TheKingoftheSacrificesrepresentedthepersonofNuma，andofhissuccessors，inthereligiousfunctions，whichcouldbeperformedonlybyroyalhands。TheconfraternitiesoftheSalians，theLupercals，&c。，practisedsuchritesasmightextortasmileofcontemptfromeveryreasonableman，withalivelyconfidenceofrecommendingthemselvestothefavoroftheimmortalgods。Theauthority，whichtheRomanpriestshadformerlyobtainedinthecounselsoftherepublic，wasgraduallyabolishedbytheestablishmentofmonarchy，andtheremovaloftheseatofempire。Butthedignityoftheirsacredcharacterwasstillprotectedbythelaws，andmannersoftheircountry；andtheystillcontinued，moreespeciallythecollegeofpontiffs，toexerciseinthecapital，andsometimesintheprovinces，therightsoftheirecclesiasticalandciviljurisdiction。Theirrobesofpurple，chariotzofstate，andsumptuousentertainments，attractedtheadmirationofthepeople；andtheyreceived，fromtheconsecratedlands，andthepublicrevenue，anamplestipend，whichliberallysupportedthesplendorofthepriesthood，andalltheexpensesofthereligiousworshipofthestate。Astheserviceofthealtarwasnotincompatiblewiththecommandofarmies，theRomans，aftertheirconsulshipsandtriumphs，aspiredtotheplaceofpontiff，orofaugur；theseatsofCicero^5andPompeywerefilled，inthefourthcentury，bythemostillustriousmembersofthesenate；andthedignityoftheirbirthreflectedadditionalsplendorontheirsacerdotalcharacter。Thefifteenpriests，whocomposedthecollegeofpontiffs，enjoyedamoredistinguishedrankasthecompanionsoftheirsovereign；andtheChristianemperorscondescendedtoaccepttherobeandensigns，whichwereappropriatedtotheofficeofsupremepontiff。ButwhenGratianascendedthethrone，morescrupulousormoreenlightened，hesternlyrejectedthoseprofanesymbols；^6appliedtotheserviceofthestate，orofthechurch，therevenuesofthepriestsandvestals；abolishedtheirhonorsandimmunities；anddissolvedtheancientfabricofRomansuperstition，whichwassupportedbytheopinionsandhabitsofelevenhundredyears。Paganismwasstilltheconstitutionalreligionofthesenate。Thehall，ortemple，inwhichtheyassembled，wasadornedbythestatueandaltarofVictory；^7amajesticfemalestandingonaglobe，withflowinggarments，expandedwings，andacrownoflaurelinheroutstretchedhand。^8Thesenatorswereswornonthealtarofthegoddesstoobservethelawsoftheemperorandoftheempire:andasolemnofferingofwineandincensewastheordinarypreludeoftheirpublicdeliberations。TheremovalofthisancientmonumentwastheonlyinjurywhichConstantiushadofferedtothesuperstitionoftheRomans。ThealtarofVictorywasagainrestoredbyJulian，toleratedbyValentinian，andoncemorebanishedfromthesenatebythezealofGratian。^10Buttheemperoryetsparedthestatuesofthegodswhichwereexposedtothepublicveneration:fourhundredandtwenty—fourtemples，orchapels，stillremainedtosatisfythedevotionofthepeople；
　　andineveryquarterofRomethedelicacyoftheChristianswasoffendedbythefumesofidolatroussacrifice。^11
　　[Footnote3:SeetheoutlinesoftheRomanhierarchyinCicero，deLegibus，ii。7，8，Livy，i。20，DionysiusHalicarnassensis，l。ii。p。119—129，edit。Hudson，Beaufort，RepubliqueRomaine，tom。i。p。1—90，andMoyle，vol。i。p。
　　10—55。ThelastistheworkofanEnglishwhig，aswellasofaRomanantiquary。]
　　[Footnote4:Thesemystic，andperhapsimaginary，symbolshavegivenbirthtovariousfablesandconjectures。Itseemsprobable，thatthePalladiumwasasmallstatuethreecubitsandahalfhighofMinerva，withalanceanddistaff；thatitwasusuallyenclosedinaseria，orbarrel；andthatasimilarbarrelwasplacedbyitssidetodisconcertcuriosity，orsacrilege。
