Complete Works of Florus by Florus

Author:Florus [Florus]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Ancient Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics
Published: 2018-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

II. Anaceφalaeosis de Septem Regibvs

II. Recapitulation of the Rule of the Seven Kings

[I.8] Haec est prima aetas populi Romani et quasi infantia, quam habuit sub regibus septem, quadam fatorum industria tam variis ingenio, ut rei publicae ratio et utilitas postulabat.

[I.8] The period of its rule under the Seven Kings forms the first age and, as it were, the infancy of the Roman people. These kings, by a dispensation of fate, possessed just such a variety of qualities as the circumstances and advantage of the State demanded.

[2] Nam quid Romulo ardentius? tali opus fuit, ut invaderet regnum.

[2] For where could greater boldness be found than in Romulus? Such a man was needed to seize the kingship.

[3] Quid Numa religiosius? Ita res poposcit, ut ferox populus deorum metu mitigaretur.

[3] Who was more pious than Numa? Circumstances demanded such a man in order that the temper of a barbarous people might be tamed by the fear of the gods.

[4] Quid? ille militiae artifex Tullus bellatoribus viris quam necessarius, ut acueret ratione virtutem. Quid? aedificator Ancus, ut urbem colonia extenderet, ponte iungeret, muro tueretur.

[4] Again, how necessary to a nation of warriors was Tullus,º the creator of the army, that he might temper their valour by discipline! Again, how necessary was Ancus, the builder, to give the city a colony to expand it, a bridge to unite it, and a wall to protect it!

[5] Iam vero ornamenta Tarquinii et insignia quantam principi populo addiderunt ex ipso habitu dignitatem.

[5] Further, how much did the ornaments and insignia of Tarquinius add to the dignity of a sovereign people in its very dress!

[6] Actus a Servio census quid effecit, nisi ut ipsa se nosset Romana res publica?

[6] What was the effect of the census carried out by Servius but that the Roman State should be made aware of in spite of strength?

[7] Postremo Superbi illius inportuna dominatio non nihil, immo vel plurimum profuit. Sic enim effectum est, ut agitatus iniuriis populus cupiditate libertatis incenderetur.

[7] Finally, the outrageous tyranny of Tarquinius Superbus was of some, nay, of great service; for its result was that the people, exasperated by the wrongs which he inflicted upon them, were fired with a desire for liberty.

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