Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-15
HISTORICAL LETTERS.
TO The Editor ofMe Virginia .zrgus.
NETrER KY
The Romans.

NC IsoBtOUS.
THE Romans having conquered and
governed the world, their history in
cludcs that Of almost all other states.
In fact. the greater part Of moders ma.
lions, their laws, their knowledge, their
literature, and their monuments, NAV
be traced up directly to these masters
opthe universe. The duration OF the
Roman power, Or that of It's history,
embracesa period cfabout twelve cen
turtles, from the foundation Of Rome
by Romulus 10 the. destruction Of the
western empire under Romulus Angus
tulus. Ibisimmensc interval may be
divided into three grand and distinct e.
poems, that is TO say, L. The Kings 2
The Republic: 3. THE Emperors.
Rome, under her kings, endured fer
the space OF 2il years. In the wear
753 before Jesus Christ, Ronlu;us.
at the head Of band OF robbers.
founded the city and established gen
eral rules Of policy for the govern
ment OF his adherents. He was sue
ceeded in 7ts by Numa Pompilius. who
instituted religious worship for his sub
jccts. Afterhim, in e72. reigned TuIIus
Hostilius, who consolidated the Rgrk
OF his two predecessors. Ancus Mar
Gus came 10 the throne in the year6 20,
and extended the territory Of Rome by
his con1uesta. in6i6 Tarquin the Ell
der was king, and eRIbcllislicd The civ.
10 him, in the year SIS. succeeded
oeryius Julius, who created the Ro-
man aristocracy, and by his measures
prepared Tie way for the Repubi:c.
The seventh and last king was Tarquin
the Proud, who was expelled, and on
his expulsion royalty was abolished.
The wars OF the Romans under their
kings, were that which took place in
$50 against The Sabines, or account of
the treacherOus rape committed BY the
soldiers OF Romulus On The women OF
the latter, who had been invited 10 be
spectators Of some Roman sports, in
the midst of which they were seized and
borne off by violence. The war was
conducted on the part Of the Romans
by ROmulus, and on tIiat OF the Sabines
by Tatius, and ended in the uniOn Of tie
two people, Tatius cOnsenting 10 come
with his subjects and reside in Rome,
where he shared the royal authority
with the founder Of the city. Tie Sc
cond war occurred in the year GG7, I'M
der Tullus HOstilius, against the peo
pie OF Alba, which ended in the desilqic-
ton OF The latter. It was in this war
that the famous combat took place be-
tween three Romans and three AII,ans.
the HOratii and Culiatii, on tie sne-
cess ofwhich victory depended. Two
oil the Horatii were Killed in the en-
counter; but llie third, combining ar
uficc with yalOr, slew she CuriatW one
after another. The conouetor. re.
turning home, was reprOacbed by his
sister Tor The murder Of enc Of ihe Cu-
ilath, to whom she was engaged innar.
rage, whereupon he slew her. for
which ne was condemned 10 drath by
the Roman people but, in consiIeynG-
on Oh l1s services TO fiIe state, Tie MN
Ishment was committed totiat Of mas.
siuS under the yoke. The tlsi.d waPocI
Ihc Romans took place in the vcaI. COO.
against their ncigLbors, under 1arnuiu
ne elder, IN Which many yictolies ,,rrp
gained, and the ceremony Of the ri
lUph was instituted. En lie VtSrta1l
he war against TaITuin fhe Proud
commenced, who had been compelled
. leave the city, Oh account o. ,I,s ragr
u l@eIetia b, scxtgs. The son oslar-
ut". Ihc story of the RAPE Is BREEZY
\ num5er of young Roman noble
nen we're assembled az Aidea, among
fhom were Tarqninias Colla,iaus and