Part 1

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THE

COMIC HISTORY OF ROME,

FROM THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY TO THE END OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE COMIC HISTORY OF ROME

BY GILBERT ABBOTT À BECKET.

ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN LEECH.

BRADBURY AND EVANS, 11, BOUVERIE STREET.

LONDON: BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

PREFACE

Some explanation is perhaps due from a writer who adopts the title of Comic in relation to a subject which is ordinarily considered to be so essentially grave as that of History. Though the epithet may be thought by many inappropriate to the theme, this work has been prompted by a very serious desire to instruct those who, though willing to acquire information, seek in doing so as much amusement as possible.

It is true that professedly Comic literature has been the subject of a familiarity not unmixed with contempt on the part of a portion of the public, since that class of writing obtained the popularity which has especially attended it within the last few years; but as whatever disrepute it has fallen into is owing entirely to its abuse, there is no reason for abandoning an attempt to make a right use of it. The title of Comic has therefore been retained in reference to this work, though the author has felt that its purport is likely to be misconceived by many, and among them not a few whose judgment he would highly esteem, who would turn away from a Comic History solely on account of its name, and without giving themselves the trouble to look into it. Those persons are, however, grievously mistaken who have imagined that in this, and in similar books from the same pen, the object has been to treat History as a mere farce, or to laugh at Truth--the aim of the writer having invariably been to expose falsehood, and to bring into merited contempt all that has been injudiciously, ignorantly, or dishonestly held up to general admiration. His method of telling a story may be objected to; nevertheless, if he does his utmost to tell it truly, he ought not, perhaps, to be very severely criticised for adopting the style in which he feels himself most at home; and if his opinions are found to be, in the main, such as just and sensible persons can agree with, he only asks that his views and sentiments may be estimated by what they contain, and not by any peculiarity in his mode of expressing them.

The writer of this book is animated by an earnest wish to aid, as far as he is able, in the project of combining instruction with amusement; and he trusts he shall not be blamed for endeavouring to render such ability as he possesses available for as much as it is worth, in applying it to subjects of useful information.

Those who are not disposed to approve of his design, will perhaps give him credit for his motive; and he may with confidence assert, that, from the care and attention he has bestowed upon this work, it will be found to form (irrespective of its claims to amuse) by no means the least compendious and correct of the histories already in existence of Rome to the end of the Commonwealth. If he has failed in justifying the application of the title of Comic to his work, he has reason to believe it will be found accurate. Though the style professes to be light, he would submit that truth does not necessarily make more impression by being conveyed through a heavy medium; and although facts may be playfully told, it is hoped that narrative in sport may be found to constitute history in earnest.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAP. I.--FROM THE FOUNDATION OF ROME TO THE DEATH OF ROMULUS 1

II.--FROM THE ACCESSION OF NUMA POMPILIUS TO THE DEATH OF ANCUS MARTIUS 14

III.--FROM THE ACCESSION OF TARQUINIUS PRISCUS TO THE DEATH OF SERVIUS TULLIUS 23

IV.--FROM THE ACCESSION OF TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS TO THE BANISHMENT OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, AND THE ABOLITION OF THE KINGLY DIGNITY 33

V.--FROM THE BANISHMENT OF TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS TO THE BATTLE OF LAKE REGILLUS 43

VI.--FROM THE BATTLE OF THE LAKE REGILLUS TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR WITH THE VOLSCIANS 56

VII.--FROM THE CLOSE OF THE WAR WITH THE VOLSCIANS TO THE PASSING OF THE BILL OF TERENTILLUS 65

VIII.--FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DECEMVIRATE TO THE TAKING OF VEII 73

IX.--FROM THE TAKING OF ROME BY THE GAULS TO ITS SUBSEQUENT PRESERVATION BY MANLIUS 89

X.--FROM THE TRIBUNESHIP OF C. LICINIUS TO THE DEFEAT OF THE GAULS BY VALERIUS 97

XI.--FROM THE FIRST WAR AGAINST THE SAMNITES TO THE PASSING OF THE LAWS OF PUBLILIUS 107

XII.--FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND TO THE END OF THE THIRD SAMNITE WAR 116

XIII.--ON THE PEACEFUL OCCUPATIONS OF THE ROMANS. FROM THE SCARCITY OF SUBJECT, NECESSARILY A VERY SHORT CHAPTER 129

XIV.--FROM THE END OF THE THIRD SAMNITE WAR TO THE SUBJUGATION OF ALL ITALY BY THE ROMANS 135

XV.--THE FIRST PUNIC WAR 150

XVI.--SOME MISCELLANEOUS WARS OF ROME 161

XVII.--THE SECOND PUNIC WAR 171

XVIII.--CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND PUNIC WAR 183

XIX.--WAR WITH THE MACEDONIANS. PROCLAMATION OF THE FREEDOM OF GREECE BY FLAMINIUS. WAR WITH ANTIOCHUS. DEATH OF HANNIBAL, AND OF SCIPIO AFRICANUS 193

