endeavored in every way to delay and prevent the ceremonies. Their efforts were however useless. The day was appointed, and all the preparations for the occasion properly made. A great multitude assembled around the temple, and ELoratius began by performing the sacrifices and other preliminaries. Having finished these, he laid hold of the door-posts, while all present placed themselves in a most reverential posture to listen to his pronunciation of the solemn prayer of consecration. Just as he had raised his eyes and was about calling upon the name of Jupiter, the brother of Publius, who had watched the opportunity, rushed suddenly before him, and exclaimed in an excited manmer : " Horatius, your son has just died." Horatius, lowering his eyes and looking for a moment at the messenger, calmly replied, "Let him then be buried." He then proceeded with his prayer, completed the dedication, and caused his name to be placed upon the front of the temple.

For a brief period, the affairs of the Eoman

22 Bepublic of Eome.

King Tarquiuius appeals to Lars Porsenna.

Republic seemed prosperous enough. Abroad their arms had been triumphant under the direction of the consuls ; at home the resolution of the people to maintain republican principles had intimidated the ambitious, and forced the proud Patricians to show a degree of kindness and justice which they had never before exhibited. The Senate carried their generosity so far as to tax themselves much more than the other citizens, and even took pains to furnish provisions to the poorer classes at a much lower price than they had been accustomed to pay. But in all this they were actuated by fears for their own safety ; for enemies to the Eepublic were now springing up on every hand, and it behooved those who had every thing at stake to exercise prudence, and even to make some sacrifices. King Tarquiuius, though constantly baffled in his undertakings, was still determined to recover, if possible, his throne; In connection with the defeated Yeientians and Tarquinians, he made a strong appeal to Lars Porsenna, the powerful king of Clusium. He laid before him his own wrongs ; spoke of the indignities which, through him, had been offered to kings, and urged Porsenna to revenge the common cause of royalty.

Porsenna prepares to make War upon Eome.

Porsenna, willing to add to the gloiy which he had already acquired, readily took up the quarrel of Tarquinius, and forthwith made the most active preparations to march a powerful army against Kome. He knew full well that it was no ordinary war in which he would have to engage. The numerous and brilliant victories achieved by Koman arms were well known to him ; and he did not forget, moreover, that in defence of their liberty, they would exhibit a degree of valor which a contest for dominion or spoils would not call forth.

The preparations of Porsenna were therefore made with the utmost care. His own city of Clusium furnished an army sufficient to cope with an ordinary foe ; but he was not satisfied with this. Messengers were dispatched to all the cities of Etruria, with invitations to join him in crushing the common enemy of Italy. The Latin cities, too, were urged to furnish all the aid which they could send, and, from all directions, troops flocked daily around his standard.

Intelligence of these vigorous proceedings was not long in reaching Kome. The Senate received it with terror; and the people, despairing of being able to resist such a host of enemies, were almost ready to yield the city

Porsenna attacks Eome.

without a blow. Tlie news was carried, too, to the seaport of Ostia and spread among the shepherds and husbandmen all around the city, and so great was the fear that took possession of those who heard it, that a general flight took place among them. The walls of Rome seemed to afford the only safeguard against their innumerable foes. Thither they fled in multitudes : the aged and the young. Thither they drove their flocks of sheep and goats, their horses and mules and cattle ; and thither, from every farm-house and hamlet, went long trains of wagons loaded with grain and wine and household goods, so that every gate of Eome wag fairly choked with those who sought refuge from the invading foe.

Nor were the apprehensions of these fugitives without foundation ; for scarcely had they found security within the walls, than, looking behind them, they beheld the smoke and flames of their abandoned dwellings, and knew, by the clouds of dust that filled the sky, that their foes were pushing forward, resolved upon the total destruction of their State.

Onward they came, trampling down and covering every field and vineyard within sight of Rome, and speedily reaching the high wall that smTOunded the Janiculum, boldly and vig*

Valerius and the Roman Senate.

It was a dreadful moment for the Koman people ; and the Senate, sick at heart, and certain that their power was at an end, knew not what to do. They met ; but it seemed rather for the purpose of bearing each other company in the destruction which they hourly awaited. 'No one had any plan of defence to propose ; and all defence indeed seemed useless, for the walls were already tottering beneath the blows of hostile engines ; and the shouts of triumph, wafted over the heights of the Janiculum and across the intervening Tiber, penetrated into the very heart of the citadel.

