x other hills at the foot of which ran
deep valleys that in early times were in part overflowed with water,
while the hill-sides were covered with trees. In the course of the many
years during which Rome was acquiring to herself the empire of the
world, the city underwent great, numerous, and important changes. Under
its first kings it must have presented a very different aspect from what
it did after it had been beautified by Tarquin. The destruction of the
city by the Gauls caused a thorough alteration in it: nor could the
troubled times which ensued have been favourable to its being well
restored. It was not till riches and artistic skill came into the city
on the conquest of Philip of Macedon, and Antiochus of Syria, that there
arose in Rome large handsome stone houses. The capture of Corinth
conduced much to the adorning of the city: many fine specimens of art
being transferred from thence to the abode of the conquerors. And so, as
the power of Rome extended over the world, and her chief citizens went
into the colonies to enrich themselves, did the masterpieces of Grecian
art flow towards the capital, together with some of the taste and skill
to which they owed their birth. Augustus, however, it was, who did most
for embellishing the capital of the world, though there may be some
sacrifice of truth in the pointed saying, that he found Rome built of
brick, and left it marble. Subsequent emperors followed his example,
till the place became the greatest repository of architectural,
pictorial, and sculptural skill, that the world has ever seen: a result
to which even Nero's incendiarism indirectly conduced, as affording an
occasion for the city's being rebuilt under the higher scientific
influences of the times. The site occupied by modern Rome is not
precisely the same as that which was at any period covered by the
ancient city: the change of locality being towards the north-west, the
city has partially retired from the celebrated hills. About two-thirds
of the area within the walls, traced by Aurelian, are now desolate,
consisting of ruins, gardens, and fields, with some churches, convents,
and other scattered habitations. Originally the city was a square mile
in area. In the time of Pliny the walls were nearly twenty miles in
circuit: now they are from fourteen to fifteen miles round. Its original
gates, three in number, had increased in the time of the elder Pliny to
thirty-seven. Modern Rome has sixteen gates, some