　　SeeMezeriacComment。surlesEpitresd'Ovide，tomi。p。60—
　　66andLipsius，tom。iii。p。610deVesta，&c。c10。]
　　[Footnote5:CicerofranklyadAtticum，l。ii。Epist。5orindirectlyadFamiliar。l。xv。Epist。4confessesthattheAugurateisthesupremeobjectofhiswishes。PlinyisproudtotreadinthefootstepsofCicero，l。iv。Epist。8，andthechainoftraditionmightbecontinuedfromhistoryandmarbles。]
　　[Footnote6:Zosimus，l。iv。p。249，250。IhavesuppressedthefoolishpunaboutPontifexandMaximus。]
　　[Footnote7:ThisstatuewastransportedfromTarentumtoRome，placedintheCuriaJuliabyCaesar，anddecoratedbyAugustuswiththespoilsofEgypt。]
　　[Footnote8:Prudentiusl。ii。ininitiohasdrawnaveryawkwardportraitofVictory；butthecuriousreaderwillobtainmoresatisfactionfromMontfaucon'sAntiquities，tom。i。p。
　　341。]
　　[Footnote9:SeeSuetoniusinAugust。c。35andtheExordiumofPliny'sPanegyric。]
　　[Footnote10:Thesefactsaremutuallyallowedbythetwoadvocates，SymmachusandAmbrose。]
　　[Footnote11:TheNotitiaUrbis，morerecentthanConstantine，doesnotfindoneChristianchurchworthytobenamedamongtheedificesofthecity。Ambrosetom。ii。Epist。xvii。p。825
　　deploresthepublicscandalsofRome，whichcontinuallyoffendedtheeyes，theears，andthenostrilsofthefaithful。]
　　ButtheChristiansformedtheleastnumerouspartyinthesenateofRome:^12anditwasonlybytheirabsence，thattheycouldexpresstheirdissentfromthelegal，thoughprofane，actsofaPaganmajority。Inthatassembly，thedyingembersoffreedomwere，foramoment，revivedandinflamedbythebreathoffanaticism。FourrespectabledeputationsweresuccessivelyvotedtotheImperialcourt，^13torepresentthegrievancesofthepriesthoodandthesenate，andtosolicittherestorationofthealtarofVictory。TheconductofthisimportantbusinesswasintrustedtotheeloquentSymmachus，^14awealthyandnoblesenator，whounitedthesacredcharactersofpontiffandaugurwiththecivildignitiesofproconsulofAfricaandpraefectofthecity。ThebreastofSymmachuswasanimatedbythewarmestzealforthecauseofexpiringPaganism；andhisreligiousantagonistslamentedtheabuseofhisgenius，andtheinefficacyofhismoralvirtues。^15Theorator，whosepetitionisextanttotheemperorValentinian，wasconsciousofthedifficultyanddangeroftheofficewhichhehadassumed。Hecautiouslyavoidseverytopicwhichmightappeartoreflectonthereligionofhissovereign；humblydeclares，thatprayersandentreatiesarehisonlyarms；andartfullydrawshisargumentsfromtheschoolsofrhetoric，ratherthanfromthoseofphilosophy。Symmachusendeavorstoseducetheimaginationofayoungprince，bydisplayingtheattributesofthegoddessofvictory；heinsinuates，thattheconfiscationoftherevenues，whichwereconsecratedtotheserviceofthegods，wasameasureunworthyofhisliberalanddisinterestedcharacter；andhemaintains，thattheRomansacrificeswouldbedeprivedoftheirforceandenergy，iftheywerenolongercelebratedattheexpense，aswellasinthename，oftherepublic。Evenscepticismismadetosupplyanapologyforsuperstition。Thegreatandincomprehensiblesecretoftheuniverseeludestheinquiryofman。Wherereasoncannotinstruct，custommaybepermittedtoguide；andeverynationseemstoconsultthedictatesofprudence，byafaithfulattachmenttothoseritesandopinions，whichhavereceivedthesanctionofages。