into countries more than a hundred miles distant. Upon this memorable occasion, Pliny, the naturalist, lost his life; being impelled by too eager a curiosity to observe the eruption, he was suffocated in the flames. 16. This and other disasters were, in some measure, counterbalanced by the successes in Britain under Agricola. This excellent general, having been sent into Britain towards the latter end of Vespasian's reign, showed himself equally expert in quelling the refractory, and civilizing those who had formerly submitted to the Roman power. 17. The Ordovi'ces, or inhabitants of North Wales, were the first that were subdued. He then made a descent upon the isle of Anʼglesey, which surrendered at discretion. 18. Having thus rendered himself master of the whole country, he took every method to restore discipline to his own army, and to introduce politeness among those whom he had conquered. He exhorted them, both by advice and example, to build temples, theatres, and stately houses. He caused the sons of their nobility to be instructed in the liberal arts, and to be taught the Latin language; and induced them to imitate the Roman modes of dress and living. 19. Thus, by degrees, this barbarous people began to assume the luxurious manners of their conquerors, and even to outdo them in all the refinements of sensual pleasure. 20. Upon account of the successes in Britain, Titus was saluted Imperator1 for ging a well; and Pompe'ii 40 years after, about 12 feet below the surface and from the houses and streets which, in a great measure, remain perfect, have been drawn busts, statues, manuscripts, paintings, &c. which contribute much to enlarge our notions concerning the ancients, and develope many classical obscurities. (Mala.) In the year following this dreadful eruption, a serious fire happened at Rome, which consumed the Capitol, the. Pantheon, the library of Augustus, the theatre of Pompey, and a great many other buildings. In the ruins of Herculaneum there have lately been found loaves which were baked under the reign of Titus, and which still bear the baker's mark, indicating the quality of the flour, which was probably prescribed by the regulation of the police. There have also been found utensils of bronze, which, instead of being tinned, like ours, are well silvered. The ancients doubtless preferred this method, as more wholesome and more durable. The excavations at Pompe'ii continue to furnish the royal museum at Naples with all kinds of valuable objects; some buildings have lately been discovered at Pompe'ii, remarkable for the richness of their architecture. At Paggo'ia, another town buried by the lava from Vesuvius, some sepulchres have been found which are stated to be magnificently adorned with sculpture of the finest kind. Imperator, a title of honour among the Romans, conferred on victorious generals by their armies, and afterwards by the senate. the fifteenth time; but he did not long survive this honour, being seized with a violent fever at a little distance from Rome. He expired shortly after, but not without suspicion of treachery from his brother Domi'tian', who had long wished to govern. He died in the forty-first year of his age, having reigned two years, two months, and twenty days. Several statues were erected to his honour; that which we have copied is one of the few armed statues that have been preserved to modern times it represents Titus addressing his soldiers, and probably was executed before his accession to the empire. : 21. The beginning of Domi'tian's reign was universally acceptable to the people, as he appeared equally re- A.D. markable for his clemency, liberality, and justice. 81. 1 Domi'tian is supposed to have caused the death of his brother by poison. 2 It is a remarkable fact, that the most odious tyrants that ever sat on the Roman throne, commenced their reigns with a display of all the virtues that adorn humanity: on the contrary, Augustus, who was then the father of his people, began his reign with cruelties that afforded but a melancholy presage of his future administration. 22. But he soon began to show the natural deformity of his mind. Instead of cultivating literature, as his father and brother had done, he neglected all kinds of study, addicting himself wholly to meaner pursuits, particularly archery and gaming. 23. He was so very expert an archer, that he would frequently cause one of his slaves to stand at a great distance, with his hand spread as a mark, and would shoot his arrows with such exactness, as to stick them all between his fingers. 24. He instituted three sorts of contests to be observed every five years, in music, horsemanship, and wrestling; but at the same time he banished all philosophers and mathematicians from Rome. 25. No emperor before him entertained the people with such various and expensive shows. During these diversions, he distributed great rewards, sitting as president himself, adorned with a purple robe and crown, with the priests of Jupiter, and the college of Fla'vian priests about him. 26. The meanness of his occupations in solitude, was a just contrast to his exhibitions of public ostentation. He usually spent his hours of retirement in catching flies, and sticking them through with a bodkin; so that one of his servants, being asked if the emperor were alone, answered that he had not so much as a fly to bear him company. 