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But Hannibal, destined never to grace a Roman triumph, long survived the ruin of Carthage. Still retaining his enmity to the Romans, he maintained in every place the unequal struggle, endeavoring, by any means, to annoy them or to enkindle war against them.

CHAPTER XIII.

BRIEF HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, FROM THE FALL OF CARthage to the reign of COMMODUS, CONTAINING A PERIOD OF THREE HUNDRED AND TWELVE YEARS.

IN the infancy of Rome, she had many wars, but few conquests. In her maturity, she had few wars, and many conquests. When the power of Carthage failed, Rome no longer had a rival.) Her wars, or rather invasions, after that event, were generally of her own seeking; and they were many. Rome was no sooner able to say, "Carthage must be destroyed," than, in her heart, she also said, The empire of Alexander shall be mine. First, Macedon felt her grasp; and Perseus was hurled from the throne of Philip and Alexander; at which time she graciously gave the Greeks their liberty, i. e. gave them law.

Attalus, king of Pergamus, dying about this time, left his kingdom to the Romans, by will; or, in other words, seeing the world sink beneath their power, he preferred giving them a bloodless victory, and cloaked an ignoble dereliction of right, under the specious name of a voluntary donation. Antiochus the Great, king of Syria, was destined next to fall before them. He was, at this period, the most powerful and opulent prince of all Alexander's successors; and had he accepted the advice and aid of Hannibal, there would have been, at least, a chance for his escaping the all-grasping power of Rome. But he, fearing lest, if any thing should be done, Hannibal would have all the credit, was careful to go directly contrary to the advice of that general. The Romans defeated him almost without loss of blood; stripped him of a great part of his dominions; triumphed over him; extorted from him an immense tribute; and left him only enough to grace the triumph of another campaign.

Two other great cities shared the fate of Carthage, and nearly at the same time. Corinth,* one of the noblest cities of Greece, was utterly destroyed by Mummius, the consul, for offering some indignity to the Roman ambassadors; and also Numantia, the capital of Spain. This city, after sustaining a siege of fourteen years, was reduced by Scipio. The inhabitants, being unable to hold out any longer, fired the city over their own heads, and all perished in the flames; and Spain became a Roman province.)

The corruption of the senate, and the sedition and fall of the Gracchi, together with various disturbances, next arise to view, in tracing the history of Rome. Then follow the reduction of Numidia, and the civil wars in the republic, excited by the ambition of Marius and Sylla, which terminated in the perpetual dictatorship of the latter.

[The Gracchi. Cornelia was a learned Roman lady,) mother of the Gracchi. A lady who once visited her, having displayed her own jewels, requested to see Cornelia's. The request was evaded, till the return of her children,) when she exclaimed producing them, "These are my jewels." These jewels were no other than Tiberius and Caius Gracchus, who afterward acted a distinguished part in the republic. Tiberius, the elder, first espoused the cause of the people, and exerted himself to procure the passage of the Agrarian law for dividing the lands equally, or, more probably, the Licinian law, that none should possess more than 500 acres. This law was opposed with the utmost ardor by the wealthy nobility,)while by the poorer classes, it was strenuously promoted. Tumults were frequently excited, in one of which Tiberius lost his life,) with about 300 of his adherents. Cains, though a young man, soon imitated the conduct of his brother, and as he possessed in even a greater degree the powers of eloquence and address, he too was rewarded with the confidence of the multitude. He was twice elected tribune.) But his zeal in serving the people and abridging the power of the senate, drew upon him the hatred of the latter; and they took the first opportunity to effect his destruction. They set up Drusus, his colleague, as his rival; and thus dividing the affection of the people, Gracchus was soon after slain in a popular tumult, and his head brought to the senate.]

Cicero calls Corinth "Lumen totius Grecia," the light of all Greece.-Ed,

Rome was perhaps never more powerful, or happy, than in the days of Scipio Africanus, or about the times of the Punic wars. She then experienced great misfortunes and calamities; but those untoward events, instead of weakening or exhausting her, called forth, nay, even created, new energies. From the invasion of Hannibal she rose invincible; and while that consummate warrior held his ground in Italy, she sent armies into Spain, Africa, Greece and Macedon. A great part of those immense regions, which Alexander subdued, soon shared the fate of the empire of Carthage; and in those days, with the Romans, to proclaim war was to ensure a triumph; and to invade, was to conquer.

When we look for a period in the Roman history, in which there is the greatest union of power, wisdom, virtue and happiness, it will doubtless be found not far from the times, of which we are now speaking. The Romans, in earlier times of the republic, were more virtuous and patriotic than now; but then they were weak. In the Augustan age, they were certainly more enlightened, scientific and polished; but then they were less brave; or if not less brave, their virtue was forever gone, and with it, the foundation of their prosperity and happiness.

