AITSIGE BY arranaa #f tl PRINTED BY AND FOR HENRY MOZLEY, BROOK-8TREET. 1817.Oe see GiGe otc ood cee va aaTnnas Page peers 68 £ECRETIA.Se rT rr eI TIO TINT THE HISTORY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. wether CHAPTER I. or THE ORIGINAL OF THE ROMANS. HE Romans were particularly desirous of being thought descended from the gods, as ifto hide the meanness of their real ancestry. AZneas, the son of Venus and An- chises, having escaped from the destruction of Troy, after many adventures and dangers, arrived in Italy, AM where he was kindly received by Latinus, king Sen. of the Latins, who gave him his daughter Lavi- 7*94- nia in marriage. urnus, king of the Rutuli, was the first who op) #ineas, he having tong made pretensi- ons to Lavinia himself. A war ensuéd, in which the ‘Fro- jam hero was victorious, and Turnus slain. In consequence of this, /Eneas built a city, which was called Lavinium, in honour of his wife; and some time after, engaging in another ‘war against Mezentius, one of the petty kings of the country, he was vanquished in turn, and died iff bat- tle, after a reign of four years. t . Numitor, the fifteenth king, im a direct line from Zne- as, who took possession of the kingdom, in consequence of his father’s will, had a brother, named Amylius,' to B6 THE HISTORY OF THE snk oe een oe had been brought from roy. As ric it too’ prevail —— ight, Amulius made use of his wealth & supplant his bi er, and soon found means to possess himself of the kingdom. Not content with the crime of usurpation, he added that of murder also. Numitor’s sons first fell a sacrifice to his suspicions ; and, to xemove all ayprehensions of being one day disturbed in his ill got power, he caused Rhea Silvia, ee a daughter, to become is vestal ae in: whic ce obliging. her to. celi le fen ie Calayan tthe claims Pate, posterity. nied His tutions, however, were all frustrated. in the event. For Rhea Silvia, going to fetch water from aneigh- bouring grove, was met and ravished by a man, whom, perhaps, to palliate her offence, she averred to.be Mars, the god of war. From this congress, she was brought to bed of two boys, who were no sooner botn than devoted by the usurper to destruction. The mother was condemn- ed to be buried alive, the usual punishment for vestals who had violated their chastity, and the twins were or- dered to be flung into the river Tiber. It happened, at the time this rigorous sentence was put .into execution, that the river had more than usually overflowed its banks, so that the place where the children were thrown, being at adistance from the main current, the water was too shallow to drown them. In this situation, therefore, they continued without harm ; and, that no part of their pre« servation might want. its wonders, we are told, that they were for some time suckled by a wolf, until Faustulus, the king’s herdsman, finding them thus exposed, brought them home to Acca Laurentia, his wife, who brought them up as his own. Romulus and Remus, the twins thus strangely preserv- ed, seemed early to discover abilities and desires above the meanness of their supposed original. The shepherd's life began to displease them, and from tending flocks or hunting wild beasts, they soon turned their strength against the robbers round the country, whom they often stript of their plunder to share it among their fellow shepherds. In one of these excursions Remas was taken prisoner by Nu- mitor’s herdsman, who brought him befere the king, andCOMMONWEALTH OF ROME. ti accused him of beinga plunderer. Romulus, however, be- ing informed by Faustulus of his real birth, was not remiss in assembling a number of his fellow shepherds, who beset the usurper on all sides, who, during his amazement and distraction, was taken and slain; while Numitor, who had been deposed forty-two years, recognized his grand- sons, and Pail Gris Tunce reece to thee throm Lo Numitor being thus in quiet ession of the kingdom, his grandsons Peolved: te build a ci se those hills where they had formerly lived as Shep is. Many.ofthe eee also, on such _ vee ond of ze, ired to the inten city, and prepared to raise it. In order to proceed in, this undertaking with all ible solemnity, the two brothers were advised by the ing to take an omen from the flight of birds, and that he whose omen should be most favourable should, in all re- ts, direct the other. In compliance with this advice they both took their stations upon diferent hills, To Re- mus appeered six vultures; to Romulus twice that num- ber ; sothat each party thought itself victorious ; the one having the first omen, the other the most complete. This produced a contest which: ended in a battle, wherein Re- mus was slain ; and, it is even said, that he was killed by his brother, who, being provoked at his leaping contemp- tuously over the city wall, struck him dead upon the spot. Romulus, being now sole commander, and eighteen years of age, laid the foundation of a se that was one day to give laws to the world. It was called Rome, after the name of the founder, and built