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Linus, &c. who preceded Homer, little with certainty is known. Homer flourished above 900 years B.C.; Hesiod was nearly contemporary with Homer: Archilochus, the inventor of Iambic verse; Sappho, Alca'us, Simon'ides, Pindar, Ana'creon, Æs'chylus, Sophocles, Eurip'ides, Aristophanes, Menan'der, &c.

Mention a few of the Historians.-Herodotus, Thucydides, Xen'ophon, Polyb'ius, Diodorus Sic'ulus, Dionysius of Halicarnas'sus, Strabo, Plutarch, &c.

Which were the most eminent schools of the Greek Philosophers?—The most ancient school was founded by Thales, 640 B.C., and termed the Ionic. Next arose the sect founded by Pythagoras, 586 B.C. Xenophan'tes founded the Eleatic sect, about 500 B.C. The Socratic school next arose. The Academic sect had Plato for its founder; and the Per'ipatetic had Aristotle. The Sceptical sect was founded by Pyrrho; and the Stoics were the disciples of Zeno.

GREECE FROM THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER.

Macedonia continued independent till the reign of Perseus, a period of 155 years.

What occasioned the downfall of Greece?—The Macedonians attacking the Eto'leans, the latter .rashly sought the aid of the Romans. The Romans were at this time the most powerful of all nations, and they cheerfully obeyed the summons, and speedily accomplished the reduction of Macedonia. Perseus, its last sovereign, was led captive to Rome 167 B.C.

Was the subjugation of the whole of Greece the consequence? It was. The Achæ'an states (noticed

in the preceding chapter) insulted the Roman dignities, and this drew upon them the thunder of the Roman arms; and Greece from that period became a Roman province, 146 B.C.

ABSTRACT OF ROME.

The GREAT REPUBLIC see! that glow'd sublime
With the mixt freedom of a thousand states;
Rais'd on the thrones of Kings her curule chair,

And by her Fasces aw'd the subject world.-THOMSON.

What power was rising into importance when Greece fell, on the death of Alexander?-The Roman power.

When was Italy first peopled?—The time is uncertain; but the inhabitants were a refined nation before the Roman name was known.

By what names were they anciently denominated? -They were called Etrurians, Um'brians, Ligurians, Sab'ines, Veien'tes, Latins, Vols'ci, &c.

When was Rome founded?-753 years B.C. by Romulus; who, with his brother Remus, and a troop of shepherds, or banditti, peopled the new city, by carrying off the wives and daughters of their neighbours, the Sabines.

How long did Romulus reign?-Thirty-seven years. He instituted a Senate of 100 members, who, with their families, were called Patricians; the remainder of the population were denominated Plebeians.

What other regulations did he appoint?-He appointed Lictors and Fasces. The Lictors were twelve men who walked before the king. The Fasces were bundles of rods, &c. which the Lictors

carried. He also appointed a guard of 300 men called Curules or Equites.

How many kings had Rome ?-Seven; viz. Romu lus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Martius, Tarquin'ius Priscus, Servius Tullius, and Tarquinius Superbus.

Relate the combat of the Horatii and the Curiatii. -In a war between the Romans and Albans, it was agreed to decide it by a combat of three persons on each side. The Albans chose three brothers, called Curiatii; the Romans three, called Horatii: they fought, and the Romans gained the victory.

Who were the Duum'viri?-Two magistrates appointed to give judgment in criminal affairs.

What laws and regulations were introduced by Numa?—He increased the national gods, as the Dii Ter'mini, presiding over boundaries, thus securing the rights of property; the Bona Fides, for securing observance to treaties, contracts, oaths, vows, &c. He built temples, and instituted the Flamines, each for the service of some particular Deity; and the Vestals, who cherished the sacred fire. The Augurs and Arus'pices foretold future events.

What was meant by Fasti and Nefasti ?-Fasti were the days for civil occupation; and Nefasti those dedicated to religious rest.

What is remarkable of the temple of Janus? That it was always kept open in war, and always shut during peace.

What was the Census ?-A general survey of the Roman people and of their estates, once every five years; each census being closed by a Lustrum or expiatory sacrifice.

Who was the last king of Rome ?—Tarquin'ius

Superbus. His own tyranny and his son's dishonour led to his expulsion, and to the utter abolition of the regal dignity at Rome.

How long did the regal government subsist?-Two hundred and forty-four years; and in that time only seven kings reigned; several of whom died a violent death.

ROME AND THE CONSULS, &c.

What were the Consuls ?-Two magistrates annually elected, to whom the supreme authority was committed, which differed but little from that of the kings.

Whose exploits were first rewarded by a Triumph? -Those of the consul Valerius, in successfully op posing the exiled Tarquins.

What was a Dictator?—A magistrate, who for the space of six months was vested with unlimited authority. He was at first chosen only in times of extreme danger. Lar'tius was first nominated to this high office.

What were the Tribunes?-Magistrates chosen annually by the people, for the security of their privi leges. They had the power to suspend or annul the decrees of the Senate. The two first appointed were soon increased to five, and afterwards to ten. From this era (260 years from the foundation of Rome) we date the commencement of the popular constitution of the Roman Republic.

Who were the Ediles?-Two magistrates who assisted the tribunes; so termed, because to them were committed the buildings of the city.

What was the law of Volero?-It was a law that decreed that the election of the tribunes and the chief

public business should be discussed in the Comitia Tributa; by which a great power was thrown into the hands of the common people.

Who were the Decem'viri?-Ten men who were chosen in the year 451 B.C. to frame a body of laws, called the Twelve Tables; which were the basis of the Roman Jurisprudence.

How long did the Decem'virate subsist ?-But three years for an abuse committed by one of the Decem'virs brought the office to its termination. But, though the power and the title of the Decem'virate ceased, the laws they had framed were established.

What mode of government succeeded?-Both the Consular government, with the Tribunes of the people, were restored.

When was Rome first burnt by the Gauls?—In the year 385 B.C.; but the Romans, under Camillus, in one day, retrieved their losses and dispersed the Gauls.

WAR WITH THE SAMNITES-PUNIC WARS, &c.

When did the war with the Sam'nites begin?—280 B.C. Its successful termination was speedily followed by the conquest of all the states of Italy.

When had the Romans first to encounter elephants in battle?—In this war with the Sam'nites, who sought the aid of Pyrrhus, king of Epi'rus. He brought with him a train of elephants, and was at first successful, till the Romans became familiar to this new mode of warfare.

What resulted from Pyrrhus's defeat?—He abandoned all views upon Italy, and returned with precipitation to his own dominions. The Samnites submitted to the Roman arms; and Rome became mistress of all Italy, 273 B.C.

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