This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 187? edition. Excerpt: ... devotees, sacrifices were offered, and vows recorded for his recovery. It was a singular instance of the vehemence of popular enthusiasm. When his health was unexpectedly restored, the people rushed tumultuously to congratulate their ancient favorite, and showered their blessings upon him as he was slowly transported in his litter to Rome. Memorable, indeed, was the example thus presented of the short-sightedness of mortals and the vanity of human wishes. The gods, exclaimed the Roman moralists, offered, in their divine prescience, to remove the great Pompeius, at the summit of his fortunes, beyond the sphere of human contingencies; but the cities and the nations interposed with prayer, and preserved their beloved hero for defeat and decapitation. Pompeius himB.C. 50. Casar, s Demands. 117 self was no less blind than his admirers. Estimating the depth of his influence by the loudness of these flattering acclamations, he no longer mistrusted the extent of his resources, nor doubted the terror of his name. There was no one at his ear to whisper to him how hollow these demonstrations were; to foretell that his garrisons would lay down their arms and Italy surrender without a blow, while the voices now most eager in their devotion to him would welcome the conqueror of Gaul with no less fervent enthusiasm. "But what," murmured Cicero, when the delusion was over, and his chief was shifting the basis of his power to a foreign shore, "what are the prospects of a party whose champion falls dangerously sick at least once a year?" The Gallic legions, indeed, were still retained in their cantonments beyond the mountains; but the proconsul himself was drawing nearer to Rome, and the progress he now made through the cities demands...

With the murder of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BC, a new political constellation seized control of the city of Rome. Known as the Second Triumvirate, this alliance between Gaius Octavius (Augustus), Marc Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus formed in the year 43 BC and saw the three most powerful men in Rome overcome their own personal differences to bring about a new stability to their tumultuous city. It was a period of extreme violence, as the Second Triumvirate first needed to contend with the rebellious conspirators who had first assassinated Caesar and then broken away from the Roman state. Gradually emerging victorious over the assassins, the Second Triumvirate attempted to consolidate their hold on the Roman Empire by partitioning its vast expanse amongst themselves. However, as Rome always proves true only one man can master the greatest empire of the Mediterranean. In what followed, political intrigue pitted each member of the Triumvirate against one another, as all attempted to seize absolute power. This contest between the greatest Roman politicians mobilized vast armies from across the world, and featured battles that stretched from the sands of the Persian heartlands to the Spanish steppes. From the ashes of the Second Triumvirate emerged a new form of government that we now know as the Empire. It was a form of governance that reflected the violence from which it was born. Cruel and absolute in their use of power, the Roman emperors could now dictate the course of the nation without having to bow to the desires of the people of Rome. Under their direction, Rome would be resplendent and glorious once more.