26 chapters
8 hour read
Selected Chapters
26 chapters
PREFACE
PREFACE
The reception accorded to my Life in Ancient Athens has led me to write the present companion work with an eye to the same class of readers. In the preface to the former volume it was said: "I have sought to leave an impression true and sound, so far as it goes, and also vivid and distinct. The style adopted has therefore been the opposite of the pedantic, utilizing any vivacities of method which are consistent with truth of fact." The same principles have guided me in the present equally unpret
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I EXTENT AND SECURITY OF THE EMPIRE
I EXTENT AND SECURITY OF THE EMPIRE
XIII SOCIAL DAY OF A ROMAN ARISTOCRAT ( continued )—AFTERNOON AND DINNER Frontispiece View into Roman Forum from Temple of Vesta, A.D. 64. (Restoration partly after Auer, Hülsen, Tognetti, etc.). 1. The Pont du Gard (Aqueduct and Bridge). 2. The Appian Way by the so-called Tomb of Seneca (Laneiani, New Tales of Old Rome ). 3. Plan of Inn at Pompeii. (After Mau). 4. Ship beside the Quay at Ostia. (Hill, Illustrations of School Classics , FIG. 498 ). 6. The Acropolis at Athens.
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
MAPS AND PLANS:
MAPS AND PLANS:
Map of Roman Empire, A.D. 64. Plan of Rome with Chief Topographical Features. Plan of Forum, A.D. 64....
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The subject of this book is "Life in the Roman World of Nero and St. Paul." This is not quite the same thing as "Life in Ancient Rome" at the same date. Our survey is to be somewhat wider than that of the imperial city itself, with its public and private structures, its public and private life. The capital, and these topics concerning it, will naturally occupy the greater portion of our time and interest. But it is quite impossible to realise Rome, its civilisation, and the meaning of its monume
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER I
The best means of realising the extent of the Roman Empire in or about the year 64 is to glance at the map. It will be found to reach from the Atlantic Ocean to the Euphrates, from the middle of England—approximately the river Trent—to the south of Egypt, from the Rhine and the Danube to the Desert of Sahara. The Mediterranean Sea is a Roman lake, and there is not a spot upon its shores which is not under Roman rule. In round numbers the empire is three thousand miles in length and two thousand
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER II
Of the administration in Rome and throughout the provinces enough will be said in the proper place. Meanwhile we may look briefly at one or two questions of interest which will presumably suggest themselves at this stage. Since all this vast region now formed one empire, since Roman magistrates and officers were sent to all parts of it, since trade and intercourse were vigorous between all its provinces, it will be natural to ask, for example, by what means the traveller got from place to place,
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III
After thus considering, however incompletely, the manner in which the people of the Roman world contrived to move about within the empire itself, we may proceed to glance at the constituent parts of the world in which they thus travelled to and fro. And first we must draw a distinction of the highest importance between the western and eastern halves. Naturally enough, Italy itself was before all others the land of the Romans. It was the favoured land, enjoyed the fullest privileges, and was the
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER IV
We have seen, and succinctly traversed, the extent of the Roman world. The next step is to consider, as tersely as possible, its system of government and administration about the year 64. This task is not only entirely necessary to our immediate purpose; it is also one of great interest and profit in itself. If we are either to see in their proper light the experiences of such a man as St. Paul, or to understand the long continuance of so wide an empire, we must observe carefully the principles
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER V
Roughly then this is the situation at the centre of government. Sumptuously housed on the Palatine Hill—the origin of our word "palace"—is His Highness Claudius Nero, Head of the State, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, Empowered to act as Tribune of the People, and Head of the State Religion: in modern times commonly called "the Emperor." Every day and night his palace is surrounded by a regiment of the Imperial Guards, and attached to his person is a special corps for bodyguard, and orderlies.
