6 Of the city of
Rome, as I understand, the founders and earliest inhabitants were the Trojans,
who, under the conduct of Aeneas, were wandering about as exiles from their
country, without any settled abode; and with these were joined the Aborigines,
a savage race of men, without laws or government, free and owning no control.
How easily these two tribes, though of different origin, dissimilar language,
and opposite habits of life, formed a union when they met within the same
walls, is almost incredible. But when their state, from an accession of population
and territory, and an improved condition of morals, showed itself tolerably
flourishing and powerful, envy, as is generally the case m human affairs, was
the consequence of its prosperity. The neighboring kings and people,
accordingly, began to assail them in war, while a few only of their friends
came to their support; for the rest, struck with alarm, shrunk from sharing
their dangers. But the Romans, active at home and in the field, prepared with
alacrity for their defense. They encouraged one another, and hurried to meet
the enemy. They protected with their arms, their liberty, their country, and
their homes. And when they had at length repelled danger by valor, they lent
assistance to their allies and supporters, and procured friendships rather by bestowing
favors than by receiving them.
They had a government regulated by laws. The denomination of their government
was monarchy. Chosen men, whose bodies might
be enfeebled by years, but whose minds were vigorous in understanding, formed
the council of the state; and these, whether from their age, or from the
similarity of their duty, were called fathers . But afterwards, when the
monarchical power, which had been originally established for the protection of
liberty, and for the promotion of the public interest, had degenerated into
tyranny and oppression, they changed their plan, and appointed two magistrates,
with power only annual; for they conceived that, by this method, the human mind
would be least likely to grow overbearing through want of control.
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