Imperial cruelty was not often visited on the humble classes.  It was the policy of the emperors to amuse and flatter the people, while depriving them of political rights.  Hence social life was free.  All were at liberty to seek their pleasures and gains; all were proud of their metropolis, with its gilded glories and its fascinating pleasures.  Outrages, extortions, and disturbances were punished.  Order reigned, and all classes felt secure; they could sleep without fear of robbery or assassination.  In short, all the arguments which can be adduced in favor of despotism in contrast with civil war and violence, show that it was beneficial in its immediate effects.

Nevertheless, it was a most lamentable change from that condition of things which existed before the civil wars.  Roman liberties were prostrated forever; noble sentiments and aspirations were rebuked.  Under the Emperors we read of no more great orators like Cicero, battling for human rights and defending the public weal.  Eloquence was suppressed.  Nor was there liberty of speech even in the Senate.  It was treason to find fault with any public acts.  From the Pillars of Hercules to the Caspian Sea one stern will ruled all classes and orders.  No one could fly from the agents and ministers of the Emperor; he controlled the army, the Senate, the judiciary, the internal administration of the empire, and the religious worship of the people; all offices, honors, and emoluments emanated from him.  All influences conspired to elevate the man whom no one could hope successfully to rival.  Revolt was madness, and treason absurdity.  Nor did the Emperors attempt to check the gigantic social evils of the empire.  They did not seek to prevent irreligion, luxury, slavery, and usury, the encroachments of the rich upon the poor, the tyranny of foolish fashions, demoralizing sports and pleasures, money-making, and all the follies which lax principles of morality allowed; they fed the rabble with corn, oil, and wine, and thus encouraged idleness and dissipation.  The world never saw a more rapid retrogression in human rights, or a greater prostration of liberties.  Taxes were imposed according to the pleasure or necessities of the government.  Provincial governors became still more rapacious and cruel; judges hesitated to decide against the government.  Patriotism, in its most enlarged sense, became an impossibility; all lofty spirits were crushed.  Corruption in all forms of administration fearfully increased, for there was no safeguard against it.

Theoretically, absolutism may be the best government, if rulers are wise and just; but practically, as men are, despotisms are generally cruel and revengeful.  Despotism implies slavery, and slavery is the worst condition of mankind.

It cannot be questioned that many virtuous princes reigned at Rome, who would have ornamented any age or country.  Titus, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Antoninus Pius, Alexander Severus, Tacitus, Probus, Carus, Constantine, Theodosius, were all men of remarkable virtues as well as talents.  They did what they could to promote public prosperity.  Marcus Aurelius was one of the purest and noblest characters of antiquity.  Theodosius for genius and virtue ranks with the most illustrious sovereigns that ever wore a crown,—­with Charlemagne, with Alfred, with William III., with Gustavus Adolphus.