The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-11-03
The Burning Of Rome,


As everything connected with grea
fires has peculiar interest at the presen
time, We reproduce the narrative of IN,
historian Tacitus concerning the coaHa
grafton which occurred at Rome, A
ID. "a:
There followed dreadful disaster
whether fortuitously, or by the wicket
cOntriyance Of the prince, tNerol, is moi
determined, for both are asserted by his
toFians-bat of all the calamities which
ever befel this city from the rage Of fire
thus was the most terrible aud severe. II
broke out in that part OF the Circu,
which is contiguous to Mounts Palatint
and C@lius where by reason of shops
IN which were kept such goods rs minis
ter ailment 10 fire, the moment il com,
meneed It acquired great strength, and
being ae,,elented by the wind, il spread
at once through the whole extent of the
Circus for neither were the houses
secured 10y enclosures nor the temples
environed with walls nor was there any
other obstacle 10 intercept its progress
but the flames spreading every way i'm
petaously, invaded first the lower regions
OF the city, then mounted TO the higher;
then again myaging the lower, il batl.el
every effort 10 extingaish il, by the
npidity of its destructive course, and
from the liability OF the conhagration IN
consequence of the narrow and intricate
alleys, and the irregulnrity of the streets
IN ancient Rome. Add to this wailtngs
of terrified women, the infirm condition
ofthe aged, and the helpleSSness of child
hood such AS stroye 20 provide foT
themselves, and those who laborAl Ia
assist others these dragging the feeble,
those waiting for them some hurrying
Others lingering altogether created a
scene of universal confusion aud embar-
rassment, and while they hooked back
upon the danger in the rear they often
found themselves beset before and on
their sides or il they had escaped into
the quarters adjoining, these, too, were
ahes1lly seized by the uevouring flames
even the parts which they believed re-
mote and exempt We're found 10 be in the
same distress. At last, not knowing
what 10 shun or where 10 seek sanctuary.
they crowded the streets and Law along
the open fields Some from the loss OF
their whole substance, even the means Ol
their daily suStehance, others from
aiiiichon for their relations, whom they
had not been able 70 snatch from the
flames, suffered themselves 20 perish in
them, though they had opportunity for
escape. Neither dared any man attempt
TO check the fire, So repeated were the
menaces OF many who forbade 10 extin-
guish 1t, and bscause Others openly threw
hrebrands with loud declarations that
they had one who authorized them ("
whether tfey did il that they might
plunder with the less restraint or in con
sequence of orders given. Nero, who
was nj the Iuncture soiourning al Antium,
did not return 10 the city till the fire ap-
proaeh' sd that quarter OF his house which
connect ted the palace with the gardens
OF NJ Rcenas nor could il, however, be
prev ented from deyouring the house and
palr.ce, and everything around. But for
the relief of the people thus destitute
and driven from their dwellings, he
ops ned the field of Mars and the monu-
mental edihces erected by Agrippa. and
eV en his own garlens. He likewise
Feared temporary houses for the reception
of the forlorn multitude, and from Ostia
and the neighboring cities were brought
up the river household neeessaries. and
the price of grain was reduced TO three
Sesterces the measure. All of which
proceedings, though OF popular charac-
ter, were thrown away, because a rumor
bad become universally current, that at
the very time when the city was in
bRmeS, Nero, going on the stage OF his
n
of Troy, assimilating the present dis
aster to that catastrophe of ancient times.
At length. on the sixth day the conha-
grafton was stayed at the foot OF Esquilm,
by pulling down an immense quantity of
buildings, so that an open space, and as
II were, void air. might check the raging
element by breaking the continuity. But
ere the CONSERVATION had subsidized the
fire broke out afresh, with no little yio-
lence, but in regions more spacious. and
therefore with less destruction Of human
life, but more extensive havoc was made
of the temples and porticos dedicated 10
amusement Nero seemed to
aim at the glory Of building a new city,
and calling ii by his own name for
of the fourteen sections, into hich Rome
is divided, four were still standing entire.
three were levelled with the ground, and
in the seven Others there remained only
here and there few remnants of houses,
shattered and half consumed. II were
NC very easy task TO recount the number
OF tenemonis and temples which were
lost, but the following, most venerable
for antiquity and sanctity, were con-
sumed-that dedicated by Servius Tulli-
MS TO the moon the temple and great
altar consecrated by Evnnder, the Area
dian, to Hercules while present; the
chapel vowed by Bomulus to Jupiter
Stator the palace Of Numn, with the
temple Of Vesta, and in il the tutelar
gods of Rome, moreover the treasures
accumulated by so many victories. the
beautiful productions of Greek artists.
ancient writings of authors celebrated
for genius. and till then preserved entire,
were consumed and though great was
the beauty of the city in its renovated
form, the older inhabitants remembered
many decorations OF the ancient which
could not be replaced in the modern city.