30，alwayspreferredtenantsbornontheestate。Columella，whoreceivedthismaximfromhim，arguesveryjudiciouslyonthesubject。DeReRustica，l。i。c。7，p。408，edit。Gesner。
Leipsig，1735。]
Theopulentnoblesofanimmensecapital，whowereneverexcitedbythepursuitofmilitaryglory，andseldomengagedintheoccupationsofcivilgovernment，naturallyresignedtheirleisuretothebusinessandamusementsofprivatelife。AtRome，commercewasalwaysheldincontempt:butthesenators，fromthefirstageoftherepublic，increasedtheirpatrimony，andmultipliedtheirclients，bythelucrativepracticeofusury；andtheobseletelawswereeluded，orviolated，bythemutualinclinationsandinterestofbothparties。^31AconsiderablemassoftreasuremustalwayshaveexistedatRome，eitherinthecurrentcoinoftheempire，orintheformofgoldandsilverplate；andthereweremanysideboardsinthetimeofPlinywhichcontainedmoresolidsilver，thanhadbeentransportedbyScipiofromvanquishedCarthage。^32Thegreaterpartofthenobles，whodissipatedtheirfortunesinprofuseluxury，foundthemselvespoorinthemidstofwealth，andidleinaconstantroundofdissipation。Theirdesireswerecontinuallygratifiedbythelaborofathousandhands；ofthenumeroustrainoftheirdomesticslaves，whowereactuatedbythefearofpunishment；andofthevariousprofessionsofartificersandmerchants，whoweremorepowerfullyimpelledbythehopesofgain。Theancientsweredestituteofmanyoftheconveniencesoflife，whichhavebeeninventedorimprovedbytheprogressofindustry；andtheplentyofglassandlinenhasdiffusedmorerealcomfortsamongthemodernnationsofEurope，thanthesenatorsofRomecouldderivefromalltherefinementsofpompousorsensualluxury。^33Theirluxury，andtheirmanners，havebeenthesubjectofminuteandlaboriousdisposition:butassuchinquirieswoulddivertmetoolongfromthedesignofthepresentwork，IshallproduceanauthenticstateofRomeanditsinhabitants，whichismorepeculiarlyapplicabletotheperiodoftheGothicinvasion。
AmmianusMarcellinus，whoprudentlychosethecapitaloftheempireastheresidencethebestadaptedtothehistorianofhisowntimes，hasmixedwiththenarrativeofpubliceventsalivelyrepresentationofthesceneswithwhichhewasfamiliarlyconversant。Thejudiciousreaderwillnotalwaysapproveoftheasperityofcensure，thechoiceofcircumstances，orthestyleofexpression；hewillperhapsdetectthelatentprejudices，andpersonalresentments，whichsouredthetemperofAmmianushimself；buthewillsurelyobserve，withphilosophiccuriosity，theinterestingandoriginalpictureofthemannersofRome。^34
[Footnote31:ValesiusadAmmian。xiv。6hasproved，fromChrysostomandAugustin，thatthesenatorswerenotallowedtolendmoneyatusury。YetitappearsfromtheTheodosianCode，seeGodefroyadl。ii。tit。xxxiii。tom。i。p。230—289，thattheywerepermittedtotakesixpercent。，oronehalfofthelegalinterest；and，whatismoresingular，thispermissionwasgrantedtotheyoungsenators。]
[Footnote32:Plin。Hist。Natur。xxxiii。50。Hestatesthesilveratonly4380pounds，whichisincreasedbyLivyxxx。45
to100，023:theformerseemstoolittleforanopulentcity，thelattertoomuchforanyprivatesideboard。]
[Footnote33:ThelearnedArbuthnotTablesofAncientCoins，&c。
p。153hasobservedwithhumor，andIbelievewithtruth，thatAugustushadneitherglasstohiswindows，norashirttohisback。Underthelowerempire，theuseoflinenandglassbecamesomewhatmorecommon。
Note:ThediscoveryofglassinsuchcommonuseatPompeii，spoilstheargumentofArbuthnot。SeeSirW。Gell。Pompeiana，2dser。p。98。—M。]
[Footnote34:ItisincumbentonmetoexplainthelibertieswhichIhavetakenwiththetextofAmmianus。1。Ihavemelteddownintoonepiecethesixthchapterofthefourteenthandthefourthofthetwenty—eighthbook。2。Ihavegivenorderandconnectiontotheconfusedmassofmaterials。3。Ihavesoftenedsomeextravaganthyperbeles，andparedawaysomesuperfluitiesoftheoriginal。4。Ihavedevelopedsomeobservationswhichwereinsinuatedratherthanexpressed。Withtheseallowances，myversionwillbefound，notliteralindeed，butfaithfulandexact。]