The conquest of Africa, Asia and Greece, at once poured into the coffers of Rome, incalculable riches. On this almost boundless tide of prosperity, a set of men were soon seen floating, of a very different character from Cincinnatus, Fabricius and Regulus. To the most desperate bravery, they united unbounded ambition; and to the strongest expression of regard to their country, they united a total want of principle. The wealth of the world, like a mighty river, poured into Rome; and many individuals acquired fortunes, which transcended royal magnificence.

The elevation of Rome to such an astonishing height of power and splendor, drew to her men of parts, of taste, of ambition and enterprise, and in short, men of every description, and almost every nation. The descendants of the ancient Romans, soon became few in comparison with the immense multitudes, who, by some means or other, acquired citizenship, or obtained a residence in Italy; and Rome herself experienced as great a change, as the nations she conquered. While she drew arts, elegance and science from Greece, she drew wealth, luxury, effeminacy and cor ruption from Asia and Africa; and she drew a swarm of

hungry fortune-hunters from every corner of the earth, who penetrated her inmost recesses; outnumbered and overwhelmed her ancient people; in short, conquered their conquerors, corrupted their morals, and put a final period to their liberties.

The civil wars of Rome, which soon followed the period of which we have been speaking, unfold to the reader, a spectacle equally dreadful and disgusting. Many persons, who had witnessed the destruction of Carthage, were still alive, and saw all Italy deluged in blood, by Marius and Sylla. From the destruction of Carthage to the perpetual dictatorship of Sylla, was a little rising of seventy years., During the latter part of this period, Lucius Sylla, envying the power and glory of Caius Marius, involved the republic in a most bloody, disgraceful and destructive war. After various turns, which their affairs took in the progress of this eventful struggle; after they had destroyed half a million of men, including the best part of the Roman people; had humbled Rome and Italy; had shed the noblest blood, and prostrated the dignity of the republic, Sylla, an execrable monster of cruelty, tyranny and ambition, was able to triumph over virtue, liberty and justice. He seated himself quietly in the exercise of despotic power, and became perpetual dictator. Rome never saw another moment of freedom.

[Marius and Sylla. Caius Marius, who has been called the glory and the scourge of Rome, was born in a village, near Arpinum, of poor parents, who gained their living by labor. Bred up in a participation of their toils, his manners were as rude as his countenance was frightful. He was a man of extraordinary stature, incomparable strength and undaunted bravery. Entering early, in the service of his country, he sought, on every occasion, dangers equal to his courage. The longest marches, and the most painful fatigues of war, were easy to one, accustomed to penury, and inured to labor. Having passed through the lower grades of office, he was made a tribune of the people, and soon after consul. He distinguished himself in the war with Jugurtha, king of Numidia; and was afterwards a commander in the Social war, as it was denominated, in which most of the states of Italy confederated against Rome, in order to obtain a redress of their grievances. In this war, Sylla began to acquire distinction. This general, who proved a greater scourge to Rome than even Marius,

now began to take the lead in the commonwealth. He was of a patrician family, one of the most illustrious in Rome. His person was elegant, his air noble, his manners easy and apparently sincere. He loved pleasure much; but glory, more. He was liberal to all, stooping even to an acquaintance with the meanest soldier. In short, he was a Proteus, who could adapt himself to the inclinations, the pursuits, the follies, or the wisdom of those, with whom he conversed; while he had no character of his own, except that of being a complete dissembler. His first rise was to be questor, or treasurer of the army, under Marius in Numidia. In the Social war, he acquired so great celebrity, that his fame began to equal that of Marius. He was chosen consul, and also general in the war, that was now determined against Mithridates, king of Pontus. This prince, who was the most powerful and warlike monarch of the East, was master of Cappadocia, Bithynia, Thrace, Macedon and all Greece. Such power, joined to great riches, served only the more to invite the ambition of Rome; and a pretext for war was easily found.

Marius had set his heart upon conducting this war, and felt indignant, that Sylla should be preferred before him. He, therefore, after much difficulty, procured a law, that the command should be transferred to himself. He, accordingly, sent officers from Rome, to take command in his name. But the army was devoted to Sylla. It was composed of troops, with whom he had gained signal victories. Instead, therefore, of obeying the orders of Marius, they fell upon his officers, and slew them; and then entreated Sylla, that he would lead them directly to take signal vengeance on his enemies, at Rome; which he immediately proceeded to do. They entered the city sword in hand. Marius and his party attempted to oppose their entrance; but after a short conflict, were obliged to seek safety by flight. Sylla now, finding himself master of the city, went on to alter such laws, as displeased him; and after proscribing Marius and some others, he departed upon his expedition against Mithridates. But while establishing his party against Marius, he had been inattentive to a very formidable opponent, in the person of Cornelius Cinna, who was daily growing into popularity and power at Rome. He had been made consul; but was deprived of that dignity, by the senate, after Sylla's departure. then applied to the army, who, with general consent, agreed

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