XX.--PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. MORALS, MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND STATE OF THE DRAMA AND LITERATURE AMONG THE ROMANS 204

XXI.--WARS AGAINST PERSEUS. THE THIRD PUNIC WAR. SIEGE AND DESTRUCTION OF CARTHAGE, AND DITTO DITTO OF CORINTH 215

XXII.--WARS IN SPAIN. VIRIATHUS. DESTRUCTION OF NUMANTIA. THE SERVILE WAR IN SICILY. APPROPRIATION OF PERGAMUS 225

XXIII.--THE GRACCHI AND THEIR MOTHER. RISE AND FALL OF TIBERIUS AND CAIUS GRACCHUS 234

XXIV.--THE JUGURTHINE WAR. WAR AGAINST THE CIMBRI AND TEUTONI 247

XXV.--MITHRIDATES, SULLA, MARIUS, CINNA, ET CÆTERA 257

XXVI.--DEATH OF CINNA. RETURN OF SULLA TO ROME. C. PAPIRIUS CARBO. DICTATORSHIP OF SULLA 267

XXVII.--REACTION AGAINST THE POLICY OF SULLA. SERVICES OF Q. SERTORIUS. METELLUS. CN. POMPEY. SPIRITED STEPS OF SPARTACUS. THE IRATE PIRATE 275

XXVIII.--THE THIRD MITHRIDATIC WAR. DEPOSITION AND DEATH OF MITHRIDATES 284

XXIX.--CONSPIRACY OF CATILINE. INTRODUCTION OF CICERO. CÆSAR, POMPEY, CRASSUS, AND CO. 289

XXX.--OVERTHROW OF CRASSUS. DEFEAT OF POMPEY. DICTATORSHIP AND DEATH OF CÆSAR. END OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC 299

ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL.

PAGE

1. ROMULUS AND REMUS DISCOVERED BY A GENTLE SHEPHERD i

2. TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS MAKES HIMSELF KING 33

3. APPIUS CLAUDIUS PUNISHED BY THE PEOPLE 80

4. THE GALLANT CURTIUS LEAPING INTO THE GULF 104

5. PYRRHUS ARRIVES IN ITALY WITH HIS TROUPE 138

6. HANNIBAL, WHILST EVEN YET A CHILD, SWEARS ETERNAL HATRED TO THE ROMANS 168

7. FLAMINIUS RESTORING LIBERTY TO GREECE AT THE ISTHMIAN GAMES 195

8. THE MOTHER OF THE GRACCHI 234

9. MARIUS DISCOVERED IN THE MARSHES AT MINTURNÆ 261

10. CICERO DENOUNCING CATILINE 292

ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.

PAGE

Initial T.--Æneas and Anchises 1

Rhea Silvia 4

Romulus Consulting the Augury 6

Remus jumping over the Walls 7

Awful Appearance of the Shade of Remus to Romulus 8

The Romans walking off with the Sabine Women 10

Initial R 14

Numa Pompilius remembering the Grotto 15

Death of Cluilius 17

Combat between the Horatii and Curiatii 19

Initial 23

Celeres 24

Debtor and Creditor. Seizure of Goods for a Debt 28

Initial T 33

Tarquinius Superbus has the Sibylline Books valued 35

The Evil Conscience of Tarquin 37

Mrs. Sextus consoles herself with a Little Party 39

Tail-piece 42

Initial B 43

Aruns and Brutus 45

Horatius Cocles Defending the Bridge 49

Mucius Scævola before Porsenna 51

Clælia and her Companions escaping from the Etruscan Camp 52

Initial T 56

Coriolanus parting from his Wife and Family 63

Initial A 65

A Lictor is sent to arrest Publilius Volero 68

Cincinnatus chosen Dictator 70

Roman Bull and Priest of the Period 73

Virginia carried off by a Minion in the pay of Appius 78

In the foreground of the Tableau may be observed a Patrician looking very black at the Triumph of the General 83

