done, still holding the bloody knife in his hand. asked their pardon and the pardon of the gods, for having committed so rash an action, but ascribed it to the dreadful necessity of the times. 29. The army, already predisposed to revolt by the murder of Denta'tus, and other acts of tyranny and oppression, immediately with shouts echoed their approbation, and decamping, left the generals behind, to take their station once more upon mount Aven'tine, whither they had retired about forty years before'. The other army, which had been to oppose the Sa'bines, felt a like resentment, and came over in large parties to join them. 30. Ap'pius, in the mean time, did all he could to quell the disturbances in the city; but finding the tumult incapable of control, and perceiving that his mortal enemies, Valeʼrius and Hora'tius, were the most active in opposition, at first attempted to find safety by flight; nevertheless, being encouraged by Op'pius, who was one of his colleagues, he ventured to assemble the senate, and urged the punishment of all deserters. 31. The senate, however, was far from giving him the relief he sought for; they foresaw the dangers and miseries that threatened the state, in case of opposing the incensed army; they therefore dispatched messengers to them, offering to restore their former mode of government. 32. To this proposal, all the people joyfully assented, and the army gladly obeying, now returned to the city, if not with the ensigns, at least with the pleasure of a triumphant entry. 33. Ap'pius and Op'pius both died by their own hands in pri 1 Three commissioners were sent by the senate to ask, why they had left the camp, and what was their intent in possessing themselves of Mount Aventine? No satisfactory answer being returned, the commissioners departed, and the army proceeded to elect ten commanders, whom they denominated Military Tribunes. Viiniu; was offered the chief command, which he declined; wishing rather to continue in a private station, till he had avenged his daughter's death. Soon after, the army removed their camp from Mons Aventinus to Mons Sacer. son'. The other eight decemvirs went into exile; and Clau'dius, the pretended master of Virgin'ia, was ignominiously banished. Questions for Examination. 1. Did the Romans tamely submit to the tyranny of the decemviri? 2. Relate the particulars of this transaction. 3. What resolution did Appius form? 4. Who was this maiden? 5. What was Appius's first determination? 6. On what did he next resolve? 7. To what means did he have recourse for the accomplishment of his purpose? 8. Did Claudius undertake this base commission? 9. Was the opposition of the people ultimately successful? 10. How did Claudius attempt to make good his claims? 11. What was the conduct of Appius on this occasion ? 12. How was this sentence received? 13. What consequences were likely to ensue, and how were they averted? 14. Was not this pretence a false one? 15. By what means was his design frustrated? 16. Under what pretence did Virginius obtain leave of absence? 17. What measures did he take on his arrival? 18. How was the trial conducted? 19. How did Virginia support this trying scene? 20. What was the general opinion of the auditors? 21. Did the arguments of Virginius induce Appius to forego his iniquitous designs? 22. Were his commands obeyed? 23. What was the request of Virginius? 24. Was this favour granted? 25. Describe this affecting scene. 26. What was the catastrophe? 27. What followed? 28. What use did he make of this dreadful circumstance? 29. What was the effect of his address on the army? 30. How was Appius employed in the mean time? 31. Did the senate second his designs? 32. Did the people accede to this proposal? 33. What was the fate of the tyrants? 1 So it was reported, but many suspected that both he and Op'pius were privately dispatched by order of the tribunes. SECTION III. From the plough Rose her dictators; fought, o'ercame, return'd, DYER. 3. Turbulent, a. violent, tumultuous. 10. Preconcert'ed, a. agreed on before- 11. Fic'kle, a. changeable. Can'didates, s. from candidatus, clothed in white (because they wore white garments), persons who aspire to any office or post of honour. 14. Depo'sed, v. removed from office. 15. Misdemea'nor, s. an offence, a crime not very heinous. 21. Dem'agogue, s. the leader of a faction, or the head of a rabble. Asylum, s. a place of refuge or safety. 22. Par'tisans, s. followers, adherents. 24. Impend'ing, part. hanging over, approaching. 25. Demol'ished, v. destroyed, pulled down. 1. In the mean time, these intestine tumults produced weakness within the state, and confidence in the enemy abroad. The wars with the Æ'qui and the Vol'sci still continued; and, as each year some trifling advantage was obtained over the Romans, they at last advanced so far, as to make their incursions to the very walls of U.C. Rome1. 