w the A.M.3 Palatine hill, on which he had taken his sue. 4: M3252. cessful omen. The city was at first almost nie TD. square, containing about a thousand houses. It was near amile in com and commanded a small territory round it of about ch t miles over. However, small as it appears, it was notwithstanding worse inhabited : and the first me- thod made use of to increase its numbers, was the opening a oy for all malefactors, slaves, and such as were desirous of névelty ; and these came in great multitudes, and contributed to increase the numbers of our legislator’s new subjects. Be9 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER II. FROM a BUILDING OF ROME TO THE DEATH OF : ROMULUS, . QcAree was the city raised above its foundation, when its rade inhabitants began to think of giving some form to their constitution. Romulus, by an act of great genero. sity, let.them at Liberty to choose whora they would for their king ; and they in‘ gratitude concurred to elect their founder: he was ly acknowledged as chief of their religion, sovereign Taceiecate of Rome, and general of the army. Beside a guard to attend his person, it was agreed thay he should be preceded wherever he went by twelve men, armed with axes tied up in a bundle of rods, who were to serve as execntioners of the law, and to im< his new subjects with an idea of his Thesenate, which was to actas counsellors to e king, was composed of an hundred of the principal ‘citizens of Rome, consisting. of men, whose age, wisdom, or valour, gave them a natural authority. over their fellow su and the king named: the first senator, and appoint him to the government of the city, whenever war Poqajped his own absence. is re eth : _ The plebeians, who composed the third part of the le- : assumed to themeelves the power of authorising those laws which were passed by the king or the senate. All things relative to peace or war, to the election of magistrates, and even to the chusing ra king, were con- firmed by suffrages in their assemblies. The first care of the new created king, was to attend to the interests of religion ; but the precise form. of their wor« ship is unknown. The ‘greatest part of the religion of that age consisted in a firm reliance upon the credit of their Soothsayers, who pretended, frem observations on the flight of birds and the entrails ile to anes the pre- “sent, and to dive imto futuri' fas, an express: law, commanded that no sian, should be ae no en- terprize undertaken, without first consulting them. ives were forbid, upon any pretext whatsoever, toCOMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 9 separate from their husbands ; while, on the ¢on' , the husband was empowered to repudiate the wife, and even in some cases to put her to death.—His laws between chil« dren and their parents were yet still mere sevete, the father had entire power over his offspring, both of fortune and fife ; he could sell them, or imprison them at any time of their lives, or in any stations to which they were arrived. : After his endeavours by laws to regulate his subjects, he next gave orders to ascertain their numbets. The whole ‘amoznted but to three thousand foot, and about as many hnird¥ed horsemen, capable of bearing arms. These, there= fore, were divided equally into three tribes, and to each he assigned a different part of the city. Each of these tribes were subdivided into ten curia, or companies, con« sisting of an hundred men each, with a centurion to com- mand it; a priest called Curio, to perform the sacrifice ; and two of the principal inhabitants, cated Duumviri, to distribute justice. ’ By these wise regulations each day added strength to the new city ; multitudes flocked in from all the ad! towns, and it only seemed to want women to ascertain its duration. In this exigence, Romulus, by the advice of the senate, sent deputies among the Sabines, his nei ars, entreating their alliance, and upon these terms offering to vement the most strict confederacy with them. The Sa bines, who were then considered as the most warlike peo~ le of Italy, rejected the proposal with disdain: Romu-~ lus, therefore, proclaimed a feast in honour of Nepturre throughout all the neighbouring villages, and made the most magnificent preparations for it. These feasts were generally preceded by sacrifices, and ended in shows of wrestlers, gladiators, amd chariot courses. The Sabines, as he had expected, were among the foremost who came to be spectators, bringing their wives and daughters with thent to share the leurs of the sight. ' In ile ces time the games began, and, while the strangers were most intent ‘upon the spectacle, a number of the Roman youths rushed in among them with drawn swords, seized the youngest ‘ahd; most beautifal women, and ‘carried them of by vio~ ence. In vain the parents protested against this breach of hospitality ; in-vain the vanpies tiseeaee ves at first opposed } 310 THE HISTORY OF THE the attempts of their ravishers ; perseverance and caresses obtained those favours which timidity at fitst denied ; so that the