Ifthoseageshavebeencrownedwithgloryandprosperity，ifthedevoutpeoplehavefrequentlyobtainedtheblessingswhichtheyhavesolicitedatthealtarsofthegods，itmustappearstillmoreadvisabletopersistinthesamesalutarypractice；andnottorisktheunknownperilsthatmayattendanyrashinnovations。ThetestofantiquityandsuccesswasappliedwithsingularadvantagetothereligionofNuma；andRomeherself，thecelestialgeniusthatpresidedoverthefatesofthecity，isintroducedbytheoratortopleadherowncausebeforethetribunaloftheemperors。"Mostexcellentprinces，"saysthevenerablematron，"fathersofyourcountry!pityandrespectmyage，whichhashithertoflowedinanuninterruptedcourseofpiety。SinceIdonotrepent，permitmetocontinueinthepracticeofmyancientrites。SinceIambornfree，allowmetoenjoymydomesticinstitutions。Thisreligionhasreducedtheworldundermylaws。TheseriteshaverepelledHannibalfromthecity，andtheGaulsfromtheCapitol。Weremygrayhairsreservedforsuchintolerabledisgrace?IamignorantofthenewsystemthatIamrequiredtoadopt；butIamwellassured，thatthecorrectionofoldageisalwaysanungratefulandignominiousoffice。"^16Thefearsofthepeoplesuppliedwhatthediscretionoftheoratorhadsuppressed；andthecalamities，whichafflicted，orthreatened，thedecliningempire，wereunanimouslyimputed，bythePagans，tothenewreligionofChristandofConstantine。
　　[Footnote12:Ambroserepeatedlyaffirms，incontradictiontocommonsenseMoyle'sWorks，vol。ii。p。147，thattheChristianshadamajorityinthesenate。]
　　[Footnote13:ThefirstA。D。382toGratian，whorefusedthemaudience；thesecondA。D。384toValentinian，whenthefieldwasdisputedbySymmachusandAmbrose；thethirdA。D。388toTheodosius；andthefourthA。D。392toValentinian。LardnerHeathenTestimonies，vol。iv。p。372—399fairlyrepresentsthewholetransaction。]
　　[Footnote14:Symmachus，whowasinvestedwithallthecivilandsacerdotalhonors，representedtheemperorunderthetwocharactersofPontifexMaximus，andPrincepsSenatus。Seetheproudinscriptionattheheadofhisworks。
　　Note:Mr。BeugnothasmadeitdoubtfulwhetherSymmachuswasmorethanPontifexMajor。DestructionduPaganisme，vol。i。p。
　　459。—M。]
　　[Footnote15:Asifanyone，saysPrudentiusinSymmach。i。639
　　shoulddiginthemudwithaninstrumentofgoldandivory。Evensaints，andpolemicsaints，treatthisadversarywithrespectandcivility。]
　　[Footnote16:Seethefifty—fourthEpistleofthetenthbookofSymmachus。IntheformanddispositionofhistenbooksofEpistles，heimitatedtheyoungerPliny；whoserichandfloridstylehewassupposed，byhisfriends，toequalorexcel，Macrob。Saturnal。l。v。c。i。ButtheluxcriancyofSymmachusconsistsofbarrenleaves，withoutfruits，andevenwithoutflowers。Fewfacts，andfewsentiments，canbeextractedfromhisverbosecorrespondence。]
　　ButthehopesofSymmachuswererepeatedlybaffledbythefirmanddexterousoppositionofthearchbishopofMilan，whofortifiedtheemperorsagainstthefallaciouseloquenceoftheadvocateofRome。Inthiscontroversy，Ambrosecondescendstospeakthelanguageofaphilosopher，andtoask，withsomecontempt，whyitshouldbethoughtnecessarytointroduceanimaginaryandinvisiblepower，asthecauseofthosevictories，whichweresufficientlyexplainedbythevaloranddisciplineofthelegions。Hejustlyderidestheabsurdreverenceforantiquity，whichcouldonlytendtodiscouragetheimprovementsofart，andtoreplungethehumanraceintotheiroriginalbarbarism。Fromthence，graduallyrisingtoamoreloftyandtheologicaltone，hepronounces，thatChristianityaloneisthedoctrineoftruthandsalvation；andthateverymodeofPolytheismconductsitsdeludedvotaries，throughthepathsoferror，totheabyssofeternalperdition。