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Rome. There was likewise a war with Nu-mid'-i-a, a country of Africa, now called Algiers. Ju-gur'-tha, the Numidian king, was brought prisoner to Rome, and starved to death in a dungeon.

2. There was afterward a Social war, beginning in the year 91 B. C. This war was called Social, because it was between the Romans and the neighboring states of Italy, who had been their friends and allies. Three hundred thousand men were killed on both sides. Then there was a war with Mith-ri-da'-tes, the powerful king of Pon'-tus, in Asia Minor. He was not entirely vanquished till forty years afterward.

3. In the course of all this fighting, two Roman commanders acquired great renown. One was named Ma'-ri-us, and the other Syl'-la. Marius was a rude and daring soldier, knowing nothing but how to fight. Sylla was likewise a good soldier, but also a person of great elegance and of polished manners.

4. These two generals became so great and powerful that each was envious of the other. They therefore began a civil war, in which Romans fought against Romans. I will relate an incident in order to show the horrors of this war.

5. One of Sylla's soldiers had killed another that fought for Marius. He began to strip him of his armor; but on taking off the helmet which had concealed the dead man's face, he saw that it was his own brother. The wretched survivor placed the body on a funeral pile, and then killed himself.

6. In the outset of the struggle with Sylla, Marius was beaten; but he afterward gained possession of Rome. He now resolved to put to death every person that was not friendly to his cause. Senators and other distinguished men were publicly murdered. Dead bodies were seen everywhere about the streets.

7. But Marius could not escape the misery which his wickedness deserved. He was so tortured by remorse, that he contracted a habit of drinking immoderately. This brought on a fever, of which he died.

8. After the death of this wicked man, Sylla returned to Rome at the head of a large army. He declared himself dictator; and his word then became the sole law of Rome. Like Marius, he determined to massacre all his enemies. As fast as they were killed, their bloody heads were brought to him.

Direction from Rome? Carthage? (See p. 152.) What of it? Its king? 2. When did the Social war begin? How many men were killed in this war? Who was Mithridates? Where was Pontus? 8. What of the Roman commanders? Marius? Sylla? 4. What war broke out in Rome? 5. Relate a horrid incident in this war. 6. What did Marius do? 7. What was his fate? 8. What did Sylla do? Give an account of his proceedings.

9. When Sylla had shed as much blood as he desired, he suddenly resigned his power. Everybody was surprised at this, but nobody lamented it; nor were there any mourners when this cruel and wicked man died, which happened soon after.

CHAPTER LXXIV.-EUROPE-CONTINUED.
Cneius Pompey and Julius Cæsar.

1. Ir the Roman people had loved liberty as well as they once did, they never would have borne the tyranny of Sylla and Marius. But they had become addicted to luxury, by the riches which they had acquired from their conquests in all parts of the world.

2. Owing to their continual wars, they had also accustomed themselves to consider successful warriors as the greatest men on earth. Soldiers must obey their leaders, without asking why or wherefore; and all the Roman people felt like soldiers. Thus, the very same causes which rendered the Romans so invincible to their enemies, made them liable to be enslaved by any great general who should be ambitious of enslaving them. And such a general soon appeared.

3. After the death of Sylla and Marius, the two most valiant and distinguished warriors were Pom'-pey and Cæ'-sar. Pompey was the eldest. He had grown famous by vanquishing Mithridates, and by many other victories. He had conquered fifteen kingdoms, and taken eight hundred cities.

4. The name of this illustrious leader's rival was Julius Cæsar. He was the most beautiful person in Rome. He had fought in Gaul, Germany, and Britain, and had overcome three millions of men, and killed one million. His soldiers idolized him.

5. At last, like Sylla and Marius, these two generals became so great and powerful, that the world was no longer wide enough for them both. They each collected great armies, in which all the Roman soldiers were enlisted, on one side or the other.

6. They encountered each other at Phar-sa'-li-a, in Macedon. The best part of Pompey's army consisted of a multitude of the young Roman nobility. These youth had very handsome faces;

9. What act of Sylla's surprised everybody?

CHAP. LXXIV.-1. What of the Roman people? 2. What was the consequence of continual war? 8. What two generals appeared after Marius and Sylla? What had Pompey done? 4. What of Pompey's rival Julius Cæsar? 5. What did these great generals do? 6. Where was a battle fought? What of Pompey's army?

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and it was chiefly owing to this circumstance that Pompey lost the victory.

7. Cæsar ordered his rough and weather-beaten soldiers to aim their blows right at the faces of their enemies. The latter were so afraid that their beauty would be spoiled, that they immediately turned and fled. A complete victory was gained by Cæsar.

8. Pompey made his escape into Egypt, but was there murdered. His head was cut off and brought to Cæsar, who turned aside his eyes from the bloody spectacle, and wept to think that so mighty a warrior had met with so sad a fate.

