hoping that such laws would put an end to the commotions that so long had harassed the state. 3. It was thereupon agreed that ambassadors should be sent to the Greek cities in Italy, and to Athens, to bring home such laws from thence, as by experience had been found most equitable und useful. purpose three senators, Sulpicius, and Man'lius, were fixed upon, and galleys assigned to convoy them agreeably to the majesty of the Roman people. 4. While they were upon this commission abroad, ja dreadful plague depopulated the city at home! and supplied the interval of their absence with other anxiety than that of wishes for their return. 5./In about a year the plague ceased, and the ambassadors returned, bringing home a body of laws collected from the most civilized states of Greece and Italy, which, being afterwards formed into ten tables, and two more being added, made that celebrated code called the Laws of the Twelve Tables 6. The ambassadors were no sooner returned, than the tribunes required that a body of men should be chosen to digest their new laws into proper form, and to give weight to the execution of them. 7. After long debate, whether this choice should not be made from the people the patricians, it was at last agreed that ten of the well as principal senators should be elected, whose power continuing for a year should be equal to that of kings and consuls, and that without any appeal. 8. Thus the whole constitution of the state at once took a new form, and a doubtful experiment was about to be tried, of governing one nation by laws formed from the manners and customs of another. 9.These Decemviri being now invested with absolute power, agreed to take the reins of government by turns, each to administer justice for a day. 10. For the first year they wrought with extreme application and their work being finished, it was expected that they would be content to give up their office; but having known the charms of power, they were unwilling to resign they pretended that some laws were yet wanting to complete their design, and entreated the senate for a continuance in office; which request was readily granted 11. But they soon threw off the mask of moderation, 1 These laws were engraven on brass, and hung up in the most conspicuous part of the Forum. and regardless of the approbation of the senate or the people, resolved to continue, against all order, in the decemvirate. 12.A conduct so tyrannical produced discontents, and these were as sure to produce fresh acts of tyranny. The city was become almost a desert with respect to all who had any thing to lose, and the rapacity of the decemvirs was then only discontinued when they wanted fresh subjects to exercise it upon. 13. In this state of slavery, proscription, and mutual distrust, not one citizen was found to strike for his country's freedom these tyrants continued to rule without control, being constantly guarded, not by the lictors alone, but by a numerous crowd of dependents, clients, and even patricians, whom their vices had confederated round them. 14. In this gloomy situation of the state, the Æ'qui and Vol'sci, those constant enemies of the Romans, renewed their incursions, and, resolving to profit by the intestine divisions of the people advanced within about ten miles of Rome 15. The decemviri being in possession of all the military as well as of the civil power, divided their army into three parts; whereof one continued with Appius in the city, to keep it in awe; the other te commanded by his colleagues, and were led, Jone against the 'qui, and the other against the Vol'sci 16. The Roman soldiers had now adopted a method of punishing the generals whom they disliked, by suffering themselves to be vanquished in the field. They put it in practice upon this occasion, and shamefully abandoned their camp upon the approach of the enemy 17. Never was victorious news more joyfully received at Rome than the tidings of this defeat the generals, as is always the case, were blamed for the treachery of their men; some demanded that they should be deposed, others cried out for a dictator to lead the troops to conquest. 18. Among the rest,[old Sic'cius Denta'tus, the tribune, spoke his sentiments with his usual openness; and treating the generals with contempt, pointed out the faults of their discipline in the camp, and their conduct in the field. 19. Appius, in the mean time, was not remiss in observing the disposition of the people. Denta'tus in particular was marked out for vengeance; and, under pretence of doing him particular honour, he was appointed legate, and put at the head of the supplies which were sent from Rome to reinforce the army. 20. The office of legate was held sacred among the Romans, as in it was united the authority of a general, with the reverence due to the priesthood. 21./ Denta'tus, no way suspecting the design, went to the camp with alacrity, where he was received with all the external marks of respect. But the generals soon found means of indulging their desire of revenge. 22. He was appointed at the head of a hundred men to go and examine a more commodious place for encampment, as he had very candidly assured the commanders that their present situation was wrong. 23. The soldiers, however, who were given as his attendants were assassins; wretches who had long been ministers of the vengeance of the decemviri, and who now engaged to murder him, though with all those apprehensions which his reputation (for he was called the Roman Achilles) might be supposed to inspire. 24. With these designs they led him into the hollow bosom of a retired mountain, where they began to set upon him behind. 