^17Argumentslikethese，whentheyweresuggestedbyafavoritebishop，hadpowertopreventtherestorationofthealtarofVictory；butthesameargumentsfell，withmuchmoreenergyandeffect，fromthemouthofaconqueror；andthegodsofantiquityweredraggedintriumphatthechariot—wheelsofTheodosius。^18Inafullmeetingofthesenate，theemperorproposed，accordingtotheformsoftherepublic，theimportantquestion，WhethertheworshipofJupiter，orthatofChrist，shouldbethereligionoftheRomans。Thelibertyofsuffrages，whichheaffectedtoallow，wasdestroyedbythehopesandfearsthathispresenceinspired；andthearbitraryexileofSymmachuswasarecentadmonition，thatitmightbedangeroustoopposethewishesofthemonarch。Onaregulardivisionofthesenate，Jupiterwascondemnedanddegradedbythesenseofaverylargemajority；anditisrathersurprising，thatanymembersshouldbefoundboldenoughtodeclare，bytheirspeechesandvotes，thattheywerestillattachedtotheinterestofanabdicateddeity。^19Thehastyconversionofthesenatemustbeattributedeithertosupernaturalortosordidmotives；andmanyofthesereluctantproselytesbetrayed，oneveryfavorableoccasion，theirsecretdispositiontothrowasidethemaskofodiousdissimulation。Buttheyweregraduallyfixedinthenewreligion，asthecauseoftheancientbecamemorehopeless；theyyieldedtotheauthorityoftheemperor，tothefashionofthetimes，andtotheentreatiesoftheirwivesandchildren，^20whowereinstigatedandgovernedbytheclergyofRomeandthemonksoftheEast。
　　TheedifyingexampleoftheAnicianfamilywassoonimitatedbytherestofthenobility:theBassi，thePaullini，theGracchi，embracedtheChristianreligion；and"theluminariesoftheworld，thevenerableassemblyofCatossucharethehigh—flownexpressionsofPrudentiuswereimpatienttostripthemselvesoftheirpontificalgarment；tocasttheskinoftheoldserpent；toassumethesnowyrobesofbaptismalinnocence，andtohumbletheprideoftheconsularfascesbeforetombsofthemartyrs。"^21
　　Thecitizens，whosubsistedbytheirownindustry，andthepopulace，whoweresupportedbythepublicliberality，filledthechurchesoftheLateran，andVatican，withanincessantthrongofdevoutproselytes。Thedecreesofthesenate，whichproscribedtheworshipofidols，wereratifiedbythegeneralconsentoftheRomans；^22thesplendoroftheCapitolwasdefaced，andthesolitarytempleswereabandonedtoruinandcontempt。^23RomesubmittedtotheyokeoftheGospel；andthevanquishedprovinceshadnotyetlosttheirreverenceforthenameandauthorityofRome。
　　[Footnote17:SeeAmbrose，tom。ii。Epist。xvii。xviii。p。825—
　　833。Theformeroftheseepistlesisashortcaution；thelatterisaformalreplyofthepetitionorlibelofSymmachus。Thesameideasaremorecopiouslyexpressedinthepoetry，ifitmaydeservethatname，ofPrudentius；whocomposedhistwobooksagainstSymmachusA。D。404whilethatsenatorwasstillalive。
　　ItiswhimsicalenoughthatMontesquieuConsiderations，&c。c。
　　xix。tom。iii。p。487shouldoverlookthetwoprofessedantagonistsofSymmachus，andamusehimselfwithdescantingonthemoreremoteandindirectconfutationsofOrosius，St。
　　Augustin，andSalvian。]
　　[Footnote18:SeePrudentiusinSymmach。l。i。545，&c。TheChristianagreeswiththePaganZosimusl。iv。p。283inplacingthisvisitofTheodosiusafterthesecondcivilwar，geminibisvictorcaedeTyranni，l。i。410。Butthetimeandcircumstancesarebettersuitedtohisfirsttriumph。]