CHAPTER LXXV.-EUROPE-CONTINUED.

Cæsar usurps the Supreme Power.

1. WHEN the Roman Senate heard of Cæsar's victory, they proclaimed a solemn thanksgiving to the gods. Supreme power was granted him for life, with the title of dictator. His person was declared sacred and inviolable.

2. His statue was placed among those of gods and heroes, in the Capitol. It stood next to that of Jupiter, and bore this impious inscription, "THE STATUE OF CÆSAR THE DEMI-GOD." This proves

that the Romans were already slaves, when they thus deified a mor

tal man.

3. Cæsar had now but one other wish to gratify. He desired to bear the name of king. He endeavored to gain the good-will of the soldiers and people, in order that they might gratify his ambition. For this purpose he spent immense sums in entertainments and magnificent spectacles.

4. On one occasion, he made a feast for the whole Roman people. Twenty-two thousand tables were set out in the streets of Rome. All sorts of delicious food and drink were heaped upon them. The meanest beggar was at liberty to sit down and eat his fill.

5. Most of the Romans had now lost the noble spirit which had animated their forefathers. They were willing to be governed by any man who would feed them with delicacies, and amuse them with splendid shows, as Cæsar did. It must be owned, also, that Cæsar had many noble and amiable qualities.

7. By what means did Cæsar vanquish the followers of Pompey? 8. What became of Pompey? Why did Cæsar weep at his death?

CHAP. LXXV.-1. What did the Romans do after Cæsar's victory? 2. What of What did he do to Cæsar's statue? 3. What did this great conqueror now desire?

obtain his wish? 4. Describe the feast. 5. State of the Romans at this time?

6. The people, therefore, had a fondness for their tyrant. They loved to behold him, at the public spectacles and entertainments, sitting in a gilded chair of state, with a golden crown upon his head. Had he asked it, they were even ready to fall down and worship him.

7. But there were a few Romans of the old stamp who loved liberty for its own sake. There were others, also, who hated Cæsar because he had wronged them, or because he was more powerful than they. These two sorts of persons formed a conspiracy to kill him.

8. The two chief conspirators were Bru'-tus and Cas'-si-us. Brutus was a sincere lover of liberty, and a true friend of Rome. He also loved Cæsar, and was beloved by him. But he resolved to assist in slaying him in order that his country might be free.

9. Cassius formed the same resolution; but it was chiefly because he hated Cæsar. Sixty other senators were engaged in the plot. Most conspirators endeavor to do their work in secrecy and at midnight. But the blood of Cæsar was to be shed in broad daylight, and in the great hall of the senate-house.

CHAPTER LXXVI.-EUROPE-CONTINUED.
Assassination of Julius Cæsar.

1. On the fatal morning, Cæsar set forth from his mansion. There was a great throng of flatterers and false friends around him. As he came down the steps of the portal, a gray-bearded philosopher pressed through the crowd and put a paper into his hand. It contained an account of the whole plot. If Cæsar had read it, it would have cost all the conspirators their lives, and have saved his own life. But he gave it to one of his secretaries, and walked onward.

2. As Cæsar passed through the streets of Rome, he looked round at the crowd of obsequious senators, and listened to the shouts of the multitude. He felt that he was the most exalted man in all the world. But his heart was not at ease; for he also felt that he had enslaved his country.

3. The proud procession ascended the steps of the senate-house

6. What did they like to see? 7. Who formed a conspiracy to kil. Cæsar? 8. Who were Brutus and Cassius? Why did they each determine to kill Cæsar? 9. How was the conspiracy carried on?

CHAP. LXXVI.-1. Describe Cæsar's departure from his house. What happened as he came down the steps? 2. What did he see on looking around him? How did he feel? 8. Where did the procession march?

CESAR'S DEATH.

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and passed into the hall. Along the sides of this hall were ranged statues of many famous Romans, and among them stood the marble image of Pompey, whose bloody head had been brought to Cæsar. Just as Cæsar was passing in front of Pompey's statue, Me-tel'-lus Cim'-ber, one of the conspirators, knelt down and took hold of his robe. This was the signal for the attack.

4. Cas'-ca, who was behind Cæsar, drew a dagger and stabbed him in the shoulder. "Wretch! what doest thou?" cried Cæsar, snatching the weapon. The other conspirators now rushed upon him. But he defended himself with the valor he had shown in a hundred battles.

5. At length Brutus pressed forward and struck him with his dagger. When Cæsar saw that the hand of his dear friend was raised against his life, he made no more resistance. And thou, too, Brutus!" he said, with one reproachful look.

6. Then covering his head with his mantle, that his enemies might not behold the death-pang in his face, he fell down at the

What were ranged around the hall? What happened as Cæsar was passing the statue of Pompey? 4. Who first stabbed him? How did he defend himself? 5. Who gave Cæsar the second blow? How did he receive it? 6. Describe his death.