25 Denta'tus too late perceived the treachery of the decemviri, and was resolved to sell his life as dearly as he could; he therefore set his back against a rock, and defended himself against those who pressed most closely. Though now grown old, he had still the remains of his former valour, and with his own hand killed no less than fifteen of the assailants, and wounded thirty. 26. The assassins now, therefore, terrified at his amazing bravery, showered their javelins upon him at a distance, all which he received in his shield with undaunted resolution. 27. The combat, though so unequal in numbers, was managed for some time with doubtful success, till at length his assailants bethought themselves of ascending the rock against which he stood, and pouring down stones upon him from above. 28. This succeeded; the old soldier fell beneath their united efforts; after having shown by his death, that he owed to his fortitude, and not his fortune, that he had come off so many times victorious. 29. The decemviri pretended to join in the general sorrow for so brave a man, and decreed him a funeral with the first military honours; but their pretended grief, compared with their known hatred, only rendered them still more detestable to the people 1 Previous to this, and soon after his arrival at the camp, an attempt had been made to cut him off, which failed, from his superior bravery and military skill. The consul Romil'ius, being about to engage the enemy in the plain, gave it in charge to Denta'tus to Questions for Examination. 1. Of what did the Roman citizens complain, and what did they wish? 2. Was this assented to by the nation at large? 3. What means were adopted for this purpose? 4. What happened during their absence? 5. How long did this calamity last? 6. What steps were taken on the return of the ambassadors? 7. Who were chosen for this purpose 8. Was this proceeding an important one? 9. In what manner did the decemviri govern 10. How did they discharge the duties of their office? 11. Did they continue in the conscientious discharge of their duties 12. What was the consequence of this conduct? 13. Was no patriot to be found bold enough to be a champion in his country's cause? 14. What added to the miseries of the Romans 15. What steps were taken to oppose them? -- 16. What was the conduct of the Roman soldiers on this occasion? 17. How was this news received at Rome? 18. Who appeared most conspicuous on this occasion ? 19. How was this honest sincerity received? 20. Was the office of legate a respectable one? 21. Did Dentatus suspect treachery 22. What plan of revenge was adopted? 23. What was the character of his attendants? 24. How did they commence their base design? 25. Was Dentatus aware of their treachery and what resistance did he make 26. Did the assassins boldly engage the hero? 27. What new method of attack did they attempt? 28. Was this plan successful? 29. What was the conduct of the decemviri on this occasion? attack their camp, situate on an almost inaccessible rock, but allotted him a force utterly inadequate to the attempt. Denta'tus remon strated, but at length obeyed, and contrary to general expectation, took the camp, and falling on the rear of the main army, contributed greatly to the victory. For this base attempt Romil'ius and Vetu'rius were fined by the senate. (Lv. 1. iii. c. 31.) SECTION II. That chastity of look which seems to hang 1. Atro'cious, a. horrid, wicked. 5. Infrin'ge, v. to violate, to break. 10. Cred'ible, a. worthy of belief. 14. Sedi'tion, s. tumult, commotion. YOUNG. 18. Noto'rious, a. publicly known. Ulti'mately, ad. in the end. sion. 1. BUT a transaction still more atrocious than the former served to inspire the citizens with a resolution to break all measures of obedience, so as at last to restore freedom 1. 2. Ap'pius, sitting one day on his tribunal to dispense justice, saw a maiden of exquisite beauty, aged about fifteen, passing to one of the public schools, attended by a matron, her nurse. The charms of the damsel, heightened by all the innocence of virgin modesty, caught his attention, and fired his heart. The day following, as she passed, he found her still more beautiful, and his breast still more inflamed. 3. He now therefore resolved to obtain the gratification of his passion, whatever should be the consequence, and found means to inform himself of the maiden's name and family. 4. Her name was Virgin'ia; she was the daughter of Virgin'ius, a centurion, then with the army in the field, and had been contracted to Icil'ius, formerly a tribune of the people, who had agreed to marry her at the end of the present campaign. 5. Appius at first resolved to break off this match, and to espouse her himself; but the laws of the Twelve 1 The decemviri had by this time so strengthened themselves, as they supposed, by filling all the offices of state with their creatures, and by mutually supporting each other, that they ventured to throw off the mask, and announce their intention of perpetuating themselves in the government. Accordingly, each decemvir appeared in the Forum preceded by twelve lictors bearing the fasces and securis, a sure prognostic of tyranny and injustice. (Liv. iii. c. 38.) 2 The prænomen of Appius was peculiar to the family of Claudius (gens Claudia), and derived from Atta, a name among the Sabines. It was also used adjectively; thus, Appia Via, the way leading to Capua, first paved by Appius Claudius; also, Aqua Appia, the first water brought to Rome in an aqueduct constructed by him. (Liv. ix. 29.) |