Goldsmith's Roman history, for the use of schools

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GOLDSMITH'S

CHAPTER I. Origin of the Romans

The Romans, that they might conceal the meanness of their real ancestry, were particularly desirous of being thought descended from the gods. iEneas, (saioTbythe poets to have been the son of Yenus and Anchises,) having escaped from Troy, at the time of the destruction of that city, after many a •»*- adventures and dangers, arrived in Italy ; where he was 99qa k^dty received by Latinus, the king of the Latins, who * gave him his daughter Lavinia in marriage. Turnus, king of the Rutuli, was the first who opposed iEneas, he himself having long made pretensions to Lavinia. A war ensued ; in which the Trojan hero was victorious, and Turnus slain. In consequence of this, iEneas built a city, which he called Lavinium, in honour of his wife ; but, some time afterwards, having engaged in another war, against Mczentius, one of the petty kings of the country, he was vanquished, and died in battle, after a reign of four years.

Numitor, (the fifteenth king in a direct line from iEneas, ) who took possession of the kingdom in consequence of his father's will, had a brother named Amulius ; to whom were left the treasures which had been brought from Troy. But, as riches too generally prevail against right, Amulius made use of his wealth to supplant his brother, and soon found means to take possession of the kingdom ; adding to the crime of usurpation, . that also of murder. The sons of Numitor first fell a sacrifice to his suspicions ; and, to remove all apprehensions of his being at any time disturbed in his ill acquired power, he caused Rhea Sylvia, his brother's only daughter, to become a vestal virgin; which office obliging her to observe perpetual chastity, he apprehended little danger from her posterity.

His precautions, however, were all frustrated. Rhea Sylvia, when going for water to a neighbouring grove, was met by a man, whom, perhaps to palliate her misfortune, she averred was Mars, the god of war.

Two boys were the fruits of this violent intercourse ; who were no sooner born, than devoted by the usurper to destruo tion. The mother was condemned to be buried alive, the usual punishment for vestals who had suffered a violation of their chastity ; and the twins were ordered to be thrown into the river Tyber. It happened, at the time this rigorous sentence was executed, that the river had more than usually overflowed its banks ; so that the water, into which the children were cast, being at a distance from the main current, was too shallow to drown them. In this situation, therefore, they continued without injury ; and, that nothing relative to their preservation might be free from wonder, we are told that they were for some time suckled by a wolf; and that Faustulus, the king's herdsman, finding them thus exposed, carried them to his wife, Acca Laurentia, who brought them up as the children of her husband*

Romulus and Remus, the twins, thus strangely preserved, seemed early to discover abilities and desires above the meanness of their supposed origin. The shepherd's life began to displease them; and, from tending flocks, or hunting wild beasts, they soon turned their strength against the robbers who infested the country ; r/hom they often stripped of their plunder, to share it with their fellow shepherds. In one of these excursions, Remus was taken prisoner, by Numitor's herdsmen, who brought him L?efore Amulius, and accused him of being a robber. Romulus, however, being informed, by Faustulus, of his real birth, assembled a number of his fellow shepherds, and beset the usurper on all sides ; who, during his amazement and distraction, was taken and slain; and Numitor, after having been deposed forty-two years, recognized his grandsons, and was restored to the throne.

Numitor being now in quiet possession of the kingdom, his grandsons resolved to build a city, on those hills where they had formerly tended flocks. Many of the neighbouring shepherds, and such also as were fond of change, hastened to the site of the intended city, and prepared to raise it.

In order to proceed in this undertaking with all possible solemnity, the two brothers were advised by the king to take an omen, from the flight of birds ; and it was agreed that he, whose omen would be the most favourable, should, in all respects, direct the other. In compliance with this advice, each took his station upon a different hill. To Remus, appeared six vultures; to Romulus, twice that number; so that each thought himself victorious ; the one having had the first omen, the other the most complete. This produced a contest, which proved fatal to Remus ; and historians relate that he was killed by his brother, who, being provoked at his leaping contemptuously over the city wall, struck him dead upon the spot.

