continued; and, as each year some trifling advantage was obtained over the Romans, they at last advanced so far, U.C. as to make their incursions to the very walls of 306. Rome'. 2. But not the courage only of the Romans, their other virtues also, particularly their justice, seemed diminished by these contests. 3. The tribunes of the people now grew more turbulent ; they proposed two laws; one to permit plebeians to intermarry with the patricians; and the other, to permit them to be admitted to the consulship also. 4. The senators received these proposals with indignation, and seemed resolved to undergo the utmost extremities, rather than submit to enact these laws. However, finding their resistance only increased the commotions of the state, they, at last, consented to pass that concerning marriages, hoping that this concession would satisfy the people. 5. But they were to be appeased for a very short time only; for, returning to their old custom of refusing to enlist upon the approach of an enemy, the consuls were obliged to hold a private conference with the chief of the senate, where, after many debates, Clau'dius proposed an expedient, as the most probable means of satisfying the people in the present conjuncture. 6. This was to create six or eight governors in the room of consuls, whereof one half at least should be patricians. 7. This project, which was, in fact, granting what the people demanded, pleased the whole meeting, and it was agreed, that the consuls should, contrary to their usual custom, begin by asking the opinion of the youngest senator. 8. Upon assembling the senate, one of the tribunes accused them of holding secret meetings, and managing dangerous designs against the people. The consuls, on the other hand, averred their innocence; and, to demonstrate their sincerity, gave leave to any of the younger members of the house to propound their opinions. 9. These remaining silent, such of the older senators as were known to be popular began by observing that the people ought to be indulged in their request; that none so well deserved power as those who were most instrumental in gaining it; and that the city could not be free until all were reduced to perfect equality. Claudius spoke next, and broke out into bitter invectives 1 They were, however, defeated, first by the consul Vale ́rius, and next. still more decisively, by the consuls Quinc'tius and Fu ́rius. against the people; asserting that it was his opinion that the law should not pass. 10. This produced some disturbance among the plebeians; at length, Genu'tlus proposed, as had been preconcerted, that six governors should be annually chosen, with consular authority; three from the senate, and three from the people; and that when the time of their magistracy should be expired, it would be seen whether they would have the same office continued, or whether the consulship should be established upon its former footing. 11. This project was eagerly embraced by the people; yet, so fickle were the multitude, that, though many of the plebeians stood candidates, the choice fell wholly upon the patricians who had offered themselves. 12. These new magistrates were called Military U.C. Tribunes; they were, at first, but three; after- 310. wards they were increased to four, and at length to six: and they had the power and ensigns of consuls: yet, that power being divided among a number, each singly was of less authority. 13. The first that were chosen continued in office only about three months, the augurs having found something amiss in the ceremonies of their election1. 14. The military tribunes being deposed, the consuls once more came into office; and in order to lighten the weight of business which they were obliged to sustain, a new office was created; namely, that of Censors, who were to be chosen every fifth year. 15. Their business was to take an estimate of the number and estates of the people, and to distribute them into their proper classes; to inspect into the lives and manners of their fellow citizens; to degrade senators for misconduct; to dismount knights, and to remove plebeians from their tribes into an inferior class, in case of misdemeanor. 16. The first censors were Papir'ius and Sempronius, both patricians; and from this order censors continued to be elected for nearly a hundred years. I 17. This new creation served to restore peace for some time among the orders; and a triumph gained over the Vol'scians, by Gega'nius the consul, added to the universal satisfaction that reigned among the people. This was an election subsequent to that mentioned in the preceding note. 2 The duty of the censors at first was merely to perform the Census, or numbering of the people. It was by degrees that they became Magistri Morum, or inspectors and regulators of men's lives and manners. 18 This calm, however, was but of short continuance U.C. for some time after, a famine pressing hard upon 313. 'the poor, the usual complaints against the rich were renewed; and these, as before, proving ineffectual, produced new seditions. 19 The consuls were accused of neglect, in not having laid in proper quantities of corn: they, however, disregarded the murmurs of the populace, content with using every exertion to supply the pressing necessities'. 20. But though they did all that could be expected from active magistrates in procuring provisions, and distributing them to the poor, yet Spurius Mælius, a rich knight, who had bought up all the corn of Tuscany, by far outshone them in liberality. 21. This demagogue, inflamed with a secret desire of becoming powerful by the contentions in the state, distributed corn in great quantities among the poorer sort each day, till his house became the asylum of all such as wished to exchange a life of labour for one of lazy dependence. 