ROME. The history of Rome may be divided into three periods, in which the nation existed under three different forms of government. The Kingdom, The Commonwealth, The Empire. The kingdom lasted from the foundation of Rome, B. C. 753, to the expulsion of Tarquin, the last king, B. C. 509 144 years. The Commonwealth existed from the expulsion of Tarquin till the title of Emperor was conferred upon Augustus, B. C. 27-482 years. The empire flourished from the assumption of the title of Emperor, by Augustus, till the conquest of Odoacer, A. D. 476-593 years. The Emperor Constantine divided the empire into two parts; the Eastern and Western empires, A. D. 328. Constantinople, the modern Stamboul, and ancient Byzantium, was the capital of the Eastern, and Rome of the Western empire. Mahomet, the second emperor of the Turks, took Constantinople, A. D. 1453, nearly a thousand years after the Goths conquered Italy. 23 Seven kings reigned in Rome during the one hundred and forty-four years of the Kingdom: of these Romulus was warlike, and conquered the neighbouring people; and he was generous and benevolent to his new subjects, so that the number of inhabitants in Rome increased and prospered. Romulus commended the poor to the favour of the rich-that is, the labourers upon the soil to the owners of it. Land, and a very few of the conveniences of life which we enjoy, formed the wealth of this infant state. 2. The writers of Rome who commend the simplicity of their ancestors, describe them as they must have been, like all the first cultivators and inhabitants of a country without letters, arts or trade. Where Romulus was bred, and Quintius born, Whose shining ploughshare was in furrows worn, A little spot of earth well tilled, * A numerous family with plenty filled. The good old man, and thrifty housewife spent 3. This is coarse description, but it represents the primitive Romans as they were. Romulus created a senate, or assembly of elderly men, chosen from among the most respectable citizens, to advise the king concerning the government.The richer citizens were called the Patricians and the poorer sort Plebeians. The Patricians were advised by Romulus to take care of the Plebeians, and they did so. The Patricians were called the patrons of the Plebians, who were styled their clients. The word Patron is still understood as signifying protector and friend to those who need favour and assistance. 4. Numa the second king did not extend the territories of Rome : he reigned forty-three years, and regulated the religion of the Romans. The Romans worshipped the gods of Greece, but with some difference. They made gods of so many heroes that it was said they had thirty thousand gods. 5. Tullus Hostilius the third king conquered the neighbouring state of Alba, and taught military discipline to his subjects. Ancus Marcius did much to adorn the city of Rome by the erection of new buildings. Tarquinius Priscus advanced the Romans in civilization by introducing order into public transactions, and modes of dress suitable to different classes of the citizens, Servius Tullius took an account of all the people belonging to Rome, and the country attached to it, divided them into tribes, and imposed regular taxes upon them. The population, at this time, was 80,000 men able to bear arms, or to be soldiers. 6. Tarquin the Proud, the last king, was neither a good king nor a good father. The Roman people always showed great respect to females. Lucretia, a very industrious and discreet woman, who was much beloved by her husband, Collatinus, and highly respected by every one, received a very gross insult from Sextus, the son of Tarquin, The Romans were excited to such abhorrence of the Tarquins by this action; that they expelled them from the city, and adopted a new govern ment. THE COMMONWEALTH. Collatinus the husband of Lucretia, and Brutus were appointed chief magistrates of Rome, and were styled Consuls. The Tarquins after their expulsion, went into Etruria, the modern Tuscany, a country north of Rome, and persuaded the king to advance with an army towards Rome, in order to re-establish the deposed Tarquin. Brutus, the consul discovered that his sons assisted the Tarquins in their designs, and did not hesitate to order them to be beheaded, and to witness their execution. 2. The Romans admired this conduct, but it is not worthy of praise. It may have been right that traitors should suffer death; it could not have been a virtuous act in a tender father, that he should stand by and see their punishment inflicted. The Romans were of all people most eminent for self-denial, for voluntary suffering, when they esteemed it their duty to bear pain or privation for the good of the state. A memorable instance of this is related of Mutius Scævola. 3. When the army of Porsenna was encamped near Rome, this young man formed a design to assassinate him because he was an enemy of his country. When Mutius made the attempt, he mistook one of the king's attendants for the king, and killed him. He was instantly carried into the king's presence to receive the punishment due to his crime. Porsenna demanded of him his intention in the act which he had perpetrated. Mutius answered him thus-" I meant to have slain you -you know what I have done-now see what I can bear,”—upon this, he thrust his hand into a brazier of coals that stood before him; " and know" continued he, "that I am one of hundreds of young Romans, who can dare and suffer thus for the defence of Rome." 4. Porsenna was struck with this fearless spirit: |