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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Romulus, Makers of History, by Jacob Abbott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Romulus, Makers of History
+
+Author: Jacob Abbott
+
+Release Date: January 3, 2009 [EBook #27692]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROMULUS, MAKERS OF HISTORY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by D. Alexander and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ Makers of History
+
+ Romulus
+
+ BY JACOB ABBOTT
+
+ WITH ENGRAVINGS
+
+ NEW YORK AND LONDON
+
+ HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS
+
+ 1901
+
+
+
+
+ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by
+
+ HARPER & BROTHERS,
+
+ in the Clerk's Office for the Southern District of New York.
+
+ Copyright, 1880, by BENJAMIN VAUGHAN ABBOTT, AUSTIN ABBOTT,
+ LYMAN ABBOTT, and EDWARD ABBOTT.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE HARPIES.]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+In writing the series of historical narratives to which the present
+work pertains, it has been the object of the author to furnish to the
+reading community of this country an accurate and faithful account of
+the lives and actions of the several personages that are made
+successively the subjects of the volumes, following precisely the
+story which has come down to us from ancient times. The writer has
+spared no pains to gain access in all cases to the original sources of
+information, and has confined himself strictly to them. The reader
+may, therefore, feel assured in perusing any one of these works, that
+the interest of it is in no degree indebted to the invention of the
+author. No incident, however trivial, is ever added to the original
+account, nor are any words even, in any case, attributed to a speaker
+without express authority. Whatever of interest, therefore, these
+stories may possess, is due solely to the facts themselves which are
+recorded in them, and to their being brought together in a plain,
+simple, and connected narrative.
+
+
+
+
+ CONTENTS.
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                                    PAGE
+
+    I. CADMUS                                                13
+
+   II. CADMUS'S LETTERS                                      36
+
+  III. THE STORY OF AENEAS                                    59
+
+   IV. THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY                               79
+
+    V. THE FLIGHT OF AENEAS                                  103
+
+   VI. THE LANDING IN LATIUM                                131
+
+  VII. RHEA SILVIA                                          155
+
+ VIII. THE TWINS                                            179
+
+   IX. THE FOUNDING OF ROME                                 202
+
+    X. ORGANIZATION                                         225
+
+   XI. WIVES                                                248
+
+  XII. THE SABINE WAR                                       270
+
+ XIII. THE CONCLUSION                                       295
+
+
+
+
+ENGRAVINGS.
+
+
+                                                            PAGE
+
+ THE HARPIES                                    _Frontispiece._
+
+ JUPITER AND EUROPA                                          28
+
+ MAP--JOURNEYINGS OF CADMUS                                  30
+
+ SYMBOLICAL WRITING                                          37
+
+ SYMBOLICAL AND PHONETIC WRITING                             44
+
+ HIEROGLYPHICS                                               56
+
+ MAP--ORIGIN OF VENUS                                        61
+
+ AENEAS DEFENDING THE BODY OF PANDARUS                        68
+
+ THE TORTOISE                                                98
+
+ HELEN                                                      105
+
+ MAP--WANDERINGS OF AENEAS                                   119
+
+ MAP--LATIUM                                                134
+
+ SILVIA'S STAG                                              145
+
+ RHEA SILVIA                                                180
+
+ FAUSTULUS AND THE TWINS                                    184
+
+ SITUATION OF ROME                                          209
+
+ PROMISING THE BRACELETS                                    284
+
+ THE DEATH OF ROMULUS                                       305
+
+
+
+
+ROMULUS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+CADMUS.
+
+B.C. 1500
+
+Different kinds of greatness.--Founders of cities.--Rome.--Interest
+in respect to its origin.--The story of AEneas.--The Mediterranean
+sea.--Italy and Greece in ancient times, and now.--Ancient
+chieftains.--Their modes of life.--Religious ideas of the ancient
+Greeks and Romans.--Ancient studies of nature.--Purpose of
+them.--History.--Ancient poems and tales.--How far founded
+in fact.--Cadmus.--Interest felt in respect to the
+origin of writing.--True story of Cadmus.--His father
+Agenor.--Europa.--Telephassa.--The pursuit of Europa.--Fruitless
+result.--Cadmus settles in Greece.--Thebes.--Arts introduced by
+him.--The ancient legend of Cadmus.--Jupiter.--Adventures of
+Jupiter.--His love for Europa.--His elopement.--Jupiter and Europa
+in Crete.--The expedition of Cadmus.--His various wanderings.--Death
+of Telephassa.--Visit to the oracle at Delphi.--The directions of
+the oracle.--Cadmus finds his guide.--The place for his city
+determined.--The fountain of Dirce.--The dragon's teeth.--Thebes
+built.--Cadmia.--Ancient ideas of probability.--Belief in supernatural
+tales.--Final recording of the ancient tales.
+
+
+Some men are renowned in history on account of the extraordinary
+powers and capacities which they exhibited in the course of their
+career, or the intrinsic greatness of the deeds which they performed.
+Others, without having really achieved any thing in itself very great
+or wonderful, have become widely known to mankind by reason of the
+vast consequences which, in the subsequent course of events, resulted
+from their doings. Men of this latter class are conspicuous rather
+than great. From among thousands of other men equally exalted in
+character with themselves, they are brought out prominently to the
+notice of mankind only in consequence of the strong light reflected,
+by great events subsequently occurring, back upon the position where
+they happened to stand.
+
+The celebrity of Romulus seems to be of this latter kind. He founded a
+city. A thousand other men have founded cities; and in doing their
+work have evinced perhaps as much courage, sagacity, and mental power
+as Romulus displayed. The city of Romulus, however, became in the end
+the queen and mistress of the world. It rose to so exalted a position
+of influence and power, and retained its ascendency so long, that now
+for twenty centuries every civilized nation in the western world have
+felt a strong interest in every thing pertaining to its history, and
+have been accustomed to look back with special curiosity to the
+circumstances of its origin. In consequence of this it has happened
+that though Romulus, in his actual day, performed no very great
+exploits, and enjoyed no pre-eminence above the thousand other
+half-savage chieftains of his class, whose names have been long
+forgotten, and very probably while he lived never dreamed of any
+extended fame, yet so brilliant is the illumination which the
+subsequent events of history have shed upon his position and his
+doings, that his name and the incidents of his life have been brought
+out very conspicuously to view, and attract very strongly the
+attention of mankind.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The history of Rome is usually made to begin with the story of AEneas.
+In order that the reader may understand in what light that romantic
+tale is to be regarded, it is necessary to premise some statements in
+respect to the general condition of society in ancient days, and to
+the nature of the strange narrations, circulated in those early
+periods among mankind, out of which in later ages, when the art of
+writing came to be introduced, learned men compiled and recorded what
+they termed history.
+
+The countries which formed the shores of the Mediterranean sea were as
+verdant and beautiful, in those ancient days, and perhaps as fruitful
+and as densely populated as in modern times. The same Italy and Greece
+were there then as now. There were the same blue and beautiful seas,
+the same mountains, the same picturesque and enchanting shores, the
+same smiling valleys, and the same serene and genial sky. The level
+lands were tilled industriously by a rural population corresponding
+in all essential points of character with the peasantry of modern
+times; and shepherds and herdsmen, then as now, hunted the wild
+beasts, and watched their flocks and herds on the declivities of the
+mountains. In a word, the appearance of the face of nature, and the
+performance of the great function of the social state, namely, the
+procuring of food and clothing for man by the artificial cultivation
+of animal and vegetable life, were substantially the same on the
+shores of the Mediterranean two thousand years ago as now. Even the
+plants and the animals themselves which the ancient inhabitants
+reared, have undergone no essential change. Their sheep and oxen and
+horses were the same as ours. So were their grapes, their apples, and
+their corn.
+
+If, however, we leave the humbler classes and occupations of society,
+and turn our attention to those which represent the refinement, the
+cultivation, and the power, of the two respective periods, we shall
+find that almost all analogy fails. There was an aristocracy then as
+now, ruling over the widely extended communities of peaceful
+agriculturalists and herdsmen, but the members of it were entirely
+different in their character, their tastes, their ideas, and their
+occupations from the classes which exercise the prerogatives of
+government in Europe in modern times. The nobles then were military
+chieftains, living in camps or in walled cities, which they built for
+the accommodation of themselves and their followers. These chieftains
+were not barbarians. They were in a certain sense cultivated and
+refined. They gathered around them in their camps and in their courts
+orators, poets, statesmen, and officers of every grade, who seem to
+have possessed the same energy, genius, taste, and in some respects
+the same scientific skill, which have in all ages and in every clime
+characterized the upper classes of the Caucasian race. They carried
+all the arts which were necessary for their purposes and plans to high
+perfection, and in the invention of tales, ballads and poems, to be
+recited at their entertainments and feasts, they evinced the most
+admirable taste and skill;--a taste and skill which, as they resulted
+not from the operation and influence of artificial rules, but from the
+unerring instinct of genius, have never been surpassed. In fact, the
+poetical inventions of those early days, far from having been
+produced in conformity with rules, were entirely precedent to rules,
+in the order of time. Rules were formed from them; for they at length
+became established themselves in the estimation of mankind, as models,
+and on their authority as models, the whole theory of rhetorical and
+poetical beauty now mainly reposes.
+
+The people of those days formed no idea of a spiritual world, or of a
+spiritual divinity. They however imagined, that heroes of former days
+still continued to live and to reign in certain semi-heavenly regions
+among the summits of their blue and beautiful mountains, and that they
+were invested there with attributes in some respects divine. In
+addition to these divinities, the fertile fancy of those ancient times
+filled the earth, the air, the sea, and the sky with imaginary beings,
+all most graceful and beautiful in their forms, and poetical in their
+functions,--and made them the subjects, too, of innumerable legends
+and tales, as graceful, poetical, and beautiful as themselves. Every
+grove, and fountain, and river,--every lofty summit among the
+mountains, and every rock and promontory along the shores of the
+sea,--every cave, every valley, every water-fall, had its imaginary
+occupant,--the genius of the spot; so that every natural object which
+attracted public notice at all, was the subject of some picturesque
+and romantic story. In a word, nature was not explored then as now,
+for the purpose of ascertaining and recording cold and scientific
+realities,--but to be admired, and embellished, and animated;--and to
+be peopled, everywhere, with exquisitely beautiful, though imaginary
+and supernatural, life and action.
+
+What the genius of imagination and romance did thus in ancient times
+with the scenery of nature, it did also on the field of history. Men
+explored that field not at all to learn sober and actual realities,
+but to find something that they might embellish and adorn, and animate
+with supernatural and marvelous life. What the sober realities might
+have actually been, was of no interest or moment to them whatever.
+There were no scholars then as now, living in the midst of libraries,
+and finding constant employment, and a never-ending pleasure, in
+researches for the simple investigation of the truth. There was in
+fact no retirement, no seclusion, no study. Every thing except what
+related to the mere daily toil of tilling the ground bore direct
+relation to military expeditions, spectacles and parades; and the only
+field for the exercise of that kind of intellectual ability which is
+employed in modern times in investigating and recording historic
+truth, was the invention and recitation of poems, dramas and tales, to
+amuse great military audiences in camps or public gatherings, convened
+to witness shows or games, or to celebrate great religious festivals.
+Of course under such circumstances there would be no interest felt in
+truth as truth. Romance and fable would be far more serviceable for
+such ends than reality.
+
+Still it is obvious that such tales as were invented to amuse for the
+purposes we have described, would have a deeper interest for those who
+listened to them, if founded in some measure upon fact, and connected
+in respect to the scene of their occurrence, with real localities. A
+prince and his court sitting at their tables in the palace or the
+tent, at the close of a feast, would listen with greater interest to a
+story that purported to be an account of the deeds and the marvelous
+adventures of their own ancestors, than to one that was wholly and
+avowedly imaginary. The inventors of these tales would of course
+generally choose such subjects, and their narrations would generally
+consist therefore rather of embellishments of actual transactions,
+than of inventions wholly original. Their heroes were consequently
+real men; the principal actions ascribed to them were real actions,
+and the places referred to were real localities. Thus there was a
+semblance of truth and reality in all these tales which added greatly
+to the interest of them; while there were no means of ascertaining the
+real truth, and thus spoiling the story by making the falsehood or
+improbability of it evident and glaring.
+
+We cannot well have a better illustration of these principles than is
+afforded by the story of Cadmus, an adventurer who was said to have
+brought the knowledge of alphabetic writing into Greece from some
+countries farther eastward. In modern times there is a very strong
+interest felt in ascertaining the exact truth on this subject. The art
+of writing with alphabetic characters was so great an invention, and
+it has exerted so vast an influence on the condition and progress of
+mankind since it was introduced, that a very strong interest is now
+felt in every thing that can be ascertained as actually fact, in
+respect to its origin. If it were possible now to determine under what
+circumstances the method of representing the elements of sound by
+written characters was first devised, to discover who it was that
+first conceived the idea, and what led him to make the attempt, what
+difficulties he encountered, to what purposes he first applied his
+invention, and to what results it led, the whole world would take a
+very strong interest in the revelation. The essential point, however,
+to be observed, is that it is the _real truth_ in respect to the
+subject that the world are now interested in knowing. Were a romance
+writer to invent a tale in respect to the origin of writing, however
+ingenious and entertaining it might be in its details, it would excite
+in the learned world at the present day no interest whatever.
+
+There is in fact no account at present existing in respect to the
+actual origin of alphabetic characters, though there is an account of
+the circumstances under which the art was brought into Europe from
+Asia, where it seems to have been originally invented. We will give
+the facts, first in their simple form, and then the narrative in the
+form in which it was related in ancient times, as embellished by the
+ancient story-tellers.
+
+The facts then, as now generally understood and believed, are, that
+there was a certain king in some country in Africa, named Agenor, who
+lived about 1500 years before Christ. He had a daughter named Europa,
+and several sons. Among his sons was one named Cadmus. Europa was a
+beautiful girl, and after a time a wandering adventurer from some part
+of the northern shores of the Mediterranean sea, came into Africa, and
+was so much pleased with her that he resolved if possible, to obtain
+her for his wife. He did not dare to make proposals openly, and he
+accordingly disguised himself and mingled with the servants upon
+Agenor's farm. In this disguise he succeeded in making acquaintance
+with Europa, and finally persuaded her to elope with him. The pair
+accordingly fled, and crossing the Mediterranean they went to Crete,
+an island near the northern shores of the sea, and there they lived
+together.
+
+The father, when he found that his daughter had deceived him and gone
+away, was very indignant, and sent Cadmus and his brothers in pursuit
+of her. The mother of Europa, whose name was Telephassa, though less
+indignant perhaps than the father, was overwhelmed with grief at the
+loss of her child, and determined to accompany her sons in the search.
+She accordingly took leave of her husband and of her native land, and
+set out with Cadmus and her other sons on the long journey in search
+of her lost child. Agenor charged his sons never to come home again
+unless they brought Europa with them.
+
+Cadmus, with his mother and brothers, traveled slowly toward the
+northward, along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean sea,
+inquiring everywhere for the fugitive. They passed through Syria and
+Phenicia, into Asia Minor, and from Asia Minor into Greece. At length
+Telephassa, worn down, perhaps, by fatigue, disappointment, and grief,
+died. Cadmus and his brothers soon after became discouraged; and at
+last, weary with their wanderings, and prevented by their father's
+injunction from returning without Europa, they determined to settle in
+Greece. In attempting to establish themselves there, however, they
+became involved in various conflicts, first with wild beasts, and
+afterward with men, the natives of the land, who seemed to spring up,
+as it were, from the ground, to oppose them. They contrived, however,
+at length, by fomenting quarrels among their enemies, and taking sides
+with one party against the rest, to get a permanent footing in Greece,
+and Cadmus finally founded a city there, which he called Thebes.
+
+In establishing the institutions and government of Thebes, and in
+arranging the organization of the people into a social state, Cadmus
+introduced among them several arts, which, in that part of the
+country, had been before unknown. One of these arts was the use of
+copper, which metal he taught his new subjects to procure from the ore
+obtained in mines. There were several others; but the most important
+of all was that he taught them sixteen letters representing elementary
+vocal sounds, by means of which inscriptions of words could be carved
+upon monuments, or upon tablets of metal or of stone.
+
+It is not supposed that the idea of representing the elements of vocal
+sounds by characters _originated_ with Cadmus, or that he invented the
+characters himself. He brought them with him undoubtedly, but whether
+from Egypt or Phenicia, can not now be known.
+
+Such are the facts of the case, as now generally understood and
+believed. Let us now compare this simple narration with the romantic
+tale which the early story-tellers made from it. The legend, as they
+relate it, is as follows.
+
+Jupiter was a prince born and bred among the summits of Mount Ida, in
+Crete. His father's name was Saturn. Saturn had made an agreement that
+he would cause all his sons to be slain, as soon as they were born.
+This was to appease his brother, who was his rival, and who consented
+that Saturn should continue to reign only on that condition.
+
+Jupiter's mother, however, was very unwilling that her boys should be
+thus cruelly put to death, and she contrived to conceal three of them,
+and save them. The three thus preserved were brought up among the
+solitudes of the mountains, watched and attended by nymphs, and nursed
+by a goat. After they grew up, they engaged from time to time in
+various wars, and met with various wonderful adventures, until at
+length Jupiter, the oldest of them, succeeded, by means of
+thunderbolts which he caused to be forged for his use, in vast
+subterranean caverns beneath Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius, conquered
+all his enemies, and became universal king. He, however, divided his
+empire between himself and his brothers, giving to them respectively
+the command of the sea and of the subterranean regions, while he
+reserved the earth and the heavenly regions for himself.
+
+[Illustration: JUPITER AND EUROPA.]
+
+He established his usual abode among the mountains of Northern Greece,
+but he often made excursions to and fro upon the earth, appearing in
+various disguises, and meeting with a great number of strange and
+marvelous adventures. In the course of these wanderings he found his
+way at one time into Egypt, and to the dominions of Agenor,--and there
+he saw Agenor's beautiful daughter, Europa. He immediately determined
+to make her his bride; and to secure this object he assumed the form
+of a very finely shaped and beautiful bull, and in this guise joined
+himself to Agenor's herds of cattle. Europa soon saw him there. She
+was much pleased with the beauty of his form, and finding him gentle
+and kind in disposition, she approached him, patted his glossy neck
+and sides, and in other similar ways gratified the prince by marks of
+her admiration and pleasure. She was at length induced by some secret
+and magical influence which the prince exerted over her, to mount upon
+his back, and allow herself to be borne away. The bull ran with his
+burden to the shore, and plunged into the waves. He swam across the
+sea to Crete,[A] and there, resuming his proper form, he made the
+princess his bride.
+
+[Footnote A: See Map, p. 30.]
+
+Agenor and Telephassa, when they found that their daughter was gone,
+were in great distress, and Agenor immediately determined to send his
+sons on an expedition in pursuit of her. The names of his sons were
+Cadmus, Phoenix, Cylix, Thasus, and Phineus. Cadmus, as the oldest
+son, was to be the director of the expedition. Telephassa, the mother,
+resolved to accompany them, so overwhelmed was she with affliction at
+the loss of her daughter. Agenor himself was almost equally oppressed
+with the calamity which had over whelmed them, and he charged his sons
+never to come home again until they could bring Europa with them.
+
+Telephassa and her sons wandered for a time in the countries east of
+the Mediterranean sea, without being able to obtain any tidings of the
+fugitive. At length they passed into Asia Minor, and from Asia Minor
+into Thrace, a country lying north of the Egean Sea. Finding no traces
+of their sister in any of these countries, the sons of Agenor became
+discouraged, and resolved to make no farther search; and Telephassa,
+exhausted with anxiety and fatigue, and now overwhelmed with the
+thought that all hope must be finally abandoned, sank down and died.
+
+[Illustration: THE JOURNEYING OF CADMUS.]
+
+Cadmus and his brothers were much affected at their mother's death.
+They made arrangements for her burial, in a manner befitting her high
+rank and station, and when the funeral solemnities had been performed,
+Cadmus repaired to the oracle at Delphi, which was situated in the
+northern part of Greece, not very far from Thrace, in order that he
+might inquire there whether there was any thing more that he could do
+to recover his lost sister, and if so to learn what course he was to
+pursue. The oracle replied to him that he must search for his sister
+no more, but instead of it turn his attention wholly to the work of
+establishing a home and a kingdom for himself, in Greece. To this end
+he was to travel on in a direction indicated, until he met with a cow
+of a certain kind, described by the oracle, and then to follow the cow
+wherever she might lead the way, until at length, becoming fatigued,
+she should stop and lie down. Upon the spot where the cow should lie
+down he was to build a city and make it his capital.
+
+Cadmus obeyed these directions of the oracle. He left Delphi and went
+on, attended, as he had been in all his wanderings, by a troop of
+companions and followers, until at length in the herds of one of the
+people of the country, named Pelagon, he found a cow answering to the
+description of the oracle. Taking this cow for his guide, he followed
+wherever she led the way. She conducted him toward the southward and
+eastward for thirty or forty miles, and at length wearied apparently,
+by her long journey, she lay down. Cadmus knew immediately that this
+was the spot where his city was to stand.
+
+He began immediately to make arrangements for the building of the
+city, but he determined first to offer the cow that had been his
+divinely appointed guide to the spot, as a sacrifice to Minerva, whom
+he always considered as his guardian goddess.
+
+Near the spot where the cow lay down there was a small stream which
+issued from a fountain not far distant, called the fountain of Dirce.
+Cadmus sent some of his men to the place to obtain some water which it
+was necessary to use in the ceremonies of the sacrifice. It happened,
+however, that this fountain was a sacred one, having been consecrated
+to Mars,--and there was a great dragon, a son of Mars, stationed there
+to guard it. The men whom Cadmus sent did not return, and accordingly
+Cadmus himself, after waiting a suitable time, proceeded to the spot
+to ascertain the cause of the delay. He found that the dragon had
+killed his men, and at the time when he arrived at the spot, the
+monster was greedily devouring the bodies. Cadmus immediately
+attacked the dragon and slew him, and then tore his teeth out of his
+head, as trophies of his victory. Minerva had assisted Cadmus in this
+combat, and when it was ended she directed him to plant the teeth of
+the dragon in the ground. Cadmus did so, and immediately a host of
+armed men sprung up from the place where he had planted them. Cadmus
+threw a stone among these armed men, when they immediately began to
+contend together in a desperate conflict, until at length all but five
+of them were slain. These five then joined themselves to Cadmus, and
+helped him to build his city.
+
+He went on very successfully after this. The city which he built was
+Thebes, which afterward became greatly celebrated. The citadel which
+he erected within, he called, from his own name, Cadmia.
+
+Such were the legends which were related in ancient poems and tales;
+and it is obvious that such narratives must have been composed to
+entertain groups of listeners whose main desire was to be excited and
+amused, and not to be instructed. The stories were believed, no doubt,
+and the faith which the hearer felt in their truth added of course
+very greatly to the interest which they awakened in his mind. The
+stories are _amusing_ to us; but it is impossible for us to share in
+the deep and solemn emotion with which the ancient audiences listened
+to them, for we have not the power, as they had, of believing them.
+Such tales related in respect to the great actors on the stage in
+modern times, would awaken no interest, for there is too general a
+diffusion both of historical and philosophical knowledge to render it
+possible for any one to suppose them to be true. But those for whom
+the story of Europa was invented, had no means of knowing how wide the
+Mediterranean sea might be, and whether a bull might not swim across
+it. They did not know but that Mars might have a dragon for a son, and
+that the teeth of such a dragon might not, when sown in the ground,
+spring up in the form of a troop of armed men. They listened therefore
+to the tale with an interest all the more earnest and solemn on
+account of the marvelousness of the recital. They repeated it word for
+word to one another, around their camp-fires, at their feasts, in
+their journeyings,--and when watching their flocks at midnight, among
+the solitudes of the mountains. Thus the tales were handed down from
+generation to generation, until at length the use of the letters of
+Cadmus became so far facilitated, that continuous narrations could be
+expressed by means of them; and then they were put permanently upon
+record in many forms, and were thus transmitted without any farther
+change to the present age.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+CADMUS'S LETTERS.
+
+B.C. 1500
+
+Two modes of writing.--Symbols.--Example.--Symbol of the Deity.--Ancient
+symbols.--The Egyptian hieroglyphics phonetic.--Natural
+symbols.--Mexican record.--Arbitrary symbols.--Advantages of the
+symbolical mode of writing.--The meaning of them more easily
+understood.--Comparison of the two systems.--Further comparison of the
+two systems.--Two modes of representing the idea of a battle.--Great
+advantages of the phonetic mode of writing.--Uncertainty of the origin
+of phonetic writing.--Cadmus's alphabet.--Difficulties attending the
+introduction of it.--Different modes of writing.--The art of writing at
+first very little used.--Proofs of this.--Story of the lots.--Other
+instances.--The invention of papyrus.--Mode of manufacturing
+papyrus.--Volumes.--Mode of using ancient books.--Ink.--Ink found at
+Herculaneum.--Recent discoveries in respect to the Egyptian
+hieroglyphics.--Specimen of Egyptian hieroglyphics.--Explanation of
+the figures.--Moses in Egypt.--Importance of the art of writing.
+
+
+There are two modes essentially distinct from each other, by which
+ideas may be communicated through the medium of inscriptions addressed
+to the eye. These two modes are, first, by _symbolical_, and secondly,
+by _phonetic_ characters. Each of these two systems assumes, in fact,
+within itself, quite a variety of distinct forms, though it is only
+the general characteristics which distinguish the two great classes
+from each other, that we shall have occasion particularly to notice
+here.
+
+[Illustration: SYMBOLICAL WRITING]
+
+Symbolical writing consists of characters intended severally to denote
+_ideas_ or _things_, and not words. A good example of true symbolical
+writing is to be found in a certain figure often employed among the
+architectural decorations of churches, as an emblem of the Deity. It
+consists of a triangle representing the Trinity with the figure of an
+eye in the middle of it. The eye is intended to denote the divine
+omniscience. Such a character as this, is obviously the symbol of an
+idea, not the representative of a word. It may be read Jehovah, or
+God, or the Deity, or by any other word or phrase by which men are
+accustomed to denote the Supreme Being. It represents, in fine, the
+idea, and not any particular word by which the idea is expressed.
+
+The first attempts of men to preserve records of facts by means of
+inscriptions, have, in all ages, and among all nations, been of this
+character. At first, the inscriptions so made were strictly pictures,
+in which the whole scene intended to be commemorated was represented,
+in rude carvings. In process of time substitutions and abridgments
+were adopted in lieu of full representations, and these grew at length
+into a system of hieroglyphical characters, some natural, and others
+more or less arbitrary, but all denoting _ideas_ or _things_, and not
+the sounds of words. These characters are of the kind usually
+understood by the word hieroglyphics; though that word can not now
+with strict accuracy be applied as a distinctive appellation, since it
+has been ascertained in modern times that a large portion of the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics are of such a nature as brings them within the
+second of the two classes which we are here describing, that is, the
+several delineations represent the sounds and syllables of words,
+instead of being symbols of ideas or things.
+
+It happened that in some cases in this species of writing, as used in
+ancient times, the characters which were employed presented in their
+form some natural resemblance to the thing signified, and in other
+cases they were wholly arbitrary. Thus, the figure of a scepter
+denoted a king, that of a lion, strength; and two warriors, one with a
+shield, and the other advancing toward the first with a bow and arrow,
+represented a battle. We use in fact a symbol similar to the
+last-mentioned one at the present day, upon maps, where we often see a
+character formed by two swords crossed, employed to represent a
+battle.
+
+The ancient Mexicans had a mode of writing which seems to have been
+symbolical in its character, and their characters had, many of them
+at least, a natural signification. The different cities and towns were
+represented by drawings of such simple objects as were characteristic
+of them respectively; as a plant, a tree, an article of manufacture,
+or any other object by which the place in question was most easily and
+naturally to be distinguished from other places. In one of their
+inscriptions, for example, there was a character representing a king,
+and before it four heads. Each of the heads was accompanied by the
+symbol of the capital of a province, as above described. The meaning
+of the whole inscription was that in a certain tumult or insurrection
+the king caused the governors of the four cities to be beheaded.
+
+But though, in this symbolical mode of writing, a great many ideas and
+events could be represented thus, by means of signs or symbols having
+a greater or less resemblance to the thing signified, yet in many
+cases the characters used were wholly arbitrary. They were in this
+respect like the character which we use to denote _dollars_, as a
+prefix to a number expressing money; for this character is a sort of
+symbol, that is, it represents a thing rather than a word. Our
+numerals, too, 1, 2, 3, &c., are in some respects of the character of
+symbols. That is, they stand directly for the numbers themselves, and
+not for the sounds of the words by which the numbers are expressed.
+Hence, although the people of different European nations understand
+them all alike, they read them, in words, very differently. The
+Englishman reads them by one set of words, the Spaniard by another,
+and the German and the Italian by others still.
+
+The symbolical mode of writing possesses some advantages which must
+not be overlooked. It speaks directly to the eye, and is more full of
+meaning than the Phonetic method, though the meaning is necessarily
+more vague and indistinct, in some respects, while it is less so in
+others. For example, in an advertising newspaper, the simple figure of
+a house, or of a ship, or of a locomotive engine, at the head of an
+advertisement, is a sort of hieroglyphic, which says much more plainly
+and distinctly, and in much shorter time, than any combination of
+letters could do, that what follows it is an advertisement relating to
+a house, or a vessel, or a railroad. In the same manner, the ancient
+representations on monuments and columns would communicate, perhaps
+more rapidly and readily to the passer-by, an idea of the battles, the
+sieges, the marches, and the other great exploits of the monarchs
+whose history they were intended to record, than an inscription in
+words would have done.
+
+Another advantage of the symbolical representations as used in ancient
+times, was that their meaning could be more readily explained, and
+would be more easily remembered, and so explained again, than written
+words. To learn to read literal writing in any language, is a work of
+very great labor. It is, in fact, generally found that it must be
+commenced early in life, or it can not be accomplished at all. An
+inscription, therefore, in words, on a Mexican monument, that a
+certain king suppressed an insurrection, and beheaded the governors of
+four of his provinces, would be wholly blind and unintelligible to the
+mass of the population of such a country; and if the learned sculptor
+who inscribed it, were to attempt to explain it to them, letter by
+letter, they would forget the beginning of the lesson before reaching
+the end of it,--and could never be expected to attempt extending the
+knowledge by making known the interpretation which they had received
+to others in their turn. But the royal scepter, with the four heads
+before it, each of the heads accompanied by the appropriate symbol of
+the city to which the possessor of it belonged, formed a symbolical
+congeries which expressed its meaning at once, and very plainly, to
+the eye. The most ignorant and uncultivated could readily understand
+it. Once understanding it, too, they could never easily forget it; and
+they could, without any difficulty, explain it fully to others as
+ignorant and uncultivated as themselves.
+
+It might seem, at first view, that a symbolical mode of writing must
+be more simple in its character than the system now in use, inasmuch
+as by that plan each idea or object would be expressed by one
+character alone, whereas, by our mode of writing, several characters,
+sometimes as many as eight or ten, are required to express a word,
+which word, after all, represents only one single object or idea. But
+notwithstanding this apparent simplicity, the system of symbolical
+writing proved to be, when extensively employed, extremely complicated
+and intricate. It is true that each idea required but one character,
+but the number of ideas and objects, and of words expressive of their
+relations to one another, is so vast, that the system of representing
+them by independent symbols, soon lost itself in an endless intricacy
+of detail. Then, besides,--notwithstanding what has been said of the
+facility with which symbolical inscriptions could be
+interpreted,--they were, after all, extremely difficult to be
+understood without interpretation. An inscription once explained, the
+explanation was easily understood and remembered; but it was very
+difficult to understand one intended to express any new communication.
+The system was, therefore, well adapted to commemorate what was
+already known, but was of little service as a mode of communicating
+knowledge anew.
+
+[Illustration: SYMBOLICAL AND PHONETIC WRITING]
+
+We come now to consider the second grand class of written characters,
+namely, the _phonetic_, the class which Cadmus introduced into Greece,
+and the one almost universally adopted among all the European nations
+at the present day. It is called Phonetic, from a Greek word denoting
+_sound_, because the characters which are used do not denote directly
+the thing itself which is signified, but the sounds made in speaking
+the word which signifies it. Take, for instance, the two modes of
+representing a conflict between two contending armies, one by the
+symbolic delineation of two swords crossed, and the other by the
+phonetic delineation of the letters of the word battle. They are both
+inscriptions. The beginning of the first represents the handle of the
+sword, a part, as it were, of the thing signified. The beginning of
+the second, the letter _b_, represents the pressing of the lips
+together, by which we commence pronouncing the word. Thus the one mode
+is _symbolical_, and the other _phonetic_.
+
+On considering the two methods, as exemplified in this simple
+instance, we shall observe that what has already been pointed out as
+characteristic of the two modes is here seen to be true. The idea is
+conveyed in the symbolical mode by one character, while by the
+phonetic it requires no less than six. This seems at first view to
+indicate a great advantage possessed by the symbolical system. But on
+reflection this advantage is found entirely to disappear. For the
+symbolical character, though it is only one, will answer for only the
+single idea which it denotes. Neither itself nor any of its elements
+will aid us in forming a symbol for any other idea; and as the ideas,
+objects, and relations which it is necessary to be able to express, in
+order to make free and full communications in any language, are from
+fifty to a hundred thousand,--the step which we have taken, though
+very simple in itself, is the beginning of a course which must lead to
+the most endless intricacy and complication. Whereas in the six
+phonetic characters of the word battle, we have elements which can be
+used again and again, in the expression of thousands of other ideas.
+In fact, as the phonetic characters which are found necessary in most
+languages are only about twenty-four, we have in that single word
+accomplished one quarter of the whole task, so far as the delineation
+of characters is concerned, that is necessary for expressing by
+writing any possible combination of ideas which human language can
+convey.
+
+At what time and in what manner the transition was made among the
+ancient nations from the symbolic to the phonetic mode of writing, is
+not now known. When in the flourishing periods of the Grecian and
+Roman states, learned men explored the literary records of the various
+nations of the East, writings were found in all, which were expressed
+in phonetic characters, and the alphabets of these characters were
+found to be so analogous to each other, in the names and order, and in
+some respects in the forms, of the letters, as to indicate strongly
+something like community of origin. All the attempts, however, which
+have been made to ascertain the origin of the system, have wholly
+failed, and no account of them goes farther back than to the time when
+Cadmus brought them from Phenicia or Egypt into Greece.
