led to the sacrifice one hundred and twenty stalled oxen, with their horns gilded, and their heads adorned with ribbons and garlands, and with these were boys that carried dishes of silver and gold.  After these was brought the gold coin, which was divided into vessels that weighed three talents each, similar to those that contained the silver; they were in number fourscore, wanting three.  These were followed by those that brought the consecrated bowl which Emil’ius caused to be made, that weighed ten talents, and was adorned with precious stones.  Then were exposed to view the cups of Antig’onus and Seleu’cus, and such as were made after the fashion invented by The’ricles, and all the gold plate that was used at Per’seus’s table.  Next to these came Per’seus’s chariot, in which his armour was placed, and on that his diadem.  After a little intermission the king’s children were led captives, and with them a train of nurses, masters, and governors, who all wept, and stretched forth their hands to the spectators, and taught the little infants to beg and intreat their compassion.  There were two sons and a daughter, who, by reason of their tender age, were altogether insensible of the greatness of their misery; which insensibility of their condition rendered it much more deplorable, insomuch that Per’seus himself was scarce regarded as he went along, whilst pity had fixed the eyes of the Romans upon the infants, and many of them could not forbear tears; all beheld the sight with a mixture of sorrow and joy until the children were past.  After his children and attendants came Per’seus himself, clad in black, and wearing slippers after the fashion of his country; he looked like one altogether astonished, and deprived of reason, through the greatness of his misfortune.  Next followed a great company of his friends and familiars, whose countenances were disfigured with grief, and who testified, to all that beheld them, by their tears and their continual looking upon Per’seus, that it was his hard fortune they so much lamented, and that they were regardless of their own.  After these were carried four hundred crowns of gold, sent from the cities by their respective ambassadors to Emil’ius, as a reward due to his valour.  Then he himself came, seated on a chariot magnificently, adorned, (a man worthy to be beheld even without these ensigns of power) clad in a garland of purple interwoven with gold, and with a laurel branch in his right hand.  All the army in like manner, with boughs of laurel in their hands, and divided into bands and companies, followed the chariot of their commander; some singing odes according to the usual custom, mingled with raillery; others songs of triumph and the praises of Emil’ius’s deeds, who was admired and accounted happy by all men, yet unenvied by every one that was good.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What political change has frequently resulted from improved military tactics?

2.  Was Rome a military state?