CHAPTER XII. SECT. I. FROM THE CREATION of the decEMVIRI, TO THE EXTINCTION OF THAT OFFICE.-U. c. 302. She's gone; for ever gone! The king of terrors DENNIS. 1. Fluctuating, part. changing, wavering. Respi're, v. to breathe. Ar'bitrary, a. tyrannic, despotic, without regard to any law. 4. Depop'ulated, v. unpeopled, laid waste. 9. Decem'viri, s. (from the Latin words decem, ten, and viri, men,) ten magistrates, chosen annually at Rome, to govern the commonwealth, and to make laws. 13. Proscrip'tion, 12. Rapa'city, s. covetousness, extor- 1. THE Commonwealth of Rome had now, for nearly sixty years, been fluctuating between the contending orders that composed it, till at length each side, as if weary, was willing to respire awhile from the mutual exertions of its claims. The citizens, of every rank, began to complain of the arbitrary decisions of their magistrates, and wished to be guided by a written body of laws, which, being known, might prevent wrongs, as well as punish them. 2. In this both the senate and the people concurred, as hoping that such laws would put an end to the commotions that so long had harassed the state. 3. It was thereupon agreed that ambassadors should be sent to the Greek cities in Italy, and to Athens, to bring home such laws from thence, as, by experience, had been found most equitable and useful. For this purpose three senators, Posthuʼmus, Sulpicius, and Man'lius, were fixed upon, and galleys assigned to convoy them, agreeably to the majesty of the Roman people. 4. While they were upon this commission abroad, a dreadful plague depopulated the city at home, and supplied the interval of their absence with other anxiety than that of wishes for their return. / 5. In about a year the plague ceased, and the ambassadors returned, bringing home a body of laws, collected from the most civilized states of Greece and Italy, which, being afterwards formed into ten tables, and two more being added, made that celebrated code called the Laws of the Twelve Tables'. 6. The ambassadors were no sooner returned, than the tribunes required that a body of men should be chosen to digest their new laws into proper form, and to give weight to the execution of them. 7. After long debate, whether this choice should not be made from the people, as well as the patricians, it was at last agreed that ten of the principal senators should be elected, whose power continuing for a year, should be equal to that of kings and consuls, and that without any appeal. 8. Thus the whole constitution of the state at once took a new form, and a dreadful experiment was about to be tried of governing one nation by laws formed from the manners and customs of another. 9. These Decemviri being now invested with absolute power, agreed to take the reins of government by turns, each to administer justice for a day. 10. For the first year, they wrought with extreme application: and their work being finished, it was expected that they would be content to give up their office; but, having known the charms of power, they were unwilling to resign; they pretended that some laws were yet wanting to complete their design, and entreated the senate for a continuance in office; which request was readily granted. 11. But they soon threw off the mask of moderation, 1 These laws were engraven on brass, and hung up in the most conspicuous part of the Forum. rate. and regardless of the approbation of the senate or the people, resolved to continue, against all order, in the decemvi12. A conduct so tyrannical produced discontents, and these were as sure to produce fresh acts of tyranny. The city was become almost a desert, with respect to all who had any thing to lose, and the rapacity of the decemvirs was then only discontinued when they wanted fresh subjects to exercise it upon. 13. In this state of slavery, proscription, and mutual distrust, not one citizen was found to strike for his country's freedom; these tyrants continued to rule without control, being constantly guarded, not by the lictors alone, but by a numerous crowd of dependents, clients, and even patricians, whom their vices had confederated round them. 14. In this gloomy situation of the state, the Æ'qui and Vol'sci, those constant enemies of the Romans, renewed their incursions, and, resolving to profit by the intestine. divisions of the people, advanced within about ten miles of Rome. 15. The decemviri being in possession of all the military as well as of the civil power, divided their army into three parts; whereof one continued with Ap'pius in the city, to keep it in awe; the other two were commanded by his colleagues, and were led, one against the Æ'qui, and the other against the Vol'sci. 16. The Roman soldiers had now adopted a method of punishing the generals whom they disliked, by suffering themselves to be vanquished in the field. They put it in practice upon this occasion, and shamefully abandoned their camp upon the approach of the enemy. 