Romulus, now eighteen years of age, and sole commander,, a M Persevered in the building of a city, which was, at a qok2 future day, to give laws to the world. It was called A Roma, (now Rome, by the English,) after the name of ^ its founder; and built upon the Palatine Hill, where he had taken his successful omen. The city was at first almost square, containing, shortly after its commencement, about a thousand houses. It was nearly a mile in compass, and commanded a small territory around it, of about twenty-five miles in circuit. However, small as it appears, it was but thinly inhabited ; and the first method taken to increase its numbers, was the opening of a sanctuary for all malefactors, slaves, and such as were desirous of novelty; who came in great multitudes, and produced the effect which the new legislator had intended.

Chapter II

From the Building of Rome, to the Death of Romulus.

Scarcely was the city raised above its foundation, when its rude inhabitants began to form a Constitution. Romulus, by an act of great generosity, left them at liberty in the choice of their king; and they, through gratitude, concurred in the election, of their founder ; who was accordingly acknowledged as chief of their religion, sovereign magistrate of Rome, and general of the army. Besides a guard to attend his person, it was determined that he should always be preceded, wherever he went, by another, of twelve men, armed with axes, tied up in a bundle of rods ; who were to execute the laws, and impress his new subjects with a high idea of his authority.

The Senate, (intended to be the King's Council,) was composed of one hundred of the principal citizens — men, whose age, wisdom, or valour, gave them a natural authority over their fellow subjects. The king named the first senator; and appointed him to act as governor of the city, during his own absence in war.

The Plebeians, who composed the third branch of the legislature, assumed the power of authorising those law^ which were

B introduced by the king or the senate : and all things relative to peace or war; to the election of magistrates; and even to the choosing of a king; were confirmed by the votes of their assembly.

The first care of the newly created monarch, was to attend to the interest of religion ; but the precise forms of that which they embraced, are now unknown. The principal religion of that age consisted in a firm reliance on the soothsayers, who pretended, from observations on the flight of birds, and the entrails of beasts, to direct the present, and dive into the future, Romulus, by an express law, commanded that no election should be made, no enterprise undertaken, without first consulting them.

Wives were forbidden, upon any pretext whatever, to separate from their husbands; whilst, on the contrary, husbands were empowered to repudiate their wives, and, in some cases, even to put them to death. His laws with respect to children and their parents, were yet more severe : the father had entire power, over both the fortune and the life of his offspring ; and could sell or imprison them, at any period, without regard either to their age, or their condition.

His attention was now directed to ascertain the number of his subjects ; who were found to amount only to three-thousand foot, and about three-hundred horsemen, capable of bearing arms. These were divided equally into three tribes; and . to each he assigned a different part of the city. Each of those tribes was subdivided into ten curise, or companies, consisting of one-hundred men, having a centurion to command it ; a priest called curio to perform the sacrifices ; and two of the principal inhabitants, under the title of duumviri, to distribute justice* These wise regulations contributed daily to increase the strength of the new city; multitudes flocked in from all the adjacent towns, and women only were wanted to confirm its growing prosperity. By the advice of the senate, Romulus sent deputies to the neighbouring Sabines, to entreat their alliance; which would be the means of their obtaining the strictest confederacy with the RomanSo The Sabines, who were then considered as the most warlike people of Italy, rejected the proposal with disdain. Romulus then proclaimed, throughout all the neighbouring villages, a* feast, in honour of Neptune ; for which, he made the most magnificent preparations. These entertainments were generally preceded by sacrifices, and ended in the exhibition of wrestlers, gladiators, and chariot races. The Sabines, as he expected, were amongst the foremost of the spectators; bringing with them their wives and daughters, to Share in the pleasures of the day. But, whilst the strangers were most intent upon the spectacle, a number of Roman youths rushed in among them, with drawn swords; seized the youngest and most beautiful women, and carried them off by violence. In vain, the parents protested against this breach of hospitality' — in vain, the young women themselves at first opposed the attempts of those, into whose power they had fallen;— by perseverance and caresses, the betrayers, from being objects of aversion, soon became the partners of their dearest affections.