+
+The letters which Cadmus brought were in number sixteen. The following
+table presents a view of his alphabet, presenting in the several
+columns, the letters themselves as subsequently written in Greece, the
+Greek names given to them, and their power as represented by the
+letters now in use. The forms, it will be seen, have been but little
+changed.
+
+ Greek letters.    Greek names.    English representatives.
+
+ [Greek: A]          Alpha                 A
+ [Greek: B]          Beta                  B
+ [Greek: G]          Gamma                 G
+ [Greek: D]          Delta                 D
+ [Greek: E]          Epsilon               E
+ [Greek: I]          Iota                  I
+ [Greek: L]          Lamda                 L
+ [Greek: K]          Kappa                 K
+ [Greek: M]          Mu                    M
+ [Greek: N]          Nu                    N
+ [Greek: O]          Omicron               O
+ [Greek: P]          Pi                    P
+ [Greek: R]          Rho                   R
+ [Greek: S]          Sigma                 S
+ [Greek: T]          Tau                   T
+ [Greek: U]          Upsilon               U
+
+The phonetic alphabet of Cadmus, though so vastly superior to any
+system of symbolical hieroglyphics, for all purposes where any thing
+like verbal accuracy was desired, was still very slow in coming into
+general use. It was of course, at first, very difficult to write it,
+and very difficult to read it when written. There was a very great
+practical obstacle, too, in the way of its general introduction, in
+the want of any suitable materials for writing. To cut letters with a
+chisel and a mallet upon a surface of marble is a very slow and
+toilsome process. To diminish this labor the ancients contrived tables
+of brass, copper, lead, and sometimes of wood, and cut the
+inscriptions upon them by the use of various tools and implements.
+Still it is obvious, that by such methods as these the art of writing
+could only be used to an extremely limited extent, such as for brief
+inscriptions in registers and upon monuments, where a very few words
+would express all that it was necessary to record.
+
+In process of time, however, the plan of _painting_ the letters by
+means of a black dye upon a smooth surface, was introduced. The
+surface employed to receive these inscriptions was, at first, the skin
+of some animal prepared for this purpose, and the dye used for ink,
+was a colored liquid obtained from a certain fish. This method of
+writing, though in some respects more convenient than the others, was
+still slow, and the materials were expensive; and it was a long time
+before the new art was employed for any thing like continuous
+composition. Cadmus is supposed to have come into Greece about the
+year 1550 before Christ; and it was not until about 650 before
+Christ,--that is, nearly nine hundred years later, that the art of
+writing was resorted to in Greece to record laws.
+
+The evidences that writing was very little used in any way during this
+long period of nine hundred years, are furnished in various allusions
+contained in poems and narratives that were composed during those
+times, and committed to writing afterward. In the poems of Homer, for
+instance, there is no allusion, from the beginning to the end, to any
+monument or tomb containing any inscription whatever; although many
+occasions occur in which such inscriptions would have been made, if
+the events described were real, and the art of writing had been
+generally known, or would have been imagined to be made, if the
+narratives were invented. In one case a ship-master takes a cargo on
+board, and he is represented as having to remember all the articles,
+instead of making a record of them. Another case still more striking
+is adduced. In the course of the contest around the walls of Troy, the
+Grecian leaders are described at one time as drawing lots to determine
+which of them should fight a certain Trojan champion. The lots were
+prepared, being made of some substance that could be marked, and when
+ready, were distributed to the several leaders. Each one of the
+leaders then marked his lot in some way, taking care to remember what
+character he had made upon it. The lots were then all put into a
+helmet, and the helmet was given to a herald, who was to shake it
+about in such a manner, if possible, as to throw out one of the lots
+and leave the others in. The leader whose lot it was that should be
+thus shaken out, was to be considered as the one designated by the
+decision, to fight the Trojan champion.
+
+Now, in executing this plan, the herald, when he had shaken out a lot,
+and had taken it up from the ground, is represented, in the narrative,
+as not knowing whose it was, and as carrying it around, accordingly,
+to all the different leaders, to find the one who could recognize it
+as his own. A certain chief named Ajax recognized it, and in this way
+he was designated for the combat. Now it is supposed, that if these
+men had been able to write, that they would have inscribed their own
+names upon the lots, instead of marking them with unmeaning
+characters. And even if they were not practiced writers themselves
+some secretary or scribe would have been called upon to act for them
+on such an occasion as this, if the art of writing had been at that
+time so generally known as to be customarily employed on public
+occasions. From these and similar indications which are found, on a
+careful examination, in the Homeric poems, learned men have concluded
+that they were composed and repeated orally, at a period of the world
+when the art of writing was very little known, and that they were
+handed down from generation to generation, through the memory of those
+who repeated them, until at last the art of writing became established
+among mankind, when they were at length put permanently upon record.
+
+It seems that writing was not much employed for any of the ordinary
+and private purposes of life by the people of Greece until the article
+called _papyrus_ was introduced among them. This took place about the
+year 600 before Christ, when laws began first to be written. Papyrus,
+like the art of writing upon it, came originally from Egypt. It was
+obtained from a tree which it seems grew only in that country. The
+tree flourished in the low lands along the margin of the Nile. It
+grew to the height of about ten feet. The paper obtained from it was
+formed from a sort of inner bark, which consisted of thin sheets or
+pellicles growing around the wood. The paper was manufactured in the
+following manner. A sheet of the thin bark as taken from the tree, was
+laid flat upon a board, and then a cross layer was laid over it, the
+materials having been previously moistened with water made slightly
+glutinous. The sheet thus formed was pressed and dried in the sun. The
+placing of two layers of the bark in this manner across each other was
+intended to strengthen the texture of the sheet, for the fibers, it
+was found, were very easily separated and torn so long as they lay
+wholly in one direction. The sheet when dry was finished by smoothing
+the surface, and prepared to receive inscriptions made by means of a
+pen fashioned from a reed or a quill.
+
+In forming the papyrus into books it was customary to use a long sheet
+or web of it, and roll it upon a stick, as is the custom in respect to
+maps at the present day. The writing was in columns, each of which
+formed a sort of page, the reader holding the ends of the roll in his
+two hands, and reading at the part which was open between them. Of
+course, as he advanced, he continually unrolled on one side, and
+rolled up upon the other. Rolls of parchment were often made in the
+same manner.
+
+The term _volume_ used in respect to modern books, had its origin in
+this ancient practice of writing upon long rolls. The modern practice
+is certainly much to be preferred, though the ancient one was far less
+inconvenient than might at first be supposed. The long sheet was
+rolled upon a wooden billet, which gave to the volume a certain
+firmness and solidity, and afforded it great protection. The ends of
+this roller projected beyond the edges of the sheet, and were
+terminated in knobs or bosses, which guarded in some measure the edges
+of the papyrus or of the parchment. The whole volume was also inclosed
+in a parchment case, on the outside of which the title of the work was
+conspicuously recorded. Many of these ancient rolls have been found at
+Herculaneum.
+
+For ink, various colored liquids were used, generally black, but
+sometimes red and sometimes green. The black ink was sometimes
+manufactured from a species of lampblack or ivory black, such as is
+often used in modern times for painting. Some specimens of the
+inkstands which were used in ancient times have been found at
+Herculaneum, and one of them contained ink, which though too thick to
+flow readily from the pen, it was still possible to write with. It was
+of about the consistence of oil.
+
+These rolls of papyrus and parchment, however, were only used for
+important writings which it was intended permanently to preserve. For
+ordinary occasions tablets of wax and other similar materials were
+used, upon which the writer traced the characters with the point of a
+steel instrument called a _style_. The head of the style was smooth
+and rounded, so that any words which the writer wished to erase might
+be obliterated by smoothing over again, with it, the wax on which they
+had been written.
+
+Such is a brief history of the rise and progress of the art of writing
+in the States of Greece. Whether the phonetic principle which Cadmus
+introduced was brought originally from Egypt, or from the countries on
+the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea, can not now be
+ascertained. It has generally been supposed among mankind, at least
+until within a recent period, that the art of phonetic writing did
+not originate in Egypt, for the inscriptions on all the ancient
+monuments in that country are of such a character that it has always
+been supposed that they were symbolical characters altogether, and
+that no traces of any phonetic writing existed in that land. Within
+the present century, however, the discovery has been made that a large
+portion of these hieroglyphics are phonetic in their character; and
+that the learned world in attempting for so many centuries, in vain,
+to affix symbolical meanings to them, had been altogether upon the
+wrong track. The delineations, though they consist almost wholly of
+the forms of plants and animals, and of other natural and artificial
+objects, are not symbolical representations of ideas, but letters,
+representing sounds and words. They are thus precisely similar, in
+principle, to the letters of Cadmus, though wholly different from them
+in form.
+
+[Illustration: SPECIMEN OF EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHICS.]
+
+To enable the reader to obtain a clearer idea of the nature of this
+discovery, we give on the adjoining page some specimens of Egyptian
+inscriptions found in various parts of the country, and which are
+interpreted to express the name Cleopatra, a very common name for
+princesses of the royal line in Egypt during the dynasty of the
+Ptolemy's. We mark the various figures forming the inscription, with
+the letters which modern interpreters have assigned to them. It will
+be seen that they all spell, rudely indeed, but yet tolerably
+distinctly, the name CLEOPATRA.
+
+By a careful examination of these specimens, it will be seen that the
+order of placing the letters, if such hieroglyphical characters can be
+so called, is not regular, and the letter _a_, which is denoted by a
+bird in some of the specimens, is represented differently in others.
+There are also two characters at the close of each inscription which
+are not represented by any letter, the one being of the form of an
+egg, and the other a semicircle. These last are supposed to denote the
+sex of the sovereign whose name they are connected with, as they are
+found in many cases in inscriptions commemorative of princesses and
+queens. They are accordingly specimens of _symbolic_ characters, while
+all the others in the name are phonetic.
+
+It seems therefore not improbable that the principle of forming a
+written language by means of characters representing the sounds of
+which the words of the spoken language are composed, was of Egyptian
+origin; and that it was carried in very early times to the countries
+on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea, and there improved upon
+by the adoption of a class of characters more simple than the
+hieroglyphics of Egypt, and of a form more convenient for a regular
+linear arrangement in writing. Moses, who spent his early life in
+Egypt, and who was said to be learned in all the wisdom of the
+Egyptians, may have acquired the art of writing there.
+
+However this may be, and whatever may be the uncertainty which hangs
+over the early history of this art, one thing is certain, and that is,
+that the discovery of the art of writing, including that of printing,
+which is only the consummation and perfection of it,--the art by which
+man can record language, and give life and power to the record to
+speak to the eye permanently and forever--to go to every nation--to
+address itself simultaneously to millions of minds, and to endure
+through all time, is by far the greatest discovery, in respect to the
+enlargement which it makes of human powers, that has ever been made.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE STORY OF AENEAS.
+
+B.C. 1200
+
+Story of AEneas remained long unwritten.--Mother of AEneas.--Her
+origin.--Early history of Venus.--Her magical powers.--Her children
+Eros and Anteros.--She goes to Olympus.--Aphrodite's love for
+Anchises.--The golden apple.--The award of Paris.--Venus's residence
+at Mt. Ida.--Aphrodite's assumed character.--She leaves
+Anchises.--Childhood of AEneas.--The Trojan war.--Achilles.--AEneas
+engages in the war.--Story of Pandarus.--AEneas rescued by his
+mother.--Her magic vail.--Venus is wounded.--Iris conveys her
+away.--Single combat between AEneas and Achilles.--The charmed life
+of Achilles.--His shield.--The meeting of AEneas and Achilles on the
+field.--The harangues of the combatants.--The battle begun.--Narrow
+escape.--Sudden termination of the combat.--The tales of the AEneid.
+
+
+Besides the intrinsic interest and importance of the facts stated in
+the last chapter, to the student of history, there was a special
+reason for calling the attention of the reader to them here, that he
+might know in what light the story of the destruction of Troy, and of
+the wanderings of AEneas, the great ancestor of Romulus, which we now
+proceed to relate, is properly to be regarded. The events connected
+with the destruction of Troy took place, if they ever occurred at all,
+about the year _twelve hundred_ before Christ. Homer is supposed to
+have lived and composed his poems about the year nine hundred; and the
+art of writing is thought to have been first employed for the purpose
+of recording continuous compositions, about the year six hundred. The
+story of AEneas then, so far as it has any claims to historical truth,
+is a tale which was handed down by oral tradition, among story-tellers
+for three hundred years, and then was clothed in verse, and handed
+down in that form orally by the memory of the reciters of it, in
+generations successive for three hundred years more, before it was
+recorded; and during the whole period of this transmission, the
+interest felt in it was not the desire for ascertaining and
+communicating historic truth, but simply for entertaining companies of
+listeners with the details of a romantic story. The story, therefore,
+can not be relied upon as historically true; but it is no less
+important on that account, that all well-informed persons should know
+what it is.
+
+The mother of AEneas (as the story goes), was a celebrated goddess. Her
+name was Aphrodite;[B] though among the Romans she afterward received
+the name of Venus. Aphrodite was not born of a mother, like ordinary
+mortals, but sprang mysteriously and supernaturally from a foam which
+gathered on a certain occasion upon the surface of the sea. At the
+commencement of her existence she crept out upon the shores of an
+island that was near,--the island of Cythera,--which lies south of the
+Peloponnesus.
+
+[Footnote B: Pronounced in four syllables, Aph-ro-di-te.]
+
+[Illustration: ORIGIN OF VENUS.]
+
+She was the goddess of love, of beauty, and of fruitfulness; and so
+extraordinary were the magical powers which were inherent from the
+beginning, in her very nature, that as she walked along upon the sands
+of the shore, when she first emerged from the sea, plants and flowers
+of the richest verdure and beauty sprang up at her feet wherever she
+stepped. She was, besides, in her own person, inexpressibly beautiful;
+and in addition to the natural influence of her charms, she was endued
+with the supernatural power of inspiring the sentiment of love in all
+who beheld her.
+
+From Cythera the goddess made her way over by sea to Cyprus, where she
+remained for some time, amid the gorgeous and magnificent scenery of
+that enchanting island. Here she had two children, beautiful boys.
+Their names were Eros and Anteros. Each of these children remained
+perpetually a child, and Eros, in later times called Cupid, became the
+god of "love bestowed," while Anteros was the God of "love returned."
+After this the mother and the boys roamed about the world,--now in the
+heavenly regions above, and now among mortals on the plains and in the
+valleys below: they sometimes appeared openly, in their true forms,
+sometimes they assumed disguises, and sometimes they were wholly
+invisible; but whether seen or unseen, they were always busy in
+performing their functions--the mother inspiring everywhere, in the
+minds both of gods and men, the tenderest sentiments of beauty and
+desire,--while Eros awakened love in the heart of one person for
+another, and Anteros made it his duty to tease and punish those who
+thus became objects of affection, if they did not return the love.
+
+After some time, Aphrodite and her boys found their way to the
+heavenly regions of Mount Olympus, where the great divinities
+resided,[C] and there they soon produced great trouble, by enkindling
+the flames of love in the hearts of the divinities themselves, causing
+them, by her magic power, to fall in love not only with one another,
+but also with mortal men and women on the earth below. In retaliation
+upon Aphrodite for this mischief, Jupiter, by his supreme power,
+inspired Aphrodite herself with a sentiment of love. The object of her
+affection was Anchises, a handsome youth, of the royal family of Troy,
+who lived among the mountains of Ida, not far from the city.
+
+[Footnote C: See Map, page 61.]
+
+The way in which it happened that the affection of Aphrodite turned
+toward an inhabitant of Mount Ida was this. There had been at one time
+a marriage among the divinities, and a certain goddess who had not
+been invited to the wedding, conceived the design of avenging herself
+for the neglect, by provoking a quarrel among those who were there.
+She, accordingly, caused a beautiful golden apple to be made, with an
+inscription marked upon it, "FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL." This apple she
+threw in among the guests assembled at the wedding. The goddesses all
+claimed the prize, and a very earnest dispute arose among them in
+respect to it. Jupiter sent the several claimants, under the charge
+of a special messenger, to Mount Ida, to a handsome and accomplished
+young shepherd there, named Paris--who was, in fact, a prince in
+disguise--that they might exhibit themselves to him, and submit the
+question of the right to the apple to his award. The contending
+goddesses appeared accordingly before Paris, and each attempted to
+bribe him to decide in her favor, by offering him some peculiar and
+tempting reward. Paris gave the apple to Aphrodite, and she was so
+pleased with the result, that she took Paris under her special
+protection, and made the solitudes of Mount Ida one of her favorite
+retreats.
+
+Here she saw and became acquainted with Anchises, who was, as has
+already been said, a noble, or prince, by descent, though he had for
+some time been dwelling away from the city, and among the mountains,
+rearing flocks and herds. Here Aphrodite saw him, and when Jupiter
+inspired her with a sudden susceptibility to the power of love, the
+shepherd Anchises was the object toward which her affections turned.
+She accordingly went to Mount Ida, and giving herself up to him, she
+lived with him for some time among the mountains as his bride. AEneas
+was their son.
+
+Aphrodite did not, however, appear to Anchises in her true character,
+but assumed, instead, the form and the disguise of a Phrygian
+princess. Phrygia was a kingdom of Asia Minor, not very far from Troy.
+She continued this disguise as long as she remained with Anchises at
+Mount Ida; at length, however, she concluded to leave him, and to
+return to Olympus, and at her parting she made herself known. She,
+however, charged Anchises never to reveal to any person who she was,
+declaring that AEneas, whom she was going to leave with his father when
+she went away, would be destroyed by a stroke of lightning from
+heaven, if the real truth in respect to his mother were ever revealed.
+
+When Aphrodite had gone, Anchises, having now no longer any one at
+home to attend to the rearing of the child, send him to Dardanus, a
+city to the northward of Troy, where he was brought up in the house of
+his sister, the daughter of Anchises, who was married and settled
+there. His having a sister old enough to be married, would seem to
+show that youth was not one of the attractions of Anchises in
+Aphrodite's eyes. AEneas remained with his sister until he was old
+enough to be of service in the care of flocks and herds, and then
+returned again to his former residence among the pasturages of the
+mountains. His mother, though she had left him, did not forget her
+child; but watched over him continually, and interposed directly to
+aid or to protect him, whenever her aid was required by the occurrence
+of any emergency of difficulty or danger.
+
+[Illustration: AENEAS DEFENDING THE BODY OF PANDARUS.]
+
+At length the Trojan war broke out. For a time, however, AEneas took no
+part in it. He was jealous of the attentions which Priam, the king of
+Troy, paid to other young men, and fancied that he himself was
+overlooked and that the services that he might render were
+undervalued. He remained, therefore, at his home among the mountains,
+occupying himself with his flocks and herds; and he might, perhaps,
+have continued in these peaceful avocations to the end of the war, had
+it not been that Achilles, one of the most formidable of the Grecian
+leaders, in one of his forays in the country around Troy, in search of
+provisions, came upon AEneas's territory, and attacked him while
+tending his flocks upon the mountain side. Achilles seized the
+flocks and herds, and drove AEneas and his fellow-herdsmen away. They
+would, in fact, all have been killed, had not Aphrodite interposed to
+protect her son and
+save his life.
+
+The loss of his flocks and herds, and the injury which he himself had
+received, aroused AEneas's indignation and anger against the Greeks. He
+immediately raised an armed force of Dardanians, and thenceforth took
+an active part in the war. He became one of the most distinguished
+among the combatants, for his prowess and his bravery; and being
+always assisted by his mother in his conflicts, and rescued by her
+when in danger, he performed prodigies of strength and valor.
+
+At one time he pressed forward into the thickest of the battle to
+rescue a Trojan leader named Pandarus, who was beset by his foes and
+brought into very imminent danger. AEneas did not succeed in saving his
+friend. Pandarus was killed. AEneas, however, flew to the spot, and by
+means of the most extraordinary feats of strength and valor he drove
+the Greeks away from the body. They attacked it on every side, but
+AEneas, wheeling around it, and fighting now on this side and now on
+that, drove them all away. They retired to a little distance and then
+began to throw in a shower of spears and darts and arrows upon him.
+AEneas defended himself and the body of his friend from these missiles
+for a time, with his shield. At length, however, he was struck in the
+thigh with a ponderous stone which one of the Greek warriors hurled at
+him,--a stone so heavy that two men of ordinary strength would have
+been required to lift it. AEneas was felled to the ground by the blow.
+He sank down, resting upon his arm, faint and dizzy, and being thus
+made helpless would have immediately been overpowered and killed by
+his assailants had not his mother interposed. She came immediately to
+rescue him. She spread her vail over him, which had the magic power of
+rendering harmless all blows which were aimed at what was covered by
+it, and then taking him up in her arms she bore him off through the
+midst of his enemies unharmed. The swords, spears, and javelins which
+were aimed at him were rendered powerless by the magic vail.
+
+Aphrodite, however, flying thus with her wounded son, mother-like,
+left herself exposed in her anxiety to protect him. Diomedes, the
+chief of the pursuers, following headlong on, aimed a lance at Venus
+herself. The lance struck Venus in the hand, and inflicted a very
+severe and painful wound. It did not, however, stop her flight. She
+pressed swiftly on, while Diomedes, satisfied with his revenge, gave
+up the pursuit, but called out to Aphrodite as she disappeared from
+view, bidding her learn from the lesson which he had given her that it
+would be best for her thenceforth to remain in her own appropriate
+sphere, and not come down to the earth and interfere in the contests
+of mortal men.
+
+Aphrodite, after conveying AEneas to a place of safety, fled, herself,
+faint and bleeding, to the mountains, where, after ascending to the
+region of mists and clouds, Iris, the beautiful goddess of the
+rainbow, came to her aid. Iris found her faint and pale from the loss
+of blood; she did all in her power to soothe and comfort the wounded
+goddess, and then led her farther still among the mountains to a place
+where they found Mars, the god of war, standing with his chariot. Mars
+was Aphrodite's brother. He took compassion upon his sister in her
+distress, and lent Iris his chariot and horses, to convey Aphrodite
+home. Aphrodite ascended into the chariot, and Iris took the reins;
+and thus they rode through the air to the mountains of Olympus. Here
+the gods and goddesses of heaven gathered around their unhappy sister,
+bound up her wound, and expressed great sympathy for her in her
+sufferings, uttering at the same time many piteous complaints against
+the merciless violence and inhumanity of men. Such is the ancient tale
+of AEneas and his mother.
+
+At a later period in the history of the war, AEneas had a grand combat
+with Achilles, who was the most terrible of all the Grecian warriors,
+and was regarded as the grand champion of their cause. The two armies
+were drawn up in battle array. A vast open space was left between them
+on the open plain. Into this space the two combatants advanced, AEneas
+on the one side and Achilles on the other, in full view of all the
+troops, and of the throngs of spectators assembled to witness the
+proceedings.
+
+A very strong and an universal interest was felt in the approaching
+combat. AEneas, besides the prodigious strength and bravery for which
+he was renowned, was to be divinely aided, it was known, by the
+protection of his mother, who was always at hand to guide and support
+him in the conflict, and to succor him in danger. Achilles, on the
+other hand, possessed a charmed life. He had been dipped by his mother
+Thetis, when an infant, in the river Styx, to render him invulnerable
+and immortal; and the immersion produced the effect intended in
+respect to all those parts of the body which the water laved. As, how
+ever, Thetis held the child by the ankles when she plunged him in, the
+ankles remained unaffected by the magic influence of the water. All
+the other parts of the body were rendered incapable of receiving a
+wound.
+
+Achilles had a very beautiful and costly shield which his mother had
+caused to be made for him. It was formed of five plates of metal. The
+outermost plates on each side were of brass; in the centre was a plate
+of gold; and between the central plate of gold and the outer ones of
+brass were two other plates, one on each side, made of some third
+metal. The workmanship of this shield was of the most elaborate and
+beautiful character. The mother of Achilles had given this weapon to
+her son when he left home to join the Greeks in the Trojan war, not
+trusting entirely it seems to his magical invulnerability.
+
+The armies looked on with great interest as these two champions
+advanced to meet each other, while all the gods and goddesses surveyed
+the scene with almost equal interest, from their abodes above. Some
+joined Venus in the sympathy which she felt for her son, while others
+espoused the cause of Achilles. When the two combatants had approached
+each other, they paused before commencing the conflict, as is usual in
+such cases, and surveyed each other with looks of anger and defiance.
+At length Achilles spoke. He began to upbraid AEneas for his
+infatuation and folly in engaging in the war, and especially for
+coming forward to put his life at hazard by encountering such a
+champion as was now before him. "What can you gain," said he, "even if
+you conquer in this warfare? You can never be king, even if you
+succeed in saving the city. I know you claim to be descended from the
+royal line; but Priam has sons who are the direct and immediate heirs,
+and your claims can never be allowed. Then, besides, what folly to
+attempt to contend with me! Me, the strongest, bravest, and most
+terrible of the Greeks, and the special favorite of many deities."
+With this introduction Achilles went on to set forth the greatness of
+his pedigree, and the loftiness of his pretensions to superiority over
+all others in personal prowess and valor, in a manner very eloquent
+indeed, and in a style which it seems was very much admired in those
+days as evincing only a proper spirit and energy,--though in our times
+such a harangue would be very apt to be regarded as only a
+vainglorious and empty boasting.
+
+AEneas replied,--retorting with vauntings on his side no less spirited
+and energetic than those which Achilles had expressed. He gave a long
+account of his pedigree, and of his various claims to lofty
+consideration. He, however, said, in conclusion, that it was idle and
+useless for them to waste their time in such a war of words, and so he
+hurled his spear at Achilles with all his force, as a token of the
+commencement of the battle.
+
+The spear struck the shield of Achilles, and impinged upon it with
+such force that it penetrated through two of the plates of metal which
+composed the shield, and reached the central plate of gold, where the
+force with which it had been thrown being spent, it was arrested and
+fell to the ground. Achilles then exerting his utmost strength threw
+his spear in return. AEneas crouched down to avoid the shock of the
+weapon, holding his shield at the same time above his head, and
+bracing himself with all his force against the approaching concussion.
+The spear struck the shield near the upper edge of it, as it was held
+in AEneas's hands. It passed directly through the plates of which the
+shield was composed, and then continuing its course, it glided down
+just over AEneas's back, and planted itself deep in the ground behind
+him, and stood there quivering. AEneas crept out from beneath it with a
+look of horror.
+
+Immediately after throwing his spear, and perceiving that it had
+failed of its intended effect, Achilles drew his sword and rushed
+forward to engage AEneas, hand to hand. AEneas himself recovering in an
+instant from the consternation which his narrow escape from impalement
+had awakened, seized an enormous stone, heavier, as Homer represents
+it, than any two ordinary men could lift, and was about to hurl it at
+his advancing foe, when suddenly the whole combat was terminated by a
+very unexpected interposition. It seems that the various gods and
+goddesses, from their celestial abodes among the summits of Olympus,
+had assembled in invisible forms to witness this combat--some
+sympathizing with and upholding one of the combatants, and some the
+other. Neptune was on AEneas's side; and accordingly when he saw how
+imminent the danger was which threatened AEneas, when Achilles came
+rushing upon him with his uplifted sword, he at once resolved to
+interfere. He immediately rushed, himself, between the combatants. He
+brought a sudden and supernatural mist over the scene, such as the God
+of the Sea has always at his command; and this mist at once concealed
+AEneas from Achilles's view. Neptune drew the spear out of the ground,
+and released it too from the shield which remained still pinned down
+by it; and then threw the spear down at Achilles's feet. He next
+seized AEneas, and lifting him high above the ground he bore him away
+in an invisible form over the heads of soldiers and horsemen that had
+been drawn up in long lines around the field of combat. When the mist
+passed away Achilles saw his spear lying at his feet, and on looking
+around him found that his enemy was gone.
+
+Such are the marvelous tales which were told by the ancient narrators,
+of the prowess and exploits of AEneas under the walls of Troy, and of
+the interpositions which were put forth to save him in moments of
+desperate danger, by beings supernatural and divine. These tales were
+in those days believed as sober history. That which was marvelous and
+philosophically incredible in them, was sacredly sheltered from
+question by mingling itself with the prevailing principles of
+religious faith. The tales were thus believed, and handed down
+traditionally from generation to generation, and admired and loved by
+all who heard and repeated them, partly on account of their romantic
+and poetical beauty, and partly on account of the sublime and sacred
+revelations which they contained, in respect to the divinities of the
+spiritual world.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY.
+
+B.C. 1200
+
+Termination of the siege of Troy.--Appearances observed by the
+besieged.--The wooden horse.--Its probable size.--Various opinions
+in respect to the disposal of it.--Sudden appearance of a
+captive.--His wretched condition.--Sinon's account of the departure
+of the Greeks.--His story of the proposed sacrifice.--His
+escape.--Priam's address to him.--Sinon's account of the horse.--Effect
+produced by Sinon's story.--The serpents and Laocoon.--Ancient statue
+of Laocoon.--Its history.--The statue now deposited in the
+Vatican.--Description of it.--Effect produced upon the Trojans by
+Laocoon's fate.--The Trojans draw the horse into the city.--The Greeks
+admitted to the city.--AEneas awakened by the din.--His meeting with
+Pantheus.--His surprise and terror.--Adventures of AEneas and
+Pantheus.--The tortoise.--The position of AEneas.--The tower.--The
+sacking of the palace.--Priam.--Priam and Hecuba at the altar.--The
+death of Priam.--The despair of the Trojans.
+
+
+After the final conquest and destruction of Troy, AEneas, in the course
+of his wanderings, stopped, it was said, at Carthage, on his way to
+Italy, and there, according to ancient story, he gave the following
+account of the circumstances attending the capture and the sacking of
+the city, and his own escape from the scene.
+
+One day, after the war had been continued with various success for a
+long period of time, the sentinels on the walls and towers of the city
+began to observe extraordinary movements in the camp of the besiegers,
+which seemed to indicate preparations for breaking up the camp and
+going away. Tents were struck. Men were busy passing to and fro,
+arranging arms and military stores, as if for transportation. A fleet
+of ships was drawn up along the shore, which was not far distant, and
+a great scene of activity manifested itself upon the bank, indicating
+an approaching embarkation. In a word, the tidings soon spread
+throughout the city, that the Greeks had at length become weary of the
+protracted contest, and were making preparations to withdraw from the
+field. These proceedings were watched, of course, with great interest
+from the walls of the city, and at length the inhabitants, to their
+inexpressible joy, found their anticipations and hopes, as they
+thought, fully realized. The camp of the Greeks was gradually broken
+up, and at last entirely abandoned. The various bodies of troops were
+drawn off one by one to the shore, where they were embarked on board
+the ships, and then sailed away. As soon as this result was made sure,
+the Trojans threw open the gates of the city, and came out in
+throngs,--soldiers and citizens, men, women and children together,--to
+explore the abandoned encampment, and to rejoice over the departure of
+their terrible enemies.
+
+The first thing which attracted their attention was an immense wooden
+horse, which stood upon the ground that the Greek encampment had
+occupied. The Trojans immediately gathered, one and all, around the
+monster, full of wonder and curiosity. AEneas, in narrating the story,
+says that the image was as large as a mountain; but, as he afterward
+relates that the people drew it on wheels within the walls of the
+city, and especially as he represents them as attaching the ropes for
+this purpose to the _neck_ of the image, instead of to its fore-legs,
+which would have furnished the only proper points of attachment if the
+effigy had been of any very extraordinary size, he must have had a
+very small mountain in mind in making the comparison. Or, which is
+perhaps more probable, he used the term only in a vague metaphorical
+sense, as we do now when we speak of the waves of the ocean as running
+mountain high, when it is well ascertained that the crests of the
+billows, even in the most violent and most protracted storms, never
+rise more than twenty feet above the general level.
+
+At all events, the image was large enough to excite the wonder of all
+the beholders. The Trojan people gathered around it, wholly unable to
+understand for what purpose the Greeks could have constructed such a
+monster, to leave behind them on their departure from Troy. After the
+first emotions of astonishment and wonder which the spectacle awakened
+had somewhat subsided, there followed a consultation in respect to
+the disposal which was to be made of the prodigy. The opinions on this
+point were very various. One commander was disposed to consider the
+image a sacred prize, and recommended that they should convey it into
+the city, and deposit it in the citadel, as a trophy of victory.
+Another, dissenting decidedly from this counsel, said that he strongly
+suspected some latent treachery, and he proposed to build a fire under
+the body of the monster, and burn the image itself and all
+contrivances for mischief which might be contained in it, together. A
+third recommended that they should hew it open, and see for themselves
+what there might be within. One of the Trojan leaders named Laocoon,
+who, just at this juncture, came to the spot, remonstrated loudly and
+earnestly against having any thing to do with so mysterious and
+suspicious a prize, and, by way of expressing the strong animosity
+which he felt toward it, he hurled his spear with all his force
+against the monster's side. The spear stood trembling in the wood,
+producing a deep hollow sound by the concussion.
+
+What the decision would have been in respect to the disposal of the
+horse, if this consultation and debate had gone on, it is impossible
+to say, as the farther consideration of the subject was all at once
+interrupted, by new occurrences which here suddenly intervened, and
+which, after engrossing for a time the whole attention of the company
+assembled, finally controlled the decision of the question. A crowd of
+peasants and shepherds were seen coming from the mountains, with much
+excitement, and loud shouts and outcries, bringing with them a captive
+Greek whom they had secured and bound. As the peasants came up with
+their prisoner, the Trojans gathered eagerly round them, full of
+excitement and threats of violence, all thirsting, apparently, for
+their victim's blood. He, on his part, filled the air with the most
+piteous lamentations and cries for mercy.
+
+His distress and wretchedness, and the earnest entreaties which he
+uttered, seemed at length to soften the hearts of his enemies and
+finally, the violence of the crowd around the captive became somewhat
+appeased, and was succeeded by a disposition to question him, and hear
+what he had to say. The Greek told them, in answer to their
+interrogations, that his name was Sinon, and that he was a fugitive
+from his own countrymen the Greeks, who had been intending to kill
+him. He said that the Greek leaders had long been desirous of
+abandoning the siege of Troy, and that they had made many attempts to
+embark their troops and sail away, but that the winds and seas had
+risen against them on every such attempt, and defeated their design.