betrayers, from being objects of aversion, soon became the partners of their dearest affections. : Abloody war.ensued. The cities of Cenina, Antemna, and Crustuminum, were the first who resolved to revenge the common cause, which the Sabines seemed too dilatory in pursuing. But all these by making separate inroads, became a more easy conquest to Romulus, who made the most merciful use of his victory; instead of destroyin their towns, or lessening their numbers, he only pled colonies of Romans in them, to serve as a frontier to re- press more distant invasions. .. Tatius, king of Cures, a Sabine city, was the last, al- though the most formidable, who undertook to.revenge the disgrace his country had suffered. He entered the territories at the head of twenty-five thousand men, and not content with a superiority of forces, he added stratagem also. Tarpeia, who wag hter to the commander of the itoline hill, happened to fal} into his hands, as she went without the walls of the city tofetch water. Upon her he prevailed, by means of large promises, to betray one of the gates to fia army. The reward she engaged for was what the soldiers wore on their arms, by which she meant their bracelets. They, however, either mistaking her mean- ing, or willing to punish her perfidy, threw their buck- Jers upon her as they entered, and crushed her to death. The Sabines being thus possessed of the Capitoline hill, af- ter some time a general engagement ensued, which was re- newed for several days win etna equal success, and nei- ther could think of submitting: it was in the valley be- tween the Capitoline and Quirinal hills, that the last en- gagement was fought between the Romans and the Sabines. The engagement was now become general, and the slaugh- ter prodigious, when the attention of both sides was sud- denly turned from this scene of horror before them to ano- ther: the Sabine women, who had been carried off by the Romans, with their hair loose, and their ornaments neg- lected, flew in between the combatants, i of their own danger, and, with loud outcries, implored their hus- bands and their children to desist. Upon this.the comba-COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 11 tants, asif by mutual impulse, let fall their weapons ; an accommodation ensyed, by which it was agreed that Ro- mulus and Tatius should reign jointly in Rome, with equal power and. ative, that an hundred Sabines should be admitted into the senate, that the city should still retain its former name, but that the’ citizens should be called Quirites, after Cures, the principal town of the Sabines, and that both nations being thus united, such of the Sabines, as chose it should be itted to live in, and enjoy all the privileges of citizens in Rome. Tatius was ki about Eve years afterwards by the Lavinians, for having protected some of his servants, who had plundered. them, and slain their ambassadors ; so that by this acci- - Romulus once’ more saw himself sole monarch of e. m Successes like these produced an equal share of pride in the conqueror. From se contanted with those hmits which had been wisely assigned to his power, he began to * affect absolute sway, and to govern those laws, to which he had himself formerly professed implicit obedience. The senate was particularly displeased at his conduct, as they found themselves only used as instruments to ratify the igour of his commands. We are not told the precise mans ner which they employed to get rid of the tyrant; some say that he was torn in pieces in the senate-house ; others, that he disappeared le reviewing his army. Certain it is, that from the secresy of the fact, and the concealment of the body, they took occasion to persuade the multitude that he was taken up into heaven : thus they were content- ed to worship him asa god, whom they could not bear as aking. Romulus es ara thirty-seven years, and after his death had a temple built to him under the name of Quirinus. : .12 THE HISTORY OF THE -~ CHAPTER III. FROM THE DEATH OF ROMULUS, TO THE DEATH OF ‘NUMA POMPILIUS, THE SECOND KING OF ROME. I J PON the death of Romulus, the city seemed U0 33; greatly divided in the choice of a successor. The Sabines were for having a king chesen from their bo- dy, but the Romans ped not bear the Gait of - vancing a stranger to the throne, In this. perplexity the senators undertook to gupply the place of the king, by ‘taking the government each of them in turn, for five days, and, during that time, enjoying all the honours, and all the ee of royalty. This new ferm of government continued for a year, but the plebeians, who saw that this methed of transferring power was only multiplying their masters, insisted upon altering that mode of govern- ment. The senate being thus driven to an election, at Jength pitched upon Numa Pompilius, a Sabine, and their choice was received with universal approbation by, the People. . uma Pompiling, who was now about forty, had lon been eminent for his piety, his justice, moderation, an exemplary life. He was skilled in all the learning and philosophy