" Senators," shouted the consul Yalerius, as he rushed into the midst of the terrified assembly ; " why stand ye here idle and cravenhearted ? Already the walls of the Janiculum are falling before the batteries of Porsenna! Once upon its heights, they have only to cross the Sublician bridge and Kome will be forever lost ! Hasten, Senators ! Let us meet them at the River-gate, and be the first to block its passage by our mangled bodies !"

Forth went Yalerius, and forth, too, went the Roman Senate with all speed towards the bridge which, crossing the Tiber, united the

Horatius Codes.

Janiculum to tlie more densely inhabited portions of the city. Here they arrived just as the enemy began, one by one, to leap through the breaches made in the wall on the opposite side of the river. " The bridge must be broken down," shouted Yalerius ; " there is no other hope for Rome ! Bring axes, my brave Horatius," he continued, addressing the captain, of the gate, — "bring axes ; hew down the bridge."

" Thou art right, Yalerius," replied Horatius Codes ; " the bridge must be hewn down, but let this be thy task, while I, with two others, cross to the further side and defend the passage till your work is done. Who dare follow me?" shouted Codes. "If none, then I will meet alone the hosts of Porsenna." Saying which he sprang, sword in hand, upon the bridge, and ran towards the other end, which the enemy were now approaching. Behind ran also two brave Romans who had been inspired by his words ; and no sooner had the three reached the middle of the bridge than the consuls, the senators, and the people all began with axes and bars to tear it down.

"Yile slaves," shouted Codes to the foremost of the approaching host, " why do jow not seek to secure your own liberty rather than to wrest it from those who have had the courage

Codes' Defence of the Bridge across the Tiber.

to win it ? By the eternal gods, ye shall not pass this bridge until I have covered it with dead bodies!"

At these words a loud peal of laughter rose from the troops, who, now, leaping by thousands through the broken walls, came dashing towards the river. The next moment a cloud of aiTows showered do^Ti upon Codes and his brave companions ; but they fell harmless upon the bucklers and heavy armor which they wore. Then the stoutest and bravest warriors from the ranks of the enemy, eager for glory and confident of success, ran with speai-s and axes to win the narrow pass ; but Codes and his companions stood like rocks before them, and, one by one, the greatest champions of Yeii, of Tarquinii, and of Clusium, fell lifeless at their feet.

In the mean time, the Romans on the other side of the river, working vigorously with their axes, cut away, one after another, the timbers which supported the bridge. The last prop was all that now remained ; Yalerius, seeing that the structure would soon fall, called out, " Come back, Horatius Codes ; come back, brave Eomans ; the bridge is yet strong enough to hold you ; come back, before it is too late." The companions of Codes at once obeyed the

Codes' Defence of the Bridge across the Tiber.

summons, but that fierce Roman, being engaged in a desperate conflict with a stalworth Yeientian, paid no attention to the call. Again Yalerius shouted to him, but the words had hardly escaped his lips, when the bridge fell, with a mighty crash, into the waters of the yellow Tiber.

A scream of rage now burst forth from the disappointed hosts of Porsenna, and a thousand arrows were directed against the body of the brave Codes. Protecting himself by his broad buckler, and succeeding, too, in cleaving to the earth the enemy with whom he was engaged, he sprang into the Tiber. " Holy father Tiberius, I beseech thee to receive these arms, and this thy soldier, into thy propitious stream," said the courageous man, as he leaped from the banks of the river.

Down went Codes loaded with his heavy armor, and the deep waters dosed above him. .His friends on the one side and his foes on the other, all gazed in solemn silence at the spot in which he sank. His valor and his intrepidity had excited the admiration of his enemies as well as of his friends, and sorrow for the possible loss of so brave a man seemed to pervade every breast. While they were still gazing upon the ruffled stream, a black helmet rose above the

The Honor paid to Codes. . . ,

surface, and presently the iron hands of Codes were seen battling against the rapid tide. A shout of joy now burst from the Roman ranks, and even Porsenna himself, unable to conceal his admiration, cried out, " May the gods protect yon valiant man and bear him safe to shore !"

Bravely did the weary and wounded Codes struggle against the stream ; and gallantly, too, did he force a passage through its swift current, despite the iron greaves and cumbrous mail in which his body was encased. A hundred Eomans dashed into the water to give him aid, but the vigorous stroke of his arm, and the flood lifted by his broad shoulders forbade approach ; so onward he went alone, even to the water's edge.

As he walked, dripping, up the river bank, the consuls, the senators, and the people gathered around him, and fairly carried him in their amis with shouts of joy. It was a glorious day for Codes. They crowned him with the crowns of victory; they gave him the choicest lands without the walls ; they made him choose the sightliest residence in Rome; during the siege which followed, they brought him corn and wine, and daily loaded his table and his storehouse with every thing that the

Porsenna besieges Eome.

market produced; and besides all this, they commemorated his bold achievement by a brazen statue which they erected in the Comitium.

