CHAP. LXXVII.-EUROPE continued.

SYLLA AND MARIUS.

1. THE Romans still continued to make conquests. Not long after the ruin of Carthage, the whole of Spain became a province of Rome. There was likewise a war with Numidia, a country of Africa, now called Algiers. Jugurtha, the Numidian king, was brought prisoner to Rome, and starved to death in a dungeon.

2. There was afterwards a Social war, beginning in the year 91 B.C. This war was called social, because it was between the Romans and the neighbouring states of Italy, who had been their own friends and allies. Three hundred

thousand men were killed on both sides. Then there was a war with Mithridates, the powerful king of Pontus, in Asia Minor. He was not entirely vanquished til forty years afterwards.

3. In the course of all this fighting, two Roman commanders acquired great renown. One was named Marius, and the other Sylla. 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 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 armour; 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 afterwards 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.

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.

QUESTIONS.-1. What of the Romans? What of Spain? Where was Numidia? Direction from Rome? Carthage? What of it? Its king? 2. When did the Social war begin? How many were killed in this war? Who was Mithridates? Where was Pontus? Direction from Rome? Carthage? 3. 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. What act of Sylla's surprised everybody?

CHAP. LXXVIII.-EUROPE continued.

CNEUS POMPEY AND JULIUS CÆSAR.

1. IF 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 Pompey and Cæsar. 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. soldiers idolized him.

His

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 Pharsalia, in Thessaly. The best part of Pompey's army consisted of a multitude of the young Roman nobility. These youths had very handsome faces; 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.

QUESTIONS.-1. What of the Roman people? 2. What was the conse quence of continual war? 3. What 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? 7. By what means did Cæsar vanquish the followers of Pompey? 8. What became of Pompey? Why did Cæsar weep at his death?

CHAP. LXXIX.-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 to 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 capital. It stood next to that of Jupiter, and bore this impious inscription:-" THE STATUE OF CÆSAR THE DEMIGOD." This proves that the Romans were already slaves, when they thus deified a mortal man.

He

3. Cæsar had now but one other wish to gratify. desired to bear the name of king. He endeavoured to gain the goodwill 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