A sanguinary war ensued. The cities of Cenina, Antemna, and Crustuminum, were the first that resolved to revenge the common cause, which the Sabines were too dilatory in espousing. But these, by making separate inroads, were the more easily overthrown by Romulus ; who, however, made the most merciful, as well as politic use, of his victoiies : instead of putting them to the "sword, or ordering the destruction of their towns, he placed in them Roman colonies, to form a frontier for the repression of more distant invasions.

Tatius, king of Cures, a Sabine city, was the last, although the most formidable, who undertook to revenge the disgrace which his country had suffered. He entered the Roman territories, at the head of twenty-five thousand men ; and, to the advantage he possessed, in having a superiority of numbers, he added that of stratagem. Tarpeia, daughter of him who commanded at the Capitoline Hill, happened to fall into his hands, as she went without the city walls for water; upon whom, he prevailed, by means of large promises, to open one of the gates to his army. The reward for which she engaged, was what the soldiers wore upon their arms ; by which, she meant their bracelets. They, however, either mistaking her meaning, or intending to punish her perfidy, threw their bucklers upon her, as they entered, and crushed her to death. The Sabines being thus possessed of the- Capitoline Hill, a general engagement shortly afterwards took place ; which was renewed for several days, with almost equal success, and neither party would(ponsent to a submission. The last battle that they fought, was in the valley which divides the Capitoline and Quirinal hills. When the engagement had become general, and the slaughter prodigious, the attention of the combatants was suddenly turned from the scene of horror before them. — The Sabine women, who had been carried off by the Romans, regardless of danger, rush, with dishevelled hair, and freed from their ornaments, between the parties, and with loud outcries, implore their husbands and their children to desist. — The combatants, as if by mutual impulse, let fall their weapons ; — an accommodation ensues; by which, it is agreed, that Romulus and Tatius should reign conjointly in Rome, with equal power and prerogative ; that one-hundred Sabines should be admitted into the senate ; that the city should still retain its name, but that the citizens should be called Quhites, after Cures the principal town of the Sabines; and that the two nations being thus united, those of the latter who might desire it, should be admitted to live in Rome, and enjoy all the privileges of a Roman citizen.

In about five years from this time, Tatius was killed by the Lavinians, for having protected some of his servants, who had plundered them and murdered their ambassadors.

The good fortune of the king produced in him an equal degree of pride. From being contented with swaying the sceptre of a limited monarchy, he now aimed at the acquisition of absolute power; and endeavoured to subvert those very laws, to which he had himself formerly professed implicit obedience. The senate, in particular, were displeased with his conduct; as they found\ themselves used only as instruments to justify the rigour of his commands. We are not precisely informed of the means which they employed to get rid of the tyrant : some say that he was torn in pieces in the senate-house, — others, that he disappeared when reviewing his army : but, from the secrecy of the fact, and the concealment of the body, they took occasion to persuade the multitude that he was taken up into heaven. Thus, him whom they could not suffer as a king, they were contented to worship as a god.

Romulus reigned thirty-seven years; and, after his death, a temple was dedicated to him, under the name of Quirinus.

Chapter III

From the death of Romulus, to the death of Numa Pompilius,

the second king of Rome.

tt p * On the death of Romulus, the people were greatly

' " divided in the choice of a successor. The Sabines

wished to have a king chosen from their body ; but

the Romans could not be prevailed on to advance a stranger to

the throne. In this perplexity, the senators undertook to sup-

* U. C. are the initials of two latin words, signifying from the building of the city.

ply the place of a king, by taking the government, each of them in succession, for five days ; and during that time enjoying all the honours, and all the privileges of royalty. This new form continued for a year; but the Plebeians, who saw that this method of transferring power, was only multiplying their masters, insisted on a change. The senate being thus compelled to make an election, nominated Numa Pompilius, a Sabine; who was received by the people with universal approbation.