ISTotwithstanding the admiration which Porsenna felt for his foes, he was still determined to accomplish their destruction. Failing in his meditated attack upon the city, he resolved to besiege it, and force the inhabitants to yield, if possible, by destroying the fields and hamlets which lay aromid it, and by plundering and slaying all who unfortunately fell in his way. The Romans did not quietly submit to all this. Whenever an opportunity occurred, they sent bands of soldiers privately from the city, who w^ould frequently cut off hundreds of their enemies, with very little injury to themselves. Stratagems of every kind were resorted to by them, and Porsenna, finding upon one occasion that he had lost more than five thousand of his best troops, resolved to surround the city with his vast army, and, by cutting off all supplies of provisions, finally starve the people into subjection.

It was not long before the citizens began to suffer extremely from this blockade. They had, fortunately, an unusual quantity of food, but every day it was diminishing with great rapidity, and starvation or slavery seemed in-

War avith Porsenna. 31

The Story of Caius Miicius,

evitable. In this strait, Rome presented another evidence of the boldness and patriotism of her citizens.

Three hundred young men of ilhistrious birth, determining that they would rather die than see Eome subjected to a foreign yoke, bound themselves by the most solemn oaths that they would free themselves from Porsenna or suffer death in the attempt. In accordance with a preconcerted plan, one of them, named Caius Mucins, appeared one day before the Senate and demanded permission to leave the city, saying at the same time that he meditated something of great importance to the commonwealth, and that he was willing to risk his life in the undertaking. Permission was granted, and he found the means of leaving the city imobserved by the enemy.

Being well acquainted with their language, he had no difficulty in mingling with the soldiers and passing himself off as one of their number. "Wandering about the camp, he finally discovered the king's tent; and observing that many persons were passing in and out, he ventured to intrude upon the royal presence. Looking about for the king, his attention was arrested by two persons of very dignified appearance, and both arrayed in robes of equal

32 Eepublio of Rome.

The Story of Caius Mucius.

splendor. One of them sat motionless and apparently deep in meditation ; the other, with large heaps of gold before him, was constantly occupied in giving and receiving messages, and in bestowing portions of his gold upon one and another who went in and out before him.

" This busy individual is certainly the king," thought Mucius. He dared not, however, ask, lest his ignorance should betray him. Firm in his resolution, he therefore stole slowly and carelessly towards him, and having arrived within a distance suitable for his purpose, drew forth a knife which he had concealed mthin his dress, and plunged it into the heart of his victim.

A cry of horror rose on all sides, and Mucius, notwithstanding his desperate efforts to escape, was speedily arrested. He had killed the king's secretary instead of the king, and those who held him, dragged him at once before the monarch to receive the sentence due to his crime. Trembling with rage, Porsenna demanded his reason for such monstrous conduct. Without the least manifestation of fear, he replied in a firm voice: "I am a Roman. My name is Caius Mucius. I came here with a determination to kill the enemy of my country. Fortune, Porsenna, hath permitted thee

Effect of the Conspiracy upon Porsenua.

to escape my sword ; but I shall die contented, for the moment will most certainly arrive when a more lucky arm than mine will reach thee. Prepare thyself, O king ! for henceforth a knife is ever pointed at thy heart. Eome does not seek the blood of thy soldiers, but thine alone, Porsenna !"

Horrified at such a dreadful announcement, the king at once called his guards about him, and ordering a fire to be kindled, commanded Mucins to reveal the plot in which he was engaged, under penalty of being burned to death. But Mucins advanced to the burning pile, and holding his right arm in the flame, exclaimed, " See how he despises the body, who has immortal glory in view !" Without drawing back his arm, or even moving a muscle, he sufiered his hand to become fairly roasted in the fire.

Porsenna, regarding for a few moments this extraordinary display of fortitude, sprang from the midst of his guards, seized Mucins and thrust him away from the fire. " Go home, young man," he exclaimed ; " I cannot destroy such bravery, even though it be used against myself. Take the liberty which I give you, and depart." -^^

Mucins, appearing to be moved more by the generosity of Porsenna than by the flames Idn-

M Republic of Rome.

