The San Francisco call., 1907-02-10

And when Rome fsIls-the worldI'
-Childe Harold
~ ONE. the Eternal City. is in it
self the most fascinating and
al the same time the most dis
appointing city in the world;
filed with wonders, it is true. but with
fts picturesqueness sadly spoiled by the
onward march of twentieth century
progress. On the other hand, Rome,
the ancient empire. is a source Of
amazement TO the traveller who con-
fines himself not alone to Italy. but who
Journeys through manx lands.
Throughout nearly al of Europe and
a large portion Of Northern Africa and
Western Asia the stupendous monu-
ments OF this ancient empire remain to
amaze US with their grandeur and en-
thrall US with their beauty.
Rome as the Eternal city is prob
ably more familiar to most of us than
any other city or the world: but the
far-reaching Rome of the Caesars was
such vast domain that there are few
who have any definite conception Of the
wonderful fact that the immortal name
OF Rome. now standing merely for the
third city Of Italy, once meant the
world-the whole known world.
The Rome of today is merely city
among cities; and fifty others excel it
in point of population and importance.
The Rome Of the Caesars, whose glory
is now but dim and shadowy memory
on the page Of time, was an empire or
such magnihcence and such vast extent
as the world had never seen and may
never see again.
The lonely hilltops, the desoIate des-
ert sands, the mountain Businesses OF
three great continents and twenty ma
tions Of our present age bear splendid
witness. even in this day, to the imper-
ishable glory of the Rome of the Cae-
ssrs- To those who have followed the
fortunes Of the Roman eagles through
the pages Of Caesars immortal Com
mentaries." and of Iivy. SaiIust and
other writer's OF that golden age, the
widespread magnificence of imperial
Rome is familiar fact. but even to the
most careful student of history must
come as a revelation the knowledge
that the grandest ruins of Rome are not
in Rome itself, not even in Italy. but
that they grace the lovely valleys of
Spain and Southern France and the
hilltops OF far-ofr Syria. while imposing
relics OF that greatest empire are scat
tered over many different lands in Eu-
rone Asia and Africa
Arbiter of Destiny
For more than thousand years
Rome ruled the destinies of the world.
From Roma Quadrata 70 the Augustan
age. as kingdom and republic, she sent
her conquering legions north, east,
south and west, until imperial Rome.
under Augustus Caesar. became the
mistress of the WORLD.
From Nero to Constantine the way
was for the most part downward, all
though under the wise reigns of Mar
Gus Aurelius and Antoninus Plus the
decadent empire resumed much of its
former grandeur; but the vices and
luxurious living OF the age wrought
their Inevitable work of ruin. and the
Imperial City. after the transfer OF
Constantine's court TO his new capital
on the shores OF the Golden Horn IN
the year $50 A. D. fell into most
pitiful condition OF lswlessness ana
anarchy.
During. the miedle ages Rome was
desolated repeatedly by hordes Of bar
barians from the north OF Europe
Goths and visigoths:. savage saraosns
from Asia; vandals from Africa tn
temples were oyfrthrown. Is palaces
- --~oiate; it's population scattered
or put 10 the sword, and it's streets.
which had once resounded with the
rumble OF the chariot wheels OF vfe-
torious armies. and glittered with the
most gorgeous pageants. were left b
be overgrown with grass, while the
Byzantine emperors held their court
at constaatinopie and the petty lords
lett in Rome made war upon one an
other At one time in the fourteenth
century It is estimated that fewer than
10000 people irhabited the city whore.