Rome originally was but an insignificant city, founded on the banks of
the Tiber by some herdsmen, whose small numbers were swelled somewhat
“by strangers and outcasts from all the country about.” The herdsmen
were without doubt Pelesgians, who had previously occupied the more
easterly portions of Europe. The language they introduced bears
unmistakable evidence of similarity to the Greek. That a people so
humble as the original Romans were, who labored principally upon an
unproductive soil for sustenance, should have increased in numbers,
power and influence, so as to rule the world, seems almost incredible;
but so it was.
A three-fold division of the people was early spoken of, probably
representing as many different tribes. Each of these tribes was divided
into ten smaller bodies called “Curial;” in war these divisions were
represented by thirty centuries that made up the “legion.”
There were very few women among the early Romans. They seized on some
Sabine women who came among them to witness their games, which seizure
caused a war with the Sabines; the result of the war was the union of
the Sabines with the Romans, and the extension among them of the same
rules and divisions that existed among the Romans. This first conquest
was prophetic of all future conquests, terminating as it did by the
conquered country being added to Rome to increase its territory and
power. The system of conquest thus begun continued with more or less
activity during four centuries, when Rome had acquired nearly all the
country as far east as the Euphrates. 500 years B. C. Tarquin, the last
king, was expelled by the Senate, and the Roman republic began. During
its first century, contentions among themselves prevented the Romans
from materially extending their conquests. About the eightieth year of
the republic the Gauls first attacked, captured and plundered Rome; nor
could the Romans expel them until the banished Consul Camillus was
recalled to command the armies. Soon after this, rapid strides to
greatness were made, and Rome became the centre of attraction for the
world. All countries, not already Roman, sought alliance, thereby hoping
to escape conquest.
It was during this time of glory that luxury was first admitted and
practised by Romans; and, as in all other countries, it laid the
foundation for future ruin, by introducing into use licentious, vicious,
and effeminate practices, where simplicity, purity and honor had
previously held full sway.
Two hundred and eighty years B. C. the Carthagenians forming an alliance
with the King of Syracuse brought on the first Punic war. The Syracusans
soon deserted to the Romans and ever remained constant to them. The
Romans had now acquired such love of, and thirst for, glory that they
were considered unconquerable. In Sicily they gained great naval
victories, and Africa trembled when her fleets neared its shores. The
Carthagenians, through the advice of the Lacedemonian, Xantippus,
defeated the army commanded by Regulus and captured him; he subsequently
lost his life at the hands of the Carthagenians for opposing at Rome the
conclusion of peace. The war continued by the advice of Regulus, turned
in favor of the Romans, and the Carthagenians were compelled to accept
the terms of peace offered by the Romans, thus ending the first Punic
war.
The conquest of Seguntum by the Carthagenians, contrary to the terms of
peace, led to the second Punic war, in which the celebrated Hannibal
figured so conspicuously, and for a time made Rome tremble. From this
temporary fear the Romans emerged more terrible than ever. They not only
put a stop to the victorious career of Hannibal, but conquered Spain,
and, crossing into Africa, compelled the recalling of Hannibal to defend
Carthage. The famous battle of Zama ensued, in which both Hannibal and
Scipio displayed the greatest military talent. The study of this battle
has since been the admiration of all great military captains. The
victorious Romans dictated again the terms of peace, which Carthage was
obliged to accept. Thus ended the second Punic war.
The ambition of Rome now increased to such an immoderate extent as to
threaten the reduction of the whole world to submission. Macedon and
Syria endeavored to make head against them, but nothing could withstand
the irresistible power of the perfectly disciplined Roman legions.
Macedon was glad to end the war by becoming a Roman province, and Syria,
to escape total destruction, by ceding to Rome the larger portion of her
territory.
