CHAP. from the execution of a design, which would VI. have dissolved the strength and resources of the Edict of republic. Had it indeed been possible to rea- For The sentiments, and, indeed, the situation of Caracalla, were very different from those of the Antonines. Inattentive, or rather averse to the welfare of his people, he found himself under the necessity of gratifying the insatiate avarice, which he had excited in the army. Of the several impositions introduced by Augustus, the twentieth on inheritances and legacies was the most fruitful, as well as the most comprehensive. As its Tacit. Annal. xiii, 50. Esprit des Loix, 1. xii, c. 19. See Pliny's Panegyric, the Augustan history, and Burman de Vectigal. passim. The tributes (properly so called) were not farmed, since the good princes often remitted many millions of arrears. VI. influence was not confined to Rome or Italy, the CHAP. produce continually increased with the gradual extension of the Roman City. The new citizens, though charged, on equal terms," with the payment of new taxes, which had not affected them as subjects, derived an ample compensation from the rank they obtained, the privileges they acquired, and the fair prospect of honours and fortune that was thrown open to their ambition. But the favour which implied a distinc-The freetion was lost in the prodigality of Caracalla, and dom of the the reluctant provincials were compelled to assume to all the the vain title, and the real obligations, of Roman als, for the citizens. Nor was the rapacious son of Severus purpose of contented with such a measure of taxation as had appeared sufficient to his moderate predecessors. Instead of a twentieth, he exacted a tenth of all legacies and inheritances; and during his reign (for the ancient proportion was restored after his death) he crushed alike every part of the empire under the weight of his iron sceptre.* city given provinci taxation. reduction When all the provincials became liable to the Temporary peculiar impositions of Roman citizens, they of the triseemed to acquire a legal exemption from the bute. tributes which they had paid in their former condition of subjects. Such were not the maxims of government adopted by Caracalla and his pretended son. The old as well as the new taxes were, at the same time, levied in the provinces. u The situation of the new citizens is minutely described by Pliny (Panegyric, c. 37, 38, 39). Trajan published a law very much in their favour. Dion, 1. lxxvii, p. 1295, VI. CHAP. It was reserved for the virtue of Alexander to relieve them, in a great measure, from this intolerable grievance, by reducing the tributes to a thirtieth part of the sum exacted at the time of his accession. It is impossible to conjecture the motive that engaged him to spare so trifling a remnant of the public evil; but the noxious weed, which had not been totally eradicated, again sprang up with the most luxuriant growth, and, in the succeeding age, darkened the Roman world with its deadly shade. In the course of this history, we shall be too often summoned to explain the land-tax, the capitation, and the heavy con. tributions of corn, wine, oil, and meat, which were exacted from the provinces for the use of the court, the army, and the capital. Conse-. quences of the uni dom of Rome. As long as Rome and Italy were respected as the centre of government, a national spirit was versal free- preserved by the ancient, and insensibly imbibed by the adopted, citizens. The principal commands of the army were filled by men who had received a liberal education, were well instructed in the advantages of laws and letters, and who had risen, by equal steps, through the regular succession of civil and military honours. To their influence and example we may partly ascribę the modest obedience of the legions during the two first centuries of the imperial history, He who paid ten aurei, the usual tribute, was charged with no more than the third part of an aureus, and proportional pieces of gold were coined by Alexander's order. Hist. August. p. 127, with the commentary of Salmasius. z See the lives of Agricola, Vespasian, Trajan, Severus, and his three competitors, and indeed of all the eminent men of those times. VI. But when the last enclosure of the Roman CHAP. constitution was trampled down by Caracalla, the separation of professions gradually succeeded to the distinction of ranks. The more polished citizens of the internal provinces were alone qualified to act as lawyers and magistrates. The rougher trade of arms was abandoned to the peasants and barbarians of the frontiers, who knew no country but their camp, no science but that of war, no civil laws, and scarcely those of military discipline. With bloody hands, savage manners, and desperate resolutions, they sometimes guarded, but much oftener subverted, the throne of the emperors. VIL rent ridi cule CHAP. VII. The elevation and tyranny of Maximin.-Rebellion in Africa and Italy, under the authority of the senate.-Civil wars and seditions.-Violent deaths of Maximin and his son, of Maximus and Balbinus, and of the three Gordians.-Usurpation and secular games of Philip. CHAP. OF the various forms of government, which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary moThe appa narchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule. Is it possible to relate, without an indignant smile, that on the father's decease, the property of a nation, like that of a drove of oxen, descends to his infant son, as yet unknown to mankind and to himself; and that the bravest warriors and the wisest statesmen, relinquishing their natural right to empire, approach the royal cradle with bended knees and protestations of inviolable fidelity? Satire and declamation may paint these obvious topics in the most dazzling colours, but our more serious thoughts will respect a useful prejudice, that establishes a rule of succession, independent of the passions of mankind; and we shall cheerfully acquiesce in any expedient which deprives the multitude of the dangerous, and indeed the ideal, power of giving themselves a master. and solid In the cool shade of retirement, we may easily of heredi⚫ devise imaginary forms of government, in which advantages tary suc @ession. |