Caesar A Sketch - Classic Reprint Author:James Anthony Froude C^SAR: A SKETCH. CHAPTER L To the student of political history, and to the English strident above all others, the conversion of the Roman Republic into a military empire commands a peculiar interest. Notwithstanding many differences, the English and the Romans essentially resemble one another. The early Romans possessed the faculty of self-gover... more »nment beyond any people of whom we have historical knowledge, with the one exception of ourselves. In virtue of their own freedom, they became the most powerful nation in the known world ; and their liberties perished only when Rome became the mistress of conquered races, to whom she was unable or unwilling to extend her privileges. If England was similarly supreme, if all rival powers were eclipsed by her or laid under her feet, the Imperial tendencies, which are as strongly marked in us as our love of liberty, might lead us over the same course to the same end. If there be one lesson which history clearly teaches, it is this, that free natio
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I; PAJd*; Free Constitutions and imperial tendencies-Instructiveness of Roman history-Character of historical epochs-The age of Csesar-Spiritual state of Rome-Contrasts between ancient and modern civilisationI; CHAPTER II; The Roman Constitution-Moral character of the Romans- Roman religion-Morality and intellect-Expansion of Roman power-The Senate-Roman slavery-Effects of inter-course with Greece-Patrician degeneracy-The Roman noble-Influence of wealth-Beginnings of discontent 10; CHAPTER III; Tiberius Gracchus-Decay of the Italian yeomanry-Agrarian law-Success and murder of Gracchus-Land commission -Cains Gracchus-Transfer of judicial functions from the Senate to the Equites-Sempronian laws-Free grants of corn-Plans for extension of the franchise-New colonies -Reaction-Murder of Cains Gracchus 24; CHAPTER IV; Victory of the Optimates-The Moors-History of Jngurtha- The Senate corrupted-Jugurtbiue war-De« less