mulus that
a violent quarrel ensued, they fought, and either by accident or design
Romulus killed his brother, and then the whole government of the new
state devolved upon himself: it was called Rome after its founder.
Inhabitants flocked from every part of the surrounding country into the
new city, and it soon became a very considerable kingdom. After the
death of Romulus six other kings succeeded to the throne all of whom,
excepting the last, were great and good men, their names were,
Romulus the Founder,
Numa Pompilius,
Tullus Hostilius,
Ancus Martius,
Tarquinius Priscus,
Servius Tullius, and
Tarquinius Superbus.
Under whom ended the regal state. A Commonwealth ensued. Many great men
flourished during this period: but at length the government changed once
more, and Rome became an empire. The first twelve emperors were
distinguished by the appellation of the twelve Caesars, their names were
Julius Caesar, the first Roman emperor.
Augustus, in whose reign our Saviour Jesus Christ came into the
world.
Tiberius,
Caligula,
Claudius,
Nero,
Sergius Galba,
Otho,
Vitellius,
Vespasian,
Titus, and
Domitian.
Many emperors succeeded these, until Constantine the Great, the 41st
emperor, removed the seat of empire from Rome to Constantinople, which,
before his time, was called Byzantium. Constantine was a very good man,
and was the first Roman emperor who embraced the Christian religion, but
he pursued a system of politics that hastened the destruction of the
empire. After his death the sovereignty was divided between his sons,
and soon after Rome, which had once given laws to the world, became a
prey to merciless barbarians, and sunk into comparative insignificance.
_Anne._ O! thank you, mamma, for this entertaining account of Rome, I
shall be very glad when I am old enough to read the Roman History.
_Mrs. Harley._ Age, my dear, is not the only thing necessary for the
accomplishment of your wish. Let me see you attentive to your present
employments, and I shall have much pleasure in reading with you a
history that I am sure will engage your attention. I will now tell you a
very little about our own country.
Britain was little known to the rest of the world, till about 52 years
before the common aera; when Julius Caesar invaded the country with a
powerful army: the natives, assisted by their Druids or priests, opposed
his
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