The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-12

W Nh~
sweeping away all that was most ancient
and revcred in Greco-Latin civilization.
So far as tine first five chapters are con-
cerned we shall direct attention only to
some Of the authors conclusions which
may be regarded as original or as especially
characteristic Of his point of view. For
example, in the first chapter we find an
answer to the question how it came about
that Rome, once at the head OF the Latin
Confederation. gradually brought the other
towns and considerations Of Italy within
her power. Signor Ferrero finds the cause
Of her success in the vigorous discipline
Of her constitution, which was strong
enough to control the spirit OF self-indul-
Sence, which is the post powerful solvent
OF national life. 1t was this discipline that
long maintained a pure and simple morality
NOM her rich and powerful class. which
without such discipline would have been
the first TO succumb to the vanity and vice
that too frequently attend on the pride OF
conquest. To the period OF the kings and
the first decades OF the republican regime
our author pays no heed, doubtless regard
ing the materials for the history OF the
first three centuries-from the founding Of
the city-as too meagres and untrustwoFthy.
When his narrative begins, in the second
half Of the fifth century (45o-40o B. CO, the
Romans, as he sees them. were still a primi-
tive people, but without the defects peculiar
to q primitive people. This IL was. he holds.
that enabled them to conquer nations more
civilized than themselves. nations which
had been weakened by the temptations in
cident TO their superior culture.
Signor Ferrero would compare Roman
society at the period named to life in one
Of the monastic orders in the Middle Ages.
Both systems display the same m%ethodical
combination Of example and precept. OF
mutual vigilance and unremitting disci-
pline. Both exhibit a community in which
the individual is entirely at the mercy OF
the feelings and opinions Of his fellows and
where it is impossible for him TO become
emancipated from the tyranny Of the group.
Both succeeded in drawing out from their
members, in the narrow sphere allotted to
their labors. an energy, a devotion and a
s~elf-control far greater than could be ex-
pected from any one of them in his individ-
ual capacity. In early ROM everything
conspired to maintain and increase in the
upper classes the influence Of this powerful
and infinitely organized system. We find
minute and rigorous organization in the
distribution OF wealth, in religion. in the
public institutions and in the severity of the
legal code. The Roman family of this
epoch was in many ways still a relic Of the
patriarchal age; each household was a min
iature absolutism that had survived the
incoming Of the aristocratic republic, and
adapted itself &c the new needs OF the time.
From the cradle to the grave a Roman was
spied on without ceasing, and when at the
death OF the father the son became in his
turn the absolute ruler of the household he
soon found that in the Forum, the Assembly
and the Senate he was exposed to a super
vision no less exacting than at home. The
Censors might strike him of the roll OF
senators for evil living, the people might
refuse to elect him TO Office. and every indi-
yiduAl citizen was a possible accuser
Thanks to this discipline of her upper
classes Rome was able TO succeed where
the Etrusoans and the colonies planted by
the Greeks in the peninsula had failed and
10 rise above the other States of Italy.
By $50 B. C. wars of encroachment and
conquest had created a Roman p~rotectorate
over the whole of Italy and entailed a con-
siderable increase in the wealth as we'll as
s-e powe OF Rome. Not only had the State
ar greater evenues 10 at Its disposal
but Il had also acquired a rich domain Of
aelds, pastures and forests all over the pen
,nsula, part OF which was let out or granted
in allotments. while the rest was reserved
Tor future needs. Many p%atrioians and
many high grade plebeians became wealthy
through the purchase OF slaves and lands.
putting large estates under cultivation in
all parts OF Italy, either in grain or in vine
yards and olive groves. and employing
families OF slaves under the supervision
Of a slave foreman. helped at vintage and
harvest times by free day laborers from the
nearest towns. Others devoted themselves,
more especially on the common lands Of
southern Italy, TO pastoral enterprise on a
huge and primitive scale. not unlike what
may he seen to-day in TeXas and other trans
Mississippi States,
III.
After the close Of the second Punic War
and the Immediately ensuing wars against