The Works of Cornelius Tacitus: With an Essay on His Life and Genius, Notes, Supplements, &c, Volumen4

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Edward Earle. William Fry, Printer., 1813

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Página 7 - Capitol wrapt in flames by the hands of frantic citizens; the holy ceremonies of religion violated; adultery reigning without control; the adjacent islands filled with exiles; rocks and desert places stained with clandestine murder, and Rome itself a theatre of horror; where nobility of descent, and splendour of fortune, marked men out for destruction; where the vigour of mind that aimed at civil dignities, and the modesty that declined them, were offences without distinction; where virtue was a...
Página 326 - From the foundation of the city to that hour, the Roman people had felt no calamity so deplorable, no disgrace so humiliating. Without the shock of a foreign enemy, and, if we except the vices of the age, without any particular cause to draw down the wrath of heaven, the temple of Jupiter, supreme of gods, — a temple, built in ancient times...
Página 52 - A deep and sullen silence prevailed. The very rabble was hushed. Amazement sat on every face. Their eyes watched every motion, and their ears caught every sound. The interval was big with terror ; it was neither a tumult, nor a settled calm, but rather the stillness of fear, or smothered rage, such as often precedes some dreadful calamity.
Página 339 - Whenever they saw the advantage inclining to either side, they favoured the com» batants with shouts, and theatrical applause. If the men fled from their ranks, to take shelter in shops or houses, they roared to have them dragged forth, and put to death like gladiators for their diversion. While the soldiers were intent on slaughter, these miscreants were employed in plundering. The greatest part of the booty fell to their share, Rome presented a scene truly shocking, a medley of savage slaughter...
Página 126 - The statue of the Goddess bears no resemblance to the human form. It is round throughout, broad at one end, and gradually tapering to a narrow span at the other, like a goal. The reason of this is not ascertained. The cause is stated by Philostratus to be symbolic."1
Página 6 - The fact must not be dissembled : but the historian who enters on his office with a profession of integrity, must not desert the cause of truth. No character should be touched with partiality ; none should be disfigured by passion, or resentment. Of Nerva and Trajan,* if my health continues, it is my design to compose the history ; it is a favourite plan, rich in materials, and every way safe. I have reserved it for the evening of my days ; a glorious period ! in which, through the rare felicity...
Página 327 - Tarquinius Priscus, during the war which he waged against the Sabines, bound himself by a vow to build that sacred structure. He afterwards laid the foundation, on a plan suggested by his own vast idea of the rising grandeur of the empire, but inconsistent with the circumstances of an infant state. Servius Tullius, assisted by the zeal of the allies of Rome, went on with the work, and after him Tarquin the Proud, with the spoils of Suessa Pometia, added to the magnificence of the building.
Página 204 - ... enterprise of such importance it was natural to doubt and hesitate. Vespasian remained for some time in a state of suspense, now elate with hope, and soon depressed with fear. ' What an awful day must that be, when he should unsheath the sword, and commit himself, at the age of sixty, with his two sons in the prime season of life, to the danger of a civil war! In undertakings of a private nature men may advance or retreat, as they see occasion ; but when the contest is for sovereign power there...
Página 269 - Vitellians at this time changed the position of their battering engines, which in the beginning were placed in different parts of the field, and could only play at random against the woods and hedges that sheltered the enemy. They were now removed to the Posthumian way; and thence, having an open space before them, could discharge their missive weapons with good effect.

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