Numa, now in his fortieth year, had long been eminent for his piety and justice, moderation and exemplary life. He was skilled in all the learning and philosophy of his country; and, contented with a private fortune, he enjoyed at Cures the sweets of domestic retirement, unambitious of higher honours. It was not, therefore, without reluctance that he accepted the dignity; and his compliance produced so much joy, that the people seemed not so much to receive a king, as a kingdom.

No monarch could have been more proper for them, than Numa. At a conjuncture when the kingdom was composed of various petty states, but lately subdued, and not sufficiently united, they wanted a master, who could, by his laws and precepts, soften their fierce dispositions, and by his example, promote a respect for religion, and the several moral virtues.

Numa's whole time was therefore spent in inspiring his subjects with a love of piety, and a veneration for the gods. He built many new temples ; instituted sacred offices and feasts ; and the sanctity of his life gave him, credit enough to persuade his people, that he had a particular correspondence with the goddess Egeria. By her advice, he built the temple of Janus, , which was to be shut in time of peace, and open in war; he also ordained vestal virgins, who were four in number, and had very great privileges allowed them.

For the encouragement of agriculture, he divided, amongst the poorer part of the people, the lands which Romulus had gained in war; he also regulated the kalendar, and abolished the distinction between Romans and Sabines, by dividing the citizens according to their several trades, and compelling all the people of each trade to live together. Thus, having reigned forty-three years, in profound peace, and arrived at the age of eighty, he died; having ordered his body to be buried in a stone coffin, contrary to the custom of the times ; and his books of ceremonies, consisting of twelve in Latin, and as many in Greek, to be placed, in another, by his side.

B 2

Chapter IV

From the death of JYuma, to the death of Tullas Hostility tht third King of Rome.

tt p On the death of Numa, the administration once more ' * devolved upon the senate ; in whom it continued until the people elected Tullus Hostilius for their king: which choice had the concurrence of the other branch of the government. This monarch was grandson of a noble Roman, who had formerly signalized himself against the Sabines, and in nothing resembled his predecessor ; being entirely devoted to war, and fonder of enterprise than even the founder of the empire had been; so that he anxiously sought a pretext for leading his forces into the field.

The Albans were the first who gave him an opportunity of indulging his favourite inclination. The forces of these two states met about five miles from Rome, prepared to decide the fate of their respective kingdoms ; for almost every battle in those days was decisive* The two armies were for some time drawn out in array, waiting the signal for battle; both anxious to shorten that dreadful period of suspense, when an unexpected proposal from* the Alban general prevented the onset. Stepping in between the armies, he offered the Romans a choice of deciding the dispute by single combat; adding that that side, whose champion was overcome, should submit to the other. Such a proposal suited the impetuous temper of the Roman king, and was eagerly embraced by his subjects; each of whom hoped that he himself might be chosen to decide the cause of his country. There were at this time, in each army, three brothers, of one birth: those of the Romans were called Horatii; those of the Albeois, Curiatii; all six remarkable for their courage, strength, and activity ; and to them it was resolved to commit the fate of the two parties. — At length, the champions met in combat, and each, totally regardless of his own safety, only seeks the destruction of his opponent. The spectators, in horrid silence, tremble at e\eiy blow, and wish to share the danger:— now, fortune seems to decide the glory of the field; — victory, which had hitherto been doubtful, appeals to declare against the Romans; two of their champions lie dead upon the plain, and the three Curiatii, who are wounded, slowly endeavour to pursue the survivor, who sterns, by flight, to beg for mercy. Soon, however, they perceive that his flight is only feigned, that he may separate his antagonists, whom united, he was unable to oppose ; for, immediately turning upon him who follows the most closely behind, he lays him dead!*— The second brother who comes on to assist, shares the sam$ fate ; and now there remains but one of the Curiatii to conquer^ who, fatigued, and disabled by his wounds, slowly approaches^ to offer an easy victory ; and is despatched, almost unresisting. Then the conqueror, exclaiming, offers him as a victim to the superiority of the Romans; to whom, the Alban army now yield obedience.