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VI
We are now brought to the consideration of the methods by which this huge empire was organised and governed. And first let us observe that the Romans—strict disciplinarians and great lawyers as they were—never sought to impose upon the subject provinces any uniformity. They never sought, any more than Great Britain has sought, to erect one code of law, one form of administration, one standard of rights, one rate of taxation, one religion, and to make it equally applicable to Spain and Britain, G
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VII
In the year 64 the capital of the Roman Empire was, it is true, a large and splendid city and an "epitome of the world," but it had not yet reached either its zenith of splendour or its maximum, of size. Many of the largest and most sumptuous structures of which we possess the records, and in most cases the ruins, were not yet built or even contemplated. There was no Colosseum; there were no Baths of Trajan, Caracalla, or Diocletian. The Column of Trajan, still soaring in the Foro Traiano, and o
32 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER VIII
After this rapid walk through the more interesting parts of the capital, we may consider one or two connected topics of natural interest. Amid all this splendour and spaciousness of public buildings, what is the aspect of the ordinary streets? In this respect Rome was by no means fortunate. As in Old London, Old Paris, or Old New York, the streets had for the most part grown up as chance circumstances would have it. There were very few thoroughfares laid out straight from the first like the Flam
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER IX
We have taken a general survey of the city of Rome, its open places, streets, and public buildings. We may now look at the houses in which the Romans lived, and at the furniture to be expected inside them. Mention has already been made of the large and lofty tenement houses or blocks, often mere human rookeries, which were let out in lodgings to those who did not possess sufficient means to occupy a separate domicile of their own. These buildings, which were naturally to be found in the busier s
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER X
Throughout the romanized parts of the empire—in other words, wherever Romans settled, in Italy, Spain, Gaul, Britain, and also wherever the richer natives imitated the Roman fashions—the house in any city or considerable town was built as nearly as possible after the type described. In the country the poor naturally had their much simpler cottages and cabins of a room or two, commonly thatched or shingled, knowing nothing of hall and court and all these arrangements of art and luxury. In the cas
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XI
On the customary furniture of a Roman house we need not spend many words. For one thing, it was simple and scanty as compared with the furnishing and upholstering of to-day. For another, its nature presents little that would be strange to us or that would require explanation. Among the most conspicuous differences between Roman and modern furnishing must be reckoned the absence of carpets, the comparatively small use of tables and chairs, the absence of upholstery from such chairs as were used,
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XII
We have seen in what sort of a home a Roman dwelt in town or country. Meanwhile it goes without saying that the non-Roman or non-Romanized populations of the empire were living in houses and amid furniture of their own special type—Greek, Syrian, Egyptian, or as the case might be. They were also living their lives after their own fashion in respect of dress, meals, occupations, and amusements. We may now look at the manner in which a typical Roman might spend an ordinary day in the metropolis, a
31 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIII
SOCIAL DAY OF A ROMAN ARISTOCRAT ( continued )—AFTERNOON AND DINNER We will suppose that Silius is specially inclined for action and society. The afternoon is growing chilly, and, as he has no further ceremonial to undergo, he will probably throw over his toga a richly coloured mantle—violet, amethyst, or scarlet—to be fastened on the shoulder with a buckle or brooch. In very cold weather, especially when travelling, Romans of all classes would wear a thick cloak, somewhat like the cape worn by
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XIV
Silius was a noble, with a nobleman's privileges and also his limitations. The class next in rank below his consisted of the "knights," of whom something has already been said. It will be remembered that these men of the "narrow stripe" were the higher middle class, who conducted most of the greater financial enterprises of Rome and the provinces. While the senatorial order could govern the important provinces, command legions, possess large estates, and derive revenues from them, but could make
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XV
These topics bring us naturally to the consideration of the chief amusements and entertainments of Rome and of those parts of the empire which were either fairly romanized or else contained a large number of resident Romans. Holidays, some of them lasting over several days, were at this date liberally spread throughout the year. Most of them belonged to fixed dates, others were festivals specially proclaimed for victories or other causes of rejoicing. We may estimate their average number at Rome
27 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVI
We will assume that Silius is a married man, and that his wife is a typical Roman dame worthy of his station in life. Her name shall be Marcia, or, if she possesses more than one, Marcia Sabina. Marriage does not confer upon her the name of her husband, and if she requires further identification in connection with him, she will be referred to as "Silius's Marcia." At an earlier date a woman owned but a single name, but already practical convenience and pride of descent had combined to make it de
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVII
Unlike too many couples of the same class, Silius and Marcia are blessed with children. We will assume that there are two, a boy, whose full name shall be Publius Silius Bassus, and a girl, who is to be called Silia Bassa. It is perhaps to be regretted that there is not a third, for in that case the father would enjoy to the full certain privileges granted by law to parents who so far do their duty by the state. As it is, he will in the regular course of things receive preference over childless
50 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XIX
To undertake to set forth with any definiteness the "religious ideas of a Roman" of A.D. 64 would be an extremely difficult task. Those ideas would differ with the individual, being determined or varied by a number of considerations and influences—by locality, education, and temperament. Silius would not hold the views of Scius and probably not those of Marcia. We may speak of the "State religion" of Rome, as distinct from various other religions tolerated and practised in different parts of the
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XX
In describing the education of a Roman youth, and also in setting forth the various religious attitudes of the time, mention has been made of the pursuit of philosophy. Religion supplied no real guide to moral conduct, and education provided little exercise for the cultivation of the higher intellectual faculties. It was left for philosophy to fill these blanks as best it could. Unlike the Greeks, the Romans, great as they were in law-making and administration, had little natural gift or taste f
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXI
With such an unsatisfactory equipment of science, and with such a vague and morally inoperative religion, it was no wonder that the higher minds of the contemporary world turned to the study of philosophy. Of such studies there had been many schools or sects, but at this date we have chiefly to reckon with two—the Stoics and Epicureans. There were, it is true, the Academics, who disputed everything, and held no doctrine to be more true than its contrary. There were Eclectics, who picked and chos
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXII
[Illustration: FIG. 114.—THE DYING GAUL.] [Illustration: FIG. 115.—A "CANDELIERA" OR MARBLE PILASTER OF THE BASILICA AEMILIA.] [Illustration: FIG. 116.—FRAGMENTS OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE REGIA.] It would be a more than agreeable task to deal at some length with the art of the Roman world of this period, but the subject is vast, and demands a treatise to itself. How general was the love of art—or at least the recognition of its place in life—must be obvious to those who have seen the great coll
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIII
Whatever conceptions may have been entertained as to existence beyond the grave, there was no doubt in the Roman mind as to the claim of the dead to a proper burial and a worthy monument. It had once on a time been a matter of universal belief that the spirit which had departed from an unburied corpse could find no admittance to the company in the realms of Hades. It could not join "the majority" below. Originally no doubt the notion was simply that, as the body had not been consigned to the ear
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter