Roman Antiquities, and Ancient Mythology | Page 2

commonly reported to have laid its foundations on Mount
Palatine, A. M. 3251, B. C. 753, in the third year of the 6th Olympiad.
Rome was at first only a small fortification; under the kings and the
republic, it greatly increased in size; but it could hardly be called
magnificent before the time of Augustus Cæsar. In the reign of the
Emperor Valerian, the city, with its suburbs, covered a space of fifty
miles; at present it is scarcely thirteen miles round.
Rome was built on seven hills, viz. the Palatine, Capitoline, Quirinal,
Esquiline, Viminal, Cælian, and Aventine; hence it was poetically
styled "Urbs Septicollis,"--the seven-hilled city.
The greatest number of inhabitants in Rome was four millions; but its
average population was not more than two millions.
The people were divided into three tribes, and each tribe into ten curiæ.
The number of tribes was afterwards increased to thirty-five.
The people were at first only separated into two ranks; the Patrician and
Plebeian; but afterwards the Equites or Knights were added; and at a
later period, slavery was introduced--making in all, four classes:
Patricians, Knights, Plebeians, and Slaves.
The Patrician order consisted of those families whose ancestors had
been members of the Senate. Those among them who had filled any
superior office, were considered noble, and possessed the right of
making images of themselves, which were transmitted to their
descendants, and formed part of their domestic worship.
The Plebeian order was composed of the lowest class of freemen.
Those who resided in the city, were called "Plebs urbana;" those who

lived in the country, "Plebs rustica." But the distinction did not consist
in name only--the latter were the most respectable.
The Plebs urbana consisted not only of the poorer mechanics and
laborers, but of a multitude of idlers who chiefly subsisted on the
public bounty, and whose turbulence was a constant source of
disquietude to the government. There were leading men among them,
kept in pay by the seditious magistrates, who used for hire to stimulate
them to the most daring outrages.
Trade and manufactures being considered as servile employments, they
had no encouragement to industry; and the numerous spectacles which
were exhibited, particularly the shows of gladiators, served to increase
their natural ferocity. To these causes may be attributed the final ruin of
the republic.
The Equestrian order arose out of an institution ascribed to Romulus,
who chose from each of the three tribes, one hundred young men, the
most distinguished for their rank, wealth, and other accomplishments,
who should serve on horseback and guard his person.
Their number was afterwards increased by Tullus Hostilius, who chose
three hundred from the Albans. They were chosen promiscuously from
the Patricians and Plebeians. The age requisite was eighteen, and the
fortune four hundred sestertia; that is, about 14,000 dollars. Their
marks of distinction, were a horse given them at the public expense,
and a gold ring. Their office, at first, was only to serve in the army; but
afterwards, to act as judges or jurymen, and take charge of the public
revenues.
A great degree of splendor was added to the Equites by a procession
which they made throughout the city every year, on the 15th day of
July, from the temple of honor, without the city to the Capitol, riding
on horseback, with wreaths of olives on their heads, dressed in the
Togæ palmatæ or trabeæ, of a scarlet color, and bearing in their hands
the military ornaments, which they had received from their general, as a
reward for their valor. At this time they could not be summoned before
a court of justice.

If any Eques was corrupt in his morals, or had diminished his fortune,
the censor ordered him to be removed from the order by selling his
horse.
Men became slaves among the Romans, by being taken in war, by way
of punishment, or were born in a state of servitude. Those enemies who
voluntarily surrendered themselves, retained the rights of freedom, and
were called 'Dedititii.'
Those taken in the field, or in the storming of cities, were sold at
auction--"sub corona," as it was called, because they wore a crown
when sold; or "sub hasta," because a spear was set up where the
auctioneer stood. These were called Servi or Mancipia. Those who
dealt in the slave trade were called Mangones or Venalitii: they were
bound to promise for the soundness of their slaves, and not to conceal
their faults; hence they were commonly exposed for sale naked, and
carried a scroll hanging to their necks, on which their good and bad
qualities were specified.
Free-born citizens could not be sold for slaves. Parents might sell their
children; but they did not on that account entirely lose the right of
citizens, for, when freed from slavery, they were