UNIVERSITY COURIER.
7
ROME.
Rome, the "eternal city," founded by Romulus, on the left bank of the Tiber, peopled by robbers and refugees from the surrounding nations, gradually increased into importance, until she became the proud conqueror of the known world, the head and center of all civilization, the history of her foundation and "early days" wrapped up in poetic legends, which, even though they do not always breathe truth, yet, like the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, present a true idea of the customs and character of the Old Romans. Her government was a monarchy for 243 years, when Tarquinius Superbus and all his family were banished on account of the misconduct of his son Sextus. The age of the Roman Republic—B.C.510-B.C. 30—followed. For the first 150 years she was engaged in a struggle for existence, and "the conquest of Latium opened the way to the subjugation of the world." In this struggle is developed that courage, perseverance, energy and patriotism which afterward so distinguish the Romans.
During this period the Roman constitution was framed, the result of a protracted series of struggles between the plebians and patricians. Nor did the dissension between the two classes cease until the patricians were destroyed as a caste, and the plebians admitted to the highest offices of the State. Yet the Republic was never a democracy, as at Athens. The power was in the hands of the rich. "It is not under kings nor democratic influences and institutions that Rome reaches pre-eminence, but under an aristocracy. All that is most glorious in Roman annals took place under the rule of the Patricians." Every advantage the plebians obtained was gained inch by inch, and every inch was hardly contested. How dis similar from the government of Athens. In Athens the people ruled. It was a democracy of the purest type. There was not that open rupture between orders, which so characterizes the beginning of the Republic.
In this period Rome commenced that policy which did not end until the world lay prostrate at her feet. The battles which the Grecians fought were in defence of their liberty, those of the Romans for self aggrandizement. One great, fixed resolve—the conquest of the world—governed all their actions. Their indomitable will arose again and again amid reverses. They determined to succeed, and they did.
War as a trade is to be condemned. "It foments all the evil passions; it glories merely in strength; it worships only success. It makes a pandemonium of earth, and drags to its triumphal car the venerated relics of ages." Nevertheless, it results in some good, although it may not be anticipated at the outset of the conflict. The Romans pursued war as a trade, to gratify a thirst for power, never wavering, never resting, until they accomplished their aim. Nor did this aggressive policy change as long as there were nations to subdue, and then, like Alexander the Great, they sighed for other worlds to conquer. The pay of the Roman soldier was about 16 cents per diem. He, like the Spartan soldier, belonged to the State. He enlisted expecting to die and was prepared to die for Rome. It was his duty. While such sentiments pervaded the breast of every Roman, there was no encouragement for a painter or a philosopher. The road to honor was by success alone. Military science was perfected. The Roman legion be came invincible. In connection with this came executive talents, which enabled the Romans to rule the nations conquered by them. And, as masters of the world, they became proud, imperious and overbearing. Yet, this system of warfare results in one good, at least, in giving a great impulse to civilization, just as the crusades resulted in a benefit to Europe. Her language still exists in the Italian, French, and Spanish tongues. Her laws form the basis of our own admirable code.
In the meanwhile the morals have gradually changed. In vain did Marcus Cato speak against the vices and corruptions of the age. Nor did his stringent measures as censor avail. Luxury and her attendant vices had found their way into the capital. The conquest of Greece by Lucius Paulus Emilius, afterward surnamed Macedonicus, filled Rome with Grecian sculpture and painting, yet this was but the commencement of the devastation of Greece. Athens was despoiled of her fine statues and paintings. All the movable monuments of her grandeur were transported to embellish and raise to a higher pitch of glory the "Epitome of the Universe." Corinth surrendered the most valuable pictures, and the island of Rhodes gave up its statuary. Everything rare or beautiful in the world was taken to Rome. Hither the pro consuls resorted to squander the immense sums extorted from their provinces. In architecture, she adopted the Corinthian, the most ornamented. "Roman architecture is overdone with ornament." She invented the arch, heretofore unknown; and by combinations erected imposing structures.
In the midst of this, civil war rent the State, and Rome as a republic fell. It was a revolution in accordance with the necessities of the times. Order was better than anarchy, even though a despot reigned. Their aggressive policy was changed. The emperor merely aimed to preserve old conquests and not to make new ones. Rome was beautified still more. Grand buildings, temples, and columns arise. The Colosseum was erected in the middle of the city. It is built of traserline, faced with marble, and decorated with statues. It could seat 285,000 people. What an immense structure! Fine private edifices were built, the finest of which was Nero's. It is entirely overlaid with gold, and adorned with jewels and mother of pearl. The supper rooms are vaulted, and the compartments of the ceiling, inlaid with ivory, are made to revolve and scatter flowers upon the banqueters below. The chief banqueting room is circular, and perpetually revolves in imitation of the motion of celestial bodies. The roads and aqueducts still exist, a monument of her greatness. Rome was and is unsurpassed in her material grandeur. Her remains now embellish Italy, making her the home of the fine arts.
It is seldom that any nation is allowed to have a great ascendancy over other nations unless the general influence of the dominant State is favorable to civilization; and when this influence is perverted the ascendancy passes away. And thus Rome, her mission having been accomplished, falls to Vandals under Genseric, in A.D.476. S.
During the year, the readers of the Courier may expect to be entertained and instructed by articles from such ex-students as Osburn, Timmons, Tremper, MacLennan, V. F. Brown, Houston, Altman, F. P. Clarke and others, whose literary merits need no comment from us.
The popularity of Dickens in this country may be judged from the fact that there have been published here not less than 24 different editions of his works.
The next lecture of the University course will be delivered on Tuesday evening, the 10th inst., by Chief Justice Horton.