+They then sent to consult the oracle of Apollo, to learn what was the
+cause of the displeasure and hostility thus manifested against them by
+the god of the sea. The oracle replied, that they could not depart
+from Troy, till they had first made an atoning and propitiatory
+offering by the sacrifice of a man, such an one as Apollo himself
+might designate. When this answer was returned, the whole army, as
+Sinon said, was thrown into a state of consternation. No one knew but
+that the fatal designation might fall on him. The leaders were,
+however, earnestly determined on carrying the measure into effect.
+Ulysses called upon Calchas, the priest of Apollo, to point out the
+man who was to die. Calchas waited day after day, for ten days, before
+the divine intimation was made to him in respect to the individual
+who was to suffer. At length he said that Sinon was the destined
+victim. His comrades, Sinon said, rejoicing in their own escape from
+so terrible a doom, eagerly assented to the priest's decision, and
+immediately made preparations for the ceremony. The altar was reared.
+The victim was adorned for the sacrifice, and the garlands, according
+to the accustomed usage, were bound upon his temples. He contrived,
+however, he said, at the last moment, to make his escape. He broke the
+bands with which he had been bound, and fled into a morass near the
+shore, where he remained concealed in inaccessible thickets until the
+Greeks had sailed away. He then came forth and was at length seized
+and bound by the shepherds of the mountains, who found him wandering
+about, in extreme destitution and misery. Sinon concluded his tale by
+the most piteous lamentations, on his wretched lot. The Trojans, he
+supposed, would kill him, and the Greeks, on their return to his
+native land, in their anger against him for having made his escape
+from them, would destroy his wife and children.
+
+The air and manner with which Sinon told this story seemed so
+sincere, and so natural and unaffected were the expressions of
+wretchedness and despair with which he ended his narrative, that the
+Trojan leaders had no suspicion that it was not true. Their compassion
+was moved for the wretched fugitive, and they determined to spare his
+life. Priam, the aged king, who was present at the scene, in the midst
+of the Trojan generals, ordered the cords with which the peasants had
+bound the captive to be sundered, that he might stand before them
+free. The king spoke to him, too, in a kind and encouraging manner.
+"Forget your countrymen," said he. "They are gone. Henceforth you
+shall be one of us. We will take care of you. And now," he
+continued, "tell us what this monstrous image means. Why did the
+Greeks make it, and why have they left it here?"
+
+Sinon, as if grateful for the generosity with which his life had been
+spared, professed himself ready to give his benefactors the fullest
+information. He told them that the wooden horse had been built by the
+Greeks to replace a certain image of Pallas which they had previously
+taken and borne away from Troy. It was to replace this image, Sinon
+said, that the Greeks had built the wooden horse; and their purpose
+in making the image of this monstrous size was to prevent the
+possibility of the Trojans taking it into the city, and thus
+appropriating to themselves the benefit of its protecting efficacy and
+virtue.
+
+The Trojans listened with breathless interest to all that Sinon said,
+and readily believed his story; so admirably well did he counterfeit,
+by his words and his demeanor, all the marks and tokens of honest
+sincerity in what he said of others, as well of grief and despair in
+respect to his own unhappy lot. The current of opinion which had begun
+before to set strongly in favor of destroying the horse, was wholly
+turned, and all began at once to look upon the colossal image as an
+object of sacred veneration, and to begin to form plans for
+transporting it within the limits of the city. Whatever remaining
+doubts any of them might have felt on the subject were dispelled by
+the occurrence of a most extraordinary phenomenon just at this stage
+of the affair, which was understood by all to be a divine judgment
+upon Laocoon for his sacriligious temerity in striking his spear into
+the horse's side. It had been determined to offer a sacrifice to
+Neptune. Lots were drawn to determine who should perform the rite. The
+lot fell upon Laocoon. He began to make preparations to perform the
+duty, assisted by his two young sons, when suddenly two immense
+serpents appeared, coming up from the sea. They came swimming over the
+surface of the water, with their heads elevated above the waves, until
+they reached the shore, and then gliding swiftly along, they advanced
+across the plain, their bodies brilliantly spotted and glittering in
+the sun, their eyes flashing, and their forked and venomous tongues
+darting threats and defiance as they came. The people fled in dismay.
+The serpents, disregarding all others, made their way directly toward
+the affrighted children of Laocoon, and twining around them they soon
+held the writhing and struggling limbs of their shrieking victims
+hopelessly entangled in their deadly convolutions.
+
+Laocoon, who was himself at a little distance from the spot, when the
+serpents came, as soon as he saw the danger and heard the agonizing
+cries of his boys, seized a weapon and ran to rescue them. Instead,
+however, of being able to save his children, he only involved himself
+in their dreadful fate. The serpents seized him as soon as he came
+within their reach, and taking two turns around his neck and two
+around his body, and binding in a remorseless grip the forms of the
+fainting and dying boys with other convolutions, they raised their
+heads high above the group of victims which they thus enfolded, and
+hissed and darted out their forked tongues in token of defiance and
+victory. When at length their work was done, they glided away and took
+refuge in a temple that was near, and coiled themselves up for repose
+beneath the feet of the statue of a goddess that stood in the shrine.
+
+The story of Laocoon has become celebrated among all mankind in modern
+times by means of a statue representing the catastrophe, which was
+found two or three centuries ago among the ruins of an ancient edifice
+at Rome. This statue was mentioned by an old Roman writer, Pliny, who
+gave an account of it while it yet stood in its place in the ancient
+city. He said that it was the work of three artists, a father and two
+sons, who combined their industry and skill to carve in one group, and
+with immense labor and care, the representation of Laocoon himself,
+the two boys, and the two serpents, making five living beings
+intertwined intricately together, and all carved from one single block
+of marble. On the decline and fall of Rome this statue was lost among
+the ruins of the city, and for many centuries it was known to mankind
+only through the description of Pliny. At length it was brought to
+light again, having been discovered about three centuries ago, under
+the ruins of the very edifice in which Pliny had described it as
+standing. It immediately became the object of great interest and
+attention to the whole world. It was deposited in the Vatican; a great
+reward was paid to the owner of the ground on which it was discovered;
+drawings and casts of it, without number, have been made; and the
+original stands in the Vatican now, an object of universal interest,
+as one of the most celebrated sculptures of ancient or modern times.
+
+Laocoon himself forms the center of the group, with the serpents
+twined around him, while he struggles, with a fearful expression of
+terror and anguish in his countenance, in the vain attempt to release
+himself from their hold. One of the serpents has bitten one of the
+boys in the side, and the wounded child sinks under the effects of
+the poison. The other boy, in an agony of terror, is struggling,
+hopelessly, to release his foot from the convolutions with which one
+of the serpents has encircled it. The expression of the whole group is
+exciting and painful, and yet notwithstanding this, there is combined
+with it a certain mysterious grace and beauty which charms every eye,
+and makes the composition the wonder of mankind.
+
+But to return to the story. The people understood this awful
+visitation to be the judgment of heaven against Laocoon for his
+sacrilegious presumption in daring to thrust his spear into the side
+of the image before them, and which they were now very sure they were
+to consider as something supernatural and divine. They determined with
+one accord to take it into the city.
+
+They immediately began to make preparations for the transportation of
+it. They raised it from the ground, and fitted to the feet some sort
+of machinery of wheels or rollers, suitable to the nature of the
+ground, and strong enough to bear the weight of the colossal mass.
+They attached long ropes to the neck of the image, and extended them
+forward upon the ground, and then brought up large companies of
+citizens and soldiers to man them. They arranged a procession,
+consisting of the generals of the army, and of the great civil
+dignitaries of the state; and in addition to these were groups of
+singing boys and girls, adorned with wreaths and garlands, who were
+appointed to chant sacred hymns to solemnize the occasion. They
+widened the access to the city, too, by tearing down a portion of the
+wall so as to open a sufficient space to enable the monster to get in.
+When all was ready the ropes were manned, the signal was given, the
+ponderous mass began to move, and though it encountered in its
+progress many difficulties, obstructions, and delays, in due time it
+was safely deposited in the court of a great public edifice within the
+city. The wall was then repaired, the day passed away, the night came
+on, the gates were shut, and the curiosity and wonder of the people
+within being gradually satisfied, they at length dispersed to their
+several homes and retired to rest. At midnight the unconscious effigy
+stood silent and alone where its worshipers had left it, while the
+whole population of the city were sunk in slumber, except the
+sentinels who had been stationed as usual to keep guard at the gates,
+or to watch upon the towers and battlements above them.
+
+In the mean time the Greek fleet, which had sailed away under pretense
+of finally abandoning the country, had proceeded only to the island of
+Tenedos, which was about a league from the shore, and there they had
+concealed themselves during the day. As soon as night came on they
+returned to the main land, and disembarking with the utmost silence
+and secrecy, they made their way back again under cover of the
+darkness, as near as they dared to come to the gates of the city. In
+the mean time Sinon had arisen stealthily from the sleep which he had
+feigned to deceive those to whose charge he had been committed, and
+creeping cautiously through the streets he repaired to the place where
+the wooden horse had been deposited, and there opened a secret door in
+the side of the image, and liberated a band of armed and desperate men
+who had been concealed within. These men, as soon as they had
+descended to the ground and had adjusted their armor, rushed to the
+city walls, surprised and killed the sentinels and watchmen, threw
+open the gates, and gave the whole body of their comrades that were
+lurking outside the walls, in the silence and darkness of the night,
+an unobstructed admission.
+
+AEneas was asleep in his house while these things were transpiring. The
+house where he lived was in a retired and quiet situation, but he was
+awakened from his sleep by distant outcries and din, and springing
+from his couch, and hastily resuming his dress, he ascended to the
+roof of the house to ascertain the cause of the alarm. He saw flames
+ascending from various edifices in the quarter of the city where the
+Greeks had come in. He listened. He could distinctly hear the shouts
+of men, and the notes of trumpets sounding the alarm. He immediately
+seized his armor and rushed forth into the streets, arousing the
+inhabitants around him from their slumbers by his shouts, and calling
+upon them to arm themselves and follow him.
+
+In the midst of this excitement, there suddenly appeared before him,
+coming from the scene of the conflict, a Trojan friend, named
+Pantheus, who was hastening away from the danger, perfectly
+bewildered with excitement and agitation. He was leading with him his
+little son, who was likewise pale with terror. AEneas asked Pantheus
+what had happened. Pantheus in reply explained to him in hurried and
+broken words, that armed men, treacherously concealed within the
+wooden horse, had issued forth from their concealment, and had opened
+the gates of the city, and let the whole horde of their ferocious and
+desperate enemies in; that the sentinels and guards who had been
+stationed at the gates had been killed; and that the Greek troops had
+full possession of the city, and were barricading the streets and
+setting fire to the buildings on every side. "All is lost," said he,
+"our cause is ruined, and Troy is no more."
+
+The announcing of these tidings filled AEneas and those who had joined
+him with a species of phrensy. They resolved to press forward into the
+combat, and there, if they must perish themselves, to carry down as
+many as possible of their enemies with them to destruction. They
+pressed on, therefore, through the gloomy streets, guiding their way
+toward the scene of action by the glare of the fires upon the sky, and
+by the sounds of the distant tumult and din.
+
+They soon found themselves in the midst of scenes of dreadful terror
+and confusion,--the scenes, in fact, which are usually exhibited in
+the midnight sacking of a city. They met with various adventures
+during the time that they continued their desperate but hopeless
+resistance. They encountered a party of Greeks, and overpowered and
+slew them, and then, seizing the armor which their fallen enemies had
+worn, they disguised themselves in it, in hopes to deceive the main
+body of the Greeks by this means, so as to mingle among them
+unobserved, and thus attack and destroy such small parties as they
+might meet without being themselves attacked by the rest. They saw the
+princess Cassandra, the young daughter of king Priam, dragged away by
+Greek soldiers from a temple where she had sought refuge. They
+immediately undertook to rescue her, and were at once attacked both by
+the Greek party who had the princess in charge, and also by the Trojan
+soldiers, who shot arrows and darts down upon them from the roofs
+above, supposing, from the armor and the plumes which they wore, that
+they were enemies. They saw the royal palace besieged, and the
+_tortoise_ formed for scaling the walls of it. The tumult and din, and
+the frightful glare of lurid flames by which the city was illuminated,
+a scene of inconceivable confusion and terror.
+
+[Illustration: THE TORTOISE.]
+
+AEneas watched the progress of the assault upon the palace from the top
+of certain lofty roofs, to which he ascended for the purpose. Here
+there was a slender tower, which had been built for a watch-tower, and
+had been carried up to such a height that, from the summit of it, the
+watchmen stationed there could survey all the environs of the city,
+and on one side look off to some distance over the sea. This tower
+AEneas and the Trojans who were with him contrived to cut off at its
+base, and throw over upon the throngs of Grecians that were thundering
+at the palace gates below. Great numbers were killed by the falling
+ruins, and the tortoise was broken down. The Greeks, however, soon
+formed another tortoise, by means of which some of the soldiers scaled
+the walls, while others broke down the gates with battering rams and
+engines; and thus the palace, the sacred and last remaining stronghold
+of the city, was thrown open to the ferocious and frantic horde of its
+assailants.
+
+The sacking of the palace presented an awful spectacle to the view of
+AEneas and his companions, as they looked down upon it from the roofs
+and battlements around. As the walls, one after another, fell in under
+the resistless blows dealt by the engines that were brought against
+them, the interior halls, and the most retired and private apartments,
+were thrown open to view--all illuminated by the glare of the
+surrounding conflagrations.
+
+Shrieks and wailing, and every other species of outcry that comes from
+grief, terror, and despair, arose from within; and such spectators as
+had the heart to look continuously upon the spectacle, could see
+wretched men running to and fro, and virgins clinging to altars for
+protection, and frantic mothers vainly endeavoring to find
+hiding-places for themselves and their helpless children.
+
+Priam the king, who was at this time old and infirm, was aroused from
+his slumbers by the dreadful din, and immediately began to seize his
+armor, and to prepare himself for rushing into the fight. His wife,
+however, Hecuba, begged and entreated him to desist. She saw that all
+was lost, and that any farther attempts at resistance would only
+exasperate their enemies, and render their own destruction the more
+inevitable. She persuaded the king, therefore, to give up his weapons
+and go with her to an altar, in one of the courts of the palace,--a
+place which it would be sacrilege for their enemies to violate--and
+there patiently and submissively to await the end. Priam yielded to
+the queen's solicitations, and went with her to the place of refuge
+which she had chosen;--and the plan which they thus adopted, might
+very probably have been successful in saving their lives, had it not
+been for an unexpected occurrence which suddenly intervened, and which
+led to a fatal result. While they were seated by the altar, in
+attitudes of submission and suppliance, they were suddenly aroused by
+the rushing toward them of one of their sons, who came in, wounded and
+bleeding from some scene of combat, and pursued by angry and ferocious
+foes. The spent and fainting warrior sank down at the feet of his
+father and mother, and lay there dying and weltering in the blood
+which flowed from his wounds. The aged king was aroused to madness at
+this spectacle. He leaped to his feet, seized a javelin, and
+thundering out at the same time the most loud and bitter imprecations
+against the murderers of his son, he hurled the weapon toward them as
+they advanced. The javelin struck the shield of the leader of the
+assailants, and rebounded from it without producing any other effect
+than to enrage still more the furious spirit which it was meant to
+destroy. The assailant rushed forward, seized the aged father by the
+hair, dragged him slipping, as he went, in the blood of his son, up to
+the altar, and there plunged a sword into his body, burying it to the
+hilt,--and then threw him down, convulsed and dying, upon the body of
+his dying child.
+
+Thus Priam fell, and with him the last hope of the people of Troy. The
+city in full possession of their enemies, the palace and citadel
+sacked and destroyed, and the king slain, they saw that there was
+nothing now left for which they had any wish to contend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE FLIGHT OF AENEAS.
+
+B.C. 1200
+
+AEneas's reflections.--He determines to go home.--AEneas is left at last
+alone.--He goes away.--He sees the princess Helen.--Story of
+Helen.--AEneas determines to destroy her.--His reflections.--The
+apparition of Aphrodite.--Her words.--His mother's magical
+protection.--He reaches his home.--The determination of
+Anchises.--Creusa's entreaties.--The plan formed for the escape of the
+family.--The lion's skin.--The household gods.--Creusa.--The whole
+party proceed towards the gates.--Escape from the city.--Creusa is
+lost.--AEneas goes back in search of Creusa.--He finds that his house
+has been burned.--The apparition of Creusa.--Her predictions.--Her
+farewell to her husband.--Preparations for departure.--AEneas's company
+increases.--His fleet.--The embarkation.--Map of the wanderings of
+AEneas.--A dreadful prodigy.--The bleeding myrtle.--Words of the
+myrtle.--Story of Polydorus.--AEneas leaves Thrace.--His various
+wanderings.--The attempted settlement at Crete.--Calamities.--AEneas's
+perplexity.--Advice of Anchises.--Scene at night.--The household
+deities.--Their address to AEneas.--Effect of this address.--Subsequent
+adventures.--Danger of shipwreck.--The harpies.--AEneas driven
+away.--Dangers at Mt. Etna.--The one-eyed giants.--Polyphemus.--Remarks
+on the story of AEneas.
+
+
+AEneas, from his station upon the battlements of a neighboring edifice,
+witnessed the taking of the palace and the death of Priam. He
+immediately gave up all for lost, and turned his thoughts at once to
+the sole question of the means of saving himself and his family from
+impending destruction. He thought of his father, Anchises, who at this
+time lived with him in the city, and was nearly of the same age as
+Priam the king, whom he had just seen so cruelly slain. He thought of
+his wife too, whom he had left at home, and of his little son
+Ascanius, and he began now to be overwhelmed with the apprehension,
+that the besiegers had found their way to his dwelling, and were,
+perhaps, at that very moment plundering and destroying it and
+perpetrating cruel deeds of violence and outrage upon his wife and
+family. He determined immediately to hasten home.
+
+He looked around to see who of his companions remained with him.
+There was not one. They had all gone and left him alone. Some had
+leaped down from the battlements and made their escape to other parts
+of the city. Some had fallen in the attempt to leap, and had perished
+in the flames that were burning among the buildings beneath them.
+Others still had been reached by darts and arrows from below, and had
+tumbled headlong from their lofty height into the street beneath them.
+The Greeks, too, had left that part of the city. When the destruction
+of the palace had been effected, there was no longer any motive to
+remain, and they had gone away, one band after another, with loud
+shouts of exultation and defiance, to seek new combats in other
+quarters of the city. AEneas listened to the sounds of their voices, as
+they gradually died away upon his ear. Thus, in one way and another,
+all had gone, and AEneas found himself alone.
+
+AEneas contrived to find his way back safely to the street, and then
+stealthily choosing his way, and vigilantly watching against the
+dangers that surrounded him, he advanced cautiously among the ruins of
+the palace, in the direction toward his own home. He had not
+proceeded far before he saw a female figure lurking in the shadow of
+an altar near which he had to pass. It proved to be the princess
+Helen.
+
+[Illustration: HELEN.]
+
+Helen was a Grecian princess, formerly the wife of Menelaus, king of
+Sparta, but she had eloped from Greece some years before, with Paris,
+the son of Priam, king of Troy, and this elopement had been the whole
+cause of the Trojan war. In the first instance, Menelaus, accompanied
+by another Grecian chieftain, went to Troy and demanded that Helen
+should be given up again to her proper husband. Paris refused to
+surrender her. Menelaus then returned to Greece and organized a grand
+expedition to proceed to Troy and recapture the queen. This was the
+origin of the war. The people, therefore, looked upon Helen as the
+cause, whether innocent or guilty, of all their calamities.
+
+When AEneas, therefore, who was, as may well be supposed, in no very
+amiable or gentle temper, as he hurried along away from the smoking
+ruins of the palace toward his home, saw Helen endeavoring to screen
+herself from the destruction which she had been the means of bringing
+upon all that he held dear, he was aroused to a phrensy of anger
+against her, and determined to avenge the wrongs of his country by her
+destruction. "I will kill her," said he to himself, as he rushed
+forward toward the spot where she was concealed. "There is no great
+glory it is true in wreaking vengeance on a woman, or in bringing her
+to the punishment which her crimes deserve. Still I will kill her, and
+I shall be commended for the deed. She shall not, after bringing ruin
+upon us, escape herself, and go back to Greece in safety and be a
+queen there again."
+
+As AEneas said these words, rushing forward at the same time, sword in
+hand, he was suddenly intercepted and brought to a stand by the
+apparition of his mother, the goddess Aphrodite, who all at once stood
+in the way before him. She stopped him, took him by the hand, urged
+him to restrain his useless anger, and calmed and quieted him with
+soothing words. "It is not Helen," said she, "that has caused the
+destruction of Troy. It is through the irresistible and irrevocable
+decrees of the gods that the city has fallen. It is useless for you to
+struggle against inevitable destiny, or to attempt to take vengeance
+on mere human means and instrumentalities. Think no more of Helen.
+Think of your family. Your aged father, your helpless wife, your
+little son,--where are they? Even now while you are wasting time here
+in vain attempts to take vengeance on Helen for what the gods have
+done, all that are near and dear to you are surrounded by ferocious
+enemies thirsting for their blood. Fly to them and save them. I shall
+accompany you, though unseen, and will protect you and them from
+every impending danger."
+
+As soon as Aphrodite had spoken these words she disappeared from view.
+AEneas, following her injunctions, went directly toward his home; and
+he found as he passed along the streets that the way was opened for
+him, by mysterious movements among the armed bands which were passing
+in every direction about the city, in such a manner as to convince him
+that his mother was really accompanying him, and protecting his way by
+her supernatural powers.
+
+When he reached home the first person whom he saw was Anchises his
+father. He told Anchises that all was lost, and that nothing now
+remained for them but to seek safety for themselves by flying to the
+mountains behind the city. But Anchises refused to go. "You who are
+young," said he, "and who have enough of life before you to be worth
+preserving, may fly. As for me I will not attempt to save the little
+remnant that remains to me, to be spent, if saved, in miserable exile.
+If the powers of heaven had intended that I should have lived any
+longer, they would have spared my native city,--my only home. You may
+go yourselves, but leave me here to die."
+
+In saying these words Anchises turned away in great despondency,
+firmly fixed, apparently, in his determination to remain and share the
+fate of the city. AEneas and Creusa his wife joined their entreaties in
+urging him to go away. But he would not be persuaded. AEneas then
+declared that he would not go and leave his father. If one was to die
+they would all die, he said, together. He called for his armor and
+began to put it on, resolving to go out again into the streets of the
+city and die, since he must die, in the act of destroying his
+destroyers.
+
+He was, however, prevented from carrying this determination into
+effect, by Creusa's intervention, who fell down before him at the
+threshold of the door, almost frantic with excitement and terror, and
+holding her little son Ascanius with one arm, and clasping her
+husband's knees with the other, she begged him not to leave them.
+"Stay and save us," said she; "do not go and throw your life away. Or,
+if you will go, take us with you that we may all die together."
+
+The conflict of impulses and passions in this unhappy family
+continued for some time longer, but it ended at last, in the yielding
+of Anchises to the wishes of the rest, and they all resolved to fly.
+In the mean time, the noise and uproar in the streets of the city,
+were drawing nearer and nearer, and the light of the burning buildings
+breaking out continually at new points in the progress of the
+conflagration, indicated that no time was to be lost. AEneas hastily
+formed his plan. His father was too old and infirm to go himself
+through the city. AEneas determined therefore to carry him upon his
+shoulders. Little Ascanius was to walk along by his side. Creusa was
+to follow, keeping as close as possible to her husband lest she should
+lose him in the darkness of the night, or in the scenes of uproar and
+confusion through which they would have to pass on the way. The
+domestics of the family were to escape from the city by different
+routes, each choosing his own, in order to avoid attracting the
+attention of their enemies; and when once without the gates they were
+all to rendezvous again at a certain rising ground, not far from the
+city, which AEneas designated to them by means of an old deserted
+temple which marked the spot, and a venerable cypress which grew
+there.
+
+This plan being formed the party immediately proceeded to put it in
+execution. AEneas spread a lion's skin over his shoulders to make the
+resting-place more easy for his father, or perhaps to lighten the
+pressure of the heavy burden upon his own limbs. Anchises took what
+were called the household gods, in his hands. These were sacred images
+which it was customary to keep, in those days, in every dwelling, as
+the symbol and embodiment of divine protection. To save these images,
+when every thing else was given up for lost, was always the object of
+the last desperate effort of the husband and father. AEneas in this
+case asked his father to take these images, as it would have been an
+impiety for him, having come fresh from scenes of battle and
+bloodshed, to have put his hand upon them, without previously
+performing some ceremony of purification. Ascanius took hold of his
+father's hand. Creusa followed behind. Thus arranged they sallied
+forth from the house into the streets--all dark and gloomy, except so
+far as they received a partial and inconstant light from the flames
+of the distant conflagrations, which glared in the sky, and flashed
+sometimes upon battlements and towers, and upon the tops of lofty
+dwellings.
+
+AEneas pressed steadily on, though in a state continually of the
+highest excitement and apprehension. He kept stealthily along wherever
+he could find the deepest shadows, under walls, and through the most
+obscure and the narrowest streets. He was in constant fear lest some
+stray dart or arrow should strike Anchises or Creusa, or lest some
+band of Greeks should come suddenly upon them, in which case he knew
+well that they would all be cut down without mercy, for, loaded down
+as he was with his burden, he would be entirely unable to do any thing
+to defend either himself or them. The party, however, for a time
+seemed to escape all these dangers, but at length, just as they were
+approaching the gate of the city, and began to think that they were
+safe, they were suddenly alarmed by a loud uproar, and by a rush of
+men which came in toward them from some streets in that quarter of the
+city, and threatened to overwhelm them. Anchises was greatly alarmed.
+He saw the gleaming weapons of the Greeks who were rushing toward
+them, and he called out to AEneas to fly faster, or to turn off some
+other way, in order to escape the impending danger. AEneas was
+terrified by the shouts and uproar which he heard, and his mind was
+for a moment confused by the bewildering influences of the scene. He
+however hurried forward, running this way and that, wherever there
+seemed the best prospect of escape, and often embarrassed and retarded
+in his flight by the crowds of people who were moving confusedly in
+all directions. At length, however, he succeeded in finding egress
+from the city. He pressed on, without stopping to look behind him till
+he reached the appointed place of rendezvous on the hill, and then
+gently laying down his burden, he looked around for Creusa. She was
+nowhere to be seen.
+
+AEneas was in utter consternation, at finding that his wife was gone.
+He mourned and lamented this dreadful calamity with loud exclamations
+of grief and despair; then reflecting that it was a time for action
+and not for idle grief, he hastened to conceal his father and Ascanius
+in a dark and winding valley behind the hill, and leaving them there
+under the charge of his domestics, he hastened back to the city to
+see if Creusa could be found.
+
+He armed himself completely before he went, being in his desperation
+determined to encounter every danger in his attempts to find and to
+recover his beloved wife. He went directly to the gate from which he
+had come out, and re-entering the city there, he began to retrace, as
+well as he could, the way that he had taken in coming out of the
+city--guiding himself as he went, by the light of the flames which
+rose up here and there from the burning buildings.
+
+He went on in this way in a desperate state of agitation and distress,
+searching everywhere but seeing nothing of Creusa. At length he
+thought it possible that she had concluded, when she found herself
+separated from him, to go back to the house, as the safest place of
+refuge for her, and he determined, accordingly, to go and seek her
+there. This was his last hope, and most cruelly was it disappointed
+when he came to the place of his dwelling.
+
+He found his house, when he arrived near the spot, all in flames. The
+surrounding buildings were burning too, and the streets in the
+neighborhood were piled up with furniture and goods which the
+wretched inmates of the dwellings had vainly endeavored to save. These
+inmates themselves were standing around, distracted with grief and
+terror, and gazing hopelessly upon the scene of devastation before
+them.
+
+AEneas saw all these things at a glance, and immediately, in a phrensy
+of excitement, began to call out Creusa's name. He went to and fro
+among the groups surrounding the fire, calling for her in a frantic
+manner, and imploring all whom he saw to give him some tidings of her.
+All was, however, in vain. She could not be found. AEneas then went
+roaming about through other portions of the city, seeking her
+everywhere, and inquiring for her of every person whom he met that had
+the appearance of being a friend. His suspense, however, was
+terminated at last by his suddenly coming upon an apparition of the
+spirit of Creusa, which rose before him in a solitary part of the
+city, and arrested his progress. The apparition was of preternatural
+size, and it stood before him in so ethereal and shadow-like a form,
+and the features beamed upon him with so calm and placid and benignant
+an expression, as convinced him that the vision was not of this
+world. AEneas saw at a glance that Creusa's earthly sorrows and
+sufferings were ended forever.
+
+At first he was shocked and terrified at the spectacle. Creusa,
+however, endeavored to calm and quiet him by soothing words. "My
+dearest husband," said she, "do not give way thus to anxiety and
+grief. The events which have befallen us, have not come by chance.
+They are all ordered by an overruling providence that is omnipotent
+and divine. It was predetermined by the decrees of heaven that you
+were not to take me with you in your flight. I have learned what your
+future destiny is to be. There is a long period of weary wandering
+before you, over the ocean and on the land, and you will have many
+difficulties, dangers, and trials to incur. You will, however, be
+conducted safely through them all, and will in the end find a peaceful
+and happy home on the banks of the Tiber. There you will found a new
+kingdom; a princess is even now provided for you there, to become your
+bride. Cease then to mourn for me; rather rejoice that I did not fall
+a captive into the hands of our enemies, to be carried away into
+Greece and made a slave. I am free, and you must not lament my fate.
+Farewell. Love Ascanius for my sake, and watch over him and protect
+him as long as you live."
+
+Having spoken these words, the vision began to disappear. AEneas
+endeavored to clasp the beloved image in his arms to retain it, but it
+was intangible and evanescent, and, before he could speak to it, it
+was gone, and he was left standing in the desolate and gloomy street
+alone. He turned at length slowly away; and solitary, thoughtful and
+sad, he went back to the gate of the city, and thence out to the
+valley where he had concealed Anchises and his little son.
+
+He found them safe. The whole party then sought places of retreat
+among the glens and mountains, where they could remain concealed a few
+days, while AEneas and his companions could make arrangements for
+abandoning the country altogether. These arrangements were soon
+completed. As soon as the Greeks had retired, so that they could come
+out without danger from their place of retreat, AEneas employed his men
+in building a number of small vessels, fitting them, as was usual in
+those days, both with sails and oars.
+
+During the progress of these preparations, small parties of Trojans
+were coming in continually, day by day, to join him; being drawn
+successively from their hiding-places among the mountains, by hearing
+that the Greeks had gone away, and that AEneas was gradually assembling
+the remnant of the Trojans on the shore. The numbers thus collected at
+AEneas's encampment gradually increased, and as AEneas enlarged and
+extended his naval preparations to correspond with the augmenting
+numbers of his adherents, he found when he was ready to set sail, that
+he was at the head of a very respectable naval and military force.
+
+When the fleet at last was ready, he put a stock of provisions on
+board, and embarked his men,--taking, of course, Anchises and Ascanius
+with him. As soon as a favorable wind arose, the expedition set sail.
+As the vessels moved slowly away, the decks were covered with men and
+women, who gazed mournfully at the receding shores, conscious that
+they were bidding a final farewell to their native land.
+
+[Illustration: WANDERINGS OF AENEAS.]
+
+The nearest country within reach in leaving the Trojan coast, was
+Thrace--a country lying north of the Egean Sea, and of the Propontis,
+being separated, in fact, in one part, from the Trojan territories,
+only by the Hellespont. AEneas turned his course northward toward this
+country, and, after a short voyage, landed there, and attempted to
+make a settlement. He was, however, prevented from remaining long, by
+a dreadful prodigy which he witnessed there, and which induced him to
+leave those shores very precipitously. The prodigy was this:
+
+They had erected an altar on the shore, after they had landed, and
+were preparing to offer the sacrifices customary on such occasions,
+when AEneas, wishing to shade the altar with boughs, went to a myrtle
+bush which was growing near, and began to pull up the green shoots
+from the ground. To his astonishment and horror, he found that blood
+flowed from the roots whenever they were broken. Drops of what
+appeared to be human blood would ooze from the ruptured part as he
+held the shoot in his hand, and fall slowly to the ground. He was
+greatly terrified at this spectacle, considering it as some omen of
+very dreadful import. He immediately and instinctively offered up a
+prayer to the presiding deities of the land, that they would avert
+from him the evil influences, whatever they might be, which the omen
+seemed to portend, or that they would at least explain the meaning of
+the prodigy. After offering this prayer, he took hold of another stem
+of the myrtle, and attempted to draw it from the ground, in order to
+see whether any change in the appearances exhibited by the prodigy
+had been effected by his prayer. At the instant, however, when the
+roots began to give way, he heard a groan coming up from the ground
+below, as if from a person in suffering. Immediately afterward a
+voice, in a mournful and sepulchral accent, began to beg him to go
+away, and cease disturbing the repose of the dead. "What you are
+tearing and lacerating," said the voice, "is not a tree, but a man. I
+am Polydorus. I was killed by the king of Thrace, and instead of
+burial, have been turned into a myrtle growing on the shore."
+
+Polydorus was a Trojan prince. He was the youngest son of Priam, and
+had been sent some years before to Thrace, to be brought up in the
+court of the Thracian king. He had been provided with a large supply
+of money and treasure when he left Troy, in order that all his wants
+might be abundantly supplied, and that he might maintain, during his
+absence from home, the position to which his rank as a Trojan prince
+entitled him. His treasures, however, which had been provided for him
+by his father as his sure reliance for support and protection, became
+the occasion of his ruin--for the Thracian king, when he found that
+the war was going against the Trojans, and that Priam the father was
+slain, and the city destroyed, murdered the helpless son to get
+possession of his gold.
+
+AEneas and his companions were shocked to hear this story, and
+perceived at once that Thrace was no place of safety for them. They
+resolved immediately to leave the coast and seek their fortunes in
+other regions. They however, first, in secrecy and silence, but with
+great solemnity, performed those funeral rites for Polydorus which
+were considered in those ages essential to the repose of the dead.
+When these mournful ceremonies were ended they embarked on board their
+ships again and sailed away.