17. Never was victorious news more joyfully received at Rome, than the tidings of this defeat; the generals, as is always the case, were blamed for the treachery of their men; some demanded that they should be deposed, others cried out for a dictator to lead the troops to conquest. 18. Among the rest, old Sic'cius Denta'tus, the tribune, spoke his sentiments with his usual openness; and, treating the generals with contempt, pointed out the faults of their discipline in the camp, and their conduct in the field. 19. Appius, in the mean time, was not remiss in observing the disposition of the people. Denta'tus in particular was marked out for vengeance; and, under pretence of doing him particular honour, he was appointed legate, and put at the head of the supplies which were sent from Rome, to reinforce the army. 20. The office of legate was held sacred among the Romans, as in it was united the authority of a general, with the reverence due to the priesthood. 21. Denta'tus, no way suspecting the design, went to the camp with alacrity, where he was received with all the external marks of respect. But the generals soon found means of indulging their desire of revenge. 22. He was appointed at the head of a hundred men to go and examine a more commodious place for encampment, as he had very candidly assured the commanders, that their present situation was wrong. 23. The soldiers, however, who were given as his attendants, were assassins; wretches who had long been ministers of the vengeance of the decemviri, and who now engaged to murder him, though with all those apprehensions which his reputation (for he was called the Roman Achilles) might be supposed to inspire. 24. With these designs they led him into the hollow bosom of a retired mountain, where they began to set upon him behind. 25. Denta'tus too late perceived the treachery of the decemviri, and was resolved to sell his life as dearly as he could; he therefore set his back against a rock, and defended himself against those who pressed most closely. Though now grown old, he had still the remains of his former valour, and, with his own hand, killed no less than fifteen of the assailants, and wounded thirty. 26. The assassins now, therefore, terrified at his amazing bravery, showered their javelins upon him at a distance, all which he received in his shield with undaunted resolution. 27. The combat, though so unequal in num bers, was managed for some time with doubtful success, till at length his assailants bethought themselves of ascending the rock, against which he stood, and pouring down stones upon him from above. 28. This succeeded: the old soldier fell beneath their united efforts; after having shown, by his death, that he owed to his fortitude, and not his fortune, that he had come off so many times victorious. 29. The decemviri pretended to join in the general sorrow for so brave a man, and decreed him a funeral with the first military honours; but their pretended grief, compared with their known hatred, only rendered them still more detestable to the people'. Questions for Examination. 1. Of what did the Roman citizens complain, and what did they wish? 2. Was this assented to by the nation at large? 3. What means were adopted for this purpose? 4. What happened during their absence? 5. How long did this calamity last? 6. What steps were taken on the return of the ambassadors ? 7. Who were chosen for this purpose? 8. Was this proceeding an important one? 9. In what manner did the decemviri govern? 10. How did they discharge the duties of their office? 11. Did they continue in the conscientious discharge of their duties? 12. What was the consequence of this conduct? 13. Was no patriot to be found bold enough to be a champion in his country's cause? 14. What added to the miseries of the Romans? 15. What steps were taken to oppose them? 16. What was the conduct of the Roman soldiers on this occasion? 17. How was this news received at Rome? 18. Who appeared most conspicuous on this occasion? 19. How was this honest sincerity received? 1 Previous to this, and soon after his arrival at the camp, an attempt had been made to cut him off, which failed, from his superior bravery and military skill. The consul Romil'ius, being about to engage the enemy in the plain, gave it in charge to Denta'tus to attack their camp, situate on an almost inaccessible rock, but allotted him a force utterly inadequate to the attempt. Denta'tus remonstrated, but at length obeyed, and, contrary to general expectation, took the camp, and, falling on the rear of the main army, contributed greatly to the victory. For this base attempt Romil'ius and Vetu'rius were fined by the senate. (Liv. 1. iii. c. 31.) |