of the Sabines, and lived at home at Cures, contented with a private fortune, unambitious of higher oo . ed not therefore, — een oe accepted the dignity, which, when he did, it produc: such joy, that the people seemed not §gmuch to receive a ing, as a kingdom. jo monarch could be more proper for them than Numa, at a conjuncture when the government was com’ of various petty states, lately subdued, and but ill united among each other: they wanted a master, who could, b his laws and precepts, soften their fierce di ions, and, by his example, induce them to a love of religion, and every milder virtue. Numa’s whole time, therefore, was spent in inspiring his subjects with a love of piety, and a veneration for the gods. He built many new temples, instituted sacred officesCOMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 13 ard fedsts, and the sanctity se ee ee enough to persnade his le that he hada particular correspondence with the goddess Egeria. By her advice he built the temple of Janus, which was to be shut in time of peace, and open in war; he ordained vestal virgins, who, being four in number, hed very great privileges yallowed them. ‘- For the encouragement of agriculture, he divided those lands whith Romulus had gained in war among te fom er part of the people ; he tegulated the calendar, and abo- Fished the distinction between Roroune and Sabines, by ai the people atcerding to their several trades, and ¢ them to live together. Thus having arrived at the -Hde of fourscore years, and having sped forty-three in id peace, he died, ordering his body to be bu- “fn a ttone coffin, contrary to the custom: of the times, atid his books of ceremonies, which consisted. of twelve im Latin, and as many in Greek, to, be buried by his side in another. © = < se ‘ : CHAPTER Iv. Few (uz DEATH OF NUMA, ‘TO THE DEATH OF TULLUS "+ WosTILTus, THE THTRD KING OF ROME, [J PON thedeath of Numa, the government once U.C.8 imoredevolved upon thesenate, andcontinued **~* 2. 4ill the people elected Tullis Hostilius for their king, which choice had wlso tH concurrence of the other part-of the éonstitution.—This monarch, who was grandson to a neble Roman, who had formerly sipnalired himself inst the Sabites, was every way unlike his predecessor, being en- Airely devoted to war, and-more fond of enterprize than even the founder of the empire himself had been: $0 that de only sought # pretext for leading his forces into the field. : The ‘Albans were the first people who gave him an op- ee of ing his favourite inclinations. The of these two states met about five miles from Rome, ptepared aaa ana aa respective kingdoms ; 3 :14 THE HISTORY OF THE for almost every battle in these times was decisive. The two armies were for some time drawn out in array, awaiting the signal to in, both chiding the length of that dreadful Suspense, when an unexpected proposal from the Alban general put a _- tothe onset. Stepping in between both armies, he offered the Romans a choice of deciding the dis- pute by single combat ; adding, that the side whose cham- pion was overcome should submit to the conqueror. A proposal like this suited the impetuous temper of the Ro- man kihg, and-was embraced with joy by his subjects, each of which hoped that he himself should be chosen to fight the cause of his country. .There were at that time three twin brothers in each army ; those of the Romans were called Horatii, and those of the Albans, -Curiatii, all six remarkable for their courage, strength, and activity, and to these, it was resolved to commit the management of the combat. At length the champions met in combat to- ther, and each, totally regardless of his own safety, on~ ly sought the destruction of his opponent. The spectators, in horrid silence, trembled at every blow, and wished to share the , till fortune seemed to decide the glo: of the field. Victory, that had hitherto been doubtful, appeared to declare against the Romans ; they beheld two of their champions lying dead upon the plain, and the three Curiatii, who were wounded, ‘dow! endeavouring to:pur-, sue the survivor, who seemed by fight to beg for mercy. Soon, however, they perceived that his flight was only pre- tended, in order to separate his antagonists whom he was unable to oppose united ; for quickly ster, stopping his course, and turning upon him who follqwed most closely behind, he laid him dead at his feet ; the second brother, ‘who came on to assist him who was fallen, also shared the same fate: and now there remained but the last Curiatius to conquer, who, fatigued, and quite disabled. with his wounds, slowly came up to offer an easy victory. He was killed, almost unresisting, while the conqueror exclaimed, that he offered him as a victim to the superiority of the Romans, whom now the Alban army consented to obey. But none of the virtues of that age were without allo: 3 the very hand that in the morning was exerted to save his country, was before night embrued in the blood.of a sis-COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. 