Evening star., 1934-08-25
ROME WAS SIZE
OF i. s. CAPITAL
Imperial City Had 500, 900
People in Day of Its
Greatest Glory.
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

as to how Washington compares with
Rome, long the most important city OF
the world.
Which is the larger? Which the
more populous? Which the grander
in terms of architectural magnifi-
cence? And which the freer as a
community. of human souls? Few
indeed are the citizens of either who
could reply to these inquiries accurate
ly and conclusively.
One explanation of the difficulty, of
course, is the obvious difference in
time. The Rome of antiquity is gone
and the Washington of the future
still is in process of construction.
Also, under the leadership of Premier
Benito Mussolini, the imperial city of
the Tiber is staging a comeback de-
signed to re-establish its traditional
claim TO be the authentic hub of the
universe.
Exact comparisons, therefore, are
impracticable. All that is feasible is a
survey of the available records Of his
tory, the discoveries of archaeology
and the programs of construction re-
Gently initiated by Italy and the
United States.
Early History of Rome.
Legend speaks of Rome as being
founded in 754 BIC, but the actual
date was much earlier-possibly as
remote as 1000 years before the begin
ming OF the Christian era. Originally,
the settlement was only tiny market
place at a point where the territories
of the Latins, the SabineS and the
Etruscans met. The first step toward
metropolitan status was that of forti-
fication, and the community expanded
because it was a relatively safe place
to live. It's central position, certainly,
favored its growth as, later it favored
its domination of the peninsula. Also,
its inhabitants acquired a reputation
for courage of the highest order
they fought many wars and invariably
were successful. Seven kings reigned
during the period up to $40 BIC,
when the people revolted against tyr
amy and set up a republic somewhat
resembling that of Athens.
Such a republic, however, did not
signify a representative democracy.
On the contrary, it meant rule by
minority, small class of property
ers known as patricians. For the ma
jority, the so-called plebs, there were
few privileges, few civic rights; and
the circumstance led to a tedious
struggle which endured for generations
and was adjourned temporarily only
when an alien enemy threatened.
Begins World Conflict.
The Gauls destroyed large portion
of the town in 800 B. c., but it soon
was rebuilt and its prosperity there
after was enhanced by successful
campaigns against long list of foes.
In 264 power enough had been de-
veloped to challenge the naval might
of Carthage, and the ensuing Punic
Wars left Rome mistress of the
Western Mediterranean and Of all
Southern Europe from the Apennines
to the Straits of Gibraltar The VIC
tory stimulated the ambitions of
patricians and plebs alike, and the
conquest of Greece and Macedonia
was followed by the subsection of the
Teutons and the Cimbri. Then Asia
Minor, Tauris, Syria and Palestine
were brought under Roman control,
and Julius Caesar carried the eagles
into Gallia Transalpina and Britain.
But latter-day historians say that
the militant policy of expansion which
made Rome great also brought about
her fall. The domain grew too rapidly.
Internecine troubles between Marius
and Sulla. Caesar and Pompey,
weakened the state at its roots; too
many battles cost thousands of lives
that the republic i'll could spare. The
way was prepared for a change from
nominal democracy to imperial rule.
And yet when Octavian set up the
empire about 81 BIC. it was in the
name of the democratic party that he
acted. The old oligarchy had CEN
tered in the Senate, and it was that
body which Octavian coerced ints
granting him the title of Augustus.
Raiders Sack City.
The first emperors were more or
less benevolent tyrants; their success
sors, generally speaking, were un-
worthy and incompetent. A decline
began Diocletian divided the realm
into Western and an Eastern empire;
Constantine transferred the seat of
government to Byzantium. Then the
barbarians descended upon Rome
the city was overrun and sacked by
the Goths in 410, the Vandals in ASS,
the Sueves in 472 and by Odoacer in
476. The last of these raiders termi-
mated the existence of the Western
Empire.
Naturally enough the whole politi-
cal career of the city was reflected in
its economic conditions, its municipal
administration, its architecture and
its sociological evolution.
The aboriginal village, it is sup
posed, was built on the Palatine Hill,
where excavations have laid bare the
remains of an Etruscan inclosure
identified with the Roma Quadrata,
or four-gate city of Romulus. The
SabineS settled on the Quirinal,
citadel was raised upon the Capitoline,
and the valley between the Palatine,
the Capitoline and the Esquiline even
tually became the Forum. Palaces
and prisons, temples and markets,
and new encircling walls we're con-
structed by the several kings. The
Cloaca Maxima is thought to have
peeu tlie WoIh VI 1dIqullluS SuperDuS,
last of the royal tyrantS-it still is
functioning after Is centuries.
Chief Edifices Described.
The republic was beneficent in many
of its aspects, and it is recorded that
the city grew in size and dignity"
Greek art inspired imitation. Within
the walls" says a modern writer,
"arose the archaic temple of Hercules,
the temple of Jupiter Victor, the tenn
pie of the Magma Mater, the Basilica
Emilia and many other ediflces whose
very ruins have disappeared" Where
S9HE