Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-08-26
THE WORLDS
GREAT EVENTS
ALBERT PAYsoN TERHUNE
) hr I'D. 80 3 companl.l
The Fan Of Rome

| w InilS SICK the DlruS OF prey gain
er from all over the heavens. ready to
attack and rend the helpless giant
When the world-power Of Rome, after
enduring for Ave hundred years, grew
sick from its own vices and internal
dissensions. the savage tribes that FOR
centuries mad cringed IN awe OF the
Imperial City gathered TO help on
the work of destruction and tear
asunder among themselves the vast
territory that could no longer be held
intact.
Power has always moved westward.
In earlier times Persia ruled the civ
llized earth. Luxury and bad govern
ment had so weakened the Persian
dynasty that Il had crumhled beneath
the iron grip OF the Greek Alexander.
Greece. In turn. through internecine
disputes lack Of union and departure
from the old Spartan strength and
problty. had fallen victim to Roma's
onslaught.
Rome, as long as It was guided by
democratic principles. governed by
brave. honest and wise men and
guarded by hardy leglons, had risen I'M
al Il haze held the earth in Its grasp.
Then. with nothing left to conquer,
with no further need for privatton.
struggle and armed defense, the
mighty nation had gradually fallen
prey to luxury and ease and to the
vices that follow in their train. The
once sturdy race grew effeminate; the
once upright senate waxed corrupt
Rome was falling back. II ruled the
world. but It ruled with hand that
yearly grew softer and feebler for lack
OF exercise.
AS early as the middle Of the Third
century A. d. hordes Of German and
French barbarlans took advantage OF
this weakness TO swarm into Italy,
Even then the name OF Rome's Prov
ess was such terror In their ears
that they dared not attack the city
itself. But they found that the once
inxinelhle Roman power could not
punish an invasion OF its farther prov
inees; and this embeldened- them 10
new Inroads. From friendly and con-
tented Roman subjects, these tribes
became sullen and watchfu foes,
awaiting only the right moment to
spring at their former tyraDt's throat.
Once only did Rome's old glory
blaze up for a brief interval. In ~
A. d. the Emperor Constantine united
the shattered empire under his wise
rule and made Christianity Its official
religion. He also transferred the capt
tal from Rome TO Byznntium, which
latter place took his name. becoming
known I'm future years as Constanti-
nople-"the city OF Constantine" But
soOn after Constantlne's death the
state lapsed to its former inefiiclency.
II was formally divided In 304 into
two practically separate powers-the
Eastern empire with Constantlnople
for It's capital. and the Western EN-
pire, with the seat OF government at
the old city Of Rome. The top-heavy
state. not strong enough to support It's
own greatness. and with no hand skill
ful enough to keep It intact, had split
IN two.
This was the chance for which the
barbarIans had waited.
AIaric. king OF the visIgoths. led his
trlbesmen over the Alps Into Italy.
Rome. which three centuries earlier
would have swept him and his people
on the map. now meekly bribed him
to leave the country. Finding money
so easy to earn. Alaric IN 408 marched
his army TO the very walls Of Rome.
Again he was bought on. Two years
later he returned, and. the terms Of
feFed being insufficient, he =stormed
and sacked the city. The Rome Of
Caesar, Of Antony. Of Augustus thus
fell into the hands of despised saw
ages. II was the world empires
degradation.
At about this time q short. squat
man. with big head. fiat nose and
beady little eyes. rose to power among
the Danube tribes. He was Attila,
king Of the Huns. and nieknamed by
bis victims "the ScOurge Of God" He
ruled wild. almost Iimltless domain.
stretching from the Rhine to China.
Attila declared that he was destined
o rule the world, and set about max
ne good HIS boast by devastating the
'astern empire and beating the east
I'm emperor's armies. He then turned
IIs barbarians loose on the western
mpire. His horde Of Huns and Van
ais ravaged France. but at Chaions
yere beaten in a great battle by the
I0man general Aetlus. aided by the
'isIgoth forces. under Theodore. But
year later Atfila conquered all
Orthern Italy and was advancing 20
estroy Rome. when Pope Leo's plea
iduced him 70 withdraw.
In 453 the Ylslgoths turned against
.ome and again sacked the city.
Meantime a Danube peasant named
doacer had been impressed as a prf-
ate soldier by Rome. He rose rap
liy in rank, and in 476 A. d. over
rev fhe imperial power. announced i
, the world at large that there was
D longer an emperor Of the West. I
I'D calmly took command OF the state t,
J king Of Italy.
ITALY fhua hocaua a mare r,rovfnrn / .