15 ter. For, returning triumphant from the field, it raised his indignation to behold her bathed in tears, and lament- ing the losa of her lover, one of the Curiatii, to whom she was betrothed.—This provoked him beyond the pow- er of sufferance, so that he slewherinarage. This action greatly displeased the senate, and drew on him the con- lemnation of the magistrates, but he was pardoned by making his appeal to the people, Hostilius died after a ss of thirty-two years; some say by lightning, others, with more probability, by treason, CHAPTER V. FROM THE DEATH OF TULLUS HOSTILIUS, TO THE DEATH OF ANCUS.MARCIUS, THE FOURTH KING OF ROME. FTER an interregnum, as in the former a A case, Ancus Marcius, the grandson of Nu- Un C, 118, ma, was elected by the people, and the choice after- wards was con by the senate. As this monarch was, a lineal descendant from Numa, so he seemed to make him the great object of his imitation. He instituted the sacred ceremonies which were to ede a declaration of war ; he tock every occasion to afin his subjects to return to the arts of agriculture, and to lay aside the less useful, stratagems of war. — _ These institutions and precepts were considered by the, neighbouring powers rather as marks of cowardice than of wisdom. The Latins, therefore, began to make incursions. upon his territories, but their success was equal to their jus- tice. Ancus conquered the Latins, destroyed their cities, removed their inhabitants to Rome, and increased his ter- ritories by the addition of part of theirs. He quelled also an insurrection of the Veii, the Fidenates, and the Volsci ; and over the Sabines he obtained a second triumph, But his victories over the enemy were by np means com. parable to his works at home, in raising temples, fortify. ing the city, making a prison for malefactors, and build-. ing a sea-port at the me the Tiber, called Ostia, by.16 . THE HISTORY OF THE which he secured to his subjects the trade of thut river, atid that of the walt pits adjacent. Thus having enriched his subjects, and beautified the city, he died after a reign CHAPTER VI. - : FROM THE DEATH OF ANCUS MARCIUS, TO THE DEATH OF TARQUINIUS PHISCUS, THE FIFTH KING OF ROME. UCIUS Tarquinius Priscus, whose original U.C. 138. L name was Lucumon, and who was appoint- ed pote to the sons of the late king, took the surname of Tarquinius from the city of Tarquinia, from whence he last cate. His fathver was a merchant of Corinth, who had oe considerable wealth by trade, and had settled in Italy, wpom account of some troubles at home. His son Lucumon, who inherited his fortune, married a woman of i inia; and, as his birth, profes- sion, ‘ard cbuntry, were % tible to the nobles of the place, by his wife’s persuasion, he came to vettle at Rome, where merit only made distinction. On his way thither, say the historians, as he approached the city gate, an ea- gle; stooping from above, took off his ‘hat, and fyi round his chariot for seme time with much noise, put It on again. This, his wife Tanaquil, who it seems was skill- éd in augury, interpreted as a presage, that he should one gers the crown ; and perhaps it was this whieh ~ first his ambition to pursue it. ‘ Ancus being dead, and the kingdom, #s-usual, devolv- ing upon the senate, Tarquin used all his power and arts to set aside the children of the late king, and to get him- self elected in their stead, For this pur , upon the day — for ee he contrived ap ere cee git the city ; and, in a set speech to the people, in w! fre urged his friendship for them, the fortune fe had spent among them, and-his knowledge of their government, he offered himself for their king. As there was nothing in this harangue that could be contested, it had the desiredCOMMONWEALTH ‘OF ROME, 17 effect, atid ‘the ‘peopld, with’ ome consent, elected him as A. kin: , thus .got by latrtgue was notwithstanding verned with equity, Inthe begining of his reign, in ors ‘to recempensé His Friends, he added ah hundred mem-' bera more ‘to the setiate, ‘whith made them in all three ~ Bit i peaceful endeavouts’ were soon intetruy by the i is of his ¥estless neighbouts, particularly the La- tins, ovéx whom he trimphed, and whom ‘he forced to beg a peace. He'then tornetl hivarms against the Sabinres, who had riseti once nore, and had passed over the Tiber ; but Tarquin, attacking them with vigour, routed their army ; so that many who escaptil the sword, were drown- ed im attempting to cross over,’ while their bodies and armour floating down to Rome, brought news of the vie. tory, even betore the messengers could arrive that were sent with the tidings. These. conquests were followed by several advantages over the Latins, from whom he took many towns, ‘though without gaining any detisive victory. Tarquin, —_ thus forced his enémies mto srbmis+ ' sion, was resolved not to let his subjects corrupt in indo- Jence, but undertook and perfected several public worke, for the convenience and, embellishment of the city. In his time also, the a came into a great increase of reputation, and he found it his interest to promote the superstition of the poor, this,was‘in fact but to in- crease their obedience. Tanaquil, his wife, was a great pretender to this art;-but Accius Nevius was the most celebrated adept of the kind that was ever known in Rome. Upon a certain occasion, Tarquin being resolved; to try the sugur’s skill, asked him, whether what he was then potdering in his mind could be-effécted ?