"ThegreatnessofRome"—suchisthelanguageofthehistorian—"wasfoundedontherare，andalmostincredible，allianceofvirtueandoffortune。ThelongperiodofherinfancywasemployedinalaboriousstruggleagainstthetribesofItaly，theneighborsandenemiesoftherisingcity。Inthestrengthandardorofyouth，shesustainedthestormsofwar；carriedhervictoriousarmsbeyondtheseasandthemountains；andbroughthometriumphallaurelsfromeverycountryoftheglobe。Atlength，vergingtowardsoldage，andsometimesconqueringbytheterroronlyofhername，shesoughttheblessingsofeaseandtranquillity。Thevenerablecity，whichhadtrampledonthenecksofthefiercestnations，andestablishedasystemoflaws，theperpetualguardiansofjusticeandfreedom，wascontent，likeawiseandwealthyparent，todevolveontheCaesars，herfavoritesons，thecareofgoverningheramplepatrimony。^35A
secureandprofoundpeace，suchashadbeenonceenjoyedinthereignofNuma，succeededtothetumultsofarepublic；whileRomewasstilladoredasthequeenoftheearth；andthesubjectnationsstillreverencedthenameofthepeople，andthemajestyofthesenate。Butthisnativesplendor，"continuesAmmianus，"isdegraded，andsullied，bytheconductofsomenobles，who，unmindfuloftheirowndignity，andofthatoftheircountry，assumeanunboundedlicenseofviceandfolly。Theycontendwitheachotherintheemptyvanityoftitlesandsurnames；andcuriouslyselect，orinvent，themostloftyandsonorousappellations，Reburrus，orFabunius，Pagonius，orTarasius，^36
whichmayimpresstheearsofthevulgarwithastonishmentandrespect。Fromavainambitionofperpetuatingtheirmemory，theyaffecttomultiplytheirlikeness，instatuesofbronzeandmarble；noraretheysatisfied，unlessthosestatuesarecoveredwithplatesofgold；anhonorabledistinction，firstgrantedtoAciliustheconsul，afterhehadsubdued，byhisarmsandcounsels，thepowerofKingAntiochus。Theostentationofdisplaying，ofmagnifying，perhaps，therent—rolloftheestateswhichtheypossessinalltheprovinces，fromtherisingtothesettingsun，provokesthejustresentmentofeveryman，whorecollects，thattheirpoorandinvincibleancestorswerenotdistinguishedfromthemeanestofthesoldiers，bythedelicacyoftheirfood，orthesplendoroftheirapparel。Butthemodernnoblesmeasuretheirrankandconsequenceaccordingtotheloftinessoftheirchariots，^37andtheweightymagnificenceoftheirdress。Theirlongrobesofsilkandpurplefloatinthewind；andastheyareagitated，byartoraccident，theyoccasionallydiscovertheundergarments，therichtunics，embroideredwiththefiguresofvariousanimals。^38Followedbyatrainoffiftyservants，andtearingupthepavement，theymovealongthestreetswiththesameimpetuousspeedasiftheytravelledwithpost—horses；andtheexampleofthesenatorsisboldlyimitatedbythematronsandladies，whosecoveredcarriagesarecontinuallydrivingroundtheimmensespaceofthecityandsuburbs。Wheneverthesepersonsofhighdistinctioncondescendtovisitthepublicbaths，theyassume，ontheirentrance，atoneofloudandinsolentcommand，andappropriatetotheirownusetheconvenienceswhichweredesignedfortheRomanpeople。If，intheseplacesofmixedandgeneralresort，theymeetanyoftheinfamousministersoftheirpleasures，theyexpresstheiraffectionbyatenderembrace；whiletheyproudlydeclinethesalutationsoftheirfellow—citizens，whoarenotpermittedtoaspireabovethehonorofkissingtheirhands，ortheirknees。Assoonastheyhaveindulgedthemselvesintherefreshmentofthebath，theyresumetheirrings，andtheotherensignsoftheirdignity，selectfromtheirprivatewardrobeofthefinestlinen，suchasmightsufficeforadozenpersons，thegarmentsthemostagreeabletotheirfancy，andmaintaintilltheirdeparturethesamehaughtydemeanor；whichperhapsmighthavebeenexcusedinthegreatMarcellus，aftertheconquestofSyracuse。