+
+After this, the party of AEneas spent many months in weary voyages from
+island to island, and from shore to shore, along the Mediterranean
+sea, encountering every imaginable difficulty and danger, and meeting
+continually with the strangest and most romantic adventures. At one
+time they were misled by a mistaken interpretation of prophecy to
+attempt a settlement in Crete--a green and beautiful island lying
+south of the Egean sea. They had applied to a sacred oracle, which
+had its seat at a certain consecrated spot which they visited in the
+course of their progress southward through the Egean sea, asking the
+oracle to direct them where to go in order to find a settled home. The
+oracle, in answer to their request, informed them that they were to go
+to the land that their ancestors had originally come from, before
+their settlement in Troy. AEneas applied to Anchises to inform them
+what land this was. Anchises replied, that he thought it was Crete.
+There was an ancient tradition, he said, that some distinguished men
+among the ancestors of the Trojans had originated in Crete; and he
+presumed accordingly that that was the land to which the oracle
+referred.
+
+The course of the little fleet was accordingly directed southward, and
+in due time the expedition safely reached the island of Crete, and
+landed there. They immediately commenced the work of effecting a
+settlement. They drew the ships up upon the shore; they laid out a
+city; they inclosed and planted fields, and began to build their
+houses. In a short time, however, all their bright prospects of rest
+and security were blighted by the breaking out of a dreadful
+pestilence among them. Many died; others who still lived, were
+utterly prostrated by the effects of the disease, and crawled about,
+emaciated and wretched, a miserable and piteous spectacle to behold.
+To crown their misfortunes, a great drought came on. The grain which
+they had planted was dried up and killed in the fields; and thus, in
+addition to the horrors of pestilence, they were threatened with the
+still greater horrors of famine. Their distress was extreme, and they
+were utterly at a loss to know what to do.
+
+In this extremity Anchises recommended that they should send back to
+the oracle to inquire more particularly in respect to the meaning of
+the former response, in order to ascertain whether they had, by
+possibility, misinterpreted it, and made their settlement on the wrong
+ground. Or, if this was not the case, to learn by what other error or
+fault they had displeased the celestial powers, and brought upon
+themselves such terrible judgments. AEneas determined to adopt this
+advice, but he was prevented from carrying his intentions into effect
+by the following occurrence.
+
+One night he was lying upon his couch in his dwelling,--so harassed
+by his anxieties and cares that he could not sleep, and revolving in
+his mind all possible plans for extricating himself and his followers
+from the difficulties which environed them. The moon shone in at the
+windows, and by the light of this luminary he saw, reposing in their
+shrines in the opposite side of the apartment where he was sleeping,
+the household images which he had rescued from the flames of Troy. As
+he looked upon these divinities in the still and solemn hour of
+midnight, oppressed with anxiety and care, one of them began to
+address him.
+
+"We are commissioned," said this supernatural voice, "by Apollo, whose
+oracle you are intending to consult again, to give you the answer that
+you desire, without requiring you to go back to his temple. It is true
+that you have erred in attempting to make a settlement in Crete. This
+is not the land which is destined to be your home. You must leave
+these shores, and continue your voyage. The land which is destined to
+receive you is Italy, a land far removed from this spot, and your way
+to it lies over wide and boisterous seas. Do not be discouraged,
+however, on this account or on account of the calamities which now
+impend over you. You will be prospered in the end. You will reach
+Italy in safety, and there you will lay the foundations of a mighty
+empire, which in days to come will extend its dominion far and wide
+among the nations of the earth. Take courage, then, and embark once
+more in your ships with a cheerful and confident heart. You are safe,
+and in the end all will turn out well."
+
+The strength and spirits of the desponding adventurer were very
+essentially revived by this encouragement. He immediately prepared to
+obey the injunctions which had been thus divinely communicated to him,
+and in a short time the half-built city was abandoned, and the
+expedition once more embarked on board the fleet and proceeded to sea.
+They met in their subsequent wanderings with a great variety of
+adventures, but it would extend this portion of our narrative too far,
+to relate them all. They encountered a storm by which for three days
+and three nights they were tossed to and fro, without seeing sun or
+stars, and of course without any guidance whatever; and during all
+this time they were in the most imminent danger of being overwhelmed
+and destroyed by the billows which rolled sublimely and frightfully
+around them. At another time, having landed for rest and refreshment
+among a group of Grecian islands, they were attacked by the _harpies_,
+birds of prey of prodigious size and most offensive habits, and fierce
+and voracious beyond description. The harpies were celebrated, in
+fact, in many of the ancient tales, as a race of beings that infested
+certain shores, and often teased and tormented the mariners and
+adventurers that happened to come among them. Some said, however, that
+there was not a race of such beings, but only two or three in all, and
+they gave their names. And yet different narrators gave different
+names, among which were Aelopos, Nicothoe, Ocythoe, Ocypoae, Celaeno,
+Acholoe, and Aello. Some said that the harpies had the faces and forms
+of women. Others described them as frightfully ugly; but all agree in
+representing them as voracious beyond description, always greedily
+devouring every thing that they could get within reach of their claws.
+
+These fierce monsters flew down upon AEneas and his party, and carried
+away the food from off the table before them; and even attacked the
+men themselves. The men then armed themselves with swords, secretly,
+and waited for the next approach of the harpies, intending to kill
+them, when they came near. But the nimble marauders eluded all their
+blows, and escaped with their plunder as before. At length the
+expedition was driven away from the island altogether, by these
+ravenous fowls, and when they were embarking on board of their
+vessels, the leader of the harpies perched herself upon a rock
+overlooking the scene, and in a human voice loaded AEneas and his
+companions, as they went away, with taunts and execrations.
+
+The expedition passed one night in great terror and dread in the
+vicinity of Mount Etna, where they had landed. The awful eruptions of
+smoke, and flame, and burning lava, which issued at midnight from the
+summit of the mountain,--the thundering sounds which they heard
+rolling beneath them, through the ground, and the dread which was
+inspired in their minds by the terrible monsters that dwelt beneath
+the mountains, as they supposed, and fed the fires, all combined to
+impress them with a sense of unutterable awe; and as soon as the light
+of the morning enabled them to resume their course, they made all
+haste to get away from so appalling a scene. At another time they
+touched upon a coast which was inhabited by a race of one-eyed
+giants,--monsters of enormous magnitude and of remorseless cruelty.
+They were cannibals,--feeding on the bodies of men whom they killed by
+grasping them in their hands and beating them against the rocks which
+formed the sides of their den. Some men whom one of these monsters,
+named Polyphemus, had shut up in his cavern, contrived to surprise
+their keeper in his sleep, and though they were wholly unable to kill
+him on account of his colossal magnitude, they succeeded in putting
+out his eye, and AEneas and his companions saw the blinded giant, as
+they passed along the coast, wading in the sea, and bathing his wound.
+He was guiding his footsteps as he walked, by means of the trunk of a
+tall pine which served him for a staff.
+
+At length, however, after the lapse of a long period of time, and
+after meeting with a great variety of adventures to which we can not
+even here allude, AEneas and his party reached the shores of Italy, at
+the point which by divine intimations had been pointed out to them as
+the place where they were to land.[D]
+
+[Footnote D: See Map, page 134.]
+
+The story of the life and adventures of AEneas, which we have given in
+this and in the preceding chapters, is a faithful summary of the
+narrative which the poetic historians of those days recorded. It is,
+of course, not to be relied upon as a narrative of facts; but it is
+worthy of very special attention by every cultivated mind of the
+present day, from the fact, that such is the beauty, the grace, the
+melody, the inimitable poetic perfection with which the story is told,
+in the language in which the original record stands, that the
+narrative has made a more deep, and widespread, and lasting impression
+upon the human mind than any other narrative perhaps that ever was
+penned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE LANDING IN LATIUM.
+
+B.C. 1197-1190
+
+Description of the country where AEneas landed.--The landing.--Mouth of
+the Tiber.--Burning of the ships.--Italy in ancient days.--Sacrifices
+offered.--Map of Latium.--Reconnoitring the country.--King Latinus.--An
+embassy.--The embassy come to the capital.--The embassadors are
+admitted to an audience.--Their address to king Latinus.--Latinus
+accedes to AEneas's requests.--Proposal of marriage.--Lavinia and
+Turnus.--The anger of Turnus at being set aside.--Lavinium.--Situation
+of the Trojan territory.--The story of Sylvia's stag.--Ascanius shoots
+the stag.--The resentment of Sylvia's brothers.--Sudden outbreak.--Death
+of Almon.--Great excitement.--Preparation for war.--Latinus.--The
+Trojans gradually gain ground.--Desire for peace.--Turnus opposes
+it.--A proposal for single combat.--Result of the combat.--Marriage
+of AEneas.--AEneas drowned in the Numicius.
+
+
+Latium was the name given to an ancient province of Italy, lying south
+of the Tiber. At the time of AEneas's arrival upon the coast it was an
+independent kingdom. The name of the king who reigned over it at this
+period was Latinus.
+
+The country on the banks of the Tiber, where the city of Rome
+afterward arose, was then a wild but picturesque rural region,
+consisting of hills and valleys, occupied by shepherds and husbandmen,
+but with nothing upon it whatever, to mark it as the site of a city.
+The people that dwelt in Latium were shepherds and herdsmen, though
+there was a considerable band of warriors under the command of the
+king. The inhabitants of the country were of Greek origin, and they
+had brought with them from Greece, when they colonized the country,
+such rude arts as were then known. They had the use of Cadmus's
+letters, for writing, so far as writing was employed at all in those
+early days. They were skillful in making such weapons of war, and such
+simple instruments of music, as were known at the time, and they could
+erect buildings, of wood, or of stone, and thus constructed such
+dwellings as they needed, in their towns, and walls and citadels for
+defence.
+
+AEneas brought his fleet into the mouth of the Tiber, and anchored it
+there. He himself, and all his followers were thoroughly weary of
+their wanderings, and hoped that they were now about to land where
+they should find a permanent abode. The number of ships and men that
+had formed the expedition at the commencement of the voyage, was very
+large; but it had been considerably diminished by the various
+misfortunes and accidents incident to such an enterprise, and the
+remnant that was left longed ardently for rest. Some of the ships took
+fire, and were burned at their moorings in the Tiber, immediately
+after the arrival of the expedition. It was said that they were set on
+fire by the wives and mothers belonging to the expedition,--who
+wished, by destroying the ships, to render it impossible for the fleet
+to go to sea again.
+
+However this may be, AEneas was very strongly disposed to make the
+beautiful region which he now saw before him, his final home. The
+country, in every aspect of it, was alluring in the highest degree.
+Level plains, varied here and there by gentle elevations, extended
+around him, all adorned with groves and flowers, and exhibiting a
+luxuriance in the verdure of the grass and in the foliage of the trees
+that was perfectly enchanting to the sea-weary eyes of his company of
+mariners. In the distance, blue and beautiful mountains bounded the
+horizon, and a soft, warm summer haze floated over the whole scene,
+bathing the landscape in a rich mellow light peculiar to Italian
+skies.
+
+As soon as the disembarkation was effected, lines of encampment were
+marked out, at a suitable place on the shore, and such simple
+fortifications as were necessary for defence in such a case, were
+thrown up. AEneas dispatched one party in boats to explore the various
+passages and channels which formed the mouth of the river, perhaps in
+order to be prepared to make good his escape again, to sea, in case of
+any sudden or extraordinary danger. Another party were employed in
+erecting altars, and preparing for sacrifices and other religious
+celebrations, designed on the part of AEneas to propitiate the deities
+of the place, and to inspire his men with religious confidence and
+trust. He also immediately proceeded to organize a party of
+reconnoiterers who were to proceed into the interior, to explore the
+country and to communicate with the inhabitants.
+
+[Illustration: MAP OF LATIUM.]
+
+The party of reconnoiterers thus sent out followed up the banks of the
+river, and made excursions in various directions across the fields and
+plains. They found that the country was everywhere verdant and
+beautiful, and that it was covered in the interior with scattered
+hamlets and towns. They learned the name of the king, and also that of
+the city which he made his capitol. Latinus himself, at the same time,
+heard the tidings of the arrival of these strangers. His first impulse
+was immediately to make an onset upon them with all his forces, and
+drive them away from his shores. On farther inquiry, however, he
+learned that they were in a distressed and suffering condition, and
+from the descriptions which were given him of their dress and demeanor
+he concluded that they were Greeks. This idea awakened in his mind
+some apprehension; for the Greeks were then well known throughout the
+world, and were regarded everywhere as terrible enemies. Besides his
+fears, his pity and compassion were awakened, too, in some degree; and
+he was on the whole for a time quite at a loss to know what course to
+pursue in respect to the intruders.
+
+In the mean time AEneas concluded to send an embassy to Latinus to
+explain the circumstances under which he had been induced to land so
+large a party on the Italian coast. He accordingly designated a
+considerable number of men to form this embassy, and giving to some of
+the number his instructions as to what they were to say to Latinus, he
+committed to the hands of the others a large number of gifts which
+they were to carry and present to him. These gifts consisted of
+weapons elaborately finished, vessels of gold or silver, embroidered
+garments, and such other articles as were customarily employed in
+those days as propitiatory offerings in such emergencies. The embassy
+when all was arranged proceeded to the Latin capital.
+
+When they came in sight of it they found that it was a spacious city,
+with walls around it, and turrets and battlements within, rising here
+and there above the roofs of the dwellings. Outside the gates a
+portion of the population were assembled busily engaged in games, and
+in various gymnastic and equestrian performances. Some were driving
+furiously in chariots around great circles marked out for the course.
+Others were practicing feats of horsemanship, or running races upon
+fleet chargers. Others still were practicing with darts, or bows and
+arrows, or javelins; either to test and improve their individual
+skill, or else to compete with each other for victory or for a prize.
+The embassadors paused when they came in view of this scene, and
+waited until intelligence could be sent in to the monarch, informing
+him of their arrival.
+
+Latinus decided immediately to admit the embassy to an audience, and
+they were accordingly conducted into the city. They were led, after
+entering by the gates, through various streets, until they came at
+length to a large public edifice, which seemed to be, at the same
+time, palace, senate-house, and citadel. There were to be seen, in the
+avenues which led to this edifice, statues of old warriors, and
+various other martial decorations. There were many old trophies of
+former victories preserved here, such as arms, and chariots, and prows
+of ships, and crests, and great bolts and bars taken from the gates of
+conquered cities,--all old, war-worn, and now useless, but preserved
+as memorials of bravery and conquest. The Trojan embassy, passing
+through and among these trophies, as they stood or hung in the halls
+and vestibules of the palace, were at length ushered into the presence
+of Latinus the king.
+
+Here, after the usual ceremonies of introduction were performed, they
+delivered the message which AEneas had intrusted to them. They declared
+that they had not landed on Latinus's shore with any hostile intent.
+They had been driven away, they said, from their own homes, by a
+series of dire calamities, which had ended, at last, in the total
+destruction of their native city. Since then they had been driven to
+and fro at the mercy of the winds and waves, exposed to every
+conceivable degree of hardship and danger. Their landing finally in
+the dominions of Latinus in Italy, was not, they confessed, wholly
+undesigned, for Latium had been divinely indicated to them, on their
+way, as the place destined by the decrees of heaven for their final
+home. Following these indications, they had sought the shores of Italy
+and the mouths of the Tiber, and having succeeded in reaching them,
+had landed; and now AEneas, their commander, desired of the king that
+he would allow them to settle in his land in peace, and that he would
+set apart a portion of his territory for them, and give them leave to
+build a city.
+
+The effect produced upon the mind of Latinus by the appearance of
+these embassadors, and by the communication which they made to him,
+proved to be highly favorable. He received the presents, too, which
+they had brought him, in a very gracious manner, and appeared to be
+much pleased with them. He had heard, as would seem, rumors of the
+destruction of Troy, and of the departure of AEneas's squadron; for a
+long time had been consumed by the wanderings of the expedition along
+the Mediterranean shores, so that some years had now elapsed since the
+destruction of Troy and the first sailing of the fleet. In a word,
+Latinus soon determined to accede to the proposals of his visitors,
+and he concluded with AEneas a treaty of alliance and friendship. He
+designated a spot where the new city might be built, and all things
+were thus amicably settled.
+
+There was one circumstance which exerted a powerful influence in
+promoting the establishment of friendly relations between Latinus and
+the Trojans, and that was, that Latinus was engaged, at the time of
+AEneas's arrival, in a war with the Rutulians, a nation that inhabited
+a country lying south of Latium and on the coast. Latinus thought that
+by making the Trojans his friends, he should be able to enlist them as
+his auxiliaries in this war. AEneas made no objection to this, and it
+was accordingly agreed that the Trojans, in return for being received
+as friends, and allowed to settle in Latium, were to join with their
+protectors in defending the country, and were especially to aid them
+in prosecuting the existing war.
+
+In a short time a still closer alliance was formed between AEneas and
+Latinus, an alliance which in the end resulted in the accession of
+AEneas to the throne of Latinus. Latinus had a daughter named Lavinia.
+She was an only child, and was a princess of extraordinary merit and
+beauty. The name of the queen, her mother, the wife of Latinus, was
+Amata. Amata had intended her daughter to be the wife of Turnus, a
+young prince of great character and promise, who had been brought up
+in Latinus's court. Turnus was, in fact, a distant relative of Amata,
+and the plan of the queen was that he should marry Lavinia, and in the
+end succeed with her, to the throne of Latinus. Latinus himself had
+not entered into this scheme; and when closing his negotiations with
+AEneas, it seemed to him that it would be well to seal and secure the
+adherence of AEneas to his cause by offering him his daughter Lavinia
+for his bride. AEneas was very willing to accede to this proposal. What
+the wishes of Lavinia herself were in respect to the arrangement, it
+is not very well known; nor were her wishes, according to the ideas
+that prevailed in those times, of any consequence whatever. The plan
+was arranged, and the nuptials were soon to be celebrated. Turnus,
+when he found that he was to be superseded, left the court of Latinus,
+and went away out of the country in a rage.
+
+AEneas and his followers seemed now to have come to the end of all
+their troubles. They were at last happily established in a fruitful
+land, surrounded by powerful friends, and about to enter apparently
+upon a long career of peaceful and prosperous industry. They
+immediately engaged with great ardor in the work of building their
+town. AEneas had intended to have named it Troy, in commemoration of
+the ancient city now no more. But, in view of his approaching
+marriage with Lavinia, he determined to change this design, and, in
+honor of her, to name the new capital Lavinium.
+
+The territory which had been assigned to the Trojans by Latinus was in
+the south-western part of Latium, near the coast, and of course it was
+on the confines of the country of the Rutulians. Turnus, when he left
+Latium, went over to the Rutulians, determining, in his resentment
+against Latinus for having given Lavinia to his rival, to join them in
+the war. The Rutulians made him their leader, and he soon advanced at
+the head of a great army across the frontier, toward the new city of
+Lavinium. Thus AEneas found himself threatened with a very formidable
+danger.
+
+Nor was this all. For just before the commencement of the war with
+Turnus, an extraordinary train of circumstances occurred which
+resulted in alienating the Latins themselves from their new ally, and
+in leaving AEneas consequently to sustain the shock of the contest with
+Turnus and his Rutulians alone. It would naturally be supposed that
+the alliance between Latinus and AEneas would not be very favorably
+regarded by the common people of Latium. They would, on the other
+hand, naturally look with much jealousy and distrust on a company of
+foreign intruders, admitted by what they would be very likely to
+consider the capricious partiality of their king, to a share of their
+country. This jealousy and distrust was, for a time, suppressed and
+concealed; but the animosity only acquired strength and concentration
+by being restrained, and at length an event occurred which caused it
+to break forth with uncontrollable fury. The circumstances were these:
+
+There was a man in Latium named Tyrrheus, who held the office of royal
+herdsman. He lived in his hut on some of the domains of Latinus, and
+had charge of the flocks and herds belonging to the king. He had two
+sons, and likewise a daughter. The daughter's name was Sylvia. The two
+boys had one day succeeded in making prisoner of a young stag, which
+they found in the woods with its mother. It was extremely young when
+they captured it, and they brought it home as a great prize. They fed
+it with milk until it was old enough to take other food, and as it
+grew up accustomed to their hands, it was very tame and docile, and
+became a great favorite with all the family. Sylvia loved and played
+with it continually. She kept it always in trim by washing it in a
+fountain, and combing and smoothing its hair, and she amused herself
+by adorning it with wreaths, and garlands, and such other decorations
+as her sylvan resources could command.
+
+[Illustration: SILVIA'S STAG.]
+
+One day when Ascanius, AEneas's son, who had now grown to be a young
+man, and who seems to have been characterized by a full share of the
+ardent and impulsive energy belonging to his years, was returning from
+the chase, he happened to pass by the place where the herdsman lived.
+Ascanius was followed by his dogs, and he had his bow and arrows in
+his hand. As he was thus passing along a copse of wood, near a brook,
+the dogs came suddenly upon Sylvia's stag. The confiding animal,
+unconscious of any danger, had strayed away from the herdsman's
+grounds to this grove, and had gone down to the brook to drink. The
+dogs immediately sprang upon him, in full cry. Ascanius followed,
+drawing at the same time an arrow from his quiver and fitting it to
+the bow. As soon as he came in sight of the stag, he let fly his
+arrow. The arrow pierced the poor fugitive in the side, and inflicted
+a dreadful wound. It did not, however, bring him down. The stag
+bounded on down the valley toward his home, as if to seek protection
+from Sylvia. He came rushing into the house, marking his way with
+blood, ran to the covert which Sylvia had provided for his
+resting-place at night, and crouching down there he filled the whole
+dwelling with piteous bleatings and cries.
+
+As soon as Tyrrheus, the father of Sylvia, and the two young men, her
+brothers, knew who it was that had thus wantonly wounded their
+favorite, they were filled with indignation and rage. They went out
+and aroused the neighboring peasantry, who very easily caught the
+spirit of resentment and revenge which burned in the bosoms of
+Tyrrheus and his sons. They armed themselves with clubs, firebrands,
+scythes, and such other rustic weapons as came to hand, and rushed
+forth, resolved to punish the overbearing insolence of their foreign
+visitors, in the most summary manner.
+
+In the mean time the Trojan youth, having heard the tidings of this
+disturbance, began to gather hastily, but in great numbers, to defend
+Ascanius. The parties on both sides were headstrong, and highly
+excited; and before any of the older and more considerate chieftains
+could interfere, a very serious conflict ensued. One of the sons of
+Tyrrheus was killed. He was pierced in the throat by an arrow, and
+fell and died immediately. His name was Almon. He was but a boy, or at
+all events had not yet arrived at years of maturity, and his premature
+and sudden death added greatly to the prevailing excitement. Another
+man too was killed. At length the conflict was brought to an end for
+the time but the excitement and the exasperation of the peasantry were
+extreme. They carried the two dead bodies in procession to the
+capital, to exhibit them to Latinus; and they demanded, in the most
+earnest and determined manner, that he should immediately make war
+upon the whole Trojan horde, and drive them back into the sea, whence
+they came.
+
+Latinus found it extremely difficult to withstand this torrent. He
+remained firm for a time, and made every exertion in his power to
+quell the excitement and to pacify the minds of his people. But all
+was in vain. Public sentiment turned hopelessly against the Trojans,
+and AEneas soon found himself shut up in his city, surrounded with
+enemies, and left to his fate. Turnus was the leader of these foes.
+
+He, however, did not despair. Both parties began to prepare vigorously
+for war. AEneas himself went away with a few followers to some of the
+neighboring kingdoms, to get succor from them. Neighboring states are
+almost always jealous of each other, and are easily induced to take
+part against each other, when involved in foreign wars. AEneas found
+several of the Italian princes who were ready to aid him, and he
+returned to his camp with considerable reinforcements, and with
+promises of more. The war soon broke out, and was waged for a long
+time with great determination on both sides and with varied success.
+
+Latinus, who was now somewhat advanced in life, and had thus passed
+beyond the period of ambition and love of glory, and who besides must
+have felt that the interests of his family were now indissolubly bound
+up in those of AEneas and Lavinia, watched the progress of the contest
+with a very uneasy and anxious mind. He found that for a time at
+least it would be out of his power to do any thing effectual to
+terminate the war, so he allowed it to take its course, and contented
+himself with waiting patiently, in hopes that an occasion which would
+allow of his interposing with some hope of success, would sooner or
+later come.
+
+Such an occasion did come; for after the war had been prosecuted for
+some time it was found, that notwithstanding the disadvantages under
+which the Trojans labored, they were rather gaining than losing
+ground. There were in fact some advantages as well as some
+disadvantages in their position. They formed a compact and
+concentrated body, while their enemies constituted a scattered
+population, spreading in a more or less exposed condition over a
+considerable extent of country. They had neither flocks nor herds, nor
+any other property for their enemies to plunder, while the Rutulians
+and Latins had great possessions, both of treasure in the towns and of
+rural produce in the country, so that when the Trojans gained the
+victory over them in any sally or foray, they always came home laden
+with booty, as well as exultant in triumph and pride; while if the
+Latins conquered the Trojans in a battle, they had nothing but the
+empty honor to reward them. The Trojans, too, were hardy, enduring,
+and indomitable. The alternative with them was victory or destruction.
+Their protracted voyage, and the long experience of hardships and
+sufferings which they had undergone, had inured them to privation and
+toil, so that they proved to the Latins and Rutulians to be very
+obstinate and formidable foes.
+
+At length, as usual in such cases, indications gradually appeared that
+both sides began to be weary of the contest. Latinus availed himself
+of a favorable occasion which offered, to propose that embassadors
+should be sent to AEneas with terms of peace. Turnus was very much
+opposed to any such plan. He was earnestly desirous of continuing to
+prosecute the war. The other Latin chieftains reproached him then with
+being the cause of all the calamities which they were enduring, and
+urged the unreasonableness on his part of desiring any longer to
+protract the sufferings of his unhappy country, merely to gratify his
+own private resentment and revenge. Turnus ought not any longer to
+ask, they said, that others should fight in his quarrel; and they
+proposed that he should himself decide the question between him and
+AEneas, by challenging the Trojan leader to fight him in single combat.
+
+Latinus strongly disapproved of this proposal. He was weary of war and
+bloodshed, and wished that the conflict might wholly cease; and he
+urged that peace should be made with AEneas, and that his original
+design of giving him Lavinia for his wife should be carried into
+execution. For a moment Turnus seemed to hesitate, but in looking
+towards Lavinia who, with Amata her mother, was present at this
+consultation, he saw, or thought he saw, in the agitation which she
+manifested, proofs of her love for him, and indications of a wish on
+her part that he and not AEneas should win her for his bride.
+
+He accordingly without any farther hesitation or delay agreed to the
+proposal of the counsellor. The challenge to single combat was given
+and accepted, and on the appointed day the ground was marked out for
+the duel, and both armies were drawn up upon the field, to be
+spectators of the fight.
+
+After the usual preparations the conflict began; but, as frequently
+occurs in such cases, it was not long confined to the single pair of
+combatants with which it commenced. Others were gradually drawn in,
+and the duel became in the end a general battle. AEneas and the Trojans
+were victorious, and both Latinus and Turnus were slain. This ended
+the war. AEneas married Lavinia, and thenceforth reigned with her over
+the kingdom of Latium as its rightful sovereign.
+
+AEneas lived several years after this, and has the credit, in history,
+of having managed the affairs of the kingdom in a very wise and
+provident manner. He had brought with him from Troy the arts and the
+learning of the Greeks, and these he introduced to his people so as
+greatly to improve their condition. He introduced, too, many
+ceremonies of religious worship, which had prevailed in the countries
+from which he had come, or in those which he had visited in his long
+voyage. These ceremonies became at last so firmly established among
+the religious observances of the inhabitants of Latium, that they
+descended from generation to generation, and in subsequent years
+exercised great influence, in modeling the religious faith and worship
+of the Roman people. They thus continued to be practiced for many
+ages, and, through the literature of the Romans, became subsequently
+known and celebrated throughout the whole civilized world.
+
+At length, in a war which AEneas was waging with the Rutulians, he was
+once, after a battle, reduced to great extremity of danger, and in
+order to escape from his pursuers he attempted to swim across a
+stream, and was drowned. The name of this stream was Numicius. It
+flowed into the sea a little north of Lavinium. It must have been
+larger in former times than it is now, for travelers who visit it at
+the present day say that it is now only a little rivulet, in which it
+would be almost impossible for any one to be drowned.
+
+The Trojan followers of AEneas concealed his body, and spread the story
+among the people of Latium that he had been taken up to heaven. The
+people accordingly, having before considered their king as the son of
+a goddess, now looked upon him as himself divine. They accordingly
+erected altars to him in Latium, and thenceforth worshiped him as a
+God.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+RHEA SILVIA.
+
+B.C. 800
+
+Rhea Silvia.--The order of vestal virgins.--The ancient
+focus.--Arrangement for fire.--Nature of the ceremonies instituted in
+honor of Vesta.--Her vestal virgins.--Their duties.--Terrible punishment
+for those who violated their vows.--Similar observances in modern
+times.--Influence of the vestal institution.--Ceremonies.--Qualifications
+of the candidate.--Term of service.--The sacred fire.--Punishment for
+neglect of duty.--Question in regard to the succession.--Origin of the
+name Silvius.--History of Ascanius.--His war with Mezentius.--The
+Trojans victorious.--Settlement of the kingdom.--Lavinia recalled.--The
+building of Alba Longa.--Situation of Alba Longa.--The name.--Successor
+to Ascanius.--Perplexing question.--Settlement of the
+question.--Tiberinus.--The story of Alladius and his thunder.--Death of
+Alladius.--Superstitions.--Numitor and Amulius.--Their respective
+characters.--Division of their father's possessions.--Policy of
+Numitor.--Death of Egestus.--Rhea enters upon her duties as a vestal
+virgin.--Unexpected events announced.
+
+
+Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus, was a vestal virgin, who lived in
+the kingdom of Latium about four hundred years after the death of
+AEneas. A vestal virgin was a sort of priestess, who was required, like
+the nuns of modern times, to live in seclusion from the rest of the
+world, and devote their time wholly and without reserve to the
+services of religion. They were, like nuns, especially prohibited from
+all association and intercourse with men.
+
+AEneas himself is said to have founded the order of vestal virgins, and
+to have instituted the rites and services which were committed to
+their charge. These rites and services were in honor of Vesta, who was
+the goddess of Home. The fireside has been, in all ages and countries,
+the center and the symbol of home, and the worship of Vesta consisted,
+accordingly, of ceremonies designed to dignify and exalt the fireside
+in the estimation of the people. Instead of the images and altars
+which were used in the worship of the other deities, a representation
+of a _fire-stand_ was made, such as were used in the houses of those
+days; and upon this sacred stand a fire was kept continually burning,
+and various rites and ceremonies were performed in connection with it,
+in honor of the domestic virtues and enjoyments, of which it was the
+type and symbol.
+
+These fire-stands, as used by the ancients, were very different from
+the fire-places of modern times, which are recesses in chimneys with
+flues above for the passage of the smoke. The household fires of the
+ancients were placed in the center of the apartment, on a hearth or
+supporter called the _focus_. This hearth was made sometimes of stone
+or brick, and sometimes of bronze. The smoke escaped above, through
+openings in the roof. This would seem, according to the ideas of the
+present day, a very comfortless arrangement; but it must be remembered
+that the climate in those countries was mild, and there was
+accordingly but little occasion for fire; and then, besides, such were
+the habits of the people at this period of the world, that not only
+their pursuits and avocations, but far the greater portion of their
+pleasures, called them into the open air. Still, the fire-place was,
+with them as with us, the type and emblem of domestic life; and
+accordingly, in paying divine honors to Vesta, the goddess of Home,
+they set up a _focus_, or fire-place, in her temple, instead of an
+altar, and in the place of sacrifices they simply kept burning upon it
+a perpetual fire.
+
+The priestesses who had charge of the fire were selected for this
+purpose when they were children. It was required that they should be
+from six to ten years of age. When chosen they were consecrated to the
+service of Vesta by the most solemn ceremonies, and as virgins, were
+bound under awful penalties, to spotless purity of life. As the
+perpetual fire in the temple of Vesta represented the fire of the
+domestic hearth, so these vestal virgins represented the maidens by
+whom the domestic service of a household is performed; and the life of
+seclusion and celibacy which was required of them was the emblem of
+the innocence and purity which the institution of the family is
+expressly intended to guard. The duties of the vestals were analogous
+to those of domestic maidens. They were to watch the fire, and never
+to allow it to go out. They were to perform various rites and
+ceremonies connected with the worship of Vesta and to keep the
+interior of the temple and the shrines pure and clean, and the sacred
+vessels and utensils arranged, as in a well-ordered household. In a
+word, they were to be, in purity, in industry, in neatness, in order,
+and in patience and vigilance, the perfect impersonation of maidenly
+virtue as exhibited in its own proper field of duty at home.
+
+The most awful penalties were visited upon the head of any vestal
+virgin who was guilty of violating her vows. There is no direct
+evidence what these penalties were at this early period, but in
+subsequent years, at Rome, where the vestal virgins resided, the man
+who was guilty of enticing one of them away from her duty was publicly
+scourged to death in the Roman forum. For the vestal herself, thus led
+away, a cell was dug beneath the ground, and vaulted over. A pit led
+down to this subterranean dungeon, entering it by one side. In the
+dungeon itself there was placed a table, a lamp, and a little food.
+The descent was by a ladder which passed down through the pit. The
+place of this terrible preparation for punishment was near one of the
+gates of the city, and when all was ready the unhappy vestal was
+brought forth, at the head of a great public procession,--she herself
+being attended by her friends and relatives, all mourning and
+lamenting her fate by the way. The ceremony, in a word, was in all
+respects a funeral, except that the person who was to be buried was
+still alive. On arriving at the spot, the wretched criminal was
+conducted down the ladder and placed upon the couch in the cell. The
+assistants who performed this service then returned; the ladder was
+drawn up; earth was thrown in until the pit was filled; and the erring
+girl was left to her fate, which was, when her lamp had burned out,
+and her food was expended, to starve by slow degrees, and die at last
+in darkness and despair.
+
+If we would do full justice to the ancient founders of civilization
+and empire, we should probably consider their enshrinement of Vesta,
+and the contriving of the ceremonies and observances which were
+instituted in honor of her, not as the setting up of an idol or false
+god, for worship, in the sense in which Christian nations worship the
+spiritual and eternal Jehovah--but rather as the embodiment of an
+idea,--a principle,--as the best means, in those rude ages, of
+attracting to it the general regard.
