ROME
"Tonight," began Anna's father, "we are going to read about one of our
Italian cities. Many fine stories have come out of it.
"Rome is called 'The Eternal City' because there is a saying that it will
live forever. It is built upon seven hills.
"A long time ago there lived a great artist named Michelangelo. He built
the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. This is the largest church in
the world. Thirty services may be conducted in it at the same time.
"The bones of St. Peter are believed to have been buried beneath the
Cathedral.
[Illustration: ST. PETER'S: ROME]
"But the oldest church of all is the Pantheon, which means 'all the Gods,'
It was built when people worshipped more than one God. It has no windows
but only a hole in the top called an 'eye.' Today it is the burial ground
of renowned writers and artists.
[Illustration: THE PANTHEON: ROME]
"Near Rome are the famous catacombs. It was here that the early Christians
buried their dead.
[Illustration: THE VATICAN: ROME]
"The catacombs are long, narrow passages with graves built into the walls,
one above the other. When the Christians were not allowed to worship in
their own way, they often fled to these underground cemeteries to pray.
"There is a curious park in Rome," went on the father. "One which you,
little Anna, would like."
Anna looked up. "Why, Papa?" she asked.
"Because it is filled with cats," answered her father. "Tabbies and
Tommies, black and white, grey and yellow. They wander about and sprawl
in the shade of fine old trees. They have plenty to eat and nothing
to fear. It is a kitty paradise!"
"I want to go to that park some day," said Anna.
"There is a magic fountain in Rome," read her father. "It is said that
he who drinks from the Fontana Trevi will some day be drawn back to The
Eternal City.
"The Appian Way is sometimes called The Queen of Roads. It was a great
highway built by the ancient Romans. Parts of it are still in use.
"These ancient Romans were very clean. They dotted their city with many
fine public baths. We are able to see by the ruins how very handsome
they were.
[Illustration: THE COLOSSEUM: ROME]
"Outdoor theatres, called 'circuses,' were also numerous. The oldest of
these is the Circus Maximus, where races were held.
[Illustration: INSIDE THE COLOSSEUM: ROME]
"The Colosseum is a huge outdoor arena where slaves and criminals were
thrown to hungry lions. People sat about and enjoyed the show.
"Of course the poor men were killed. But the audience watched this
terrible sport as naturally as we, today, watch a tennis game. They
pitied the victims no more than we pity the tennis balls!"
Anna squirmed unhappily. "Now read something nice," she said. "The
story of Romulus and Remus, because I like the good wolf."
Her father smiled and turned a page. Always stories about animals for
little Anna!
"Here we are," he said. "The old myth goes that Romulus and Remus were
twin babies, cast upon the River Tiber by a jealous king. Their basket
floated ashore and was found by a mother wolf.
"Taking pity on the babies, she brought them to her cave and cared for
them. But at last the good wolf was killed by hunters and Romulus and
Remus, now grown boys, ran away.
[Illustration: TREVI FOUNTAIN: ROME]
"A herdsman found them and gave them a home. They were very wild and
strong and they were wonderful hunters.
"One day they learned the story of their lives. They discovered that
they were really meant to be kings. So they determined to punish their
enemy and take their rightful place in the world.
"Remus was killed in battle, but Romulus became the first king of Rome.
"The legend tells that, at this time, there were very few women in Rome.
Romulus wished his people to marry women of the neighboring cities. But
the neighbors refused to marry the Romans.
"So Romulus invited a people called The Sabines to a great feast. During
the entertainment the Romans seized the young Sabine women and carried
them off. Later, however, this savage act was forgotten and the two
nations became one.
"In 218 B.C. Rome suffered a defeat. Hannibal, a great general
of ancient Carthage, crossed the tall Alps and attacked the Romans.
"His army consisted of 90,000 foot soldiers, 12,000 horsemen, and 37
elephants. This march over the Alps is considered one of the most
wonderful military feats of ancient days.
[Illustration: A PARADE PASSING THE COLOSSEUM: ROME]
"Nero was one of the most wicked emperors who ever ruled Rome. In the
year 64 a terrible fire broke out. For six days flames swept the city.
Yet Nero made no attempt to stop the fire nor to help the suffering
people.
"Some say that the cruel Emperor played upon his fiddle while Rome burned.
"After the World War there came to Rome a new kind of King. He was really
not a king at all but...."
"Il Duce! (The Commander!)" interrupted Anna.
"Yes, my dear," agreed her father. "His name was Benito Mussolini, the
great chief of Italy.
"Mussolini was a poor boy, the son of a blacksmith. Like wicked Nero, he
sometimes played upon his fiddle. But while he played, Rome did not burn.
It grew.
"He founded a new system of government called Fascism.
"A wise man once was asked, 'What is the best quality for a child to
have?' He replied, 'Obedience,' 'And the second best?' 'Obedience,'
'And the third?' 'Obedience!'
"This is what the Fascist teachers believe. Their moral is: 'Be strong
to be pure. Be pure to be strong,' Il Duce has taught our people this
wonderful lesson.
"At one time there were many lazy ones in Italy. Now we work and clean
and teach. It is better that way. Italy is a beautiful land. It is worth
working for."
Tony, under the window, felt a great pride in his heart. He began to see
ahead into the future when he would be an Italian soldier. He would fight
for beautiful Italy!
He waggled his head back and forth against the side of the house. He
muttered to himself, "Viva Italia! (Hurrah for Italy!) Viva! Viva....
Ouch!" he cried suddenly.
He had bumped his head!