In all probability something of this sort 84

School-boys flogging the Schoolmaster 88

Initial A.--A Gaul 89

The Citadel saved by the cackling of the Geese 93

Initial R.--Roman Soldier 97

Miss Fabia, the Younger, astonished at the Patrician's Double-knock 98

Titus threatening Pomponius 103

Terrific Combat between Titus Manlius and a Gaul of gigantic Stature 105

Initial T 107

A Scare-crow 109

Metius aggravating Titus Manlius 111

The Romans clothed by the Inhabitants of Capua 119

Samnite Soldier 126

Initial I.--Æsculapius 129

The Ambassadors purchasing Æsculapius 133

Tail-piece 134

Initial R 135

Appearance in the Senate of a young Nobleman, named Meto 139

Self-possession of Fabricius, the Ambassador, under rather Trying Circumstances 142

Discovery of the Head of Summanus 145

Curius Dentatus refusing the Magnificent Gift offered by the Samnite Ambassadors 146

Initial A 150

Roman Man-of-War, from a scarce Medal 153

Initial P 161

Hanno announcing to the Mercenaries the Emptiness of the Public Coffers 162

Early Roman Gladiator and his Patron 165

His Excellency Q. Fabius offering Peace or War to the Carthaginian Senate 169

Hannibal crossing the Alps 173

Hannibal disguising himself 176

The "Slow Coach" 179

Young Varro 180

Archimedes taking a Warm Bath 186

Considerate Conduct of Scipio Africanus 188

Initial W 193

Hannibal leads the Ambassadors rather a fatiguing Walk round Carthage 197

Hannibal requesting the Cretan Priests to become his Bankers 200

Hannibal makes the usual neat and appropriate Speech previous to killing himself 201

Initial I 204

Roman Lady "Shopping" 205

Terence reading his Play to Cæcilius 210

Light Comedy Man of the Period 212

Bacchanalian Group, from a very old Vase 223

Assassination of Viriathus 226

Arrest of Eunus 231

Tib. Gracchus canvassing 238

Melancholy end of Tib. Gracchus 239

Scipio Æmilianus cramming himself for a Speech after a hearty Supper 240

Rash Act of Caius Gracchus 244

Tail-piece 246

Drusus is Stabbed, and Expires gracefully 254

Initial F 257

"Who dares kill Marius?" 261

Marius in the Ruins of Carthage 263

Marius in his Old Age 266

Funeral Pile of Sulla 274

Initial T--Cæsar and Pompey very much alike, especially Pompey 275

Sertorius and his young Friends 278

Armed Slave 280

Spartacus 281

Mithridates, his rash act 286

Mithridates 287

Initial A--Libertas, Æqualitas, Fraternitas 289

Fulvia 291

Cicero throws up his Brief, like a Gentleman 296

Initial C 299

"Quid times? Cæsarem vehis." 301

The End of Julius Cæsar 308

THE COMIC HISTORY OF ROME.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

FROM THE FOUNDATION OF ROME TO THE DEATH OF ROMULUS.

The origin of the Romans has long been lost in that impenetrable fog, the mist of ages; which, it is to be feared, will never clear off, for it unfortunately seems to grow thicker the more boldly we try to grope about in it. In the midst of these fogs, some energetic individual will now and then appear with a pretty powerful link, but there are not enough of these links to form a connected chain of incidents.

One of the oldest and most popular traditions concerning the origin of the Romans, is that founded on the remarkable feat of filial pick-a-back alleged to have been performed by Æneas, who is frequently dragged in head and shoulders, with his venerable parent, to lead off the march of events, and, as it were, open the ball of history.

It is said that after[1] the siege of Troy, Æneas snatched up his Lares and Penates in one hand, and his father, Anchises, in the other; when, flinging the former over the right shoulder, and the latter over the left, he ran down to the sea-shore, called "A boat a-hoy," and escaped from the jaws of destruction into the mouth of the Tiber. There are many reasons for disbelieving this story, and it is quite enough to deprive it of weight to consider what must have been the weight of Anchises himself, and the large bundle of household images that Æneas is alleged to have been burdened with. Putting probability in one scale, and an elderly gentleman, with a lot of Lares and a parcel of Penates in the other, there can be no doubt which will preponderate. It happens, also, that Troy is usually said to have been destroyed 430 years before Rome was founded,[2] so that it would have been to this day as unfounded as the tale itself, if the city had had no other foundation than that which Æneas was supposed to have given it.