+
+Even in our own days, and in Christian lands, men erect a pole in
+honor of liberty, and surmount it with the image of a cap. And if,
+instead of the cap, they were to place a carved effigy of liberty
+above, and to assemble for periodical celebrations below, with games,
+and music, and banners, we should not probably call them idolaters. So
+Christian poets write odes and invocations to Peace, to
+Disappointment, to Spring, to Beauty, in which they impersonate an
+idea, or a principle, and address it in the language of adoration, as
+if it were a sentient being, possessing magical and mysterious powers.
+In the same manner, the rites and celebrations of ancient times are
+not necessarily all to be considered as idolatry, and denounced as
+inexcusably wicked and absurd. Our fathers set up an image in honor of
+liberty, to strengthen the influence of the love of liberty on the
+popular mind. It is possible that AEneas looked upon the subject in the
+same light, in erecting a public fireside in honor of domestic peace
+and happiness, and in designating maidens to guard it with constant
+vigilance and with spotless purity. At all events, the institution
+exercised a vast and an incalculable power, in impressing the minds of
+men, in those rude ages, with a sense of the sacredness of the
+domestic tie, and in keeping before their minds a high standard, in
+theory at least, of domestic honor and purity. We must remember that
+they had not then the word of God, nor any means of communicating to
+the minds of the people any general enlightenment and instruction.
+They were obliged, therefore, to resort to the next best method which
+their ingenuity could devise.
+
+There were a great many very extraordinary rites and ceremonies
+connected with the service of the vestal altar, and many singular
+regulations for the conduct of it, the origin and design of which it
+would now be very difficult to ascertain. As has already been
+remarked, the virgins were chosen when very young, being, when
+designated to the office, not under six nor over ten years of age.
+They were chosen by the king, and it was necessary that the candidate,
+besides the above-named requisite in regard to age, should be in a
+perfect condition of soundness and health in respect to all her bodily
+limbs and members, and also to the faculties of her mind. It was
+required too that she should be the daughter of free and freeborn
+parents, who had never been in slavery, and had never followed any
+menial or degrading occupation; and also that both her parents should
+be living. To be an orphan was considered, it seems, in some sense an
+imperfection.
+
+The service of the vestal virgins continued for thirty years; and when
+this period had expired, the maidens were discharged from their vows,
+and were allowed, if they chose, to lay aside their vestal robes, and
+the other emblems of their office, and return to the world, with the
+privilege even of marrying, if they chose to do so. Though the laws
+however permitted this, there was a public sentiment against it, and
+it was seldom that any of the vestal priestesses availed themselves of
+the privilege. They generally remained after their term of service had
+expired, in attendance at the temple, and died as they had lived in
+the service of the goddess.
+
+One of the chief functions of the virgins, in their service in the
+temple, was to keep the sacred fire perpetually burning. This fire was
+never to go out, and if, by any neglect on the part of the vestal in
+attendance, this was allowed to occur, the guilty maiden was punished
+terribly by scourging. The punishment was inflicted by the hands of
+the highest pontifical officer of the state. The laws of the
+institution however evinced their high regard for the purity and
+modesty of the vestal maidens by requiring that the blows should be
+administered in the dark, the sufferer having been previously prepared
+to receive them by being partially undressed by her female attendants.
+The extinguished fire was then rekindled with many solemn ceremonies.
+
+Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus, was, we repeat, a vestal virgin.
+She lived four hundred years after the death of AEneas. During these
+four centuries, the kingdom had been governed by the descendants of
+AEneas, generally in a peaceful and prosperous manner, although some
+difficulties occurred in the establishment of the succession
+immediately after AEneas's death. It will be remembered that AEneas was
+drowned during the continuance of the war. He left one son, and
+perhaps others. The one who figured most conspicuously in the
+subsequent history of the kingdom, was Ascanius, the son who had
+accompanied AEneas from Troy, and who had now attained to years of
+maturity. He, of course, on his father's death, immediately succeeded
+him.
+
+There was some question, however, whether, after all, Lavinia herself
+was not entitled to the kingdom. It was doubtful, according to the
+laws and usages of those days, whether AEneas held the realm in his own
+right, or as the husband of Lavinia, who was the daughter and heir of
+Latinus, the ancient and legitimate king. Lavinia, however, seemed to
+have no disposition to assert her claim. She was of a mild and gentle
+spirit; and, besides, her health was at that time such as to lead her
+to wish for retirement and repose. She even had some fears for her
+personal safety, not knowing but that Ascanius would be suspicious and
+jealous of her on account of her claims to the throne, and that he
+might be tempted to do her some injury. Her husband had been her only
+protector among the Trojans, and now, since he was no more, and
+another, who was in some sense her rival, had risen to power, she
+naturally felt insecure. She accordingly took the first opportunity to
+retire from Lavinium. She went away into the forests in the interior
+of the country, with a very few attendants and friends, and concealed
+herself there in a safe retreat. The family that received and
+sheltered her was that of Tyrrheus, the chief of her father's
+shepherds, whose children's stag Ascanius had formerly killed. Here,
+in a short time, she had a son. She determined to name him from his
+father; and in order to commemorate his having been born in the midst
+of the wild forest scenes which surrounded her at the time of his
+birth, she called him in full, AEneas of the woods, or, as it was
+expressed in the language which was then used in Latium, AEneas
+Silvius. The boy, when he grew up, was always known by this name in
+subsequent history.
+
+And not only did he himself retain the name, but he transmitted it to
+his posterity, for all the kings that afterward descended from him,
+extending in a long line through a period of four hundred years, had
+the word Silvius affixed to their names, in perpetual commemoration of
+the romantic birth of their ancestor. Rhea, the mother of Romulus, of
+whom we have already spoken, and of whom we shall presently have
+occasion to speak still more, was Rhea _Silvia_, by reason of her
+having been by birth a princess of this royal line.
+
+Ascanius, in the mean time, on the death of his father, was for a time
+so engrossed in the prosecution of the war, that he paid but little
+attention to the departure of Lavinia. The name of the king of the
+Rutulians who fought against him was Mezentius. Mezentius had a son
+named Lausus, and both father and son were personally serving in the
+army by which Ascanius was besieged in Lavinium. Mezentius had command
+in the camp, at the head-quarters of the army, which was at some
+distance from the city. Lausus headed an advanced guard, which had
+established itself strongly at a post which they had taken near the
+gates. In this state of things, Ascanius, one dark and stormy night,
+planned a sortie. He organized a desperate body of followers, and
+after watching the flashes of lightning for a time, to find omens from
+them indicating success, he gave the signal. The gates were opened and
+the column of armed men sallied forth, creeping noiselessly forward
+in the darkness and gloom, until they came to the encampment of
+Lausus. They fell upon this camp with an irresistible rush, and with
+terrific shouts and outcries. The whole detachment were taken entirely
+by surprise, and great numbers were made prisoners or slain. Lausus
+himself was killed.
+
+Excited by their victory, the Trojan soldiers, headed by Ascanius, now
+turned their course toward the main body of the Rutulian army.
+Mezentius had, however, in the mean time, obtained warning of their
+approach, and when they reached his camp he was ready to retreat. He
+fled with all his forces toward the mountains. Ascanius and the
+Trojans followed him. Mezentius halted and attempted to fortify
+himself on a hill. Ascanius surrounded the hill, and soon compelled
+his enemies to come to terms. A treaty was made, and Mezentius and his
+forces soon after withdrew from the country, leaving Ascanius and
+Latium in peace.
+
+Ascanius then, after having in some degree settled his affairs, began
+to think of Lavinia. In fact, the Latin portion of his subjects
+seemed disposed to murmur and complain, at her having been compelled
+to withdraw from her own paternal kingdom, in order to leave the
+throne to the occupancy of the son of a stranger. Some even feared
+that she had come to some harm, or that Ascanius might in the end put
+her to death when time had been allowed for the recollection of her to
+pass in some degree from the minds of men. So the public began
+generally to call for Lavinia's return.
+
+Ascanius seems to have been well disposed to do justice in the case,
+for he not only sought out Lavinia and induced her to return to the
+capital with her little son, but he finally concluded to give up
+Lavinium to her entirely, as her own rightful dominion, while he went
+away and founded a new city for himself. He accordingly explored the
+country around for a favorable site, and at length decided upon a spot
+nearly north of Lavinium, and not many miles distant from it. The
+place which he marked out for the walls of the city was at the foot of
+a mountain, on a tract of somewhat elevated ground, which formed one
+of the lower declivities of it. The mountain, rising abruptly on one
+side, formed a sure defense on that side: on the other side was a
+small lake, of clear and pellucid water. In front, and somewhat
+below, there were extended plains of fertile land. Ascanius, after
+having determined on this place as the site of his intended city, set
+his men at work to make the necessary constructions. Some built the
+walls of the city, and laid out streets and erected houses within.
+Others were employed in forming the declivity of the mountain above
+into terraces, for the cultivation of the vine. The slopes which they
+thus graded had a southern exposure, and the grapes which subsequently
+grew there were luxurious and delicious in flavor. From the little
+lake channels were cut leading over the plains below, and by this
+means a constant supply of water could be conveyed to the fields of
+grain which were to be sown there, for purposes of irrigation. Thus
+the place which Ascanius chose furnished all possible facilities both
+for maintaining, and also for defending the people who were to make it
+their abode. The town was called Alba Longa, that is long Alba. It was
+called _long_ to distinguish it from another Alba. It was really long
+in its form, as the buildings extended for a considerable distance
+along the border of the lake.
+
+Ascanius reigned over thirty years at Alba Longa, while Lavinia
+reigned at Lavinium, each friendly to the other and governing the
+country at large, together, in peace and harmony. In process of time
+both died. Ascanius left a son whose name was Iulus, while AEneas
+Silvius was Lavinia's heir.
+
+There was, of course, great diversity of opinion throughout the nation
+in regard to the comparative claims of these two princes,
+respectively. Some maintained that AEneas the Trojan became, by
+conquest, the rightful sovereign of Latium, irrespective of any rights
+that he acquired through his marriage with Lavinia, and that Iulus, as
+the son of his eldest son, rightfully succeeded him. Others contended
+that Lavinia represented the ancient and the truly legitimate royal
+line, and that AEneas Silvius, as her son and heir, ought to be placed
+upon the throne. And there were those who proposed to compromise the
+question, by dividing Latium into two separate kingdoms, giving up one
+part to Iulus, with Alba Longa for its capital, and the other, with
+Lavinium for its capital, to AEneas Silvius, Lavinia's heir. This
+proposition was, however, overruled. The two kingdoms, thus formed
+would be small and feeble, it was thought, and unable to defend
+themselves against the other Italian nations in case of war. The
+question was finally settled by a different sort of compromise. It was
+agreed that Latium should retain its integrity, and that AEneas
+Silvius, being the son both of AEneas and Lavinia, and thus
+representing both branches of the reigning power, should be the king,
+while Iulus and his descendants forever, should occupy the position,
+scarcely less inferior, of sovereign power in matters of religion.
+AEneas Silvius, therefore, and his descendants, became _kings_, and as
+such commanded the armies and directed the affairs of state, while
+Iulus and his family were exalted, in connection with them, to the
+highest pontifical dignities.
+
+This state of things, once established, continued age after age, and
+century after century, for about four hundred years. No records, and
+very few traditions in respect to what occurred during this period
+remain. One circumstance, however, took place which caused itself to
+be remembered. There was one king in the line of the Silvii, whose
+name was Tiberinus. In one of his battles with the armies of the
+nation adjoining him on the northern side, he attempted to swim across
+the river that formed the frontier. He was forced down by the current,
+and was seen no more. By the accident, however, he gave the name of
+Tiber to the stream, and thus perpetuated his own memory through the
+subsequent renown of the river in which he was drowned. Before this
+time the river was called the Albula.
+
+Another incident is related, which is somewhat curious, as
+illustrating the ideas and customs of the times. One of this Silvian
+line of sovereigns was named Alladius. This Alladius conceived the
+idea of making the people believe that he was a god, and in order to
+accomplish this end he resorted to the contrivance of imitating, by
+artificial means, the sound of the rumbling of thunder and the flashes
+of lightning at night from his palace on the banks of the lake at Alba
+Longa. He employed, probably, for this purpose some means similar to
+those resorted to for the same end in theatrical spectacles at the
+present day. The people, however were not deceived by this imposture,
+though they soon after fell into an error nearly as absurd as
+believing in this false thunder would have been; for, on an occasion
+which occurred not long afterward, probably that of a great storm
+accompanied with torrents of rain upon the mountains around, the lake
+rose so high as to produce an inundation, in which the water broke
+into the palace, and the pretended thunderer was drowned. The people
+considered that he was destroyed thus by the special interposition of
+heaven, to punish him for his impiety in daring to assume what was
+then considered the peculiar attribute and prerogative of supreme
+divinity. In fact, the rumor circulated, and one historian has
+recorded it as true, that Alladius was struck by the lightning which
+accompanied the storm, and thus killed at once by the terrible agency
+which he had presumed to counterfeit, before the inundation of the
+palace came on. If he met his death in any sudden and unusual manner,
+it is not at all surprising that his fate should have been attributed
+to the judgment of God, for thunder was regarded in those days with an
+extreme and superstitious veneration and awe. All this is, however,
+now changed. Men have learned to understand thunder, and to protect
+themselves from its power; and now, since Franklin and Morse have
+commenced the work of subduing the potent and mysterious agent in
+which it originates, to the human will, the presumption is not very
+strong against the supposition that the time may come when human
+science may actually produce it in the sky--as it is now produced, in
+effect, upon the lecturer's table.
+
+At last, toward the close of the four hundred years during which the
+dynasty of the Silvii continued to reign over Latium, a certain
+monarch of the series died, leaving two children, Numitor and Amulius.
+Numitor was the eldest son, and as such entitled to succeed his
+father. But he was of a quiet and somewhat inefficient disposition,
+while his younger brother was ardent and ambitious, and very likely to
+aspire to the possession of power. The father, it seems, anticipated
+the possibility of dissension between his sons after his death, and in
+order to do all in his power to guard against it, he endeavored to
+arrange and settle the succession before he died. In the course of the
+negotiations which ensued, Amulius proposed that his father's
+possessions should be divided into two portions, the kingdom to
+constitute one, and the wealth and treasures the other, and that
+Numitor should choose which portion he would have. This proposal
+seemed to have the appearance, at least, of reasonableness and
+impartiality; and it would have been really very reasonable, if the
+right to the inheritance thus disposed of, had belonged equally to the
+younger and to the elder son. But it did not. And thus the offer of
+Amulius was, in effect, a proposition to divide with himself that
+which really belonged wholly to his brother.
+
+Numitor, however, who, it seems, was little disposed to contend for
+his rights, agreed to this proposal. He, however, chose the kingdom,
+and left the wealth for his brother; and the inheritance was
+accordingly thus divided on the death of the father. But Amulius, as
+soon as he came into possession of his treasures, began to employ them
+as a means of making powerful friends, and strengthening his political
+influence. In due time he usurped the throne, and Numitor, giving up
+the contest with very little attempt to resist the usurpation, fled
+and concealed himself in some obscure place of retreat. He had,
+however, two children, a son and a daughter, which he left behind him
+in his flight. Amulius feared that these children might, at some
+future time, give him trouble, by advancing claims as their father's
+heirs. He did not dare to kill them openly, for fear of exciting the
+popular odium against himself. He was obliged, therefore, to resort to
+stratagem.
+
+The son, whose name was Egestus, he caused to be slain at a hunting
+party, by employing remorseless and desperate men to shoot him, in the
+heat of the chase, with arrows, or thrust him through with a spear,
+watching their opportunity for doing this at a moment when they were
+not observed, or when it might appear to be an accident. The daughter,
+whose name was Rhea--the Rhea Silvia named at the commencement of this
+chapter--he could not well actually destroy, without being known to be
+her murderer; and perhaps too, he had enough remaining humanity to be
+unwilling to shed the blood of a helpless and beautiful maiden, the
+daughter, too, of his own brother. Then, besides, he had a daughter of
+his own named Antho, who was the playmate and companion of Rhea, and
+with whose affection for her cousin he must have felt some sympathy.
+He would not, therefore, destroy the child, but contented himself
+with determining to make her a vestal virgin. By this means she would
+be solemnly set apart to a religious service, which would incapacitate
+her from aspiring to the throne; and by being cut off, by her vestal
+vows, from all possibility of forming any domestic ties, she could
+never, he thought, have any offspring to dispute his claim to the
+throne.
+
+There was nothing very extraordinary in this consecration of his
+niece, princess as she was, to the service of the vestal fire; for it
+had been customary for children of the highest rank to be designated
+to this office. The little Rhea, for she was yet a child when her
+uncle took this determination in respect to her, made, as would
+appear, no objection to what she perhaps considered a distinguished
+honor. The ceremonies, therefore, of her consecration were duly
+performed; she took the vows, and bound herself by the most awful
+sanctions--unconscious, however, perhaps, herself of what she was
+doing--to lead thenceforth a life of absolute celibacy and seclusion.
+
+She was then received into the temple of Vesta, and there, with the
+other maidens who had been consecrated before her, she devoted
+herself to the discharge of the duties of her office, without
+reproach, for several years. At length, however, certain circumstances
+occurred, which suddenly terminated Rhea's career as a vestal virgin,
+and led to results of the most momentous character. What these
+circumstances were, will be explained in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE TWINS.
+
+B.C. 774-755
+
+The temple of Mars at Alba.--Its situation.--Rhea's fault.--Her
+excuse.--The wolf story.--Rhea in trouble.--Birth of her
+sons.--Antho.--The anger of Amulius.--Rhea imprisoned.--Faustulus.--His
+plan.--The box that he made.--He follows the stream.--The children
+thrown out upon the sand.--The wolf.--The woodpecker.--The children
+rescued by Faustulus.--He carries the children home.--Their
+education.--The character of the boys.--Romulus and Remus are generous
+and brave.--Quarrel among the herdsmen.--Remus is suddenly made
+prisoner.--Heavy charges against Remus.--Remus before Numitor and
+Amulius.--Remus gives an account of himself.--Numitor learns the
+truth.--Romulus.--Romulus plans a rebellion.--Faustulus and the
+arts.--Faustulus stopped at the gates of the city.--Faustulus is greatly
+embarrassed.--Amulius is alarmed.--He sends for Numitor.--Romulus
+assaults the city.--The revolt is successful.--Amulius is slain.
+
+
+Although the temple of Vesta itself, at Alba Longa, was the principal
+scene of the duties which devolved upon the vestal virgins, still they
+were not wholly confined in their avocations to that sacred edifice,
+but were often called upon, one or two at a time, to perform services,
+or to assist in the celebration of rites, at other places in the city
+and vicinity.
+
+[Illustration: RHEA SILVIA.]
+
+There was a temple consecrated to Mars near to Alba. It was situated
+in an opening in the woods, in some little glen or valley at the base
+of the mountain. There was a stream of water running through the
+ground, and Rhea in the performance of her duties as a vestal was
+required at one time to pass to and fro through the groves in this
+solitary place to fetch water. Here she allowed herself, in violation
+of her vestal vows, to form the acquaintance of a man, whom she met in
+the groves. She knew well that by doing so she made herself subject
+to the most dreadful penalties in case her fault should become known.
+Still she yielded to the temptation, and allowed herself to be
+persuaded to remain with the stranger. She said afterward, when the
+facts were brought to light, that her meeting with this companion was
+wholly unintentional on her part. She saw a wolf in the grove, she
+said, and she ran terrified into a cave to escape from him, and that
+the man came to her there, to protect her, and then compelled her to
+remain with him. Besides, from his dress, and countenance, and air,
+she had believed him, she said, to be the God Mars himself, and
+thought that it was not her duty to resist his will.
+
+However this may be, her stolen interview or interviews with this
+stranger were not known at the time, and Rhea perhaps thought that her
+fault would never be discovered. Some weeks after this, however, it
+was observed by her companions and friends that she began to appear
+thoughtful and depressed. Her dejection increased day by day; her face
+became wan and pale, and her eyes were often filled with tears. They
+asked her what was the cause of her trouble. She said that she was
+sick. She was soon afterward excused from her duties in the Vestal
+temple, and went away, and remained for some time shut up in
+retirement and seclusion. There at length two children, twins, were
+born to her.
+
+It was only through the influence of Antho, Rhea's cousin, that the
+unhappy vestal was not put to death by Amulius, before her children
+were born, at the time when her fault was first discovered. The laws
+of the State in respect to vestal virgins, which were inexorably
+severe, would have justified him in causing her to be executed at
+once, but Antho interceded so earnestly for her unhappy cousin, that
+Amulius for a time spared her life. When, however, her sons were born,
+the anger of Amulius broke out anew. If she had remained childless he
+would probably have allowed her to live, though she could of course
+never have been restored to her office in the temple of Vesta. Or if
+she had given birth to a daughter she might have been pardoned, since
+a daughter, on account of her sex, would have been little likely to
+disturb Amulius in the possession of the kingdom. But the existence of
+two sons, born directly in the line of the succession, and each of
+them having claims superior to his own, endangered, most imminently,
+he perceived, his possession of power. He was of course greatly
+enraged.
+
+He caused Rhea to be shut up in close imprisonment, and as for the
+boys, he ordered them to be thrown into the Tiber. The Tiber was at
+some considerable distance from Alba; but it was probably near the
+place where Rhea had resided in her retirement, and where the children
+were born.
+
+A peasant of that region was intrusted with the task of throwing the
+children into the river. Whether his official duty in undertaking this
+commission required him actually to drown the boys, or whether he was
+allowed to give the helpless babes some little chance for their lives,
+is not known. At all events he determined that in committing the
+children to the stream he would so arrange it that they should float
+away from his sight, in order that he might not himself be a witness
+of their dying struggles and cries. He accordingly put them upon a
+species of float that he made,--a sort of box or trough, as would seem
+from the ancient descriptions, which he had hollowed out from a
+log,--and disposing their little limbs carefully within this narrow
+receptacle, he pushed the frail boat, with its navigators still more
+frail, out upon the current of the river.
+
+[Illustration: FAUSTULUS AND THE TWINS.]
+
+The name of the peasant who performed this task was Faustulus. The
+peasant also who subsequently,--as will hereafter appear,--found and
+took charge of the children, is spoken of by the ancient historians as
+Faustulus, too. In fact we might well suppose that no man, however
+rustic and rude, could give his time and his thoughts to two such
+babes long enough to make an ark for them, for the purpose of making
+it possible to save their lives, and then place them carefully in it
+to send them away, without becoming so far interested in their fate,
+and so touched by their mute and confiding helplessness, as to feel
+prompted to follow the stream to see how so perilous a navigation
+would end. We have, however, no direct evidence that Faustulus did so
+watch the progress of his boat down the river. The story is that it
+was drifted along, now whirling in eddies, and now shooting down over
+rapid currents, until at last, at a bend in the river, it was thrown
+upon the beach, and being turned over by the concussion, the children
+were rolled out upon the sand.
+
+The neighboring thickets soon of course resounded with their plaintive
+cries. A mother wolf who was sleeping there came out to see what was
+the matter. Now a mother, of whatever race, is irresistibly drawn by
+an _instinct_, if incapable of a _sentiment_, of affection, to love
+and to cherish any thing that is newly born. The wolf caressed the
+helpless babes, imagining perhaps that they were her own offspring;
+and lying down by their side she cherished and fed them, watching all
+the time with a fierce and vigilant eye for any approaching enemy or
+danger. The rude nursery might very naturally be supposed to be in
+dangerous proximity to the water, but it happened that the river, when
+the babes were set adrift in it, was very high, from the effect of
+rains upon the mountains, and thus soon after the children were thrown
+upon the land, the water began to subside. In a short time it wholly
+returned to its accustomed channel, leaving the children on the warm
+sand, high above all danger. The wolf was not their only guardian. A
+woodpecker, the tradition says, watched over them too, and brought
+them berries and other sylvan food. The reader will perhaps be
+disposed to hesitate a little in receiving this last statement for
+sober history, but as no part of the whole narrative will bear any
+very rigid scrutiny, we may as well take the story of the woodpecker
+along with the rest.
+
+In a short time the children were rescued from their exposed situation
+by a shepherd, who is called Faustulus, and may or may not have been
+the same with the Faustulus by whom they had been exposed. Faustulus
+carried the children to his hut; and there the maternal attentions of
+the wolf and the woodpecker were replaced by those of the shepherd's
+wife. Her name was Larentia. Faustulus was one of Amulius's herdsmen,
+having the care of the flocks and herds that grazed on this part of
+the royal domain, but living, like any other shepherd, in great
+seclusion, in his hut in the forests. He not only rescued the
+children, but he brought home and preserved the trough in which they
+had been floated down the river. He put this relic aside, thinking
+that the day might perhaps come in which there would be occasion to
+produce it. He told the story of the children only to a very few
+trustworthy friends, and he accompanied the communication, in the
+cases where he made it, with many injunctions of secrecy. He named the
+foundlings Romulus and Remus, and as they grew up they passed
+generally for the shepherd's sons.
+
+Faustulus felt a great degree of interest, and a high sense of
+responsibility too, in having these young princes under his care. He
+took great pains to protect them from all possible harm, and to
+instruct them in every thing which it was in those days considered
+important for young men to know. It is even said that he sent them to
+a town in Latium where there was some sort of seminary of learning,
+that their minds might receive a proper intellectual culture. As they
+grew up they were both handsome in form and in countenance, and were
+characterized by a graceful dignity of air and demeanor, which made
+them very attractive in the eyes of all who beheld them. They were
+prominent among the young herdsmen and hunters of the forest, for
+their courage, their activity, their strength, their various personal
+accomplishments, and their high and generous qualities of mind.
+Romulus was more silent and thoughtful than his brother, and seemed to
+possess in some respects superior mental powers. Both were regarded by
+all who knew them with feelings of the highest respect and
+consideration.
+
+Romulus and Remus treated their own companions and equals, that is the
+young shepherds and herdsmen of the mountains, with great courtesy and
+kindness, and were very kindly regarded by them in return. They,
+however, evinced a great degree of independence of spirit in respect
+to the various bailiffs and chief herdsmen, and other officers of
+field and forest police, who exercised authority in the region where
+they lived. These men were sometimes haughty and domineering, and the
+peasantry in general stood greatly in awe of them. Romulus and Remus,
+however, always faced them without fear, never seeming to be alarmed
+at their threats, or at any other exhibitions of their anger. In fact,
+the boys seemed to be imbued with a native loftiness and fearlessness
+of character, as if they had inherited a spirit of confidence and
+courage with their royal blood, or had imbibed a portion of the
+indomitable temper of their fierce foster mother.
+
+They were generous, however, as well as brave. They took the part of
+the weak and the oppressed against the tyrannical and the strong in
+the rustic contentions that they witnessed; they interposed to help
+the feeble, to relieve those who were in want, and to protect the
+defenseless. They hunted wild beasts, they fought against robbers,
+they rescued and saved the lost. For amusements, they practiced
+running, wrestling, racing, throwing javelins and spears, and other
+athletic feats and accomplishments--in every thing excelling all their
+competitors, and becoming in the end greatly renowned.
+
+Numitor, the father of Rhea Silvia, whom Amulius had dethroned and
+banished from Alba, was all this time still living; and he had now at
+length become so far reconciled to Amulius as to be allowed to reside
+in Alba--though he lived there as a private citizen. He owned, it
+seems, some estates near the Tiber, where he had flocks and herds that
+were tended by his shepherds and herdsmen. It happened at one time
+that some contention arose between the herdsmen of Numitor and those
+of Amulius, among whom Romulus and Remus were residing. Now as the
+young men had thus far, of course, no idea whatever of their
+relationship to Numitor, there was no reason why they should feel any
+special interest in his affairs, and they accordingly, as might
+naturally have been expected, took part with Amulius in this quarrel,
+since Faustulus, and all the shepherds around them were on that side.
+The herdsmen of Numitor in the course of the quarrel drove away some
+of the cattle which were claimed as belonging to the herdsmen of
+Amulius. Romulus and Remus headed a band which they hastily called
+together, to pursue the depredators and bring the cattle back. They
+succeeded in this expedition, and recaptured the herd. This incensed
+the party of Numitor, and they determined on revenge.
+
+They waited some time for a favorable opportunity. At length the time
+came for celebrating a certain festival called the Supercalia, which
+consisted of very rude games and ceremonies, in which men sacrificed
+goats, and then dressed themselves partially in the skins, and ran
+about whipping every one whom they met, with thongs made likewise of
+the skins of goats, or of rabbits, or other animals remarkable for
+their fecundity. The meaning of the ceremonies, so far as such uncouth
+and absurd ceremonies could have any meaning, was to honor the God of
+fertility and fruitfulness, and to promote the fruitfulness of their
+flocks and herds, during the year ensuing at the time that the
+celebrations were held.
+
+The retainers and partisans of Numitor determined on availing
+themselves of this opportunity to accomplish their object.
+Accordingly, they armed themselves, and coming suddenly upon the spot
+where the shepherds of Amulius were celebrating the games, they made a
+rush for Remus, who was at that time, in accordance with the custom,
+running to and fro, half-naked, and armed only with goat-skin thongs.
+They succeeded in making him prisoner, and bore him away in triumph to
+Numitor.
+
+Of course, this daring act produced great excitement throughout the
+country. Numitor was well pleased with the prize that he had secured,
+but felt, at the same time, some fear of the responsibility which he
+incurred by holding the prisoner. He was strongly inclined to proceed
+against Remus, and punish him himself for the offenses which the
+herdsmen of his lands charged against him; but he finally concluded
+that this would not be safe, and he determined, in the end, to refer
+the case to Amulius for decision. He accordingly sent Remus to
+Amulius, making grievous charges against him, as a lawless desperado,
+who, with his brother, Numitor said, were the terror of the forests,
+through their domineering temper and their acts of robbery and rapine.
+
+The king, pleased, perhaps, with the spirit of deference to his regal
+authority on the part of his brother, implied in the referring of the
+case of the accused to him for trial, sent Remus back again to
+Numitor, saying that Numitor might punish the freebooter himself in
+any way that he thought best. Remus was accordingly brought again to
+Numitor's house. In the mean time, the fact of his being thus made a
+prisoner, and charged with crime, and the proceedings in relation to
+him, in sending him back and forth between Amulius and Numitor,
+strongly attracted public attention. Every one was talking of the
+prisoner, and discussing the question of his probable fate. The
+general interest which was thus awakened in respect to him and to his
+brother Romulus, revived the slumbering recollections in the minds of
+the old neighbors of Faustulus, of the stories which he had told them
+of his having found the twins on the bank of the river, in their
+infancy. They told this story to Romulus, and he or some other friends
+made it known to Remus while he was still confined.
+
+When Remus was brought before Numitor--who was really his grandfather,
+though the fact of this relationship was wholly unknown to both of
+them--Numitor was exceedingly struck with his handsome countenance and
+form, and with his fearless and noble demeanor. The young prisoner
+seemed perfectly self-possessed and at his ease; and though he knew
+well that his life was at stake, there was a certain air of calmness
+and composure in his manner which seemed to denote very lofty
+qualities, both of person and mind.
+
+A vague recollection of the lost children of his daughter Rhea
+immediately flashed across Numitor's mind. It changed all his anger
+against Remus to a feeling of wondering interest and curiosity, and
+gave to his countenance, as he looked upon his prisoner, an expression
+of kind and tender regard. After a short pause Numitor addressed the
+young captive--speaking in a gentle and conciliating manner--and asked
+him who he was, and who his parents were.
+
+"I will frankly tell you all that I know," said Remus, "since you
+treat me in so fair and honorable a manner. The king delivered me up
+to be punished, without listening to what I had to say, but you seem
+willing to hear before you condemn. My name is Remus, and I have a
+twin-brother named Romulus. We have always supposed ourselves to be
+the children of Faustulus; but now, since this difficulty has
+occurred, we have heard new tidings in respect to our origin. We are
+told that we were found in our infancy, on the shore of the river, at
+the place where Faustulus lives, and that near by there was a box or
+trough, in which we had been floated down to the spot from a place
+above. When Faustulus found us, there was a wolf and a woodpecker
+taking care of us and bringing us food. Faustulus carried us to his
+house, and brought us up as his children. He preserved the trough,
+too, and has it now."
+
+Numitor was, of course, greatly excited at hearing this intelligence.
+He perceived at once that the finding of these children, both in
+respect to time and place, and to all the attendant circumstances,
+corresponded so precisely with the exposure of the children of Rhea
+Silvia as to leave no reasonable ground for doubt that Romulus and
+Remus were his grandsons. He resolved immediately to communicate this
+joyful discovery to his daughter, if he could contrive the means of
+gaining access to her; for during all this time she had been kept in
+close confinement in her prison.
+
+In the mean time, Romulus himself, at the house of Faustulus, in the
+forests, had become greatly excited by the circumstances in which he
+found himself placed. He had been first very much incensed at the
+capture of Remus, and while concerting with Faustulus plans for
+rescuing him, Faustulus had explained to him the mystery of his birth.
+He had informed him not only how he was found with his brother, on the
+bank of the river, but also had made known to him whose sons he and
+Remus were. Romulus was, of course, extremely elated at this
+intelligence. His native courage and energy were quickened anew by his
+learning that he and his brother were princes, and as he believed,
+rightfully entitled to the throne. He immediately began to form plans
+for raising a rebellion against the government of Amulius, with a view
+of first rescuing Remus from his power, and afterward taking such
+ulterior steps as circumstances might require.
+
+Faustulus, on the other hand, leaving Romulus to raise the forces for
+his insurrection as he pleased, determined to go himself to Numitor
+and reveal the secret of the birth of Romulus and Remus to him. In
+order to confirm and corroborate his story, he took the trough with
+him, carrying it under his cloak, in order to conceal it from view,
+and in this manner made his appearance at the gates of Alba.
+
+There was something in his appearance and manner when he arrived at
+the gate, which attracted the attention of the officers on guard
+there. He wore the dress of a countryman, and had obviously come in
+from the forests, a long way; and there was something in his air
+which denoted hurry and agitation. The soldiers asked him what he had
+under his cloak, and compelled him to produce the ark to view. The
+curiosity of the guardsmen was still more strongly aroused at seeing
+this old relic. It was bound with brass bands, and it had some rude
+inscription marked upon it. It happened that one of the guard was an
+old soldier who had been in some way connected with the exposure of
+the children of Rhea when they were set adrift in the river, and he
+immediately recognized this trough as the float which they had been
+placed in. He immediately concluded that some very extraordinary
+movement was going on,--and he determined to proceed forthwith and
+inform Amulius of what he had discovered. He accordingly went to the
+king and informed him that a man had been intercepted at the gate of
+the city, who was attempting to bring in, concealed under his cloak,
+the identical ark or float, which to his certain knowledge had been
+used in the case of the children of Rhea Silvia, for sending them
+adrift on the waters of the Tiber.