　　[Footnote*:M。BeugnotinhisHistoiredelaDestructionduPaganismeenOccident，i。p。483—488questions，altogether，thetruthofthisstatement。ItisveryremarkablethatZosimusandPrudentiusconcurinassertingthefactofthequestionbeingsolemnlydeliberatedbythesenate，thoughwithdirectlyoppositeresults。ZosimusdeclaresthatthemajorityoftheassemblyadheredtotheancientreligionofRome；GibbonhasadoptedtheauthorityofPrudentius，who，asaLatinwriter，thoughapoet，deservesmorecreditthantheGreekhistorian。BothconcurinplacingthissceneafterthesecondtriumphofTheodosius；butithasbeenalmostdemonstratedandGibbon—seetheprecedingnote—seemstohaveacknowledgedthisbyPagiandTillemont，thatTheodosiusdidnotvisitRomeafterthedefeatofEugenius。M。
　　Beugnoturges，withmuchforce，theimprobabilitythattheChristianemperorwouldsubmitsuchaquestiontothesenate，whoseauthoritywasnearlyobsolete，exceptononeoccasion，whichwasalmosthailedasanepochintherestorationofherancientprivileges。ThesilenceofAmbroseandofJeromonaneventsostriking，andredoundingsomuchtothehonorofChristianity，isofconsiderableweight。M。BeugnotwouldascribethewholescenetothepoeticimaginationofPrudentius；
　　butImustobserve，that，howeverPrudentiusissometimeselevatedbythegrandeurofhissubjecttovividandeloquentlanguage，thisflightofinventionwouldbesomuchbolderandmorevigorousthanusualwiththispoet，thatIcannotbutsupposetheremusthavebeensomefoundationforthestory，thoughitmayhavebeenexaggeratedbythepoet，ormisrepresentedbythehistorian。—M]
　　[Footnote19:Prudentius，afterprovingthatthesenseofthesenateisdeclaredbyalegalmajority，proceedstosay，609，&c。—
　　AdspicequamplenosubsellianostraSenatuDecernantinfameJovispulvinar，etomneIdolumlongepurgataexurbefugandum，QuavocategregiisententiaPrincipis，illucLibera，cumpedibus，tumcorde，frequentiatransit。
　　Zosimusascribestotheconscriptfeathersaheathenishcourage，whichfewofthemarefoundtopossess。]
　　[Footnote20:JeromspecifiesthepontiffAlbinus，whowassurroundedwithsuchabelievingfamilyofchildrenandgrandchildren，aswouldhavebeensufficienttoconvertevenJupiterhimself；anextraordinaryproselytedtom。i。adLaetam，p。54。]
　　[Footnote21:ExultarePatresvideas，pulcherrimamundiLumina；ConciliumquesenumgestireCatonumCandidioretoganiveumpietatisamictumSumere；etexuviasdeponerepontificales。
　　ThefancyofPrudentiusiswarmedandelevatedbyvictory]
　　[Footnote22:Prudentius，afterhehasdescribedtheconversionofthesenateandpeople，asks，withsometruthandconfidence，EtdubitamusadhucRomam，tibi，Christe，dicatamInlegestransissetuas?]
　　[Footnote23:JeromexultsinthedesolationoftheCapitol，andtheothertemplesofRome，tom。i。p。54，tom。ii。p。95。]
　　[Footnote*:M。BeugnotismorecorrectinhisgeneralestimateofthemeasuresenforcedbyTheodosiusfortheabolitionofPaganism。HeseizedaccordingtoZosimusthefundsbestowedbythepublicfortheexpenseofsacrifices。Thepublicsacrificesceased，notbecausetheywerepositivelyprohibited，butbecausethepublictreasurywouldnolongerbeartheexpense。Thepublicandtheprivatesacrificesintheprovinces，whichwerenotunderthesameregulationswiththoseofthecapital，continuedtotakeplace。InRomeitself，manypaganceremonies，whichwerewithoutsacrifice，remainedinfullforce。Thegods，therefore，wereinvoked，thetempleswerefrequented，thepontificatesinscribed，accordingtoancientusage，amongthefamilytitlesofhonor；anditcannotbeassertedthatidolatrywascompletelydestroyedbyTheodosius。SeeBeugnot，p。491。—M。]
　　ChapterXXVIII:DestructionOfPaganism。