The Latin Bards have adorned this story in their own peculiar way, by adding that Æneas, on his arrival in the Tiber, resolved to sacrifice a milk white sow, in gratitude for his safety. The sow, who must have been an ancestor of the learned pig, got scent of her fate, and running two or three miles up the country, produced a sad litter of thirty little ones; when Æneas, fancying he heard a voice telling him to build a town on the spot, determined, "please the pigs," to found a city there. The classical story-teller goes on to say, that Latinus, king of the Latins, happened to be at war with Turnus--or as we might call him Turner--King of the Rutuli, when the Trojans arrived, and the former, thinking it better worth his while to make friends than foes of the immigrants, gave them a tract of land, which rendered them extremely tractable. On the principle that one good turn deserves another, they turned round upon Turnus, and completely routed the Rutuli. Latinus, to show his gratitude, gave Lavinia--not the "lovely young" one, who Thomson tells us, "once had friends;" but his own daughter of that name--in marriage to Æneas, who at the death of his father-in-law, ruled over the city, and called his colony Lavinium. Tradition tells us further that Æneas had a son, Ascanius, sometimes called Parvus Iulus, or little Juli, who subsequently left Lavinium, and built Alba Longa--a sort of classical long acre--in that desirable neighbourhood known as the Alban Mount, which, from its becoming subsequently the most fashionable part of the city, may deserve the name of the Roman Albany.

The descendants of Ascanius are said to have reigned 300 years, and an attempt has been made to fill up the gap of these three centuries with a quantity of dry rubbish of the antiquarian kind, which occupies space, without affording anything like a solid foundation for the structure to be built upon it. Of such a nature is the catalogue of matters alleged to have connected Æneas with the actual founders of Rome; but though names and dates are given, there is little doubt that the value of names is not even nominal, and that if we trust the dates, we shall rely on the falsest data.

The spirit of antiquarianism is as ancient as the subjects on which it employs its ingenuity, and the Romans began puzzling themselves at a very early period about their own origin. A long course of fabrication ended in rearing up a legendary fabric, which was acknowledged by all the Roman bards; and however much they may have doubted the truth of the tale, they deserve some credit for the consistency with which they have adhered to it.

The legend states that one Procas, belonging to the family of the Silvii, or Silvers, had two sons,--the elder, to whom the kingdom was left, being called Numitor, and the younger going by the name of Amulius. Though Numitor was the bigger brother, he does not seem to have been, pugilistically speaking, the better man, for he was deprived of the kingdom by Amulius, who, to prevent the chances of the law of primogeniture again taking effect, by placing any of Numitor's descendants on the throne, caused Rhea Silvia, the only daughter of that individual to become a virgin in the Temple of Vesta. The Vestals were, in fact, the old original nuns, withdrawing themselves from the world, and entering into a solemn vow against marriage during thirty years; after which period they were free to wed, though they were scarcely ever invited to avail themselves of their rather tardy privilege. The senior sister went by the highly respectable name of Virgo Maxima--or old maid in chief--and was doubtless something more than ordinary in her appearance, as well as in her position. The Vestals were required to be plain in their dress, and in order to extend this plainness as far as possible to their looks, their hair was cut very short, however much they may have been distressed at parting with their tresses. Their chief duty consisted in keeping up the fire on the altar of Vesta, and they were prohibited on pain of death from giving to any other flame the smallest encouragement. In the event of such an offence having been committed by an unfortunate Vestal, who found her position little better than being buried alive, she was made to undergo literally that awful penalty.

Though the duties of the Vestals were rigidly enforced, and the letting out of the sacred fire was, in some cases, punished by the extinction of the delinquent's vital spark, they enjoyed some peculiar advantages. Though their acts were under strict control, they were, in one sense, allowed a will of their own; for they were permitted, even when under age, to make their own testaments. They occupied reserved seats at public entertainments; and if they happened to meet a criminal in custody, they had the privilege of releasing him from the hands of the police of the period. Notwithstanding these inducements, the office of Vestal was not in much request; and, in the event of a vacancy, it was awarded by lot to some young lady, whose dissatisfaction with her lot was usually very visible. Such is a brief outline of the duties and liabilities of the order into which Amulius forced his niece, and it has been the subject of complaint in more recent times that Rome still occasionally does as Rome used to do. We will now return to Rhea Silvia, who appears to have entered the service of the goddess as a maid-of-all-work; for she was in the habit of going to draw water from a well; and it was on one of these aquatic excursions she met with a military man, passing himself off as Mars who paid his addresses to her, and proved irresistible.

Rhea Silvia gave birth to twins; upon which her cruel uncle ordered her to be put to death, and desired that her infant offspring should be treated as a couple of unwelcome puppies, and got rid of by drowning in the ordinary manner.

The children were placed in a cradle, or, as some say, a bowl, and turned adrift on the river; so that Amulius, if he had any misgiving as to the security of his crown, preferred to drown it in the bowl with his unhappy little relatives.