had been formed for this purpose; the one declared for Re’mus, who first saw the vultures; the other for Rom’ulus, who saw the greater number.  Each party called itself victorious; the one having the first omen, the other that which was most complete.  This produced a contest which ended in a battle, wherein Re’mus was slain.  It is even said, that he was killed by his brother, who, being provoked at his leaping contemptuously over the city wall, struck him dead upon the spot.

15.  Rom’ulus being now sole commander and eighteen years of age, began the foundation of a city that was one day to give laws to the world.  It was called Rome, after the name of the founder, and built upon the Palatine hill, on which he had taken his successful omen, A.M. 3252; ANTE c. 752.  The city was at first nearly square, containing about a thousand houses.  It was almost a mile in circumference, and commanded a small territory round it of eight miles over. 16.  However, small as it appears, it was yet worse inhabited; and the first method made use of to increase its numbers, was the opening of a sanctuary for all malefactors and slaves, and such as were desirous of novelty; these came in great multitudes, and contributed to increase the number of our legislator’s new subjects.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What was the origin of the Romans?

2.  Who first opposed AEneas, and what was the result?

3.  Who were the successors of AEneas?

4.  What was the conduct of Amulius?

5.  What event frustrated his precautions?

6.  What followed?

7.  What was the sentence on Rhea Silvia and her children?

8.  How were the children preserved?

9.  What is supposed to have occasioned this marvellous story?

10.  What was the character and conduct of Romulus and Remus?

11.  In what manner were they surprised?

12.  How was the birth of Romulus and Remus discovered, and what consequences followed?

13.  What caused a difference between the brothers?

14.  Relate the circumstances which followed?

15.  By whom was Rome built, and what was then its situation?

16.  By what means was the new city peopled?

* * * * *

CHAPTER II.

FROM THE BUILDING OF ROME TO THE DEATH OF ROMULUS.

  See Romulus the great, born to restore
  The crown that once his injured grandsire wore. 
  This prince a priestess of our blood shall bear;
  And like his sire in arms he shall appear.—­Dryden.

1.  Scarcely was the city raised above its foundation, when its rude inhabitants began to think of giving some form to their constitution.  Rom’ulus, by an act of great generosity, left them at liberty to choose whom they would for their king; and they, in gratitude, concurred to elect him for their founder.  He, accordingly, was acknowledged as chief of their religion, sovereign magistrate of Rome, and general of the army.  Beside a guard to attend his person, it was agreed, that he should be preceded wherever he went, by twelve lictors, each armed with an axe tied up in a bundle of rods;[1] these were to serve as executioners of the law, and to impress his new subjects with an idea of his authority.