But none of the virtues of that age were without alloy : — the very hand, which, in the morning, had been exerted to save his country, was, before night, imbrued in the blood of his sister! Returning triumphant from the field, it raised his indignation to behold her bathed in tears, and lamenting the loss of he* lover; one of the Curiatii, to whom she was betrothed. This provoked him beyond the power of sufferance, so that he slew her in the heat of passion : an action which greatly displeased the senate, and drew on him the condemnation of the magistrates : but he was pardoned by making his appeal to the people.

Hostilius died after a reign of thirty-two years. His death was, by some, attributed to lightning; but by others, with greater probability, to treason.

CHAPTER V. From the death of Tullus Hostilius, to the death of Ancus

•Martins, the fourth King of Rome.

jj £, An interregnum now ensued, which terminated in the

, * _ election of Ancus Martius, the grandson of Numa ; who

was chosen king by the people, and approved of by the

senate. As this monarch was a lineal descendant of Numa,

so he seemed to make him the great object of his imitation.

He instituted the sacred ceremonies which were to precede a

declaration of war ; he took every occasion of recommending

to his subjects a return to the pursuits of agriculture, and a

cessation from the less useful stratagems of war.

These institutions and precepts were considered by the neighbouring powers, as marks rather of cowardice, than wisdom. The Latins therefore began to make incursions into his territories ; but their success was not superior to their justice. They were conquered by Ancus ; who destroyed their cities, removed their inhabitants to Rome, and increased his own ter ritories by the addition of a paxt of theirs. He quelled also an insurrection of the Veientes, the Fidenates, and the Volsci: and over the Sabines he obtained a second triumph. But his victories over the enemy were of far less importance, than his exertions at home, in raising temples, fortifying the city, making a prison for malefactors, and forming, at the mouth of the Tyber, a sea port, called Ostia; by which, he secured to his subjects the trade of that river, and of the adjacent saltpits. Having thus enriched his subjects, and beautified the city, he died after a reign of twenty-four years.

Chapter VI

From the death of Ancns JWartius, to the death of Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth King of Rome.

jj p Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, whose original name was .L ' Lucumon, was appointed guardian to the sons of the late king. He took the surname of Tarquinius from the city of Tarquinii, where he had last resided. His father was a merchant of Corinth, who had acquired considerable wealth by trade, and had settled in Italy, in consequence of the unpleasant state of affairs at home. His son Lucumon, who inherited his fortune, married a woman of family in Tarquinii; and as his birth, profession, and country, were held in contempt, by the nobles of that place, he came, by the persuasion of his wife, to settle at Rome, where merit only gave distinction. It is said, by the historians, that, on his way thither, as he approached the city gate, an eagle, stooping from above, took off his hat, and flying around his chariot for some time with much noise, replaced it on his head. This, his wife Tanaquil, who, it seems, was skilled in augury, interpreted as a presage that he should wear a crown : and it was perhaps this which first fired his ambition to pursue it.

Ancus being dead, and the government as usual devolving upon the senate, Tarquin used all his power and arts to set aside the children of the late king, and to have himself chosen in their place. Accordingly, on the day appointed for election, he contrived to have them removed from the city; and, in a set speech to the people, in which he urged his friendship for them, the fortune he had spent amongst them, and his knowledge of their government, he offered himself for their king. There being nothing in this harangue that could be contested, it had the desired effect ; and the people unanimously elected him.

A kingdom, thus gained by intrigue, was, notwithstanding, governed with equity. In the beginning of his reign, in order to recompense his friends, he added one-hundred members to the. senate; which increased their number to three hundred.

But his pacific endeavours, were soon interrupted by the inroads of his restless neighbours, particularly the Latins ; whom however he defeated, and forced to beg a peace. He then turned his arms against the Sabines, who had again risen, and passed the Tyber ; but Tarquin, (as he is named in English works,) attacking them vigorously, routed their army: and many who escaped the sword, were drowned in attempting to recross the river ; whilst their bodies and armour floating down to Rome, conveyed the proofs of victory, even before the messengers who were despatched with the account, could arrive. These conquests were followed by several advantages over the Latins ; from whom, he took many towns, though without gaining any decisive victory.