27. His vices seemed every day to increase, and his ungrateful treatment of Agric ́ola afforded a convincing proof of his natural malevolence. 28. Domi'tian was always particularly fond of obtaining a military reputation, and therefore felt jealous of it in others. He had marched some time before into Gaul, upon a pretended expedition against the Catti, a people of Germany, and without even seeing the enemy, resolved to have the honour of a triumph upon his return to Rome. For that purpose he purchased a number of slaves, whom he dressed in German habits, and at the head of this miserable procession entered the city, amid the apparent acclamations and concealed con. tempt of all his subjects. Questions for Examination. 1. How did Titus conduct himself after this important conquest? 2. How was he received at Rome? 3. What were the most remarkable among the spoils ? 4. What peculiarity attended this triumph? 5. What was the character of Vespasian? 6. How many years did Vespasian reign? 7. Did he not display great resolution at the hour of death? 8. How did Titus commence his reign? 9. By what means did he gain the love of his subjects? 10. What sacrifices did he make for this purpose? 11. Did he succeed in his views? 12. What class of delinquents met his most decided disapprobation? 13. What punishment was inflicted on them? 14. What were his chief virtues? 15. What remarkable event occurred in this reign? and what eminent personage became its victim? 16. By what successes was this disaster counterbalanced? 17. What were his first enterprises? 18. What methods did he take to civilize the conquered countries? 19. Were his measures successful? 20. Did Titus long enjoy the glory of this conquest? 21. How did Domitian commence his reign? 22. Did he persevere in this meritorious conduct? 23. In what exercise did he excel? 24. Did he encourage the arts and sciences? 25. Was he magnificent in his exhibitions? 26. How did he employ himself in private ? 27. Did time render him less vicious? 28. By what means did he attempt to acquire military fame? 1. THE success of Agric'ola in Britain affected Domi'tian with an extreme degree of envy. This excellent general pursued the advantages which he had already obtained; he subdued the Caledonians', and overcame Gal'gacus, the British chief, who commanded an army of thirty thou 1 Caledonians, the ancient inhabitants of Scotland. Caledonia, the ancient name of Scotland; Caledo'nii, the people. sand men; afterwards sending out a fleet to scour the coast, he discovered Great Britain to be an island. He likewise discovered and subdued the Orkneys1; and thus reduced the whole into a civilized province of the Roman empire. 2. When the account of these successes was brought to Domi'tian, he received it with a seeming pleasure, but real uneasiness. He thought Agric'ola's rising reputation a tacit reproach upon his own inactivity; and instead of attempting to emulate, he resolved to suppress the merits of his services. 3. He ordered him, therefore, external marks of approbation, and took care that triumphal ornaments, statues, and other honours should be decreed him; but at the same time he removed him from his command, under a pretence of appointing him to the government of Syria. 4. By these means Agricola surrendered up his province to Sallustius Lucullus, but soon found that Syria was otherwise disposed of. Upon his return to Rome, which was privately and by night, he was coolly received by the emperor; and dying some time after in retirement, it was generally supposed that his end was hastened by Domi'tian's direction. 5. Domi'tian soon found the want of so experienced a commander, in the many irruptions of the barbarous nations that surrounded the empire. The Sarma'tians 2 in Europe, joined with those of Asia, made a formidable invasion, at once destroying a whole legion and a general of the Romans. The Da'cians3, under the conduct of Dece'balus, their king, made an irruption, and overthrew the Romans in several engagements. 6. At last, however, the barbarians were repelled, partly by force, and partly by the assistance of money, which only served to enable them to make future invasions with greater advantage. 7. But in whatever manner the enemy might have been repelled, Domi'tian was resolved not to lose the honours of a triumph. He returned in great splendour to Rome; and not contented with thus triumphing 1 Orkneys, anciently called the Or'cades. They are about 30 in number, of which 26 are inhabited. They are situated to the north of Scotland; and contain about 24,000 inhabitants. 2 Sarma'tians, the inhabitants of Sarma'tia. It was This country in its full extent, was divided into two parts, European and Asiatic. sometimes called Scythia; Sarma'tæ, the people. 3 Da'cians, the inhabitants of Da'cia. This country comprises part of Hungary, all Transylvania and Walachia, and part of Moldavia. |