Is the grandeur and power of the Roman Empire due to Virtue, or
to Fortune? 198. Virtue and Fortune, though different in nature,
conspire to produce the same results, 198. Both united in rearing
that stupendous structure, the Roman Empire, 199. The world was full
of change, confusion, and disorder, till the power of Rome extended
over the nations, 200. Virtue and Fortune now come forward in this
discussion to maintain their respective claims as architects and
supporters of the Roman greatness, 200. In the train of Virtue are
Fabricius, Camillus, Cincinnatus, Marcellus, Scipio, and others, 201.
Fortune, having deserted the Persians, Greeks and Carthaginians,
comes forward leading Numa, Aemilius Paulus, Metellus, Sylla, as
her favored sons, 201-203. The Romans themselves attributed their
greatness to Fortune, and built many temples to it, 203, 211. Caesar
relied much on Fortune, and was greatly assisted by it, 204, 205.
Augustus was the favored child of Fortune, 205. Fortune was manifest
in all the affairs of Rome from the beginning, as in the birth and
education of Romulus, 206-208. In the long, wise, and peaceful
reign of Numa, 208-210. In the birth, elevation, and prosperity of
Servius Tullius, 212, 213. In the triumphs of the Romans over Philip,
Antiochus, and the Carthaginians, and especially the expeditions of
Pompey, 214. The favor of Fortune was constant, from age to age:
it attended the Romans in all their enterprises, 215. The great
overthrow at the river Allia was not fatal to Rome, 216-218. The
cackling of the sacred geese, a piece of good fortune, saved Rome,
217. Alexander of Macedon was intending war against the Romans, but
Fortune ordered his death just at the right time for them, 219. [The
remainder of this treatise, containing the arguments in behalf of
Virtue, is lost.]