PREFACE
It would be scarcely possible for anyone writing on the period embraced in this volume, to perform his task adequately without making himself familiar with Mr. Long's 'History of the Decline of the Roman Republic' and Mommsen's 'History of Rome.' To do over again (as though the work had never been attempted) what has been done once for all accurately and well, would be mere prudery of punctiliousness. But while I acknowledge my debt of gratitude to both these eminent historians, I must add that for the whole period I have carefully examined the original authorities, often coming to conclusions widely differing from those of Mr. Long. And I venture to hope that from the advantage I have had in being able to compare the works of two writers, one of whom has well-nigh exhausted the theories as the other has the facts of the subject, I have succeeded in giving a more consistent and faithful account of the leaders and legislation of the revolutionary era than has hitherto been written. Certainly there could be no more instructive commentary on either history than the study of the other, for each supplements the other and emphasizes its defects. If Mommsen at times pushes conjecture to the verge of invention, as in his account of the junction of the Helvetii and Cimbri, Mr. Long, in his dogged determination never to swerve from facts to inference, falls into the opposite extreme, resorting to somewhat Cyclopean architecture in his detestation of stucco. But my admiration for his history is but slightly qualified by such considerations, and to any student who may be stimulated by the volumes of this series to acquire what would virtually amount to an acquaintance first-hand with the narratives of ancient writers, I would say 'Read Mr. Long's history.' To do so is to learn not only knowledge but a lesson in historical study generally. For the writings of a man with whom style is not the first object are as refreshing as his scorn for romancing history is wholesome, and the grave irony with which he records its slips amusing.
A.H.B.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
ANTECEDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Previous history of the Roman ordersThe Ager PublicusPrevious attempts at agrarian legislationRoman slaveryThe first Slave WarThe Nobiles, Optimates, Populares, EquitesClassification of the component parts of the Roman StateState of the transmarine provinces
CHAPTER II.
TIBERIUS GRACCHUS.
Scipio AemilianusTribunate of Tiberius GracchusHis agrarian proposalsWisdom of themGrievances of the possessorsOctavius thwarts GracchusConduct of Gracchus defendedHis other intended reformsHe stands again for the tribunateHis motivesHis murder
CHAPTER III.
CAIUS GRACCHUS.
Blossius sparedThe law of T. Gracchus carried outExplanation of Italian opposition to itAttitude of Scipio AemilianusHis murderQuaestorship of Caius GracchusThe Alien Act of PennusFlaccus proposes to give the Socii the franchiseRevolt and extirpation of FregellaeTribunate of Caius GracchusCompared to TiberiusHis aimsHis Corn Law defendedHis Lex JudiciariaHis law concerning the taxation of AsiaHis conciliation of the equitesHis coloniesHe proposes to give the franchise to the ItaliansOther projectsMachinations of the nobles against himM. Livius Drusus outbids himStands again for the tribunate, but is rejectedHis murderSome of his laws remain in forceThe Maria LexReactionary legislation of the SenateThe Lex ThoriaAll offices confined to a close circle
CHAPTER IV.
THE JUGURTHINE WAR.
Legacy of AttalusAristonicus usurps his kingdomSettlement of AsiaJugurtha murders Hiempsal and attacks AdherbalHis intrigues at Rome and the infamy of M. Aemilius Scaurus and the other Roman noblesThree commissions bribed by JugurthaAdherbal murderedRome declares war and Jugurtha bribes the Roman generals, Bestia and ScaurusMemmius denounces them at RomeJugurtha summoned to Rome, where he murders MassivaHe defeats Aulus AlbinosMetellus sent against him Jugurtha defeated on the MuthulKeeps up a guerilla warfareMarius stands for the consulship, and succeeds MetellusBocchus betrays Jugurtha to SullaSettlement of Numidia
CHAPTER V.
THE CIMBRI AND TEUTONES.
Recommencement of the Social struggle at RomeMarius the popular
heroIncessant frontier-warfare of the RomansThe Cimbri defeat
Carbo and SilanusCaepio and 'The Gold of Tolosa'The Cimbri defeat
Scaurus and CaepioMarius elected consulThe Cimbri march towards
SpainTheir nationalityTheir plan of operationsPlan of
MariusBattle of Aquae SextiaeBattle of Vercellae
CHAPTER VI.
THE ROMAN ARMY.
Second Slave WarAquillius ends itChanges in the Roman armyUniform equipment of the legionaryMariani muliThe cohort the tactical unitThe officersNumbers of the legionThe payThe praetorian cohortDislike to serviceThe army becomes professional
CHAPTER VII.
SATURNINUS AND DRUSUS.
Saturninus takes up the Gracchan policy, in league with Glaucia and MariusThe Lex Servilia meant to relieve the provincials, conciliate the equites, and throw open the judicia to all citizensAgrarian law of SaturninusHis laws about grain and treasonMurder of Memmius, Glaucia's rivalSaturninus is attacked and deserted by MariusThe Lex Licinia Minucia heralds the Social WarDrusus attempts reformObliged to tread in the steps of the GracchiHis proposals with regard to the Italians, the coinage, corn, colonies and the equitesOpposed by Philippus and murdered
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SOCIAL WAR.
Interests of Italian capitalists and small farmers opposedThe Social War breaks out at AsculumThe insurgents choose Corfinium as their capitalIn the first year they gain everywhereThen the Lex Julia is passed and in the second year they lose everywhereThe star of Sulla rises, that of Marius declinesThe Lex Plautia PapiriaFirst year of the warThe confederates defeat Perperna, Crassus, Caesar, Lupus, Caepio, and take town after townThe Umbrians and Etruscans RevoltSecond yearPompeius triumphs in the north, Cosconius in the south-east, Sulla in the south-westRevolution at RomeThe confederates courted by both partiesThe rebellion smoulders on till finally quenched by Sulla after the Mithridatic War
CHAPTER IX.
SULPICIUS.
Financial crisis at RomeSulpicius Rufus attempts to reform the government, and complete the enfranchisement of the ItaliansHis laws forcibly carried by the aid of MariusSulla driven from Rome flies to the army at Nola, and marches at their head against MariusSulpicius slainMarius outlawedSulla leaves Italy after reorganizing the Senate and the comitia
CHAPTER X.
MARIUS AND CINNA.
Flight of MariusHis romantic adventures at Circeii, Minturnae, CarthageCinna takes up the Italian causeDriven from Rome by Octavius, he flies to the army in Campania and marches on RomeMarius lands in EtruriaOctavius summons Pompeius from Etruria and their armies surround the cityMarius and Cinna enter RomeThe proscriptionsSeventh consulship and death of MariusCinna supreme
CHAPTER XI.
THE FIRST MITHRIDATIC WAR.
Sertorius in SpainCyrene bequeathed to RomePrevious history of