+
+The king was greatly excited and agitated at receiving this
+intelligence. He ordered Faustulus to be brought into his presence.
+Faustulus was much terrified at receiving this summons. He had but
+little time to reflect what to say, and during the few minutes that
+elapsed while they were conducting him into the presence of the king,
+he found it hard to determine how much it would be best for him to
+admit, and how much to deny. Finally, in answer to the interrogations
+of the king, he acknowledged that he found the children and the ark in
+which they had been drifted upon the shore, and that he had saved the
+boys alive, and had brought them up as his children. He said, however,
+that he did not know where they were. They had gone away, he alledged,
+some years before, and were now living as shepherds in some distant
+part of the country, he did not know exactly where.
+
+Amulius then asked Faustulus what he had been intending to do with the
+trough, which he was bringing so secretly into the city. Faustulus
+said that he was going to carry it to Rhea in her prison, she having
+often expressed a strong desire to see it, as a token or memorial
+which would recall the dear babes that had lain in it very vividly to
+her mind.
+
+Amulius seemed satisfied that these statements were honest and true,
+but they awakened in his mind a very great solicitude and anxiety. He
+feared that the children, being still alive, might some day come to
+the knowledge of their origin, and so disturb his possession of the
+throne, and perhaps revenge, by some dreadful retaliation, the wrongs
+and injuries which he had inflicted upon their mother and their
+grandfather. The people, he feared, would be very much inclined to
+take part with them, and not with him, in any contest which might
+arise; for their sympathies were already on the side of Numitor. In a
+word, he was greatly alarmed, and he was much at a loss to know what
+to do, to avert the danger which was impending over him.
+
+He concluded to send to Numitor and inquire of him whether he was
+aware that the boys were still alive, and if so, if he knew where they
+were to be found. He accordingly sent a messenger to his brother,
+commissioned to make these inquiries. This messenger, though in the
+service of Amulius, was really a friend to Numitor, and on being
+admitted to Numitor's presence, when he went to make the inquiries as
+directed by the king, he found Remus there,--though not, as he had
+expected, in the attitude of a prisoner awaiting sentence from a
+judge, but rather in that of a son in affectionate consultation with
+his father. He soon learned the truth, and immediately expressed his
+determination to espouse the cause of the prince. "The whole city will
+be on your side," said he to Remus. "You have only to place yourself
+at the head of the population, and proclaim your rights; and you will
+easily be restored to the possession of them."
+
+Just at this crisis a tumult was heard at the gates of the city.
+Romulus had arrived there at the head of the band of peasants and
+herdsmen that he had collected in the forests. These insurgents were
+rudely armed and were organized in a very simple and primitive manner.
+For weapons the peasants bore such implements of agriculture as could
+be used for weapons, while the huntsmen brought their pikes, and
+spears, and javelins, and such other projectiles as were employed in
+those days in hunting wild beasts. The troop was divided into
+companies of one hundred, and for banners they bore tufts of grass on
+wisps of straw, or fern, or other herbage, tied at the top of a pole.
+The armament was rude, but the men were resolute and determined, and
+they made their appearance at the gates of the city upon the outside,
+just in time to co-operate with Remus in the rebellion which he had
+raised within.
+
+The revolt was successful. A revolt is generally successful against a
+despot, when the great mass of the population desire his downfall.
+Amulius made a desperate attempt to stem the torrent, but his hour had
+come. His palace was stormed, and he was slain. The revolution was
+complete, and Romulus and Remus were masters of the country.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE FOUNDING OF ROME.
+
+B.C. 754
+
+The people of Alba Longa called together.--The address of Numitor to
+the citizens.--Romulus and Remus come forward.--Plan for building a new
+city.--Numitor is to render the necessary aid.--Great numbers flock
+together to build the city.--The seven hills.--The Palatine
+hill.--Difference of opinion between Romulus and Remus.--Advantages of
+the Aventine hill.--Perfect equality of the two brothers.--Both
+determined not to yield.--The brothers appeal to Numitor.--His
+proposal.--The vultures of the Appenines.--Their function.--Powers of
+the vulture.--Auguries.--Romulus and Remus take their
+stations.--Result.--New dispute.--An open collision.--Faustulus
+killed.--Romulus is victorious.--The building of the city goes
+on.--Plowing the pomoerium.--Form of the enclosure.--The death of
+Remus.--The institution of the Lemuria.--Description of the
+ceremonies.--The black beans.--State of Rome after the death of
+Remus.--The story of Celer.--Probable explanation of it.
+
+
+As soon as the excitement and the agitations which attended the sudden
+revolution by which Amulius was dethroned were in some measure calmed,
+and tranquillity was restored, the question of the mode in which the
+new government should be settled, arose. Numitor considered it best
+that he should call an assembly of the people and lay the subject
+before them. There was a very large portion of the populace who yet
+knew nothing certain in respect to the causes of the extraordinary
+events that had occurred. The city was filled with strange rumors, in
+all of which truth and falsehood were inextricably mingled, so that
+they increased rather than allayed the general curiosity and wonder.
+
+Numitor accordingly convened a general assembly of the inhabitants of
+Alba, in a public square. The rude and rustic mountaineers and
+peasants whom Romulus had brought to the city came with the rest.
+Romulus and Remus themselves did not at first appear. Numitor, when
+the audience was assembled, came forward to address them. He gave them
+a recital of all the events connected with the usurpation of Amulius.
+He told them of the original division which had been made thirty or
+forty years before, of the kingdom and the estates of his father,
+between Amulius and himself,--of the plans and intrigues by which
+Amulius had contrived to possess himself of the kingdom and reduce
+him, Numitor, into subjection to his sway,--of his causing Egestus,
+Numitor's son, to be slain in the hunting party, and then compelling
+his little daughter Rhea to become a vestal virgin in order that she
+might never be married. He then went on to describe the birth of
+Romulus and Remus, the anger of Amulius when informed of the event,
+his cruel treatment of the children and of the mother, and his orders
+that the babes should be drowned in the Tiber. He gave an account of
+the manner in which the infants had been put into the little wooden
+ark, of their floating down the stream, and finally landing on the
+bank, and of their being rescued, protected and fed, by the wolf and
+the woodpecker. He closed his speech by saying that the young princes
+were still alive, and that they were then at hand ready to present
+themselves before the assembly.
+
+As he said these words, Romulus and Remus came forward, and the vast
+assembly, after gazing for a moment in silent wonder upon their tall
+and graceful forms, in which they saw combined athletic strength and
+vigor with manly beauty, they burst into long and loud acclamations.
+As soon as the applause had in some measure subsided, Romulus and
+Remus turned to their grandfather and hailed him king. The people
+responded to this announcement with new plaudits, and Numitor was
+universally recognized as the rightful sovereign.
+
+It seems that notwithstanding the personal graces and accomplishments
+of Romulus and Remus, and their popularity among their fellow
+foresters, that they and their followers made a somewhat rude and wild
+appearance in the city, and Numitor was very willing, when the state
+of things had become somewhat settled, that his rustic auxiliaries
+should find some occasion for withdrawing from the capital and
+returning again to their own native fastnesses. Romulus and Remus,
+however, having now learned that they were entitled to the regal name,
+naturally felt desirous of possessing a little regal power, and thus
+desired to remain in the city; while still they had too much
+consideration for their grandfather to wish to deprive him of the
+government. After some deliberation a plan was devised which promised
+to gratify the wishes of all.
+
+The plan was this, namely, that Numitor should set apart a place in
+his kingdom of Latium where Romulus and Remus might build a city for
+themselves,--taking with them to the spot the whole horde of their
+retainers. The place which he designated for this purpose was the spot
+on the banks of the Tiber where the two children had been landed when
+floating down the stream. It was a wild and romantic region, and the
+enterprise of building a city upon it was one exactly suited to engage
+the attention and occupy the powers of such restless spirits as those
+who had collected under the young princes' standard. Many of these
+men, it is true, were shepherds and herdsmen, well disposed in mind,
+though rude and rough in manners. But then there were many others of
+a very turbulent and unmanageable character, outlaws, fugitives, and
+adventurers of every description, who had fled to the woods to escape
+punishment for former crimes, or seek opportunities for the commission
+of new deeds of rapine and robbery; and who had seized upon the
+occasion furnished by the insurrection against Amulius to come forth
+into the world again. Criminals always flock into armies when armies
+are raised; for war presents to the wicked and depraved all the
+charms, with but half the danger, of a life of crime. War is in fact
+ordinarily only a legal organization of crime.
+
+Romulus and Remus entered into their grandfather's plan with great
+readiness. Numitor promised to aid them in their enterprise by every
+means in his power. He was to furnish tools and implements, for
+excavations and building, and artisans so far as artisans were
+required, and was also to provide such temporary supplies of
+provisions and stores as might be required at the outset of the
+undertaking. He gave permission also to any of his subjects to join
+Romulus and Remus in their undertaking, and they, in order to increase
+their numbers as much as possible, sent messengers around to the
+neighboring country inviting all who were disposed, to come and take
+part in the building of the new city. This invitation was accepted by
+great numbers of people, from every rank and station in life.
+
+Of course, however, the greater portion of those who came to join the
+enterprise, were of a very low grade in respect to moral character.
+Men of industry, integrity, and moral worth, who possessed kind hearts
+and warm domestic affections, were generally well and prosperously
+settled each in his own hamlet or town, and were little inclined to
+break away from the ties which bound them to friends and society, in
+order to plunge in such a scene of turmoil and confusion as the
+building of a new city, under such circumstances, must necessarily be.
+It was of course generally the discontented, the idle, and the bad,
+that would hope for benefit from such a change as this enterprise
+proposed to them. Every restless and desperate spirit, every depraved
+victim of vice, every fugitive and outlaw would be ready to embark in
+such a scheme, which was to create certainly a new phase in their
+relations to society, and thus afford them an opportunity to make a
+fresh beginning. The enterprise at the same time seemed to offer them,
+through a new organization and new laws, some prospect of release from
+responsibility for former crimes. In a word, in preparing to lay the
+foundations of their city, Romulus and Remus found themselves at the
+head of a very wild and lawless company.
+
+There were seven distinct hills on the ground which was subsequently
+included within the limits of Rome. Between and among these hills the
+river meandered by sweeping and graceful curves, and at one point,
+near the center of what is now the city, the stream passed very near
+the foot of one of the elevations called the Palatine Hill. Here was
+the spot where the wooden ark in which Romulus and Remus had been set
+adrift, had been thrown up upon the shore. The sides of the hill were
+steep, and between it and the river there was in one part a deep
+morass. Romulus thought, on surveying the ground with Remus his
+brother, that this was the best spot for building the city. They could
+set apart a sufficient space of level ground around the foot of the
+hill for the houses--inclosing the whole with a wall--while the top of
+the hill itself might be fortified to form the citadel. The wall and
+the steep acclivity of the ground would form a protection on three
+sides of the inclosure, while the morass alone would be a sufficient
+defense on the part toward the river. Then Romulus was specially
+desirous to select this spot as the site, as it was here that he and
+his brother had been saved from destruction in so wonderful a manner.
+
+[Illustration: SITUATION OF ROME.]
+
+Remus, however, did not concur in these views. A little farther down
+the stream there was another elevation called the Aventine Hill, which
+seemed to him more suitable for the site of a town. The sides were
+less precipitous, and thus were more convenient for building ground.
+Then the land in the immediate vicinity was better adapted to the
+purposes which they had in view. In a word, the Aventine Hill was, as
+Remus thought, for every substantial reason, much the best locality;
+and as for the fact of their having been washed ashore at the foot of
+the other hill, it was in his opinion an insignificant circumstance,
+wholly unworthy of being taken seriously into the account in laying
+the foundation of a city.
+
+The positions in which Remus and Romulus stood in respect to each
+other, and the feelings which were naturally awakened in their hearts
+by the circumstances in which they found themselves placed, were such
+as did not tend to allay any rising asperity which accident might
+occasion, but rather to irritate and inflame it. In the first place,
+they were both ardent, impulsive, and imperious. Each was conscious of
+his strength, and eager to exercise it. Each wished to command, and
+was wholly unwilling to obey. While they were in adversity, they clung
+together for mutual help and protection; but now, when they had come
+into the enjoyment of prosperity and power, the bands of affection
+which had bound them together were very much weakened, and were
+finally sundered. Then there was nothing whatever to mark any
+superiority of one over the other. If they had been of different ages,
+the younger could have yielded to the elder, in some degree, without
+wounding his pride. If one had been more prominent than the other in
+effecting the revolution by which Amulius was dethroned, or if there
+had been a native difference of temperament or character to mark a
+distinction, or if either had been designated by Numitor, or selected
+by popular choice, for the command,--all might have been well. But
+there seemed in fact to be between them no grounds of distinction
+whatever. They were twins, so that neither could claim any advantage
+of birthright. They were equal in size, strength, activity, and
+courage. They had been equally bold and efficient in effecting the
+revolution; and now they seemed equally powerful in respect to the
+influence which they wielded over the minds of their followers. We
+have been so long accustomed to consider Romulus the more
+distinguished personage, through the associations connected with his
+name, that have arisen from his subsequent career, that it is
+difficult for us to place him and his brother on that footing of
+perfect equality which they occupied in the estimation of all who knew
+them in this part of their history. This equality had caused no
+difference between them thus far, but now, since the advent of power
+and prosperity prevented their continuing longer on a level, there
+necessarily came up for decision the terrible question,--terrible when
+two such spirits as theirs have it to decide,--which was to yield the
+palm.
+
+The brothers, therefore, having each expressed his preference in
+respect to the best place for the city, were equally unwilling to
+recede from the ground which they had taken. Remus thought that there
+was no reason why he should yield to Romulus, and Romulus was equally
+unwilling to give way to Remus. Neither could yield, in fact, without
+in some sense admitting the superiority of the other. The respective
+partisans of the two leaders began to take sides, and the dissension
+threatened to become a serious quarrel. Finally, being not yet quite
+ready for an open rupture, they concluded to refer the question to
+Numitor, and to abide by his decision. They expected that he would
+come and view the ground, and so decide where it was best that the
+city should be built, and thus terminate the controversy.
+
+But Numitor was too sagacious to hazard the responsibility of deciding
+between two such equally matched and powerful opponents. He endeavored
+to soothe and quiet the excited feelings of his grandsons, and finally
+recommended to them to appeal to _augury_ to decide the question.
+Augury was a mode of ascertaining the divine will in respect to
+questions of expediency or duty, by means of certain prognostications
+and signs. These omens were of various kinds, but perhaps the most
+common were the appearances observed in watching the flight of birds
+through the air.
+
+It was agreed between Remus and Romulus, in accordance with the advice
+of Numitor, that the question at issue between them should be decided
+in this way. They were to take their stations on the two hills
+respectively--the Palatine and the Aventine, and watch for vultures.
+The homes of the vultures of Italy were among the summits of the
+Appenines, and their function in the complicated economy of animal
+life, was to watch from the lofty peaks of the mountains, or from the
+still more aerial and commanding positions which they found in soaring
+at vast elevations in the air, for the bodies of the dead,--whether of
+men after a battle, or of sheep, or cattle, or wild beasts of the
+forests, killed by accident or dying of age,--and when found to remove
+and devour them; and thus to hasten the return of the lifeless
+elements to other forms of animal and vegetable life. What the earth,
+and the rite of burial, effects for man in advanced and cultivated
+stages of society, the vultures of the Appenines were commissioned to
+perform for all the animal communities of Italy, in Numitor's time.
+
+To enable the vulture to accomplish the work assigned him, he is
+endowed with an inconceivable strength of wing, to sustain his flight
+over the vast distances which he has to traverse, and up to the vast
+elevations to which he must sometimes soar; and also with some
+mysterious and extraordinary sense, whether of sight or smell, to
+enable him readily to find, at any hour, the spot where his presence
+is required, however remote or however hidden it may be. Guided by
+this instinct, he flies from time to time with a company of his
+fellows, from mountain to mountain, or wheels slowly in vast circles
+over the plains--surveying the whole surface of the ground, and
+assuredly finding his work;--finding it too equally easily, whether it
+lie exposed in the open field, or is hidden, no matter how secretly,
+in forest, thicket, grove or glen.
+
+It was, to certain appearances, indicated in the flight of these
+birds--such as the number that were seen at a time, the quarter of the
+heavens in which they appeared, the direction in which they flew, as
+from left to right or from right to left--that the people of Numitor's
+day were accustomed to look for omens and auguries. So Romulus and
+Remus took their stations on the hills which they had severally
+chosen, each surrounded by a company of his own adherents and friends,
+and began to watch the skies. It was agreed that the decision of the
+question between the two hills should be determined by the omens
+which should appear to the respective observers stationed upon them.
+
+But it happened, unfortunately, that the rules for the interpretation
+of auguries and omens, were far too indefinite and vague to answer the
+purpose for which they were now appealed to. The most unequivocal
+distinctness and directness in giving its responses is a very
+essential requisite in any tribunal that is called upon as an umpire,
+to settle disputes; while the ancient auguries and oracles were always
+susceptible of a great variety of interpretations. When Remus and
+Romulus commenced their watch no vultures were to be seen from either
+hill. They waited till evening, still none appeared. They continued to
+watch through the night. In the morning a messenger came over from the
+Palatine hill to Remus on the Aventine, informing him that vultures
+had appeared to Romulus. Remus did not believe it. At last, however,
+the birds really came into view; a flock of six were seen by Remus,
+and afterward one of twelve by Romulus. The observations were then
+suspended, and the parties came together to confer in respect to the
+result; but the dispute instead of being settled, was found to be in a
+worse condition than ever. The point now to be determined was whether
+six vultures seen first, or twelve seen afterward, were the better
+omen, that is whether numbers, or simple priority of appearance,
+should decide the question. In contending in respect to this nice
+point the brothers became more angry with each other than ever. Their
+respective partisans took sides in the contest, which resulted finally
+in an open and violent collision. Romulus and Remus themselves seem to
+have commenced the affray by attacking one another. Faustulus, their
+foster-father, who, from having had the care of them from their
+earliest infancy, felt for them an almost parental affection, rushed
+between them to prevent them from shedding each other's blood. He was
+struck down and killed on the spot, by some unknown hand. A brother of
+Faustulus too, named Plistinus, who had lived near to him, and had
+known the boys from their infancy, and had often assisted in taking
+care of them, was killed in the endeavor to aid his brother to appease
+the tumult.
+
+At length the disturbance was quelled. The result of the conflict was,
+however, to show that Romulus and his party were the strongest.
+Romulus accordingly went on to build the walls of the city at the spot
+which he had first chosen. The lines were marked out, and the
+excavations were commenced with great ceremony.
+
+In laying out the work, the first thing to be done was to draw the
+lines of what was called the _pomoerium_. The pomoerium was a sort
+of symbolical wall, and was formed simply by turning a furrow with a
+plow all around the city, at a considerable distance from the real
+walls, for the purpose, not of establishing lines of defense, but of
+marking out what were to be the limits of the corporation, so to
+speak, for legal and ceremonial purposes. Of course, the pomoerium
+included a much greater space than the real walls, and the people were
+allowed to build houses anywhere within this outer inclosure, or even
+without it, though not very near to it. Those who built thus were, of
+course, not protected in case of an attack, and of course they would,
+in such case, be compelled to abandon their houses, and retreat for
+safety within the proper walls.
+
+So Romulus proceeded to mark out the pomoerium of the city,
+employing in the work the ceremonies customary on such occasions. The
+plow used was made of copper, and for a team to draw it a bullock and
+a heifer were yoked together. Men appointed for the purpose followed
+the plow, and carefully turned over the clods _toward_ the wall of the
+city. This seems to have been considered an essential part of the
+ceremony. At the places where roads were to pass in toward the gates
+of the city, the plow was lifted out of the ground and carried over
+the requisite space, so as to leave the turf at those points unbroken.
+This was a necessary precaution; for there was a certain consecrating
+influence that was exerted by this ceremonial plowing which hallowed
+the ground wherever it passed in a manner that would very seriously
+interfere with its usefulness as a public road.
+
+The form of the space inclosed by the pomoerium, as Romulus plowed
+it, was nearly square, and it included not merely the Palatine hill
+itself, but a considerable portion of level land around it.
+
+Though Romulus thus seemed to have conquered, in the strife with
+Remus, the difficulty was not yet fully settled. Remus was very little
+disposed to acquiesce in his brother's assumed superiority over him.
+He was sullen, morose, and ill at ease, and was inclined to take
+little part in the proceedings which were going on. Finally an
+occasion occurred which produced a crisis, and brought the rivalry and
+enmity of the brothers suddenly and forever to an end. Remus was one
+day standing by a part of the wall which his brother's workmen were
+building, and expressing, in various ways, and with great freedom, his
+opinions of his brother's plans; and finally he began to speak
+contemptuously of the wall which the workmen were building. Romulus
+all the time was standing by. At length, in order to enforce what he
+said about the insufficiency of the work, Remus leaped over a portion
+of it, saying, "This is the way the enemy will leap over your wall."
+Hereupon Romulus seized a mattock from the hands of one of the
+laborers, and struck his brother down to the ground with it, saying,
+"And this is the way that we will kill them if they do." Remus was
+killed by the blow.
+
+As soon as the deed was done, Romulus was at once overwhelmed with
+remorse and horror at the atrocity of the crime which he had been so
+suddenly led to commit. His anguish was so great for a time that he
+refused all food, and he could not sleep. He caused the dead body of
+Remus, and also those of Faustulus and of Plistinus, the brother of
+Faustulus, to be buried with the most solemn and imposing funeral
+ceremonies, so as to render all possible honor to their memory; and
+then, not satisfied with this, he instituted and celebrated certain
+religions rites, to prevent the ghosts of the deceased from coming
+back to haunt him. The ghosts, or specters of the dead that came back
+to haunt and terrify the living were called _lemures_. Hence the
+celebration which Romulus ordained was called the Lemuria, and it
+continued to be annually observed in Rome during the whole period of
+its subsequent history.
+
+Precisely what the ceremonies were which Romulus performed to appease
+the spirit of his brother can not now be ascertained, as there was no
+particular description of them recorded. But the Lemuria, as afterward
+performed, were frequently described by Roman writers, and they were
+of a very curious and extraordinary character. The time for the
+celebration of these rites was in May, the anniversary, as was
+supposed, of the days in which Romulus originally celebrated them.
+The Lemurial ceremonies extended through three days, or rather
+nights, although, for some curious reason or other, they were
+alternate and not consecutive nights. They were the nights of the
+ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth of May. The ceremonies were performed
+in the night, for the reason that it was in the dark hours that ghosts
+and goblins were accustomed, as was supposed, to roam about the world
+to haunt and terrify men.
+
+The ceremonies performed on these occasions are thus described. They
+commenced at midnight. The father of the family would rise at that
+hour and go out at the door of the house, making certain
+gesticulations and signals with his hands, which were supposed to have
+the effect of keeping the specters away. He then washed his hands
+three times in pure spring water. Then he filled his mouth with a
+certain kind of black beans for which ghosts were supposed to have
+some particular fondness. Being thus provided he would walk along,
+taking the beans out of his mouth as he walked, and throwing them
+behind him. The specters were supposed to gather up these beans as he
+threw them down. He must, however, by no means look round to see them.
+He then, after speaking certain mysterious and cabalistic words,
+washed his hands again, and then making a frightful noise by striking
+brass basins together, he shouted out nine times, "Ghosts of this
+house begone!" This was supposed effectually to drive the specters
+away--an opinion which was always abundantly confirmed by the fact;
+for on looking round after this vociferated adjuration, the man always
+found that the specters were gone!
+
+When by these ceremonies, or ceremonies such as these, Romulus had
+appeased the spirit of his brother, and those of the guardians of his
+childhood, his mind became more composed, and he turned his attention
+once more toward the building of the city. The party of Remus now, of
+course, since it was deprived of its head, no longer maintained
+itself, but was gradually broken up and merged in the general mass.
+Romulus became the sole leader of the enterprise, and immediately
+turned his attention to the measures to be adopted for a more complete
+and effectual organization of the community over which he found
+himself presiding.
+
+In respect to Remus, it ought perhaps to be added, that after his
+death a story was circulated in Rome that it was a man named Celer,
+and not Romulus, that killed him. This story has not, however, been
+generally believed. It has been thought more probable that Romulus
+himself, or some of his partisans and friends, invented and circulated
+the story of Celer, in order to screen him in some degree from the
+reproach of so unnatural a crime as the killing of a brother so near
+and dear to him as Remus had been;--a brother who had shared his
+infancy with him, who had slept with him, at the same time, in the
+arms of his mother, who had floated with him down the Tiber in the
+same ark, been saved from death by the same miraculous intervention,
+and through all the years of infancy, childhood, and youth, had been
+his constant playmate, companion, and friend. The crime was as much
+more atrocious than any ordinary fratricide, as Remus had been nearer
+to Romulus than any ordinary brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ORGANIZATION.
+
+B.C. 754
+
+Discussion in respect to ancient dates.--Difficulties.--Nature of
+tradition.--Extreme youth of Romulus.--Varro's astrological
+calculation.--Ingenuity of it.--Olympiads.--The race of
+Coroebus.--The result of Varro's computation.--Probable character
+of the first constructions at Rome.--Romulus convenes an assembly
+of the people.--The speech of Romulus.--His proposals.--The three
+forms of government.--Romulus himself made king.--Divine intimation
+in his favor.--Commencement of his reign.--Probable origin of the
+Roman institutions.--Republican character of the government.--Patricians
+and plebians.--Patrons and clients.--Duration of the reign of
+Romulus.--Usages.--Difficulty of immediately organizing such a
+community.--Importance of the parental and family relation.--The father
+a magistrate.--The marriage tie.--Religions ceremonies.--Auguries.--The
+three augurs.--Various kinds of omens.--Station of the augurs.--Thunder
+and lightning.--Birds.--Nature of the ancient superstition.--Results of
+the arrangements made by Romulus.--The asylum on the Capitoline
+hill.
+
+
+There has been a great deal of philosophical discussion, and much
+debate, among historians and chronologists, in attempting to fix the
+precise year in which Romulus commenced the building of Rome. The
+difficulty arises from the fact that no regular records of public
+events were made in those ancient days. In modern times such records
+are very systematically kept,--an express object of them being to
+preserve and perpetuate a knowledge of the exact truth in respect to
+the time, and the attendant circumstances, relating to all great
+transactions. On the other hand, the memory of public events in early
+periods of the world, was preserved only through tradition; and
+tradition cares little for the exact and the true. She seeks only for
+what is entertaining. Her function being simply to give pleasure to
+successive generations of listeners, by exciting their curiosity and
+wonder with tales,--which, the more strange and romantic they are,
+the better they are suited to her purpose--she concerns herself very
+little with such simple verities as dates and names. The exposure of
+the twin infants of Rhea, supposing such an event to have actually
+happened, she remembered well, and repeated the narrative of
+it--adorning it, doubtless, with many embellishments--from age to age,
+so that the whole story comes down to modern times in full detail; but
+as to the time when the event took place, she gave herself no concern.
+The date would have added nothing to the romance of the story, and
+thus it was neglected and forgotten.
+
+In subsequent times, however, when regular historical annals began to
+be recorded, chronologists attempted to reason backward, from events
+whose periods were known, through various data which they ingeniously
+obtained from the preceding and less formal narratives, until they
+obtained the dates of earlier events by a species of calculation. In
+this way the time for the building of Rome was determined to be about
+the year 754 before Christ. As to Romulus himself, the tradition is
+that he was but eighteen or twenty years old when he commenced the
+building of it. If this is true, his extreme youth goes far to
+palliate some of the wrongs which he perpetrated--wrongs which would
+have been far more inexcusable if committed with the deliberate
+purpose of middle life, than if prompted by the unthinking impulses
+and passions of eighteen.
+
+A certain Roman philosopher, named Varro, who lived some centuries
+after the building of the city, conceived of a very ingenious plan for
+discovering the year in which Romulus was born. It was this. By means
+of the science of astrology, as practiced in those days, certain
+learned magicians used to predict what the life and fortunes of any
+man would be, from the aspects and phases of the planets and other
+heavenly bodies at the time of his birth. The idea of Varro was to
+reverse this process in the case of Romulus; that is, to deduce from
+the known facts of his history what must have been the relative
+situations of the planets and stars when he came into the world! He
+accordingly applied to a noted astrologer to work out the problem for
+him. Given, a history of the incidents and events occurring to the man
+in his progress through life; required, the exact condition of the
+skies when the child was born. In other words, the astrologer was to
+determine what must have been the relative positions of the sun, moon,
+and stars, at the birth of Romulus, in order to produce a being whose
+life should exhibit such transactions and events as those which
+appeared in Romulus's subsequent history. When the astrologer had thus
+ascertained the condition of the skies at the time in question, the
+_astronomers_, as Varro concluded, could easily calculate the month
+and the year when the combination must have occurred.
+
+Now, it was the custom in those days to reckon by Olympiads, which
+were periods of four years, the series commencing with a great victory
+at a foot-race in Greece, won by a man named Coroebus, from which
+event originated the Olympian games, which were afterward celebrated
+every four years, and which in subsequent ages became so renowned. The
+time when Coroebus ran his race, and thus furnished an era for all
+the subsequent chronologists and historians of his country, is
+generally regarded as about the year 776 before Christ; and the result
+of the calculations of Varro's astrologer, and of the astronomers who
+perfected it, was, that to lead such a life as Romulus led, a man must
+have been born at a time corresponding with the first year of the
+second Olympiad; that is, taking off from 776, four years, for the
+first Olympiad, the first year of the second Olympiad would be 772;
+this would make the time of his birth 772 before Christ; and then
+deducting eighteen years more, for the age of Romulus when he began to
+build his wall, we have 754 before Christ as the era of the foundation
+of Rome. This method of determining a point in chronology seems so
+absurd, according to the ideas of the present day, that we can hardly
+resist the conclusion, that Varro, in making his investigation, was
+really guided by other and more satisfactory modes of determining the
+point, and that the horoscope was not what he actually relied upon.
+However this may be, the era which he fixed upon has been very
+generally received, though many others have been proposed by the
+different learned men who have successively investigated the question.
+
+According to the accounts given by the early writers, the
+constructions which Romulus and his companions made were of a very
+rude and simple character; such as might have been expected from a
+company of boys: for boys we ought perhaps to consider them all, since
+it is not to be presumed that the troop, in respect to age and
+experience, would be much in advance of the leaders. The wall which
+they built about the city was probably only a substantial stone fence,
+and their houses were huts and hovels. Even the palace, for there was
+a building erected for Romulus himself which was called the palace,
+was made, it is said, of _rushes_. Perhaps the meaning is that it was
+thatched with rushes,--or possibly the expression refers to a mode of
+building sometimes adopted in the earlier stages of civilization, in
+which straw, or rushes, or some similar material is mixed with mud or
+clay to help bind the mass together, the whole being afterward dried
+in the sun. Walls thus made have been found to possess much more
+strength and durability than would be supposed possible for such a
+material to attain.
+
+However this may be, the hamlet of huts which Romulus and his wild
+coadjutors built and walled in, must have appeared, at the time, to
+all observers, a very rude and imperfect attempt at building a city;
+in fact it must have seemed to them, if it is true that Romulus was at
+that time only eighteen years old, more like a frolic of thoughtless
+boys than a serious enterprise of men. Romulus, however, whatever
+others may have thought of his work, was wholly in earnest. He felt
+that he was a prince, and proud of his birth, and fully conscious of
+his intellectual and personal power, he determined that he would have
+a kingdom.
+
+It seems, however, that thus far he had not been considered as
+possessing any thing like regal authority over his company of
+followers, but had been regarded only as a sort of chieftain
+exercising an undefined and temporary power; for as soon as the huts
+were built and the inclosures made, he is said to have convened an
+assembly of the people, for consultation in respect to the plan of
+government that they should form. Romulus introduced the business of
+this meeting by a speech appropriate to the occasion, which speech is
+reported by an ancient historian somewhat as follows. Whether Romulus
+actually spoke the words thus attributed to him, or whether the
+report contains only what the reporter himself imagined him to say,
+there is now no means of knowing.
+
+"We have now," said Romulus, according to this record, "completed the
+building of our city, so far as at present we are able to do it; and
+it must be confessed that if we were required to depend for protection
+against a serious attack from an enemy, on the height of our walls, or
+on their strength and solidity, our prospects would not be very
+encouraging. But our walls we must remember are not what we rely upon.
+No walls can be so high, that an enemy can not scale them. The
+dependence must be after all on the men within the city, and not on
+the ramparts and entrenchments which surround it, whatever those
+ramparts and entrenchments may be. We must therefore rely upon
+ourselves, for our safety--upon our valor, our discipline, our union
+and harmony. It is courage and energy in the people, not strength in
+outward defenses, on which the safety and prosperity of a State must
+depend.
+
+"The great work before us therefore is yet to be done. We have to
+organize a government under which order and discipline may come in,
+to control and direct our energies, and prepare us to meet whatever
+future exigencies may arise, whether of peace or war. What form shall
+be given to this government is the question that you have now to
+consider. I have learned by inquiry that there are various modes of
+government adopted among men, and between these we have now to decide.
+Shall our commonwealth be governed by one man? Or shall we select a
+certain number of the wisest and bravest of the citizens, and commit
+the administration of public affairs to them? Or, in the third place,
+shall we commit the management of the government to the control of the
+people at large? Each of these three forms has its advantages, and
+each is attended with its own peculiar dangers. You are to choose
+between them. Only when the decision is once made, let us all unite in
+maintaining the government which shall be established, whatever its
+form may be."
+
+The result of the deliberation which followed, after the delivery of
+this address, was that the government of the state should be, like the
+government of Alba, under which the followers of Romulus had been
+born, a monarchy; and that Romulus himself should be king. He was a
+prince by birth, an inheritor of regal rank and power, by regular
+succession, from a line of kings. He had shown himself, too, by his
+deeds, to be worthy of power. He was courageous, energetic, sagacious,
+and universally esteemed. It was decided accordingly that he should be
+king, and he was proclaimed such by all the assembled multitude, with
+long and loud acclamations.
