The Old Roman World, : the Grandeur and Failure of Its Civilization.   By: John Lord (1810-1894)

THE GRANDEUR AND FAILURE OF ITS CIVILIZATION

BY JOHN LORD, LL.D.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE CONQUESTS OF THE ROMANS.

Early History of Rome Wars under the Kings Their Results Gradual Subjection of Italy Great Heroes of the Republic Their Virtues and Victories Military Aggrandizement The Carthaginian, Macedonian, and Asiatic Wars Their Consequences Civil Wars of Marius and Sulla, of Pompey and Caesar The Conquests of the Barbarians Extension of Roman Dominion in the East Conquests of the Emperors The Military Forces of the Empire Military Science The Roman Legion The Military Genius of the Romans

CHAPTER II.

THE MATERIAL GRANDEUR AND GLORY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

The vast Extent of the Empire Boundaries Rivers and Mountains The Mediterranean and its Islands The Provinces Principal Cities Great Architectural Monuments Roads Commerce Agriculture Manufactures Wealth Population Unity of the Empire

CHAPTER III.

THE WONDERS OF ANCIENT ROME.

Original Settlement The Seven Hills Progress of the City Principal Architectural Monuments A Description of the Temples, Bridges, Aqueducts, Forums, Basilicas, Palaces, Amphitheatres, Theatres, Circuses, Columns, Arches, Baths, Obelisks, Tombs Miscellaneous Antiquities Streets Gardens Private Houses Populous Quarters Famous Statues and Pictures General Magnificence Population

CHAPTER IV.

ART IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

The great Wonders of Ancient Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting Famous Artists of Antiquity How far the Romans copied the Greeks How far they extended Art Its Principles Its Perfection Causes of its Decline Permanence of its grand Creations

CHAPTER V.

THE ROMAN CONSTITUTION.

The Original Citizens Comitia Calata Comitia Curiata Comitia Centuriata Comitia Tributa The Plebs Great Patrician Families The Aristocratic Structure of ancient Roman Society The Dignity and Power of the Senate The Knights The Growth of the Democracy Contests between Patricians and Plebeians Rise of Tribunes Popular Leaders Their Laws The Great Officers of State Provincial Governors Usurpations of fortunate Generals The Revolution under Julius Caesar and Augustus Imperial Despotism Preservation of the Forms of the Republic, and utter Prostration of its Spirit

CHAPTER VI.

ROMAN JURISPRUDENCE.

Genius of the Romans for Government and Laws Development of Jurisprudence Legislative Sources Judicial Power Courts of Law The Profession of Law Great Lawyers and Jurists Ancient Codes Imperial Codes The Law of Persons Rights of Citizens, of Foreigners, of Slaves Laws of Marriage, of Divorce, of Adoption Paternal Power Guardianship Laws relating to Real Rights Law of Obligations Laws of Succession Testaments and Legacies Actions and Procedure in Civil Suits Criminal Law

CHAPTER VII.

ROMAN LITERATURE.

The Grecian Models How far they contributed to Roman Creations The Development of the Latin Language The Orators, Poets, Dramatists, Satirists, Historians, and their chief Works How far Literature was cultivated Schools Libraries Literary Legacies of the Romans

CHAPTER VIII.

GRECIAN PHILOSOPHY.

Its gradual Development from Thales to Aristotle How far the Romans adopted the Greek Philosophy What Additions they made to it How far it modified Roman Thought and Life Influence of Philosophy on Christianity Influence on modern Civilization

CHAPTER IX.

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE ROMANS.

The Mathematical Genius of the Old Astronomers Their Labors and Discoveries Extent of Astronomical Knowledge The Alexandrian School The Science of Geometry and how far carried Great Names Medicine Geography Other Physical Sciences and their limited Triumphs

CHAPTER X.

INTERNAL CONDITION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

The Vices and Miseries of Roman Society Social Inequalities Disproportionate Fortunes The Wealth and Corruption of Nobles Degradation of the People Vast Extent of Slavery The Condition of Women Demoralizing Games and Spectacles Excessive Luxury and squalid Misery Money making Imperial Misrule Universal Egotism and Insensibility to grand Sentiments Hopelessness of Reform Preparation for Ruin