_ Nevis, having examitied his auguries, boldly affirmed that it ight: “* Why then,” cries the king, with an insulting emile, “1 ‘thoughts of cutting’ this whetstone with a’ rasor.” “ Out boldly,” replied the augur; and the king’ cut it through accordingly. Thenceforward fothing ‘was undertaken ‘in Rome without consulting the augurs, and obtaining their advice and approbation. a Tarquin was not content with a kingtom, withouy alsa18 THE HISTORY OFTHE. ;) the ensigns of royalty. In imitation of the Lydian, kings, he assumed a crown of gold, an ivory throne, a, sceptre; with an eagle.on the.top, and. robes of purple. ..[t was, per- haps, the splendor .of these royalties, that first,raised the, envy of the late king’s sons, who had now for,aboye thir+ ty-seven years, quietly submitted to.his government., His esign also of adopting Servius Tullius, his son-in-law, for his successor, might have contributed to:inflame their re- sentment. . Whatever was the cause jof their tardy yvenges ance, they resolved to, destroy,, him ;,and.at-last found means to effect their p by. hiring two ruffians, who,; » demanding to speak with the king, pretending that they came for. justice, struck him. dead in his palace with the blow of an axe;... The lictors,. however, who, waited upon the person of the king, seized the murderers, who were attempting. to, escape: ater were, put to, death ; but the sons.of Ancus,..who, were.the instigators, found safety. by flight. tdtive ’ Thus fell Lucius Tarquinius, jsurnamed. Priscus, to dis- tinguish him from one of his successors, of the same name, aged fifty-six years, of which he had reigned thirty-eight. — re ea: an go : : CHAPTER VII. .' FROM THE DEATH OF TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, TO THE DEATH OF SERVIUS TULLIUS, THE SIXTH KING OF ROME. FIHE report of the murder of Tarquin filled all UC. v9.T his subjects with complaint and indigna- tion, while the citizens ran from every quarter to the.pa- lace, to learn the truth of the account, or to take venge- ance on the assassins. In this tumult, Tanaquil, widow of the late king, considering the danger she must incur, in. case the conspirators should succeed to the crown, and de- sirous of having her son-in-law for his successor, with art dissembled her sorrows as well as the king's th. She assured the people, from one of the windows of the. palace, that he was not killed, but stunned by the blow ;COMMONWEALTH OF ROME. - 19 that he would shortly recover:; and that, in the mean, time, he had deputed Me pore to Servius Tullius, his son-in- law. Servius accordingly, as it had been agreed upon be- tween them, ‘isgued from the , adorned with the en- signs of royalty, and preceded by his lictors, went to dis- patch some affairs that related to the public safety, still Eening that he took all his instructions from the king. ‘his scene of dissimulation ‘contiriued for some. days, bp harhamada his party good umong the nobles; when the eath of Tarquin being publicly ascertained, Servius came to the crown, ..solely -dt the Senate's appointment, and without attempting to, gain the suffrages of the a ge : :Servius was the san of.a bond.woman, who been. taken at the sacking of a town belenging to the Latins, and was born, whilst his mother was aslave. While yet an infant in, his.cradle, a lambent flame is said to have play- ed round his head, which Tanaquil converted into an omen of his future greatness, 9 : ‘Upon. being acknowledged aa, king, the chief opt of hie reign was.to Increase the power of the senate, by de- pressing that of the people. The populace, who were.up~. able to see into his. aeigan boukeved upon him ‘a full power of settling the taxes as he, should. think proper. And accordingly, as he insisted that they: shoyld pay their taxes by centuries, he commanded that they ahaa give their votes in all public transactions by centuries also, In former deliberations each citizen gave hig suffrage singly, and the numbers of the poor always carried it against the power of the rich ; but by the regulations of Servius, the senate was made to consist of a greater number of centu- ries than all the other classes put together, and thus en- tirely outweighed them in every contention. . In order to ascertain thie decrease or decay of his sub- jects and their fortunes,. he. instituted another regulation, ‘which he called a lustrum. . By this, all. the citizens were to assemble in the Campus Martius, in complete armour, and, in their respective classes, once in five years, and there to give an exact account of their families and for- tune. . i . Having thus enjoyed a long reign spent in settling the domestic policy of the state, and also not inattentive to fo~_