2. But not the courage only of the 306. Romans, their other virtues also, particularly their justice, seemed diminished by these contests. 3. The tribunes of the people now grew more turbulent ; they proposed two laws; one to permit plebeians to intermarry with the patricians; and the other, to permit them to be admitted to the consulship also. 4. The senators received these proposals with indignation, and seemed resolved to undergo the utmost extremities, rather than submit to enact these laws. However, finding their resistance only increased the commotions of the state, they, at last, consented to pass that concerning marriages, hoping that this concession would satisfy the people. 5. But they 1 They were, however, defeated, first by the consul Vale'rius, and next, still more decisively, by the consuls Quinc'tius and Fu'rius. were to be appeased for a very short time only; for, returning to their old custom of refusing to enlist upon the approach of an enemy, the consuls were obliged to hold a private conference with the chief of the senate, where, after many debates, Clau'dius proposed an expedient, as the most probable means of satisfying the people in the present conjuncture. 6. This was to create six or eight governors in the room of consuls, whereof one half at least should be patricians. 7. This project, which was, in fact, granting what the people demanded, pleased the whole meeting, and it was agreed, that the consuls should, contrary to their usual custom, begin by asking the opinion of the youngest senator. 8. Upon assembling the senate, one of the tribunes accused them of holding secret meetings, and managing dangerous designs against the people. The consuls, on the other hand, averred their innocence; and, to demonstrate their sincerity, gave leave to any of the younger members of the house to propound their opinions. 9. These remaining silent, such of the older senators, as were known to be popular, began by observing that the people ought to be indulged in their request; that none so well deserved power as those who were most instrumental in gaining it; and that the city could not be free until all were reduced to perfect equality. Claudius spoke next, and broke out into bitter invectives against the people; asserting that it was his opinion that the law should not pass. 10. This produced some disturbance among the plebeians; at length, Genu'tius proposed, as had been preconcerted, that six governors should be annually chosen, with consular authority; three from the senate, and three from the people; and that, when the time of their magistracy should be expired, it would be seen whether they would have the same office continued, or whether the consulship should be established upon its former footing. 11. This project was eagerly embraced by the people; yet, so fickle were the multitude, that, though many of the plebeians stood candidates, the choice wholly fell upon the patricians who had offered themselves. 12. These new magistrates were called Military U.C. Tribunes; they were, at first, but three; after- 310. wards they were increased to four, and at length to six; and they had the power and ensign of consuls: yet, that power being divided among a number, each singly was of less authority. 13. The first that were chosen continued in office only about three months, the augurs having found something amiss in the ceremonies of their election'. 14. The military tribunes being deposed, the consuls once more came into office; and in order to lighten the weight of business which they were obliged to sustain, a new office was created; namely, that of Censors2, who were to be chosen every fifth year. 15. Their business was to take an estimate of the number and estates of the people, and to distribute them into their proper classes ; to inspect into the lives and manners of their fellow citizens; degrade senators for misconduct; to dismount knights, and to remove plebeians from their tribes into an inferior class, in case of misdemeanor. 16. The first censors were Papirius and Sempronius, both patricians; and from this order censors continued to be elected for nearly a hundred years. 17. This new creation served to restore peace for some time among the orders; and a triumph gained over the Vol'scians, by Gega'nius the consul, added to the universal. satisfaction that reigned among the people. 18. This calm, however, was but of short continuance ; 1 This was an election subsequent to that mentioned in the preceding note. 2 The duty of the censors at first, was merely to perform the Census, or numbering of the people. It was by degrees that they became Magistri Morum, or inspectors and regulators of men's lives and manners. |