CHAPTER XVI.

The City of Rome in the Middle Ages.

Rapid Decline of the City after the Gothic Wars 273 Her Condition in the Dark Ages 274 Republican Revival of the Twelfth Century 276 Character and Ideas of Nicholas Rienzi 278 Social State of Mediæval Rome 280 Visits of the Teutonic Emperors 282 Revolts against them 284 Existing Traces of their Presence in Rome 286 Want of Mediæval, and especially of Gothic Buildings, in Modern Rome 289 Causes of this; Ravages of Enemies and Citizens 291 Modern Restorations 292 Surviving Features of truly Mediæval Architecture--the Bell-towers 294 The Roman Church and the Roman City 296 Rome since the Revolution 299