Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-23
lNOrtester @ailg Syn.

TERRIBLE CALAMITY IN ROME, UNDER
THE EMPEROR TIBER1Us-The Annals of
Tactus contain graphic account Of a vast
calamity which befel the city of Rome about
the year of our Lord 20 when the amphithca-
tire at Fidena fell, crushing many thousand
people to death. Its related in the following
words:
"A sudden calamity occurred in the consul
ship OF Marcus Licinius and Lucius Calpur-
mus, which equallcd the havoc of the most
destructive wars; its beginning and ending
were simultaneous. One Atilius had under
taken to erect an amphitheatre at Fiden@, there
to exhibit combat OF gladiators; he was OF
the race OF freedmen, and as he engaged IN the
business from no eruberdnce Of ,CeGLh, nor TO dc-
q@re popularity amongtt inhabitants, but as mat
ter Of sOrCtid gain, he neither put II upon solid
t0unddtloRs nor eaapioyed braces 10 strengthen the
eCo0den fabric ,chich formed the SuperStructure.
Thither hocked from Rome persons of every
sex and age, eager for such shows, as during
the reign of Tiberius they were debarred from
diversions at home, and in greater crowds
from the nearness OF the place hence the
calamity was the more disastrous; for the
s theatre being crowded so as to form a dense
mass, and then rent asunder some portions
tumbling inward, other bullying towards the
outer parts, countless number Of human
beings, either intent upon the spectacle, or
standing near around the place, were either
borne headlong to the ground or buried under
the ruins. Those indeed who were killed by
the shock of the first crash, escaped as far
as was possible in such disaster the mis-
cry of torture; much more to be pltied
were those, who with portion of their
bodies torn away, were not forsaken of
life those who by day behcld their wives
AMI children Inv 1rIt 1iSti cd
by their groans and cries. And now Others
summoned to the spot by the sad tidings, be-
walled one his brother, another his klnSman,
third his parents ; even they whose friends
or kindred were absent different account,
were yet terrified for as it was not as yet dis.
tinclly known who had fallen in the calamity
the alarm spread wider from the uncertainty
When the ruins began to be removed, they
crowded round the dead, embracing them and
kissing them and frequently there arose a
contest about their identity, where distortion
OF the features. personal resemblance, or SINH
larity of age, had created a liability to error
Ill those who claimed them. Twenty thou
sand persons, according to Suetonius, and fifty
thousand, according to Tactus, were crushed
to death, or MANNED by this sad disaster it
was therefore for the future provided by de-
cree OF the Senate, "that no man under the
qualification Of four hundred thousand sester-
ces, should exhibit the spectacle of gladiators
and 10 amphitheater should be founded but
upon ground of proved soIidity." Athus pas
punished Nth erie However, Immediately
upon this destructive calamity, the doors Of
the great were thrown open medicines and
physicians were furnished to all and at that
Juncturc the city, though under an aspect of
sorrow, presented an image of the public spirit
of the ancient Romans who, after great bat
ties, relieved and sustained the wounded by
their liberality and attentions"