John Lord - The Old Roman World

Title: The Old Roman World

Author: John Lord

Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6839] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on January 31, 2003]

Edition: 10

Language: English

Early History of RomeWars under the KingsTheir ResultsGradual
Subjection of ItalyGreat Heroes of the RepublicTheir Virtues and
VictoriesMilitary AggrandizementThe Carthaginian, Macedonian, and
Asiatic WarsTheir ConsequencesCivil Wars of Marius and Sulla, of
Pompey and CaesarThe Conquests of the BarbariansExtension of Roman
Dominion in the EastConquests of the EmperorsThe Military Forces of
the EmpireMilitary ScienceThe Roman LegionThe Military Genius of
the Romans

The vast Extent of the EmpireBoundariesRivers and MountainsThe
Mediterranean and its IslandsThe ProvincesPrincipal CitiesGreat
Architectural MonumentsRoadsCommerceAgricultureManufactures
WealthPopulationUnity of the Empire

Original SettlementThe Seven HillsProgress of the CityPrincipal
Architectural MonumentsA Description of the Temples, Bridges,
Aqueducts, Forums, Basilicas, Palaces, Amphitheatres, Theatres,
Circuses, Columns, Arches, Baths, Obelisks, TombsMiscellaneous
AntiquitiesStreetsGardensPrivate HousesPopulous Quarters
Famous Statues and PicturesGeneral MagnificencePopulation

The great Wonders of Ancient Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting
Famous Artists of AntiquityHow far the Romans copied the GreeksHow
far they extended ArtIts PrinciplesIts PerfectionCauses of its
DeclinePermanence of its grand Creations

The Original CitizensComitia CalataComitia CuriataComitia
CenturiataComitia TributaThe PlebsGreat Patrician FamiliesThe
Aristocratic Structure of ancient Roman SocietyThe Dignity and Power
of the SenateThe KnightsThe Growth of the DemocracyContests
between Patricians and PlebeiansRise of TribunesPopular Leaders
Their LawsThe Great Officers of StateProvincial Governors
Usurpations of fortunate GeneralsThe Revolution under Julius Caesar and
AugustusImperial DespotismPreservation of the Forms of the
Republic, and utter Prostration of its Spirit

Genius of the Romans for Government and LawsDevelopment of
JurisprudenceLegislative SourcesJudicial PowerCourts of LawThe
Profession of LawGreat Lawyers and JuristsAncient CodesImperial
CodesThe Law of PersonsRights of Citizens, of Foreigners, of Slaves
Laws of Marriage, of Divorce, of AdoptionPaternal Power
GuardianshipLaws relating to Real RightsLaw of ObligationsLaws of
SuccessionTestaments and LegaciesActions and Procedure in Civil
SuitsCriminal Law

The Grecian ModelsHow far they contributed to Roman CreationsThe
Development of the Latin LanguageThe Orators, Poets, Dramatists,
Satirists, Historians, and their chief WorksHow far Literature was
cultivatedSchoolsLibrariesLiterary Legacies of the Romans

Its gradual Development from Thales to AristotleHow far the Romans adopted the Greek PhilosophyWhat Additions they made to itHow far it modified Roman Thought and LifeInfluence of Philosophy on ChristianityInfluence on modern Civilization

The Mathematical Genius of the Old AstronomersTheir Labors and
DiscoveriesExtent of Astronomical KnowledgeThe Alexandrian School
The Science of Geometry and how far carriedGreat NamesMedicine
GeographyOther Physical Sciences and their limited Triumphs

The Vices and Miseries of Roman SocietySocial Inequalities
Disproportionate FortunesThe Wealth and Corruption of Nobles
Degradation of the PeopleVast Extent of SlaveryThe Condition of
WomenDemoralizing Games and SpectaclesExcessive Luxury and squalid
MiseryMoney-makingImperial MisruleUniversal Egotism and
Insensibility to grand SentimentsHopelessness of ReformPreparation
for Ruin

False Security of the Roman PeopleTheir stupendous DelusionsThe Invasion of BarbariansTheir CharacteristicsTheir alternate Victory and DefeatDesolation of the ProvincesThe Degeneracy of the Legions General Imbecility and CowardiceGreat public MisfortunesGeneral Union of the Germanic NationsTheir LeadersNoble but vain Efforts of a Succession of warlike EmperorsThe rising Tide of BarbariansTheir irresistible AdvanceThe Siege and Sack of RomeThe Fall of Cities Miseries of all ClassesUniversal Despair and RuinThe Greatness of the CatastropheReflections on the Fall of Rome

Necessary Corruption of all Institutions under PaganismGlory succeeded by ShameThe Army a worn-out MechanismThe low Aims of Government Difficulties of the EmperorsLaws perverted or unenforcedThe Degeneracy of ArtThe Frivolity of LiteratureThe imperfect Triumph of PhilosophyNothing Conservative in human CreationsNecessity of Aid from foreign and Divine Sources

The Victories of Christianity came too lateSmall Number of Converts when Christianity was a renovating PowerTheir comparative Unimportance in a political and social View for three CenturiesThe Church constructs a Polity for Itself rather than seeks to change established InstitutionsRapid Corruption of Christianity when established, and Adoption of Pagan Ideas and InfluencesNo Renovation of worn-out Races No Material on which Christianity could workNot the Mission of the Church to save Empires, but the RaceA diseased Body must die

The great Ideas which the Fathers propoundedThe Principle of Self- sacrifice, seen especially in early MartyrdomsThe Idea of Benevolence in connection with public and private CharitiesImportance of public PreachingPulpit OratoryThe Elaboration of Christian DoctrineIts Connection with PhilosophyChurch PsalmodyThe Principle of Christian EqualityIts Effects on Slavery and the Elevation of the PeopleThe Social Equality of the SexesSuperiority in the condition of the modern over the ancient WomanThe Idea of Popular EducationThe Unity of the Church

I propose to describe the Greatness and the Misery of the old Roman world; nor is there any thing in history more suggestive and instructive.

A little city, founded by robbers on the banks of the Tiber, rises gradually into importance, although the great cities of the East are scarcely conscious of its existence. Its early struggles simply arrest the attention, and excite the jealousy, of the neighboring nations. The citizens of this little state are warriors, and, either for defense or glory, they subdue one after another the cities of Latium and Etruria, then the whole of Italy, and finally the old monarchies and empires of the world. In two hundred and fifty years the citizens have become nobles, and a great aristocracy is founded, which lasts eight hundred years. Their aggressive policy and unbounded ambition involve the whole world in war, which does not cease until all the nations known to the Greeks acknowledge their sway. Everywhere Roman laws, language, and institutions spread. A vast empire arises, larger than the Assyrian and the Macedonian combined,a universal empire,a great wonder and mystery, having all the grandeur of a providential event. It becomes too great to be governed by an oligarchy of nobles. Civil wars create an imperator, who, uniting in himself all the great offices of state, and sustained by the conquering legions, rules from East to West and from North to South, with absolute and undivided sovereignty. The Caesars reach the summit of human greatness and power, and the city of Romulus becomes the haughty mistress of the world. The emperor is worshiped as a deity, and the proud metropolis calls herself eternal. An empire is established by force of arms and by a uniform policy, such as this world has not seen before or since.