22. When he had thus gained a sufficient number of partisans, he procured large quantities of arms to be brought into his house by night, and formed a conspiracy, by which he was to obtain the command, while some of the tribunes, whom he had found means to corrupt, were to act under him, in seizing upon the liberties of his country. 23. Minu'tius soon discovered the plot, and, informing the senate, they immediately resolved to create a dictator, who should have the power of quelling the conspiracy without appealing to the people./ 24. Cincinnatus, who was now eighty years old, was chosen once more to rescue his country from impending danger. 25. He began by summoning Mælius to appear; who refused to obey. He next sent Aha'la, the master of the horse, to compel his attendance; when, meeting him in the forum, Aha'la, on his refusal, killed him upon the spot. The dictator applauded the resolution of his officer, and commanded the conspirator's goods to be sold, his house to be demolished, and his stores to be distributed among the people 2. 1 They appointed an extraordinary magistrate, under the title of superintendent of provisions, and the person named for this office, L. Minutius, an active and prudent man, immediately sent his agents into the neighbouring countries to buy corn; but little, however, was procured, as Mælius had been beforehand with him. (Liv. l. iv. c 13, 14.) 2 The guilt of Mæ'lius was never proved, and no arms were found when his house was searched. The charge of aiming at royalty is more 26. The tribunes of the people were much enraged at the death of Mælius. In order, therefore, to punish the senate, at the next election instead of consuls they insisted upon restoring the military tribunes, and the senate U.C were obliged to comply. The next year, however, 315. the government returned to its ancient channel, and consuls were chosen. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the consequence of those intestine tumults related in the preceding section? 2. Was it their courage only that was impaired by them? 3. How did the tribunes conduct themselves? 4. How were these proposals received? 5. Did it answer the desired end? 6. What expedient was resorted to? 7. How was it received? 8. What happened on assembling the senate? 9. Did they avail themselves of this permission, and what further passed on this occasion? 10. Was his opinion agreeable to the people? What new proposition was offered by Genutius? 11. Was this plan adopted, and acted upon ? 12. What were the name, number, and powers of these new magis trates? 13. How long did they continue in office? 14. What government was substituted? 15. What were the duties of the censors? 16. Who were the first censors? 17. What was the consequence of this new creation? 18. Was this satisfaction lasting? 19. How were the consuls affected by it? 20, 21. Through what means did Spurius Mælius obtain credit for being more liberal than the consuls? And what was his real object? than absurd, it is morally impossible. He seems to have aimed at opening the higher offices of state to the plebeians, and to have looked upon the consulship with too eager desire. He fell a sacrifice, to deter the plebeians from aiming at breaking up the patrician monopoly of power. It is painful to see Cincinna'tus, at the close of a long and illustrious life, countenancing, if not suggesting, this wanton murder. But as Niebuhr remarks, "no where have characters been more cruel, no where has the voice of conscience against the views of faction been so defied, as in the aristocratic republics, and not those of antiquity only. Men, otherwise of spotless conduct, have frequently shed the purest and noblest blood, influenced by fanaticism, and often without any resentment, in the service of party.” 22. How did he proceed in his designs against the liberties of his country? 23. By what means was the plot frustrated? 24. Who was chosen dictator? 25. What steps did he take? 26. How were these rigorous measures received? SECTION IV. Hence every passion, ev'n the proudest, stoop'd 4. Annoy'ed, v. molested, injured, dis- 5. Depopula'tion, s. ruin, destruction 6. Protract'ed, part. spun out, made to last. 12. Breach, s. an opening. THOMSON. Emigra'tion, s. a change of habitation from one country to another. 31. Complaisan'ce, s. civility, polite ness. 32. Till, v. to cultivate. 33. Despoil'ing, part. plundering. 13. Disgust', v. to offend, to cause dis- 39. Exult'ing, part. greatly rejoicing. 40. Strat'agem, s. an artifice, a trick, an attempt to deceive. 41. Tu'telar, a guarding, protecting. Ob'viated, v. prevented. Comport, v. to behave. Note. Circumvalla'tion and Contravalla'tion, s. lines and trenches round a besieged city. 1. THE Ve'ians had long been the rivals of Rome; they had taken the opportunity of internal distresses to ravage its territories, and had even threatened its ambassadors, sent to complain of these injuries, with outrage. 2. It seemed now, therefore, determined that the city of Ve'ii, whatever it might cost, should fall; and the Romans accordingly sat down regularly before it, and prepared for a long and painful resistance. 3. The strength of the place may be inferred from the continuance of the siege, which lasted for ten years; during which time the army continued encamped round it, lying in winter under tents made of the skins of beasts, and in summer driving on the operations of the attack. It was probably during this siege that the Hitherto the Romans had carefully avoided long sieges, because their troops, serving without pay, could not be kept together a sufficient time. But a law having passed, about this time, allowing pay to the soldiers, they were encouraged to undertake this tedious and difficult enterprise. 2 The city of Veii was larger and much more magnificent than Rome, and so eligibly situated, that after the destruction of the latter by the Gauls, the citizens determined to remove thither, From this they were dissuaded by Camil lus. |