Sometimes，indeed，theseheroesundertakemorearduousachievements；theyvisittheirestatesinItaly，andprocurethemselves，bythetoilofservilehands，theamusementsofthechase。^39Ifatanytime，butmoreespeciallyonahotday，theyhavecouragetosail，intheirpaintedgalleys，fromtheLucrineLake^40totheirelegantvillasontheseacoastofPuteoliandCayeta，^41theycomparetheirownexpeditionstothemarchesofCaesarandAlexander。Yetshouldaflypresumetosettleonthesilkenfoldsoftheirgildedumbrellas；shouldasunbeampenetratethroughsomeunguardedandimperceptiblechink，theydeploretheirintolerablehardships，andlament，inaffectedlanguage，thattheywerenotborninthelandoftheCimmerians，^42theregionsofeternaldarkness。Inthesejourneysintothecountry，^43thewholebodyofthehouseholdmarcheswiththeirmaster。Inthesamemannerasthecavalryandinfantry，theheavyandthelightarmedtroops，theadvancedguardandtherear，aremarshalledbytheskilloftheirmilitaryleaders；sothedomesticofficers，whobeararod，asanensignofauthority，distributeandarrangethenumeroustrainofslavesandattendants。Thebaggageandwardrobemoveinthefront；andareimmediatelyfollowedbyamultitudeofcooks，andinferiorministers，employedintheserviceofthekitchens，andofthetable。Themainbodyiscomposedofapromiscuouscrowdofslaves，increasedbytheaccidentalconcourseofidleordependentplebeians。Therearisclosedbythefavoritebandofeunuchs，distributedfromagetoyouth，accordingtotheorderofseniority。Theirnumbersandtheirdeformityexcitethehorroroftheindignantspectators，whoarereadytoexecratethememoryofSemiramis，forthecruelartwhichsheinvented，offrustratingthepurposesofnature，andofblastinginthebudthehopesoffuturegenerations。Intheexerciseofdomesticjurisdiction，thenoblesofRomeexpressanexquisitesensibilityforanypersonalinjury，andacontemptuousindifferencefortherestofthehumanspecies。Whentheyhavecalledforwarmwater，ifaslavehasbeentardyinhisobedience，heisinstantlychastisedwiththreehundredlashes:butshouldthesameslavecommitawilfulmurder，themasterwillmildlyobserve，thatheisaworthlessfellow；butthat，ifherepeatstheoffence，heshallnotescapepunishment。HospitalitywasformerlythevirtueoftheRomans；andeverystranger，whocouldpleadeithermeritormisfortune，wasrelieved，orrewardedbytheirgenerosity。Atpresent，ifaforeigner，perhapsofnocontemptiblerank，isintroducedtooneoftheproudandwealthysenators，heiswelcomedindeedinthefirstaudience，withsuchwarmprofessions，andsuchkindinquiries，thatheretires，enchantedwiththeaffabilityofhisillustriousfriend，andfullofregretthathehadsolongdelayedhisjourneytoRome，theactiveseatofmanners，aswellasofempire。Secureofafavorablereception，herepeatshisvisittheensuingday，andismortifiedbythediscovery，thathisperson，hisname，andhiscountry，arealreadyforgotten。Ifhestillhasresolutiontopersevere，heisgraduallynumberedinthetrainofdependants，andobtainsthepermissiontopayhisassiduousandunprofitablecourttoahaughtypatron，incapableofgratitudeorfriendship；whoscarcelydeignstoremarkhispresence，hisdeparture，orhisreturn。Whenevertherichprepareasolemnandpopularentertainment；^44whenevertheycelebrate，withprofuseandperniciousluxury，theirprivatebanquets；thechoiceoftheguestsisthesubjectofanxiousdeliberation。Themodest，thesober，andthelearned，areseldompreferred；andthenomenclators，whoarecommonlyswayedbyinterestedmotives，havetheaddresstoinsert，inthelistofinvitations，theobscurenamesofthemostworthlessofmankind。