+
+Notwithstanding the apparent unanimity and earnestness of the people,
+however, in calling Romulus to the throne, he evinced, as the story
+goes, the proper degree of that reluctance and hesitation which a
+suitable regard to appearances seems in all ages to require of public
+men when urged to accept of power. He was thankful to the people for
+the marks of their confidence, but he could not consent to assume the
+responsibilities and prerogatives of power until the choice made by
+his countrymen had been confirmed by the divinities of the land. So he
+resolved on instituting certain solemn religious ceremonies, during
+the progress of which he hoped to receive some manifestation of the
+divine will. These ceremonies consisted principally of sacrifices
+which he caused to be offered on the plain near the city. While
+Romulus was engaged in these services, the expected token of the
+divine approval appeared in a supernatural light which shone upon his
+hand. At least it was _said_ that such a light was seen, and the
+appearing of it was considered as clearly confirming the right of
+Romulus to the throne. He no longer made any objection to assuming the
+government of the new city as its acknowledged king.
+
+The first object to which he gave his attention was the organization
+of the people, and the framing of the general constitution of society.
+The community over which he was called to preside had consisted thus
+far of very heterogeneous and discordant materials. Vast numbers of
+the people were of the humblest and most degraded condition,
+consisting of ignorant peasants, some stupid, others turbulent and
+ungovernable; and of refugees from justice, such as thieves, robbers,
+and outlaws of every degree. But then, on the other hand, there were
+many persons of standing and respectability. The sons of families of
+wealth and influence in Alba had, in many cases, joined the
+expedition, and at last, when the building of the city had advanced
+so far as to make it appear that the enterprise might succeed, more
+men of age and character came to join it, so that Romulus found
+himself, when he formally assumed the kingly power, at the head of a
+community which contained the elements of a very respectable
+commonwealth. These elements were, however, thus far all mingled
+together in complete confusion, and the work that was first to be done
+was to adopt some plan for classifying and arranging them.
+
+It is most probable, as a matter of fact, that the organization and
+the institutions which in subsequent times appeared in the Roman
+state, were not deliberately planned and formally introduced by
+Romulus at the outset, but that they gradually grew up in the progress
+of time, and that afterward historians and philosophers, in
+speculating upon them at their leisure, carried back the history of
+them to the earliest times, in order, by so doing, to honor the
+founder of the city, and also to exalt and aggrandize the institutions
+themselves in public estimation, by celebrating the antiquity and
+dignity of their origin.
+
+The institutions which Romulus actually founded, were of a very
+republican character, if the accounts of subsequent writers are to be
+believed. He established, it is true, a gradation of ranks, but the
+most important offices, civil and military, were filled, it is said,
+by election on the part of the people. In the first place, the whole
+population was divided into three portions, which were called
+_tribes_, which word was formed from the Latin word _tres_, meaning
+three. These tribes chose each three presiding officers, selecting for
+the purpose the oldest and most distinguished of their number. It is
+probable, in fact, that Romulus himself really made the selection, and
+that the action of the people was confined to some sort of expression
+of assent and concurrence, for it is difficult to imagine how any
+other kind of election than this could be possible among so rude and
+ignorant a multitude. The tribes were then subdivided each into thirty
+_counts_ or _counties_, and each of these likewise elected its head.
+Thus there was a large body of magistrates or chieftains appointed,
+ninety-nine in number, namely, nine heads of tribes and ninety heads
+of counties. Romulus himself added one to the number, of his own
+independent selection, which made the hundredth. The men thus chosen,
+constituted what was called the senate. They formed the great
+legislative council of the nation. They and the families descending
+from them became, in subsequent times, an aristocratic and privileged
+class, called the Patricians. The remaining portion of the population
+were called Plebeians.
+
+The Plebeians comprised, of course, the industrial and useful classes,
+and were in rank and station inferior to the Patricians. They were,
+however, not all upon a level with each other, for they were divided
+into two great classes, called _patrons_ and _clients_. The patrons
+were the employers, the proprietors, the men of influence and capital.
+The clients were the employed, the dependent, the poor. The clients
+were to perform services of various kinds for the patrons, and the
+patrons were to reward, to protect, and to defend the clients. All
+these arrangements Romulus is said to have ordained by his enactments,
+and thus introduced as elements in the social constitution of the
+state. It is more probable, however, that instead of being thus
+expressly established, by the authority of Romulus as a lawgiver, they
+gradually grew up of themselves, perhaps with some fostering
+attention and care on his part, and possibly under some positive
+regulation of law. For such important and complicated relations as
+these are not of a nature to be easily called into existence and
+action, in an extended and unorganized community, by the mere fiat of
+a military chieftain.
+
+Perhaps, however, it is not intended by the ancient historians, in
+referring all these complicated arrangements of the Roman civil polity
+to the enactments of Romulus, to convey the idea that he introduced
+them at once in all their completeness, at the outset of his reign.
+Romulus continued king of Rome for nearly forty years, and instead of
+making formal and positive enactments, he may have gradually
+introduced the arrangements ascribed to him, as _usages_ which he
+fostered and encouraged,--confirming and sanctioning them from time to
+time, when occasion required, by edicts and laws.
+
+However this may have been, it is certain that Romulus, in the course
+of his reign, laid the foundation of the future greatness and glory of
+Rome, by the energy with which he acted in introducing order, system,
+and discipline into the community which he found gathered around him.
+He seems to have had the sagacity to perceive from the outset that the
+great evil and danger which he had to fear was the prevalence of the
+spirit of disorder and misrule among his followers. In fact, nothing
+but tumult and confusion was to have been expected from such a lawless
+horde as his, and even after the city was built, the presumption must
+have been very strong in the mind of any considerate and prudent man,
+against the possibility of ever regulating and controlling such a mass
+of heterogeneous and discordant materials, by any human means. Romulus
+saw, however, that in effecting this purpose lay the only hope of the
+success of his enterprise, and he devoted himself with great assiduity
+and care, and at the same time with great energy and success, to the
+work of organizing it. The great leading objects of his life, from the
+time that he commenced the government of the new city, were to arrange
+and regulate social institutions, to establish laws, to introduce
+discipline, to teach and accustom men to submit to authority, and to
+bring in the requirements of law, and the authority of the various
+recognized relations of social life, to control and restrain the
+wayward impulses of the natural heart.
+
+As a part of this system of policy, he laid great stress upon the
+parental and family relation. He saw in the tie which binds the father
+to the child and the child to the father, a natural bond which he
+foresaw would greatly aid him in keeping the turbulent and boisterous
+propensities of human nature under some proper control. He accordingly
+magnified and confirmed the natural force of parental authority by
+adding the sanctions of law to it. He defined and established the
+power of the father to govern and control the son, rightly considering
+that the father is the natural ally of the state in restraining young
+men from violence, and enforcing habits of industry and order upon
+them, at an age when they most need control. He clothed parents,
+therefore, with authority to fulfill this function, considering that
+what he thus aided them to do, was so much saved for the civil
+magistrate and the state. In fact, he carried this so far that it is
+said that the dependence of the child upon the father, under the
+institutions of Romulus, was more complete, and was protracted to a
+later period than was the case under the laws of any other nation.
+The power of the father over his household was supreme. He was a
+magistrate, so far as his children were concerned, and could thus not
+only require their services, and inflict light punishments for
+disobedience upon them, as with us, but he could sentence them to the
+severest penalties of the law, if guilty of crime.
+
+The laws were equally stringent in respect to the marriage tie. Death
+was the penalty for the violation of the marriage vows. All property
+belonging to the husband and to the wife was held by them in common,
+and the wife, if she survived the husband, and if the husband died
+without a will, became his sole heir. In a word, the laws of Romulus
+evince a very strong desire on the part of the legislator to sustain
+the sacredness and to magnify the importance of the family tie; and to
+avail himself of those instinctive principles of obligation and duty
+which so readily arise in the human mind out of the various relations
+of the family state, in the plans which he formed for subduing the
+impulses and regulating the action of his rude community.
+
+He devoted great attention too to the institutions of religion. He
+knew well that such lawless and impetuous spirits as his could never
+be fully subdued and held in proper subordination to the rules of
+social order and moral duty, without the influence of motives drawn
+from the spiritual world; and he accordingly adopted vigorous measures
+for confirming and perpetuating such religious observances as were at
+that time observed, and in introducing others. Every public act which
+he performed was always accompanied and sanctioned by religious
+solemnities. The rites and ceremonies which he instituted seem puerile
+to us, but they were full of meaning and of efficacy in the view of
+those who performed them. There was, for example, a class of religious
+functionaries called _augurs_, whose office it was to interpret the
+divine will by means of certain curious indications which it was their
+special profession to understand. There were three of these augurs,
+and they were employed on all public occasions, both in peace and war,
+to ascertain from the omens whether the enterprise or the work in
+regard to which they were consulted was or was not favored by the
+councils of heaven. If the augury was propitious the work was entered
+upon with vigor and confidence. If otherwise, it was postponed or
+abandoned.
+
+The omens which the augurs observed were of various kinds, being drawn
+sometimes from certain peculiarities in the form and structure of the
+internal organs of animals offered in sacrifice, sometimes from the
+appearance of birds in the sky, their numbers or the direction of
+their flight, and sometimes from the forms of clouds, the appearance
+of the lightning, and the sound of the thunder. Whenever the augurs
+were to take the auspices from any of the signs of the sky, the
+process was this. They would go with solemn ceremony to some high
+place--in Rome there was a station expressly consecrated to this
+purpose on the Capitoline hill,--and there, with a sort of magical
+wand which they had for the purpose, one of the number would determine
+and indicate the four quarters of the heaven, pointing out in a solemn
+manner the directions of east, west, north and south. The augur would
+then take his stand with his back to the west and his face of course
+to the east. The north would then be on his left hand and the south at
+his right. He would then, in this position watch for the signs. If it
+was from the thunder that the auspices were to be taken, the augur
+would listen to hear from what quarter of the heavens it came. If the
+lightning appeared in the east and the sound of the thunder seemed to
+come from the northward, the presage was favorable. So it was if the
+chain of lightning seen in the sky appeared to pass from cloud to
+cloud above, instead of descending to the ground. On the other hand,
+thunder sounding as if it came from the southward, and lightning
+striking down to the earth, were both unpropitious omens. As to birds,
+some were of good omen, as vultures, eagles and woodpeckers. Others
+were evil, as ravens and owls. Various inferences were drawn too from
+the manner in which the birds that appeared in the air, were seen to
+fly, and from the sound of their note at the time when the observation
+was made.
+
+By these and many similar means the government of Romulus vainly
+endeavored to ascertain the will of heaven in respect to the plans and
+enterprises in which they were called upon from time to time to
+engage. There was perhaps in these observances much imposture, and
+much folly; still they could only have been sustained, in their
+influence and ascendency over the minds of the people, by a sincere
+veneration on their part for some unseen and spiritual power, and a
+reverent desire to conform the public measures of their government to
+what they supposed to be the divine will.
+
+By such measures as we have thus described Romulus soon produced order
+out of confusion within his little commonwealth. The enterprise which
+he had undertaken and the great success which had thus far followed
+it, attracted great attention, and he soon found that great numbers
+began to come in from all the surrounding country to join him. Many of
+these were persons of still worse character than those who had adhered
+to him at first, and he soon found that to admit them indiscriminately
+into the city would be to endanger the process of organization which
+was now so well begun. He accordingly set apart a hill near to his
+city called the Capitoline hill, as an asylum for them, where they
+could remain in safety under regulations suitable to their condition,
+and without interfering with the arrangements which he had made for
+the rest. This asylum soon became a very attractive place for all the
+vagabonds, outlaws, thieves and robbers of the country. Romulus
+welcomed them all, and as fast as they came he busied himself with
+plans to furnish them with employment and subsistence. He enlisted
+some of them in his army. Some he employed to cultivate the ground in
+the territory belonging to the city. Others were engaged as servants
+for the people within the walls--being taken into the city, in small
+numbers, from time to time, as fast as they could be safely received.
+In process of time, however, the walls of the city were extended so as
+to include the Capitoline hill, and thus at last the whole mass was
+brought into Rome together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+WIVES.
+
+B.C. 751
+
+The rape of the Sabines.--Narrative of it.--The population of Rome
+chiefly men.--Necessity of providing wives for them.--Romulus sends
+embassadors to the surrounding states.--Insulting replies.--Anger of
+the Romans.--Great discovery made by Romulus.--His plan.--Plans for
+the festival.--Races, games, and shows.--A great concourse assembles
+at the fair.--The spectacles continue several weeks.--The last day of
+the fair.--Signal to be made by Romulus.--Excitement of the
+Romans.--Final preparations.--The moment arrives.--The maidens
+seized.--The men fly.--The Romans secure the captive maidens.--An
+incident.--A captive "for Thalassius."--The phrase "for Thalassius"
+becomes a proverb.--Resentment of the fathers and brothers of the
+maidens.--The captives called together in the morning.--Address made
+to them by Romulus.--Acquiescence of the captives.--Cures.--The Sabines
+demand the restoration of the captives.--Romulus refuses to restore
+them.--Ceremony in commemoration of these events.
+
+
+Every reader who has made even the smallest beginning in the study of
+ancient history, must be acquainted, in general, with the mode which
+Romulus adopted to provide the people of his city with wives, by the
+transaction which is commonly called in history the rape of the
+Sabines. The deed itself, as it actually occurred, may perhaps have
+been one of great rudeness, violence, and cruelty. If so, the
+historians who described it contrived to soften the character of it,
+and to divest it in a great measure of the repulsive features which
+might have been supposed to characterize such a transaction, for,
+according to the narrative which they give us, the whole proceeding
+was conducted in such a manner as to evince not only great ingenuity
+and sagacity on the part of Romulus and his government, but also great
+moderation and humanity. The circumstances, as the historians relate
+them, were these:
+
+As might naturally be supposed from the manner in which the company
+which formed the population of Rome had been collected, it consisted
+at first almost wholly of men. The laws and regulations referred to in
+the last chapter, in respect to the family relation, were those framed
+after the organization of the community had become somewhat advanced,
+since at the outset there could be very few families, inasmuch as the
+company which first met together to build the city, consisted simply
+of an army of young men. It is true that among those who joined them
+at first there were some men of middle life and some families,--still,
+as is always the case with new cities and countries suddenly and
+rapidly settled, the population consisted almost entirely of men.
+
+It was necessary that the men should have wives. There were several
+reasons for this. First, it was necessary for the comfort and
+happiness of the people themselves. A community of mere men is gloomy
+and desolate. Secondly, for the continuance and perpetuity of the
+state it was necessary that there should be wives and children, so
+that when one generation should have passed away there might be
+another to succeed it. And, thirdly, for the preservation of order and
+law. Men unmarried are, in the mass, proverbially ungovernable.
+Nothing is so effectual in keeping a citizen away from scenes of
+tumult and riot as a wife and children at home. The fearful violence
+of the riots and insurrections of which the city of Paris has so often
+been the scene, is explained, in a great degree, by the circumstance
+that so immense a proportion of the population are unmarried. They
+have no homes, and no defenseless wives and children to fear for, and
+so they fear nothing, but give themselves up, in times of public
+excitement, to the wildest impulses of passion. Romulus seems to have
+understood this, and his first care was to provide the way by which as
+many as possible of his people should be married.
+
+The first measure which he adopted, was to send embassadors around to
+the neighboring states, soliciting alliances with them, and
+stipulations allowing of intermarriages between his people and theirs.
+The proposal seemed not unreasonable, and it was made in an unassuming
+and respectful manner. In the message which Romulus commissioned the
+embassadors to deliver, he admitted that his colony was yet small,
+and by no means equal in influence and power to the kingdoms whose
+alliance he desired; but he reminded those whom he addressed that
+great results came sometimes in the end from very inconsiderable
+beginnings, and that their enterprise thus far, though yet in its
+infancy, had been greatly prospered, and was plainly an object of
+divine favor, and that the time might not be far distant when the new
+state would be able fully to reciprocate such favors as it might now
+receive.
+
+The neighboring kings to whom these embassages were sent rejected the
+proposals with derision. They did not even give _serious_ answers,
+obviously considering the new city as a mere temporary gathering and
+encampment of adventurers and outlaws, which would be as transient as
+it was rude and irregular. They looked to see it break up as suddenly
+and tumultuously as it had been formed. They accordingly sent back
+word to Romulus that he must resort to the same plan to get women for
+his city that he had adopted to procure recruits of men. He must open
+an _asylum_ for them. The low and the dissolute would come flocking
+to him then, they said, from all parts, and vagabond women would make
+just the kind of wives for vagabond men.
+
+Of course, the young men of the city were aroused to an extreme pitch
+of indignation at receiving this response. They were clamorous for
+war. They wished Romulus to lead them out against some of these cities
+at once, and allow them at the same time to revenge the insults which
+they had received, and to provide themselves with wives by violence,
+since they could not obtain them by solicitation. But Romulus
+restrained their ardor, saying that they must do nothing rashly, and
+promising to devise a better way than theirs to attain the end.
+
+The plan which he devised was to invite the people of the surrounding
+states and cities both men and women, to come to Rome, with a view of
+seizing some favorable occasion for capturing the women while they
+were there, and driving the men away. The difficulty in the way of the
+execution of this plan was obviously to induce the people to come, and
+especially to bring the young women with them. The native timidity of
+the maidens, joined to the contemptuous feelings which their fathers
+and brothers cherished, in regard to every thing pertaining to the new
+city, would very naturally keep them away, unless something could be
+devised which would exert a very strong attraction.
+
+Romulus waited a little time, in order that any slight excitement
+which had been produced by his embassy should have had time to
+subside, and then he made, or pretended to make, a great discovery in
+a field not far from his town. This discovery was the finding of an
+ancient altar of Neptune, under ground. The altar was brought to view
+by some workmen who were making excavations at the place. How it came
+to be under ground, and who had built it, no one knew. The rumor of
+this great discovery was spread immediately in every direction.
+Romulus attached great importance to the event. The altar had
+undoubtedly been built, he thought, by the ancient inhabitants of the
+country, and the finding it was a very momentous occurrence. It was
+proper that the occasion should be solemnized by suitable religious
+observances.
+
+Accordingly, arrangements were made for a grand celebration. In
+addition to the religious rites, Romulus proposed that a great fair
+should be held on a plain near the city at the same time. Booths were
+erected, and the merchants of all the neighboring cities were invited
+to come, bringing with them such articles as they had for sale, and
+those who wished to buy were to come with their money. In a word,
+arrangements were made for a great and splendid festival.
+
+There were to be games too, races, and wrestlings, and other athletic
+sports, such as were in vogue in those times. The celebration was to
+continue for many days, and the games and sports were to come at the
+end. Romulus sent messengers to all the surrounding country to
+proclaim the programme of these entertainments, and to invite every
+body to come; and he adroitly arranged the details in such a manner
+that the chief attractions for grave, sober-minded and substantial men
+should be on the earlier days of the show, and that the latter days
+should be devoted to lighter amusements, such as would possess a charm
+for the young, the light-hearted and the happy. It was among this last
+class that he naturally expected to find the maidens whom his men
+would choose in looking for wives.
+
+When the time arrived the spectacles commenced. There was a great
+concourse at the outset, but the people who first came, were, as
+Romulus supposed would be the case, chiefly men. They came in
+companies, as if for mutual support and protection, and they exhibited
+in a greater or less degree an air of suspicion, watchfulness and
+mistrust. They were, however, received with great cordiality and
+kindness. They were conducted about the town, and were astonished to
+find how considerable a town it was. The streets, the houses, the
+walls, the temples, simple in construction as they were, far surpassed
+the expectations they had formed. The visitors were treated with great
+hospitality, and entertained in a manner which, considering the
+circumstances of the case, was quite sumptuous. The women and children
+too, who came on these first days, received from all the Romans very
+special attention and regard.
+
+As the celebrations went on from day to day, a considerable change
+took place in the character and appearance of the company. The men
+ceased to be suspicious and watchful. Some went home, and carried such
+reports of the new city, and of the kindness, and hospitality, and
+gentle behavior of the inhabitants, that new visitors came continually
+to see for themselves. Every day the proportion of stern and
+suspicious men diminished, and that of gay and happy-looking youths
+and maidens increased.
+
+In the mean time, the men of the city were under strict injunctions
+from Romulus to treat their guests in the most respectful manner,
+leaving them entirely at liberty to go and come as they pleased,
+except so far as they could detain them by treating them with kindness
+and attention, and devising new sports and amusements for them from
+day to day. Things continued in this state for two or three weeks,
+during all which time the new city was a general place of resort for
+the people of all the surrounding country. Of course a great many
+agreeable acquaintances would naturally be formed between the young
+men of the city and their visitors, as accidental circumstances, or
+individual choice and preference brought them together; and thus,
+without any directions on the subject from Romulus, each man would
+very naturally occupy himself, in anticipation of the general seizure
+which he knew was coming, in making his selection beforehand, of the
+maiden whom he intended, when the time for the seizure came, to make
+his own; and the maiden herself would probably be less terrified, and
+make less resistance to the attempt to capture her, than if it were by
+a perfect stranger that she was to be seized.
+
+All this Romulus seems very adroitly to have arranged. The time for
+the final execution of the scheme was to be the last day of the
+celebration. The best spectacle and show of all was to take place on
+that day. The Romans were directed to come armed to this show, but to
+keep their arms carefully concealed beneath their garments. They were
+to do nothing till Romulus gave the signal. He was himself to be
+seated upon a sort of throne, in a conspicuous place, where all could
+see him, presiding, as it were, over the assembly, while the spectacle
+went on; and finally, when he judged that the proper moment had
+arrived, he was to give the signal by taking off a certain loose
+article of dress which he wore--a sort of cloak or mantle--and folding
+it up, and then immediately unfolding it again. This mantle was a sort
+of badge of royalty and was gayly adorned with purple stripes upon a
+white ground. It was well adapted, therefore, to the purpose of being
+used as a signal, inasmuch as any motions that were made with it could
+be very easily seen.
+
+Every thing being thus arranged, the assembly was convened, and the
+games and spectacles went on. The Romans were full of excitement and
+trepidation, each one having taken his place as near as possible to
+the maiden whom he was intending to seize, and occupying himself with
+keeping his eye upon her as closely as he could, without seeming to do
+so, and at the same time watching the royal mantle, and every movement
+made by the wearer of it, that he might catch the signal the instant
+that it should be made. All this time the men among the guests at the
+entertainment were off their guard, and wholly at their ease--having
+no suspicion whatever of the mine that was ready to be sprung beneath
+them. The wives, mothers, and children, too, were all safe, as well as
+unsuspicious of danger; for Romulus had given special charge that no
+married woman should be molested. The men had had ample time and
+opportunity in the many days of active social intercourse which they
+had enjoyed with their guests, to know who were free, and they were
+forbidden in any instance to take a wife away from her husband.
+
+At length the moment arrived for giving the signal. Romulus took off
+his mantle, folded it, and then unfolded it again. The Romans
+immediately drew their swords, and rushed forward, each to secure his
+own prize. A scene of the greatest excitement and confusion ensued.
+The whole company of visitors perceived of course that some great act
+of treachery was perpetrated upon them, but they were wholly in the
+dark in respect to the nature and design of it. They were chiefly
+unarmed, and wholly unprepared for so sudden an attack, and they fled
+in all directions in dismay, protecting themselves and their wives and
+children as well as they could, as they retired, and aiming only to
+withdraw as large a number as possible from the scene of violence and
+confusion that prevailed. The Romans were careful not to do them any
+injury, but, on the contrary, to allow them to withdraw, and to take
+away all the mothers and children without any molestation. In fact, it
+was the very object and design of the onset which they made upon the
+company, not only to seize upon the maidens, but to drive all the rest
+of their visitors away. The men, therefore, in the excitement and
+terror of the moment, fled in all directions, taking with them those
+whom they could most readily secure, who were, of course, those whom
+the Romans left to them; while the Romans themselves withdrew with
+their prizes, and secured them within the walls of the city.
+
+In reading this extraordinary story, we naturally feel a strong
+disposition to inquire what part the damsels themselves took, when
+they found themselves thus suddenly seized and carried away, by these
+daring and athletic assailants. Did they resist and struggle to get
+free, or did they yield themselves without much opposition to their
+fate? That they did not resist effectually is plain, for the Roman
+young men succeeded in carrying them away, and securing them. It may
+be that they attempted to resist, but found their strength overpowered
+by the desperate and reckless violence of their captors. And yet, it
+can not be denied that woman is endued with the power of making by
+various means a very formidable opposition to any attempt to abduct
+her by any single man, when she is thoroughly in earnest about it. How
+it was in fact in this case we have no direct information, and we have
+consequently no means of forming any opinion in respect to the light
+in which this rough and lawless mode of wooing was regarded by the
+objects of it, except from the events which subsequently occurred.
+
+One incident took place while the Romans were seizing and carrying
+away their prizes, which was afterward long remembered, as it became
+the foundation of a custom which continued for many centuries to form
+a part of the marriage ceremony at Rome. It seems that some young
+men--very young, and of a humble class--had seized a peculiarly
+beautiful girl--one of some note and consideration, too, among her
+countrywomen--and were carrying her away, like the rest. Some other
+young Romans of the patrician order seeing this, and thinking that so
+beautiful a maiden ought not to fall to the share of such plebeians,
+immediately set out in full pursuit to rescue her. The plebeians
+hurried along to escape from them, calling out at the same time,
+"_Thalassio! Thalassio!_" which means "For Thalassius, For
+Thalassius." They meant by this to convey the idea that the prize
+which they had in possession was intended not for any one of their own
+number, but for Thalassius. Now Thalassius was a young noble
+universally known and very highly esteemed by all his countrymen, and
+when the rescuing party were thus led to suppose that the beautiful
+lady was intended for him, they acquiesced immediately, and desisted
+from their attempt to recapture her, and thus by the aid of their
+stratagem the plebeians carried off their prize in safety. When this
+circumstance came afterward to be known, the ingenuity of the young
+plebeians, and the success of their manoeuver, excited very general
+applause, and the exclamation, _Thalassio_, passed into a sort of
+proverb, and was subsequently adopted as an exclamation of assent and
+congratulation, to be used by the spectators at a marriage ceremony.
+
+Romulus had issued most express and positive orders that the young
+captives should be treated after their seizure in the kindest and most
+respectful manner, and should be subject to no violence, and no
+ill-treatment of any kind, other than that necessary for conveying
+them to the places of security previously designated. They suffered
+undoubtedly a greater or less degree of distress and terror,--but
+finding that they were treated, after their seizure, with respectful
+consideration, and that they were left unmolested by their captors,
+they gradually recovered their composure during the night, and in the
+morning were quite self-possessed and calm. Their fathers and brothers
+in the mean time had gone home to their respective cities, taking with
+them the women and children that they had saved, and burning with
+indignation and rage against the perpetrators of such an act of
+treachery as had been practiced upon them. They were of course in a
+state of great uncertainty and suspense in respect to the fate which
+awaited the captives, and were soon eagerly engaged in forming and
+discussing all possible plans for rescuing and recovering them. Thus
+the night was passed in agitation and excitement, both within and
+without the city,--the excitement of terror and distress, great
+perhaps, though subsiding on the part of the captives, and of
+resentment and rage which grew deeper and more extended every hour, on
+the part of their countrymen.
+
+When the morning came, Romulus ordered the captive maidens to be all
+brought together before him in order that he might make as it were an
+apology to them for the violence to which they had been subjected, and
+explain to them the circumstances which had impelled the Romans to
+resort to it.
+
+"You ought not," said he, "to look upon it as an indignity that you
+have been thus seized, for the object of the Romans in seizing you was
+not to dishonor you, or to do you any injury, but only to secure you
+for their wives in honorable marriage; and far from being displeased
+with the extraordinariness of the measures which they have adopted to
+secure you, you ought to take pride in them, as evincing the ardor and
+strength of the affection with which you have inspired your lovers. I
+will assure you that when you have become their wives you shall be
+treated with all the respect and tenderness that you have been
+accustomed to experience under your fathers' roofs. The brief coercion
+which we have employed for the purpose of securing you in the first
+instance,--a coercion which we were compelled to resort to by the
+necessity of the case,--is the only rudeness to which you will ever
+be exposed. Forgive us then for this one liberty which we have taken,
+and consider that the fault, whatever fault in it there may be, is not
+ours, but that of your fathers and brothers who rejected our offers
+for voluntary and peaceful alliances, and thus compelled us to resort
+to this stratagem or else to lose you altogether. Your destiny if you
+unite with us will be great and glorious. We have not taken you
+captive to make you prisoners or slaves, or to degrade you in any way
+from your former position; but to exalt you to positions of high
+consideration in a new and rising colony;--a colony which is surely
+destined to become great and powerful, and of which we mean you to be
+the chief glory and charm."
+
+The young and handsome Romans stood by while Romulus made this speech,
+their countenances animated with excitement and pleasure. The maidens
+themselves seemed much inclined to yield to their fate. Their
+resentment gradually subsided. It has been, in fact, in all ages,
+characteristic of women to be easily led to excuse and forgive any
+wrong on the part of another which is prompted by love for herself:
+and these injured maidens seemed gradually to come to the conclusion,
+that considering all the circumstances of the case their abductors
+were not so much in fault after all. In a short time an excellent
+understanding was established, and they were all married. There were,
+it is said, about five or six hundred of them, and it proved that most
+of them were from the nation of the Sabines, a nation which inhabited
+a territory north of the colony of the Romans. The capital of the
+Sabines was a city called Cures. Cures was about twenty miles from
+Rome.[E]
+
+[Footnote E: See map of Latium, page 134.]
+
+The Sabines, in deliberating on the course which they should pursue in
+the emergency, found themselves in a situation of great perplexity. In
+the first place the impulse which urged them to immediate acts of
+retaliation and hostility was restrained by the fact that so many of
+their beloved daughters were wholly in the power of their enemies, and
+they could not tell what cruel fate might await the captives if they
+were themselves to resort to any measures that would exasperate or
+provoke the captors. Then again their own territory was very much
+exposed and they were by no means certain, in case a war should be
+commenced between them and the Romans, how it would end. Their own
+population was much divided, being scattered over the territory, or
+settled in various cities and towns which were but slightly fortified,
+and consequently were much exposed to assault in case the Romans were
+to make an incursion into their country. In view of all these
+considerations the Sabines concluded that it would be best for them on
+the whole, to try the influence of gentle measures, before resorting
+to open war.
+
+They therefore sent an embassy to Romulus, to remonstrate in strong
+terms against the wrong which the Romans had done them by their
+treacherous violence, and to demand that the young women should be
+restored. "If you will restore them to us now," said they, "we will
+overlook the affront which you have put upon us, and make peace with
+you; and we will enter into an alliance with you so that hereafter
+your people and ours may be at liberty to intermarry in a fair and
+honorable way, but we can not submit to have our daughters taken away
+from us by treachery and force."
+
+Reasonable as this proposition seems, Romulus did not think it best
+to accede to it. It was, in fact, too late, for such deeds once done
+can hardly be undone. Romulus replied, that the women, being now the
+wives of the Romans, could not be surrendered. The violence, he said,
+of which the Sabines complained was unavoidable. No other possible way
+had been open to them for gaining the end. He was willing, he added,
+to enter into a treaty of peace and alliance with the Sabines, but
+they must acknowledge, as a preliminary to such a treaty, the validity
+of the marriages, which, as they had already been consummated, could
+not now be annulled.
+
+The Sabines, on their part, could not accede to these proposals.
+Being, however, still reluctant to commence hostilities, they
+continued the negotiations--though while engaged in them they seemed
+to anticipate an unfavorable issue, for they were occupied all the
+time in organizing troops, strengthening the defenses of their
+villages and towns, and making other vigorous preparations for war.
+
+The Romans, in the mean time, seemed to find the young wives which
+they had procured by these transactions a great acquisition to their
+colony. It proved, too, that they not only prized the acquisition,
+but they exulted so much in the ingenuity and success of the stratagem
+by which their object had been effected, that a sort of symbolical
+violence in taking the bride became afterward a part of the marriage
+ceremony in all subsequent weddings. For always, in future years, when
+the new-married wife was brought home to her husband's house, it was
+the custom for him to take her up in his arms at the door, and carry
+her over the threshold as if by force, thus commemorating by this
+ceremony the coercion which had signalized the original marriages of
+his ancestors, the founders of Rome.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE SABINE WAR.
+
+B.C. 750-746
+
+King Acron.--Caenina.--Its distance from Rome.--Acron's hostility to
+the new city.--His plans.--Romulus and Acron meet on the
+field.--Anticipations of the spectators.--Romulus victorious.--Results
+of his victory.--Subsequent policy of the Romans.--The trophy of the
+victory.--First Roman triumph.--Annexation of more cities.--Women
+summoned.--The address of Romulus.--His promises.--Generous policy
+pursued by Romulus.--Enlargement of the city.--Plans of the
+Sabines.--They mature their preparations.--Titus Tatius.--Preparations
+of the Romans.--Final negotiations.--The Roman herdsmen.--Flocks and
+herds called in.--The citadel.--Tarpeia.--The Campus Martius.--Parley
+with Tarpeia.--Agreement made with Tarpeia.--The Sabines
+admitted.--Tarpeia killed.--The two armies meet on the plain.--A truce
+to bury the dead.--Fresh combats.--Romulus in great personal
+danger.--The story of Curtius.--The lake.--Distress of the Sabine
+women.--Their perplexity.--The plan of Hersilia.--The women admitted to
+the senate house.--Arrangements for the intercession of the women.--The
+address of Hersilia.--Effect of it.--Conditions and terms of peace.
+
+
+While the negotiations with the Sabines were still pending, Romulus
+became involved in another difficulty, which for a time assumed a very
+threatening aspect. This difficulty was a war which broke out,
+somewhat suddenly, in consequence of the invasion of the Roman
+territories by a neighboring chieftain named Acron. Acron was the
+sovereign of a small state, whose capital was a town called Caenina.[F]
+This Caenina is supposed to have been only four or five miles distant
+from Romulus's city,--a fact which shows very clearly on how small a
+scale the deeds and exploits connected with the first foundation of
+the great empire, which afterward became so extended and so renowned,
+were originally performed, and how intrinsically insignificant they
+were, in themselves, though momentous in the extreme in respect to the
+consequences that flowed from them.
+
+[Footnote F: See Map of Latium, page 134.]
