FIRST CENTURY AFTER CHRIST.

(1-100.)

ROME still, as in the preceding century, embraces in its dominion the most important part of the then known world. Rome makes Britain (except the northern part and Ireland) a Roman province A. D. 47. No other territorial change of importance occurs in this century.

BRITAIN (which was temporarily invaded by Cæsar in the last century) becomes (except the northern part and Ireland) a Roman province A. D. 47.

JUDEA, which became subject to Rome in the preceding century, is reduced to a Roman province A. D. 6, but revolts in 66, and in 70 the Romans under Titus destroy Jerusalem, and the nation becomes dispersed throughout the world.

PARTHIA is a powerful state, though an unequal rival of Rome.

Emperors. Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, Trajan.

Poets and Dramatists. — Ovid, Phædrus, Persius, Lucan, Statius, Silius Italicus, Juvenal, Martial.

Historians. Livy, Tacitus, Suetonius, Quintus Curtius.

Philosophers and Orators. - Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Epictetus (Greek Stoic).

Christian Apostles, Fathers, and Martyrs. - Clement (Clemens Romanus), Barnabas, Hermas, Ignatius.

Roman Governors.- Pontius Pilate, Felix, Portius Festus.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

HE close of the last century witnessed the concentra

THE

tion of all power in the hands of one man, Octavius Cæsar. Though not openly declared emperor, and though many of the forms of republican government still continued, yet the Roman Empire may be said to have had its beginning when in the year 27 B. C. the submissive senate greeted him with the title of Augustus. The period now opens when Rome entered upon her career of imperial power and greatness. See also the preceding century for the beginning of the Roman Empire and the Augustan Age.

From Mummius to Augustus the Roman city stands as the living mistress of a dead world, and from Augustus to Theodosius the mistress becomes as lifeless as her subjects. — FREEMAN.

At length, verging towards old age, and sometimes conquering by the terror only of her name, she sought the blessings of ease and tranquillity. The venerable city, which had trampled on the necks of the fiercest nations, and established a system of laws, the perpetual guardians of justice and freedom, was content, like a wise and wealthy parent, to devolve on the Cæsars, her favorite sons, the care of governing her ample patrimony. A secure and profound peace, such as had