Butthefrequentandfamiliarcompanionsofthegreat，arethoseparasites，whopractisethemostusefulofallarts，theartofflattery；whoeagerlyapplaudeachword，andeveryaction，oftheirimmortalpatron；gazewithraptureonhismarblecolumnsandvariegatedpavements；andstrenuouslypraisethepompandelegancewhichheistaughttoconsiderasapartofhispersonalmerit。AttheRomantables，thebirds，thesquirrels，^45orthefish，whichappearofanuncommonsize，arecontemplatedwithcuriousattention；apairofscalesisaccuratelyapplied，toascertaintheirrealweight；and，whilethemorerationalguestsaredisgustedbythevainandtediousrepetition，notariesaresummonedtoattest，byanauthenticrecord，thetruthofsuchamarvelousevent。Anothermethodofintroductionintothehousesandsocietyofthegreat，isderivedfromtheprofessionofgaming，or，asitismorepolitelystyled，ofplay。Theconfederatesareunitedbyastrictandindissolublebondoffriendship，orratherofconspiracy；asuperiordegreeofskillintheTesserarianartwhichmaybeinterpretedthegameofdiceandtables^46isasureroadtowealthandreputation。Amasterofthatsublimescience，whoinasupper，orassembly，isplacedbelowamagistrate，displaysinhiscountenancethesurpriseandindignationwhichCatomightbesupposedtofeel，whenhewasrefusedthepraetorshipbythevotesofacapriciouspeople。Theacquisitionofknowledgeseldomengagesthecuriosityofnobles，whoabhorthefatigue，anddisdaintheadvantages，ofstudy；andtheonlybookswhichtheyperusearetheSatiresofJuvenal，andtheverboseandfabuloushistoriesofMariusMaximus。^47Thelibraries，whichtheyhaveinheritedfromtheirfathers，aresecluded，likedrearysepulchres，fromthelightofday。^48Butthecostlyinstrumentsofthetheatre，flutes，andenormouslyres，andhydraulicorgans，areconstructedfortheiruse；andtheharmonyofvocalandinstrumentalmusicisincessantlyrepeatedinthepalacesofRome。Inthosepalaces，soundispreferredtosense，andthecareofthebodytothatofthemind。
Itisallowedasasalutarymaxim，thatthelightandfrivoloussuspicionofacontagiousmalady，isofsufficientweighttoexcusethevisitsofthemostintimatefriends；andeventheservants，whoaredespatchedtomakethedecentinquiries，arenotsufferedtoreturnhome，tilltheyhaveundergonetheceremonyofapreviousablution。Yetthisselfishandunmanlydelicacyoccasionallyyieldstothemoreimperiouspassionofavarice。TheprospectofgainwillurgearichandgoutysenatorasfarasSpoleto；everysentimentofarroganceanddignityissubduedbythehopesofaninheritance，orevenofalegacy；andawealthychildlesscitizenisthemostpowerfuloftheRomans。
Theartofobtainingthesignatureofafavorabletestament，andsometimesofhasteningthemomentofitsexecution，isperfectlyunderstood；andithashappened，thatinthesamehouse，thoughindifferentapartments，ahusbandandawife，withthelaudabledesignofoverreachingeachother，havesummonedtheirrespectivelawyers，todeclare，atthesametime，theirmutual，butcontradictory，intentions。Thedistresswhichfollowsandchastisesextravagantluxury，oftenreducesthegreattotheuseofthemosthumiliatingexpedients。Whentheydesiretoborrow，theyemploythebaseandsupplicatingstyleoftheslaveinthecomedy；butwhentheyarecalledupontopay，theyassumetheroyalandtragicdeclamationofthegrandsonsofHercules。Ifthedemandisrepeated，theyreadilyprocuresometrustysycophant，instructedtomaintainachargeofpoison，ormagic，againsttheinsolentcreditor；whoisseldomreleasedfromprison，tillhehassignedadischargeofthewholedebt。Thesevices，whichdegradethemoralcharacteroftheRomans，aremixedwithapuerilesuperstition，thatdisgracestheirunderstanding。