Tarquin, having thus forced his enemies into submission, was resolved not to let the people be corrupted by indolence, but undertook and perfected several public works, for the con* venience and embellishment of the city.

During his reign, the augurs advanced considerably in repu» tation, and he found it his interest to promote the superstition of the people, as it served also to increase their obedience,

Tanaquil, his wife, was a great pretender to this art, in which however she was excelled by Accius Nsevius, the most celebrated adept that was ever known in Rome. Tarquin, being resolved to try the augur's skill, demanded, whether that, which he was then considering, could be effected. Nsevius, having examined his auguries, boldly affirmed that it might: " Why then," cries the king, with an insulting smile, "I had thoughts of cutting this whetstone with a razor !" " Cut boldly" replied the augur; and the king cut it through accordingly* Thenceforward, nothing was undertaken in Rome, without obtaining the advice and approbation of the augurs,

Tarquin was not contented with a kingdom, without also the ensigns of royalty. In imitation of the Lydian monarchs, he assumed a crown of gold, an ivory throne, a sceptre surmount* ed by an eagle, and robes of purple. It was perhaps the splendour of these royalties that first raised the envy of the late king's sons, who had for thirty-seven years quietly sul> mitted to his government. His design also of adopting for his successor, Servius Tullius, his son-in-law, might have con»- tributed to inflame their resentment. But whatever was the cause of their tardy vengeance, they now resolved to destroy him, and at length found means to effect their purpose, by tiling two ruffians, who, demanding to speak with the king under pretence of seeking justice, struck him dead in his palace, with the blow of an axe. The lictors, however, that attended the king's person, seized the murderers, who were attempting to escape. They were put to death ; but the sons of Ancms, who were the instigators, found safety by flight.

Thus fell Lucius Tarquinius, (surnamed Priscus, to distinguish him from one of his successors of the same name,) aged fifty-six years, of which he had reigned thirty-eight

Chapter VII

From the death of Tarquinius Priscus, to the death of Servius Tullius, the sixth King of Rome.

The report of the murder of Tarquin filled all his subjects »j p with complaint and indignation ; and the citizens ran ,1q * from every quarter to the. palace, to ascertain the truth of the account, or to take vengeance on the assassins. In this tumult, Tanaquil, widow of the late king, knowing the danger she must incur, in case the conspirators should succeed to the crown; and desirous of advancing her son-in-law to the throne; artfully concealed her sorrow, and assured the people, from a window of the palace, that the king was not killed, but stunned by the blow, that he would shortly recover, and that in the mean time he had deputed his power to Servius Tullius, his son-in-law. Servius, accordingly, as it had been previously arranged, issued from the palace, adorned with the ensigns of royalty, and preceded by his lictors, went to despatch some affairs that related to the public safety ; still pretending that he took all his instructions from the king. This scene of dissimulation continued until he had confirmed his party amongst the nobles ; and then, the death of Tarquin being publicly ascertained, Servius was appointed king, solely by the election of the senate, without having attempted to procure the suffrages of the people.

Servius was the son of a bond-woman, who had been taken at the sacking of a town belonging to the Latins, and was born whilst his mother was a slave. When yet an infant in his cradle, a lambent flame is said to have played around his head ; which Tanaquil converted into an omen of his future greatness.

The principal object during his reign was to increase the power of the senate, by depressing that of the people. The populace, who were unable to see into his designs, conferred upon him an unlimited power in the arrangement of the taxes, and accordingly, as he insisted that they should pay them by centuries, he commanded that they should give their votes also by centuries. In former deliberations, each citizen gave his suffrage singly, and the numbers of the poor always prevailed against the power of the rich; but, by the regulations of Ser* vius, the senate consisted of a greater number of centuries than all the other classes combined ; and thus entirely outweighed them, in every contention.