Departure of Mucius.

died for his destruction, tliiis addressed the monarch : I desire, O king ! to show you that kindness is more powerful with the brave than threats; and since you are disposed to honor courage, be it known to you, that three hundred of the principal youths of Rome have bound themselves by an oath to attack you, as I have done ; my lot happened to be first ; the others will be with you, each in his turn, according as the lot shall set him foremost, until fortune shall afford an opportunity of succeeding against you."

Having uttered these words, he departed, leaving Porsenna most deeply affected by the danger to which he now saw himself daily exposed. One of the three hundred assassins had already been within his tent ; the knives of the others were doubtless ready to draw his blood ; and if in the hands of such daring men as Mucius, how small was his prospect of life. For some time Porsenna sat upon the tribunal, silent and meditative. Having carefully reflected upon his condition, and the chances of conquering a people who had resolved' to resort to the most desperate measures in self-defence, he concluded that it would be the part of wisdom to propose terms of accommodation to the Romans.

War with Porsekna. 35

The Story of Clcelia.

Hiri resolution being taken, lie at once sent ambassadors to tlie city with offers of peace, on condition that Tarquinins shonld be acknowledged king of Rome. This the Romans peremptorily refused ; and the ambassadors, being instructed not to insist upon these terms, yielded, proposing at the same time to withdraw their army, on condition that the Romans should give up the lands which they had, some time before, taken from the Yeientians ; and that they should give hostages for the fulfilment of the treaty. The Romans having agreed to this, Poi-senna removed his troops from the Janiculum and departed to his own country.

It is said that a young woman named Clojlia, one of the hostages, watching a favorable o\> portunity, escaped as they were about departing, with several of her companions, and swam across the Tiber, through a shower of darts discharged at them by the enemy. Amving on the opposite shore, she with the others repaired to their respective homes ; but Porsenna, hearing of the affair, was very angry, and sent ambassadors to Rome demanding the restoration of Cioelia. 'No sooner, however, had the ambassadors gone, than Porsenna expressed the greatest admiration of the conduct of Clcelia,

The Eomans reward Mucius and Clcelia.

?aicl declared that if she was restored he would jend her back to Rome.

Faithful to the terms of their treaty, the Roaiaus caused Clcelia to be sent back to the camp of the Etrurians. Porsenna not only comj)limented her upon her courageous conduct, but told her that she might return to the city and take with her half of the hostages. Granting her the privilege of choosing among them, it is said that she took the youngest, as she considered these most liable to injury from the enemy.

Peace being again restored, the Romans did not forget to reward Mucius for his heroic conduct. In addition to the honor which was paid to him, the Senate bestowed upon him a large tract near the river Tiber, called afterwards the Mucian meadows ; and Mucius received the name of Scsevola, or the left-handed, because his right hand was destroyed by the flames in which he held it. JSTor did the conduct of Clcelia go unnoticed. Her intrepidity was commemorated by an equestrian statue erected at the head of the Sacred street.

Porsenna, unwilling to return home without the glory of a single victory, sent a portion of his forces to lay siege to Aricia, a city of Latiiim. It proved, however, an unfortunate un-

War with Poesenna. 37

rricndsbip between Purseuna and tbe Romans.

dertaking ; for altlioiigli the attack was entirely unexpected, the Aricians contrived to defend their city until sufficient aid was received from the Latin States and from Cumse, when they ventured an engagement in the field. The success of the Etrurians seemed at first beyond a doubt; but an artful movement on the part of the cohorts of Cumse decided the day, and the forces of Porsenna were completely beaten and scattered over the j)lains. A great many of them fled to Rome for protection. Here they were so kindly received, that Porsenna, in token of his gratitude, gave back to the Romans the lands which they had yielded agreeably to the treaty that had been lately made between them.

This circumstance was the cause of so strong a friendship between Porsenna and the Romans, that Tarquinius, despairing of ever beingable to promote his own interests through their quarrels, went from Clusium to Tusculum, in hopes of procuring the aid of Octavius Mamiliiis, the renowned chief of the Latin nation. His application in this quarter was not in vain. Mamilius went secretly to work among the cities of Latium, and thirty of them joined in a league against the State of Rome.

THE WAR WITH THE LATINS,

Increase of the Population of Rome — Public Lands — Poverty — Debts — Slaves — Octavius Manlius makes War — Difficulty of raising Troops — Abolishment of Debts — Opposition of Appius Claudius — Embarrassment of the Senate— Establishment of the Dictatorship — Powers of the Dictator — Noble Conduct of Lartius and Cloelius — Lartius created Dictator — Preparations for War — Aulus Postumius — Battle of tlie Lake of Regillus — Result of the Battle — Castor and Pollux — Peace concluded with the Latins — Death of Tarquinius.