+
+Acron was a bold, energetic, and determined man, who had already
+acquired great fame by his warlike exploits, and who had long been
+watching the progress of the new colony with an evil eye. He thought
+that if it were allowed to take root, and to grow, it might, at some
+future day, become a formidable enemy, both to him, and also to the
+other states in that part of Italy. He had been very desirous,
+therefore, of finding some pretext for attacking the new city, and
+when he heard of the seizure of the Sabine women, he thought that the
+time had arrived. He, therefore, urged the Sabines to make war at once
+upon the Romans, and promised, if they would do so, to assist them
+with all the forces that he could command. The Sabines, however, were
+so unwilling to proceed to extremities, and spent so much time in
+negotiations and embassies, that Acron's patience was at length wholly
+exhausted by the delays, and he resolved to undertake the
+extermination of the new colony himself alone.
+
+So he gathered together a rude and half-organized army, and advanced
+toward Rome. Romulus, who had been informed of his plans and
+preparations, went out to meet him. The two armies came in view of
+each other on an open plain, not far from the city. Romulus advanced
+at the head of his troops, while Acron appeared likewise in the
+fore-front of the invaders. After uttering in the hearing of each
+other, and of the assembled armies, various exclamations of challenge
+and defiance, it was at length agreed that the question at issue
+should be decided by single combat, the two commanders themselves to
+be the champions. Romulus and Acron accordingly advanced into the
+middle of the field, while their armies drew up around them, forming a
+sort of ring within which the combatants were to engage.
+
+The interest which would be naturally felt by such an encounter, was
+increased very much by the strong contrast that was observed in the
+appearance of the warriors. Romulus was very young, and though tall
+and athletic in form, his countenance exhibited still the expression
+of softness and delicacy characteristic of youth. Acron, on the other
+hand, was a war-worn veteran, rugged, hardy, and stern; and the
+throngs of martial spectators that surrounded the field, when they saw
+the combatants as they came forward to engage, anticipated a very
+unequal contest. Romulus was nevertheless victorious. As he went into
+the battle, he made a vow to Jupiter, that if he conquered his foe, he
+would ascribe to the god all the glory of the victory, and he would
+set up the arms and spoils of Acron at Rome, as a trophy sacred to
+Jupiter, in honor of the divine aid through which the conquest should
+be achieved. It was in consequence of this vow, as the old historians
+say, that Romulus prevailed in the combat. At all events, he did
+prevail. Acron was slain, and while Romulus was stripping the fallen
+body of its armor on the field, his men were pursuing the army of
+Acron, for the soldiers fled in dismay toward their city, as soon as
+they saw that the single combat had gone against their king.
+
+Caenina was not in a condition to make any defense, and it was readily
+taken. When the city was thus in the power of Romulus, he called the
+inhabitants together, and said to them, that he cherished no hostile
+or resentful feelings toward them. On the contrary, he wished to have
+them his allies and friends, and he promised them, that if they would
+abandon Caenina, and go with him to Rome, they should all be received
+as brothers, and be at once incorporated into the Roman state, and
+admitted to all the privileges of citizens. The people of Caenina, when
+the first feelings of terror and distress which their falling into the
+power of their enemies naturally awakened, had been in some measure
+allayed, readily acquiesced in this arrangement, and were all
+transferred to Rome. Their coming made a great addition not only to
+the population and strength of the city, but vastly increased the
+celebrity and fame of Romulus in the estimation of the surrounding
+nations.
+
+This victory over Acron, and the annexation of his dominions to the
+Roman commonwealth, are considered of great historical importance, as
+the original type and exemplar of the whole subsequent foreign policy
+of the Roman state;--a policy marked by courage and energy in martial
+action on the field, and by generosity in dealing with the conquered;
+and which was so successful in its results, that it was the means of
+extending the Roman power from kingdom to kingdom, and from continent
+to continent, until the vast organization almost encircled the world.
+
+Romulus faithfully fulfilled the vow which he had made to Jupiter. On
+the return of the army to Rome, the soldiers, by his directions, cut
+down a small oak-tree, and trimming the branches at the top, and
+shortening them as much as was necessary for the purpose, they hung
+the weapons and armor of Acron upon it, and marched with it thus, in
+triumph into the city. Romulus walked in the midst of the procession,
+a crown of laurel upon his head, and his long hair hanging down upon
+his shoulders. Thus the victors entered the city, greeted all the way
+by the shouts and acclamations of the people, who had assembled,--men,
+women, and children,--at the gates and upon the tops of the houses.
+When the long procession had thus passed in, tables for the soldiers
+were spread in the streets and public squares, and the whole day was
+spent in festivity and rejoicing. This was the first Roman
+triumph,--the original model and example of those magnificent and
+imposing spectacles which in subsequent ages became the wonder of the
+world.
+
+The spoils which had been brought in upon the oak were solemnly set
+up, on one of the hills within the city, as a trophy to Jupiter. A
+small temple was erected expressly to receive them. This temple was
+very small, being but five feet wide and ten feet long.
+
+A short time after these transactions two other cities were
+incorporated into the Roman state. The name of these cities were
+Crustumenium and Antemnae. Some women from these cities had been seized
+at Rome when the Sabine women were taken, and the inhabitants had been
+ever since that period meditating plans of revenge. They were not
+strong enough to wage open war against Romulus, but they began at last
+to make hostile incursions into the Roman territories by means of such
+small bands of armed men as they had the means of raising. Romulus
+immediately organized bodies of troops sufficient for the purpose, and
+then suddenly, and, as it would seem, without giving the kings of
+these cities any previous warning, he appeared before the walls and
+captured the cities before the inhabitants had time to recover from
+their consternation.
+
+He then sent to all the women in Rome who had formerly belonged to
+these cities, summoning them to appear before him at his public place
+of audience in the city, and in the presence of the Roman Senate. The
+women were exceedingly terrified at receiving this summons. They
+supposed that death or some other terrible punishment, was to be
+inflicted upon them in retribution for the offenses committed by their
+countrymen, and they came into the senate-house, hiding their faces in
+their robes, and crying out with grief and terror. Romulus bid them
+calm their fears, assuring them that he intended them no injury. "Your
+countrymen," said he, "preferred war to the peaceful alternative of
+friendship and alliance which we offered them; and the fortune of war
+to which they thus chose to appeal, has decided against them. They
+have now fallen into our hands, and are wholly at our mercy. We do
+not, however, mean to do them any harm. We spare and forgive them for
+your sakes. We intend to invite them to come and live with us and with
+you at Rome, so that you can once more experience the happiness of
+being joined to your fathers and brothers as well as your husbands. We
+shall not destroy or even injure their cities; but shall send some of
+our own citizens to people them, so that they may become fully
+incorporated into the Roman commonwealth. Thus, your fathers and
+brothers, and all your countrymen, receive the boon of life, liberty,
+and happiness through you; and all that we ask of you in return, is
+that you will continue your conjugal affection and fidelity to your
+Roman husbands, and seek to promote the harmony and happiness of the
+city by every means in your power."
+
+Of course such transactions as these attracted great attention
+throughout the country, and both the valor with which Romulus
+encountered his enemies while they resisted and opposed him, and the
+generosity with which he admitted them to an honorable alliance with
+him when they were reduced to submission, were universally applauded.
+In fact, there began to be formed a strong public sentiment in favor
+of the new colony, and the influx to it of individual adventurers,
+from all parts of the country, rapidly increased. In one instance a
+famous chieftain named Caelius, a general of the Etrurians who lived
+north of the Tiber, brought over the whole army under his command in a
+body, to join the new colony. New and special arrangements were
+necessary to be made at Rome for receiving so sudden and so large an
+accession to the numbers of the people, and accordingly a new
+eminence, one which had been hitherto without the city, was now
+inclosed, and brought within the poemerium. This hill received the
+name of Caelius, from the general whose army occupied it. The city was
+extended too at the same time on the other side toward the Tiber. The
+walls were continued down to the very bank of the river, and thence
+carried along the bank so as to present a continued defense on that
+side, except at one place where there was a great gate leading to the
+water.
+
+During all this time, however, the Sabines still cherished the spirit
+of resentment and hostility, and instead of being conciliated by the
+forbearance and generosity of the Romans, were only excited to greater
+jealousy and ill-will at witnessing the proofs of their increasing
+influence and power. They employed themselves in maturing their plans
+for a grand onset against the new colony, and with the intention to
+make the blow which they were about to strike effectual and final they
+took time to arrange their preparations on the most extensive scale,
+and to mature them in the most deliberate and thorough manner. They
+enlisted troops; they collected stores of provisions and munitions of
+war; they formed alliances with such states lying beyond them as they
+could draw into their quarrel; and finally, when all things were
+ready, they assembled their forces upon the frontier, and prepared for
+the onset. The name of the general who was placed in command of this
+mighty host was Titus Tatius.
+
+In the mean time, Romulus and the people of the city were equally busy
+in making preparations for defense. They procured and laid up in
+magazines, great stores of provisions for the use of the city. They
+strengthened and extended the walls, and built new ramparts and towers
+wherever they were needed. Numitor rendered very essential aid to his
+grandson in these preparations. He sent supplies of weapons to him for
+the use of the men, and furnished various military engines, such as
+were used in those times in the attack and defense of besieged cities.
+In fact, the preparations on both sides were of the most extensive
+character, and seemed to portend a very resolute and determined
+contest.
+
+When all things were thus ready, the Sabines, before actually striking
+the blow for which they had been so long and so deliberately
+preparing, concluded to send one more final embassy to Romulus, to
+demand the surrender of the women. This was of course only a matter of
+form, as they must have known well from what had already passed that
+Romulus would not now yield to such a proposal. He did not yield. He
+sent back word in answer to their demand, that the Sabine women were
+all well settled in Rome, and were contented and happy there with
+their husbands and friends, and that he could not think now of
+disturbing them. This answer having been received, the Sabines
+prepared for the onset.
+
+There was a certain tract of country surrounding Rome which belonged
+to the people of the city, and was cultivated by them. This land was
+used partly for tillage and partly for the pasturage of cattle, but
+principally for the latter, as the rearing of flocks and herds was,
+for various reasons, a more advantageous mode of procuring food for
+man in those ancient days than the culture of the ground. The rural
+population, therefore, of the Roman territory consisted chiefly of
+herdsmen; and when the approaching danger from the Sabines became
+imminent, Romulus called all these herdsmen in, and required the
+flocks of sheep and the herds of cattle to be driven to the rear of
+the city, and shut up in an inclosure there, where they could be more
+easily defended. Thus the Sabine army found, when they were ready to
+cross the frontier, that the Roman territory, on that side, was
+deserted and solitary; and that there was nothing to oppose them in
+advancing across it almost to the very gates of Rome.
+
+They advanced accordingly, and when they came near to the city they
+found that Romulus had taken possession of two hills without the
+walls, where he had entrenched himself in great force. These two hills
+were named the Esquiline and Quirinal hills. The city itself included
+two other hills, namely, the Palatine and the Capitoline. The
+Capitoline hill was the one on which the asylum had formerly been
+built, and it was now the citadel. The citadel was surrounded on all
+parts with ramparts and towers which overlooked and commanded all the
+neighboring country. The command of this fortress was given to
+Tarpeius, a noble Roman. He had a daughter named Tarpeia, whose name
+afterward became greatly celebrated in history, on account of the
+part which she took in the events of this siege, as will presently
+appear.
+
+At the foot of the Capitoline hill, and on the western side of it,
+that is, the side away from the city, there was a spacious plain which
+was afterward included within the limits of the city, and used as a
+parade-ground, under the name of Campus Martius, which words mean the
+"War Field." This field was now, however, an open plain, and the
+Sabine army advancing to it, encamped upon it. The Sabine forces were
+much more numerous than those of the Romans, but the latter were so
+well guarded and protected by their walls and fortifications, that
+Titus Tatius saw no feasible way of attacking them with any prospect
+of success. At last, one day as some of his officers were walking
+around the Capitoline hill, looking at the walls of the citadel,
+Tarpeia came to one of the gates, which was in a retired and solitary
+position, and entered into a parley with the men. The story of what
+followed is variously related by different historians, and it is now
+difficult to ascertain the actual truth respecting it. The account
+generally received is this:--
+
+[Illustration: PROMISING THE BRACELETS.]
+
+Tarpeia had observed the soldiers from the walls, and her attention
+had been attracted by the bracelets and rings which they wore; and she
+finally made an agreement with the Sabines that she would open the
+postern gate in the night, and let them in, if they would give her
+what they wore upon their arms, meaning the ornaments which had
+attracted her attention. The Sabines bound themselves to do this and
+then went away. Titus Tatius, accordingly, when informed of this
+arrangement, detailed a strong detachment of troops, and gave them
+orders to repair at night in a very silent and secret manner to the
+gate which had been designated as the place where they were to be let
+in. It is asserted, however, by some writers, that this apparent
+treachery on the part of Tarpeia was only a deep-laid stratagem on her
+part to draw the Sabines into a snare; and that she sent word to
+Romulus, informing him of the agreement which she had made, in order
+that he might secretly dispatch a strong force to take their position
+at the gate, and intercept and capture the Sabine party as soon as
+they should come in. But if this was Tarpeia's design, it totally
+failed. The Sabines, when they came at midnight to the postern gate
+which Tarpeia opened for them, came in sufficient force to bear down
+all opposition; and in fulfillment of their promise to give Tarpeia
+what they wore upon their arms they threw their heavy bucklers upon
+her until she was crushed down beneath the weight of them and killed.
+
+A steep rock which forms that side of the Capitoline hill is called
+the Tarpeian rock, in memory of this maiden, to the present day.
+
+In this way the Sabines gained possession of the citadel, though
+Romulus still held the main city. The Romans were of course extremely
+disconcerted at the loss of the citadel, and Romulus, finding that the
+danger was now extremely imminent, resolved no longer to stand on the
+defensive, but to come out upon the plain and offer the Sabines
+battle. He accordingly brought his forces out of the city and took up
+a strong position with them, between the Capitoline and Palatine
+hills, with his front toward the Campus Martius, where the main body
+of the Sabines were posted. Thus the armies were confronted against
+each other on the plain, the Romans holding the city and the Palatine
+hill as a stronghold to retreat to in case of necessity, while the
+Sabines in the same manner could seek refuge on the Capitoline hill
+and in the citadel.
+
+Things being in this state a series of desperate but partial contests
+ensued, which were continued for several days, when at length a
+general battle came on. During all this time the walls of the city and
+of the citadel were lined with spectators who had ascended to witness
+the combats; for from these walls and from the declivities of the
+hills, the whole plain could be looked down upon as if it were a map.
+The battle continued all day. At night both parties were exhausted,
+and the field was covered with the dead and dying, but neither side
+had gained a victory. The next day by common consent they suspended
+the combat in order to take care of the wounded, and to bury the
+bodies of the dead.
+
+After the interval of a day, which was spent, on both sides, in
+removing the horrid relics of the previous combats, and in gathering
+fresh strength and fresh desperation and rage for the conflicts yet to
+come, the struggle was renewed. The soldiers fought now, on this
+renewal of the battle, with more dreadful and deadly ferocity than
+ever. Various incidents occurred during the day to give one party or
+the other a local or temporary advantage, but neither side wholly
+prevailed. At one time Romulus himself was exposed to the most
+imminent personal danger, and for a time it was thought that he was
+actually killed. The Romans had gained some great advantage over a
+party of the Sabines, and the latter were rushing in a headlong flight
+to the citadel, the Romans pursuing them and hoping to follow them in,
+in the confusion, and thus regain possession of the fortress. To
+prevent this the Sabines within the citadel and on the rocks above
+threw stones down upon the Romans. One of these stones struck Romulus
+on the head, and he fell down stunned and senseless under the blow.
+His men were extremely terrified at this disaster, and abandoning the
+pursuit of their enemies they took up the body of Romulus and carried
+it into the city. It was found, however, that he was not seriously
+injured. He soon recovered from the effects of the blow and returned
+into the battle.
+
+Another incident which occurred in the course of these battles has
+been commemorated in history, by having been the means of giving a
+name to a small lake or pool which was afterward brought within the
+limits of the city. A Sabine general named Curtius happened at one
+time to encounter Romulus in a certain part of the field, and a long
+and desperate combat ensued between the two champions. Other soldiers
+gradually came up and mingled in the fray, until at length Curtius,
+finding himself wounded and bleeding, and surrounded by enemies, fled
+for his life. Romulus pursued him for a short distance, but Curtius
+at length came suddenly upon a small swampy pool, which was formed of
+water that had been left by the inundations of the river in some old
+deserted channel, and which was now covered and almost concealed by
+some sort of mossy and floating vegetation. Curtius running headlong,
+and paying little heed to his steps fell into this hole, and sank in
+the water. Romulus supposed of course that he would be drowned there,
+and so turned away and went to find some other enemy. Curtius,
+however, succeeded in crawling out of the pond into which he had
+fallen; and in commemoration of the incident the pond was named Lake
+Curtius, which name it retained for centuries afterward, when, not
+only had all the water disappeared, but the place itself had been
+filled up, and had been covered with streets and houses.
+
+The combats between the Romans and the Sabines were continued for
+several days, during all which time the Sabine women, on whose account
+it was that this dreadful quarrel had arisen, were suffering the
+greatest anxiety and distress. They loved their fathers and brothers,
+but then they loved their husbands too; and they were overwhelmed
+with anguish at the thought that day after day those who were equally
+dear to them were engaged in fighting and destroying one another, and
+that they could do nothing to arrest so unnatural a hostility.
+
+At length, however, after suffering extreme distress for many days, a
+crisis arrived when they found that they could interpose. Both parties
+had become somewhat weary of the contest. Neither could prevail over
+the other, and yet neither was willing to yield. The Sabines could not
+bring themselves to submit to so humiliating an alternative as to
+withdraw from Rome and leave their daughters and sisters in the
+captors' hands, after all the grand preparations which they had made
+for retaking them. And on the other hand the Romans could not take
+those, who, whatever had been their previous history, were now living
+happily as wives and mothers, each in her own house in the city, and
+give them up to an army of invaders, demanding them with threats and
+violence, without deep dishonor. Thus, though there was a pause in the
+conflict, and both parties were weary of it, neither was willing to
+yield, and both were preparing to return to the struggle with new
+determination and vigor.
+
+The Sabine women thought that they might now interpose. A lady named
+Hersilia, who is often mentioned as one of the most prominent among
+the number, proposed this measure and made the arrangements for
+carrying it into effect. She assembled her countrywomen and explained
+to them her plan, which was that they should go in a body to the Roman
+Senate, and ask permission to intercede between the contending
+nations, and plead for peace.
+
+The company of women, taking their children with them, all of whom
+were yet very young, went accordingly in a body to the senate-chamber,
+and asked to be admitted. The doors were opened to them, and they went
+in. They all appeared to be in great distress and agitation. The grief
+and anxiety which they had suffered during the progress of the war
+still continued, and they begged the Senate to let them go out to the
+camp of the Sabines, and endeavor to persuade them to make peace. The
+Senate were disposed to consent. The women wished to take their
+children with them, but some of the Romans imagined that there might,
+perhaps, be danger, that under pretense of interceding for peace, they
+were really intending to make their escape from Rome altogether. So it
+was insisted that they should leave their children behind them as
+hostages for their return, excepting that such as had two children
+were allowed to take one, which plan it was thought would aid them in
+moving the compassion of their Sabine relatives.
+
+The women, accordingly, left the senate-chamber, and with their
+children in their arms, their hair disheveled, their robes disordered,
+and their countenances wan with grief, went in mournful procession out
+through the gate of the city. They passed across the plain and
+advanced toward the citadel. They were admitted, and after some delay,
+were ushered into the council of the Sabines. Here their tears and
+exclamations of grief broke forth anew. When silence was in some
+measure restored, Hersilia addressed the Sabine chieftains, saying,
+that she and her companions had come to beg their countrymen to put an
+end to the war. "We know," said she, "that you are waging it on our
+account, and we see in all that you have done proofs of your love for
+us. In fact, it was our supposed interests which led you to commence
+it, but now our real interests require that it should be ended. It is
+true that when we were first seized by the Romans we felt greatly
+wronged, but having submitted to our fate, we have now become settled
+in our new homes, and are contented and happy in them. We love our
+husbands and love our children; and we are treated with the utmost
+kindness and respect by all. Do not then, under a mistaken kindness
+for us, attempt to tear us away again, or continue this dreadful war,
+which, though ostensibly on our account, and for our benefit, is
+really making us inexpressibly miserable."
+
+This intercession produced the effect which might have been expected
+from it. The Sabines and Romans immediately entered upon negotiations
+for peace, and peace is easily made where both parties are honestly
+desirous of making it. In fact, a great reaction took place, so that
+from the reckless and desperate hostility which the two nations had
+felt for each other, there succeeded so friendly a sentiment, that in
+the end a treaty of union was made between the two nations. It was
+agreed that the two nations should be merged into one. The Sabine
+territory was to be annexed to that of Rome, and Titus Tatius, with
+the principal Sabine chieftains, were to remove to Rome, which was
+thenceforth to be the capital of the new kingdom. In a word never was
+a reconciliation between two belligerent nations so sudden and so
+complete.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE CONCLUSION.
+
+B.C. 764-717
+
+Romulus reigns in conjunction with the Sabine king.--The Roman
+Forum.--Growth of the city.--Bold and comprehensive
+measures.--Cameria.--Difficulty with Titus Tatius.--Controversy
+between Romulus and Tatius.--The difficulty at Lavinium.--Tatius
+killed.--Romulus once more sole king.--Rome assumes a general
+jurisdiction over other states.--Foundation of the future greatness
+of Rome.--Circumstances connected with the death of Romulus.--Rumors
+in circulation.--Public opinion.--Proculus's story.--The ghost of
+Romulus.--The Romans satisfied.--The real truth not to be known.--The
+interregnum.--A new king.
+
+
+After the termination of the Sabine war Romulus continued to reign
+many years, and his reign, although no very exact and systematic
+history of it was recorded at the time, seems to have presented the
+usual variety of incidents and vicissitudes; and yet, notwithstanding
+occasional and partial reverses, the city, and the kingdom connected
+with it, made rapid progress in wealth and population.
+
+For four or five years after the union of the Sabines with the Romans,
+Titus Tatius was in some way or other associated with Romulus in the
+government of the united kingdom. Romulus, during all this time, had
+his house and his court on the Palatine hill, where the city had been
+originally built, and where most of the Romans lived. The
+head-quarters of the Sabine chieftain were, on the other hand, upon
+the Capitoline hill, which was the place on which the citadel was
+situated that his troops had taken possession of in the course of the
+war, and which it seems they continued to occupy after the peace. The
+space between the two hills was set apart as a market-place, or
+_forum_, as it was called in their language,--that place being
+designated for the purpose on account of its central and convenient
+situation. When afterward that portion of the city became filled as it
+did with magnificent streets and imposing architectural edifices, the
+space which Romulus had set apart for a market remained an open public
+square, and as it was the scene in which transpired some of the most
+remarkable events connected with Roman history, it became renowned
+throughout the world under the name of the Roman Forum.
+
+In consequence of the union of the Romans and the Sabines, and of the
+rapid growth of the city in population and power which followed, the
+Roman state began soon to rise to so high a position in relation to
+the surrounding cities and kingdoms, as soon to take precedence of
+them altogether. This was owing, however, in part undoubtedly, to the
+character of the men who governed at Rome. The measures which they
+adopted in founding the city, and in sustaining it through the first
+years of its existence, as described in the foregoing chapters, were
+all of a very extraordinary character, and evinced very extraordinary
+qualities in the men who devised them. These measures were bold,
+comprehensive and sagacious, and they were carried out with a certain
+combination of courage and magnanimity which always gives to those who
+possess it, and who are in a position to exercise it on a commanding
+scale, great ascendency over the minds of men. They who possess these
+qualities generally feel their power, and are usually not slow to
+assert it. A singular and striking instance of this occurred not many
+years after the peace with the Sabines. There was a city at some
+distance from Rome called Cameria, whose inhabitants were a lawless
+horde, and occasionally parties of them made incursions, as was said,
+into the surrounding countries, for plunder. The Roman Senate sent
+word to the government of the city that such accusations were made
+against them, and very coolly cited them to appear at Rome for trial.
+The Camerians of course refused to come. The Senate then declared war
+against them, and sent an army to take possession of the city,
+proceeding to act in the case precisely as if the Roman government
+constituted a judicial tribunal, having authority to exercise
+jurisdiction, and to enforce law and order, among all the nations
+around them. In fact, Rome continued to assert and to maintain this
+authority over a wider and wider circle every year, until in the
+course of some centuries after Romulus's day, she made herself the
+arbiter of the world.
+
+Titus Tatius shared the supreme power with Romulus at Rome for several
+years, and the two monarchs continued during this time to exercise
+their joint power in a much more harmonious manner than would have
+been supposed possible. At length, however, causes of disagreement
+began to occur, and in the end open dissension took place, in the
+course of which Tatius came to his end in a very sudden and remarkable
+manner. A party of soldiers from Rome, it seems, had been committing
+some deed of violence at Lavinium, the ancient city which AEneas had
+built when he first arrived in Latium. The people of Lavinium
+complained to Romulus against these marauders. It happened, however,
+that the guilty men were chiefly Sabines, and in the discussions which
+took place at Rome afterward in relation to the affair, Tatius took
+their part, and endeavored to shield them, while Romulus seemed
+disposed to give them up to the Lavinians for punishment. "They are
+robbers and murderers," said Romulus, "and we ought not to shield them
+from the penalty due to their crimes." "They are Roman citizens," said
+Tatius, "and we must not give them up to a foreign state." The
+controversy became warm; parties were formed; and at last the
+exasperation became so great that when the Lavinian envoys, who had
+come to Rome to demand the punishment of the robbers, were returning
+home, a gang of Tatius's men intercepted them on the way and killed
+them.
+
+This of course increased the excitement and the difficulty in a
+tenfold degree. Romulus immediately sent to Lavinium to express his
+deep regret at what had occurred, and his readiness to do every thing
+in his power to expiate the offense which his countrymen had
+committed. He would arrest these murderers, he said, and send them to
+Lavinium, and he would come himself, with Tatius, to Lavinium, and
+there make an expiatory offering to the gods, in attestation of the
+abhorrence which they both felt for so atrocious a crime as waylaying
+and murdering the embassadors of a friendly city. Tatius was compelled
+to assent to these measures, though he yielded very reluctantly. He
+could not openly defend such a deed as the murder of the envoys; and
+so he consented to accompany Romulus to Lavinium, to make the
+offering, but he secretly arranged a plan for rescuing the murderers
+from the Lavinians, after they had been given up. Accordingly, while
+he and Romulus were at Lavinium offering the sacrifices, news came
+that the murderers of the envoys, on their way from Rome to Lavinium,
+had been rescued and allowed to escape. This news so exasperated the
+people of Lavinium against Tatius, for they considered him as
+unquestionably the secret author and contriver of the deed, that they
+rose upon him at the festival, and murdered him with the butcher
+knives and spits which had been used for slaughtering and roasting the
+animals. They then formed a grand procession and escorted Romulus out
+of the city in safety with loud acclamations.
+
+The government of Lavinium, as soon as the excitement of the scene was
+over, fearing the resentment which they very naturally supposed
+Romulus would feel at the murder of his colleague, seized the
+ringleaders of the riot, and sent them bound to Rome, to place them at
+the disposal of the Roman government. Romulus sent them back unharmed,
+directing them to say to the Lavinian government, that he considered
+the death of Tatius, though inflicted in a mode lawless and
+unjustifiable, as nevertheless, in itself, only a just expiation for
+the murder of the Lavinian embassadors, which Tatius had instigated or
+authorized.
+
+The Sabines of Rome were for a time greatly exasperated at these
+occurrences, but Romulus succeeded in gradually quieting and calming
+them, and they finally acquiesced in his decision. Romulus thus became
+once more the sole and undisputed master of Rome.
+
+After this the progress of the city in wealth and prosperity, from
+year to year, was steady and sure, interrupted, it is true, by
+occasional and temporary reverses, but with no real retrocession at
+any time. Causes of disagreement arose from time to time with
+neighboring states, and, in such cases, Romulus always first sent a
+summons to the party implicated, whether king or people, citing them
+to appear and answer for their conduct before the Roman Senate. If
+they refused to come, he sent an armed force against them, as if he
+were simply enforcing the jurisdiction of a tribunal of justice. The
+result usually was that the refractory state was compelled to submit,
+and its territories were added to those of the kingdom of Rome. Thus
+the boundaries of the new empire were widening and extending every
+year.
+
+Romulus paid great attention, in the mean time, to every thing
+pertaining to the internal organization of the state, so as to bring
+every part of the national administration into the best possible
+condition. The municipal police, the tribunals of justice, the social
+institutions and laws of the industrial classes, the discipline of the
+troops, the enlargement and increase of the fortifications of the
+city, and the supply of arms, and stores, and munitions of war,--and
+every other subject, in fact, connected with the welfare and
+prosperity of the city,--occupied his thoughts in every interval of
+peace and tranquillity. In consequence of the exertions which he made,
+and the measures which he adopted, order and system prevailed more
+and more in every department, and the community became every year
+better organized, and more and more consolidated; so that the capacity
+of the city to receive accessions to the population increased even
+faster than accessions were made. In a word, the solid foundations
+were laid of that vast superstructure, which, in subsequent ages,
+became the wonder of the world.
+
+Notwithstanding, however, all this increasing greatness and
+prosperity, Romulus was not without rivals and enemies, even among his
+own people at Rome. The leading senators became, at last, envious and
+jealous of his power. They said that he himself grew imperious and
+domineering in spirit, as he grew older, and manifested a pride and
+haughtiness of demeanor which excited their ill-will. He assumed too
+much authority, they said, in the management of public affairs, as if
+he were an absolute and despotic sovereign. He wore a purple robe on
+public occasions, as a badge of royalty. He organized a body-guard of
+three hundred young troopers, who rode before him whenever he moved
+about the city; and in all respects assumed such pomp and parade in
+his demeanor, and exercised such a degree of arbitrary power in his
+acts, as made him many enemies. The whole Senate became, at length,
+greatly disaffected.
+
+At last one day, on occasion of a great review which took place at a
+little distance from the city, there came up a sudden shower, attended
+with thunder and lightning, and the violence of the tempest was such
+as to compel the soldiers to retire precipitately from the ground in
+search of some place of shelter. Romulus was left with a number of
+senators who were at that time attending upon him, alone, on the shore
+of a little lake which was near the place that had been chosen for the
+parade. After a short time the senators themselves came away from the
+ground, and returned to the city; but Romulus was not with them. The
+story which they told was that in the middle of the tempest, Romulus
+had been suddenly enveloped in a flame which seemed to come down in a
+bright flash of lightning from the clouds, and immediately afterward
+had been taken up in the flame to heaven.
+
+[Illustration: THE DEATH OF ROMULUS.]
+
+This strange story was but half believed even at first, by the
+people, and very soon rumors began to circulate in the city that
+Romulus had been murdered by the senators who were around him at the
+time of the shower,--they having seized the occasion afforded by the
+momentary absence of his guards, and by their solitary position. There
+were various surmises in respect to the disposal which the assassins
+had made of the body. The most obvious supposition was that it had
+been sunk in the lake. There was, however, a horrible report
+circulated that the senators had disposed of it by cutting it up into
+small pieces, and conveying it away, each taking a portion, under
+their robes.
+
+Of course these rumors produced great agitation and excitement
+throughout the city. The current of public sentiment set strongly
+against the senators. Still as nothing could be positively ascertained
+in respect to the transaction, the mystery seemed to grow more dark
+and dreadful every day, and the public mind was becoming more and more
+deeply agitated. At length, however, the mystery was suddenly
+explained by a revelation, which, whatever may be thought of it at the
+present day, was then entirely satisfactory to the whole community.
+
+One of the most prominent and distinguished of the senators, named
+Proculus, one who it seems had not been present among the other
+senators in attendance upon Romulus at the time when he disappeared,
+came forward one day before a grand assembly which had been convened
+for the purpose, and announced to them in the most solemn manner, that
+the spirit of Romulus had appeared to him in a visible form, and had
+assured him that the story which the other senators had told of the
+ascension of their chieftain to heaven in a flame of fire was really
+true. "I was journeying," said Proculus, "in a solitary place, when
+Romulus appeared to me. At first I was exceedingly terrified. The form
+of the vision was taller than that of a mortal man, and it was clothed
+in armor of the most resplendent brightness. As soon as I had in some
+measure recovered my composure I spoke to it. 'Why,' said I, 'have you
+left us so suddenly? and especially why did you leave us at such a
+time, and in such a way, as to bring suspicion and reproach on the
+Roman senators?' 'I left you,' said he, 'because it pleased the gods
+to call me back again to heaven, whence I originally came. It was no
+longer necessary for me to remain on earth, for Rome is now
+established, and her future greatness and glory are sure. Go back to
+Rome and communicate this to the people. Tell them that if they
+continue industrious, virtuous, and brave, the time will come when
+their city will be the mistress of the world; and that I, no longer
+its king, am henceforth to be its tutelar divinity.'"
+
+The people of Rome were overjoyed to hear this communication. Their
+doubts and suspicions were now all removed; the senators at once
+recovered their good standing in the public regard, and all was once
+more peace and harmony. Altars were immediately erected to Romulus,
+and the whole population of the city joined in making sacrifices and
+in paying other divine honors to his memory.
+
+The declaration of Proculus that he had seen the spirit of Romulus,
+and his report of the conversation which the spirit had addressed to
+him, constituted proof of the highest kind, according to the ideas
+which prevailed in those ancient days. In modern times, however, there
+is no faith in such a story, and the truth in respect to the end of
+Romulus can now never be known.
+
+After the death of Romulus the senators undertook to govern the State
+themselves, holding the supreme power one by one, in regular rotation.
+This plan was, however, not found to succeed, and after an interregnum
+of about a year, the people elected another king.
+
+               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
+
+
+1. Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors, and to
+ensure consistent spelling and punctuation in this etext; otherwise,
+every effort has been made to remain true to the original book.
+
+2. The chapter summaries in this text were originally published as
+banners in the page headers, and have been moved to beginning of the
+chapter for the reader's convenience.
+
+3. In the chart on page 46, detailing the original Greek alphabet, the
+typesetter's appear to have missed the 7th letter, kappa. The
+correction has been made, based on the discussion in "History of the
+Greek Alphabet," by E. A. Sophocles, published in 1848, by George
+Nichols, Boston.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Romulus, Makers of History, by Jacob Abbott
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