Theylistenwithconfidencetothepredictionsofharuspices，whopretendtoread，intheentrailsofvictims，thesignsoffuturegreatnessandprosperity；andtherearemanywhodonotpresumeeithertobathe，ortodine，ortoappearinpublic，tilltheyhavediligentlyconsulted，accordingtotherulesofastrology，thesituationofMercury，andtheaspectofthemoon。^49Itissingularenough，thatthisvaincredulitymayoftenbediscoveredamongtheprofanesceptics，whoimpiouslydoubt，ordeny，theexistenceofacelestialpower。"
[Footnote35:Claudian，whoseemstohavereadthehistoryofAmmianus，speaksofthisgreatrevolutioninamuchlesscourtlystyle:—
PostquamjuraferoxinsecommuniaCaesarTranstulit；etlapsimores；desuetaquepriscisArtibus，ingremiumpacisservilerecessi。
DeBe。Gildonico，p。49。]
[Footnote36:Theminutediligenceofantiquarianshasnotbeenabletoverifytheseextraordinarynames。Iamofopinionthattheywereinventedbythehistorianhimself，whowasafraidofanypersonalsatireorapplication。Itiscertain，however，thatthesimpledenominationsoftheRomansweregraduallylengthenedtothenumberoffour，five，orevenseven，pompoussurnames；as，forinstance，MarcusMaeciusMaemmiusFuriusBalburiusCaecilianusPlacidus。SeeNorisCenotaphPiranDissert。iv。p。
438。]
[Footnote37:Theorcoachesoftheromans，wereoftenofsolidsilver，curiouslycarvedandengraved；andthetrappingsofthemules，orhorses，wereembossedwithgold。ThismagnificencecontinuedfromthereignofNerotothatofHonorius；andtheAppianwaywascoveredwiththesplendidequipagesofthenobles，whocameouttomeetSt。Melania，whenshereturnedtoRome，sixyearsbeforetheGothicsiege，Seneca，epist。lxxxvii。Plin。
Hist。Natur。xxxiii。49。Paulin。Nolan。apudBaron。Annal。
Eccles。A。D。397，No。5。Yetpompiswellexchangeforconvenience；andaplainmoderncoach，thatishunguponsprings，ismuchpreferabletothesilverorgoldcartsofantiquity，whichrolledontheaxle—tree，andwereexposed，forthemostpart，totheinclemencyoftheweather。]
[Footnote38:InahomilyofAsterius，bishopofAmasia，M。deValoishasdiscoveredadAmmian。xiv。6thatthiswasanewfashion；thatbears，wolveslions，andtigers，woods，hunting—matches，&c。，wererepresentedinembroidery:andthatthemorepiouscoxcombssubstitutedthefigureorlegendofsomefavoritesaint。]
[Footnote39:SeePliny'sEpistles，i。6。Threelargewildboarswerealluredandtakeninthetoilswithoutinterruptingthestudiesofthephilosophicsportsman。]
[Footnote40:ThechangefromtheinauspiciouswordAvernus，whichstandsinthetext，isimmaterial。Thetwolakes，AvernusandLucrinus，communicatedwitheachother，andwerefashionedbythestupendousmolesofAgrippaintotheJulianport，whichopened，throughanarrowentrance，intotheGulfofPuteoli。
Virgil，whoresidedonthespot，hasdescribedGeorgicii。161
thisworkatthemomentofitsexecution:andhiscommentators，especiallyCatrou，havederivedmuchlightfromStrabo，Suetonius，andDion。Earthquakesandvolcanoeshavechangedthefaceofthecountry，andturnedtheLucrineLake，sincetheyear1538，intotheMonteNuovo。SeeCamilloPellegrinoDiscorsidellaCampaniaFelice，p。239，244，&c。AntoniiSanfeliciiCampania，p。13，88
Note:CompareLyell'sGeology，ii。72。—M。]
[Footnote41:TheregnaCumanaetPuteolana；locacaetiroquivaldeexpetenda，interpellantiumautemmultitudinepaenefugienda。CiceroadAttic。xvi。17。]
[Footnote42:TheproverbialexpressionofCimmeriandarknesswasoriginallyborrowedfromthedescriptionofHomer，intheeleventhbookoftheOdyssey，whichheappliestoaremoteandfabulouscountryontheshoresoftheocean。SeeErasmiAdagia，inhisworks，tom。ii。p。593，theLeydenedition。]
[Footnote43:WemaylearnfromSenecaepist。cxxiii。threecuriouscircumstancesrelativetothejourneysoftheRomans。1。
TheywereprecededbyatroopofNumidianlighthorse，whoannounced，byacloudofdust，theapproachofagreatman。2。
Theirbaggagemulestransportednotonlythepreciousvases，buteventhefragilevesselsofcrystalandmurra，whichlastisalmostproved，bythelearnedFrenchtranslatorofSeneca，tom。
iii。p。402—422，tomeantheporcelainofChinaandJapan。3。