Carthage, the former powerful rival of Rome, still existed, which so
annoyed the Romans that its destruction was determined upon and
accomplished by the third Punic war, which ended 145 years B. C. The
complete subjugation of all the Greek and Spanish provinces immediately
followed, and Roman power was unparalleled. This begat a spirit of
intolerance which goaded many of her conquered provinces into revolt.
Combining their armies, they for a time successfully resisted the
Romans. Pompey, coming into command, rapidly crushed out all resistance.
Internal contentions between the several factions at Rome quickly
followed the reduction of the formidable revolt. Cæsar, Pompey and
Crassus, more active than the rest, divided the government between
themselves. This was the first triumvirate. Cæsar would have no equal,
and Pompey could endure no superior. The rivalry between these two
powerful men was the initiatory step to the conditions that ruined the
republic. Cæsar obtained the consulate and government of Gaul, and began
to lay the foundation for his future greatness by extending his military
enterprises in all directions. He defeated the Swiss, conquered the
Germans, subdued the Belgians, reduced the whole of Gaul, invaded
Britain, imposed tributes upon the people everywhere, and became the
master spirit of the time.
When Cæsar returned to Rome Pompey fled. Cæsar then became perpetual
dictator. This was about 50 years B. C. Pursuing Pompey into Greece,
Cæsar defeated him at the great battle of Pharsalia, and thus overcame
all opposition to unlimited power. In this possession Cæsar became so
intolerably overbearing that a conspiracy was formed against him, which
resulted in his death at the hands of Brutus. The love of the people,
especially the women, remained Cæsar’s, so the new ruler found no peace.
The strife between Brutus, Antony, and Octavius waxed warm, and Rome, as
in the days of Marius and Scylla, became the scene of infamy and horror.
Octavius and Antony, overcoming all opposition, divided the empire
between them. Octavius remained in the west, Antony went to the east,
and there became enamored of Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen, for whom he
abandoned Octavio, the sister of Octavius. This brought about a
conflict, and Octavius proceeded to the east with a great army to
chastise Antony. By the treachery of Cleopatra, whose army and navy
deserted to Octavius, Antony was totally defeated. The treachery of
Cleopatra determined him to take his life, which in turn caused her such
grief that she sought and found relief through the aspen’s bite.
Octavius thus became sole master of the mightiest empire the world had
ever beheld. It comprised nearly every country then known under a
universal monarchy. Octavius assumed the title of Augustus Cæsar, and
reigned over this mighty empire forty-five years with the most
consummate skill and prudence, and with a profound appreciation of the
position he occupied. It was during his reign that literature flourished
so extensively. The best literary age of all countries has since been
called its Augustan age, as likened to that of Rome under him. In the
thirtieth year of his reign Jesus Christ was born. The Roman Empire at
this time assumed its proudest and grandest pitch of power and glory,
which will ever be the wonder and admiration of coming ages, until
another nation shall arise to a greater and still more glorious
condition, of which Rome will forever remain prophetic until fulfilled.
From the reign of Augustus to Constantine the Great, who transferred the
capital to Byzantium, the empire sustained a series of good and bad
rule, and declined somewhat from its previous proud position. On the
death of Constantine the Great, Constantine II., Constantius and
Constance divided the empire. Constantine II. had all Europe west of the
Alps; Constantius Italy, Sicily and Africa; and Constance Asia, Egypt
and the whole East. This division was the beginning of the great
disasters that came fast upon Rome. Constantine and Constantius being
disposed of by treason, Constance usurped the whole power; being
destitute not only of all capacity for so extended rule, but also of all
honor, the empire began to disorganize. During his reign and that of his
successor, until Theodosius, about the year 400, country after country
successfully revolted against the power of Rome. Everything in which her
former renown and glory consisted degenerated, until Rome was
precipitated into that condition which ultimated in her entire
destruction, so that she who so lately was the proud mistress of the
world, was unable to resist the barbarians of Northern Europe, who
extinguished her light, thereby leaving the world in the midnight and
anarchy of the “Dark Ages.”