Dio's Rome, Volume 1 (of 6) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 326 pages of information about Dio's Rome, Volume 1 (of 6).

Dio's Rome, Volume 1 (of 6) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 326 pages of information about Dio's Rome, Volume 1 (of 6).
happened to be; and there was no place for them either holy or sacred, no safe retreat, no refuge.  Some, to be sure, by perishing suddenly before learning of the catastrophe hanging over them, and some at the moment they received the news, were fortunately relieved of the terrors preceding death:  those who were warned in advance and hid themselves found it a very difficult matter to escape.  They did not dare to withdraw, for fear of being detected, nor could they endure to remain where they were for fear of betrayal.  Very many of them were betrayed by their associates and those dearest to them, and so perished.  Consequently not those whose names were inscribed merely, but the rest, as well, suffered in anticipation. (Valesius, pp. 658-662.)

4. (Par.) The heads of all those slaughtered in any place were brought to the Roman Forum and exposed on the rostra, so that as often as proscriptions were issued, so often did the heads appear. (Valesius, ib.)

[Sidenote:  FRAG.  CVI] [Sidenote:  B.C. 74 (a.u. 680)] Lucullus said that he would rather have rescued one Roman from danger than have captured at one stroke all the forces of the enemy. (Mai, p. 551.)

[Sidenote:  FRAG.  CVII] 1.  For titles do not change the characters of men, but one makes titles take on new meanings according to one’s management of affairs.  Many monarchs are the source of blessings to their subjects,—­wherefore such a state is called a kingdom,—­whereas many who live under a democracy work innumerable evils to themselves.  (Mai, p. 556.  Cp.  Frag.  XII.)

2.  For nothing leads on an army or anything else requiring some control to better or worse like the character and habits of the person presiding over it.  The disposition and character of their leaders the majority imitate, and they do whatever they see them doing, some from real inclination, and others as a mere pretence. (Mai, p. 556.)

3.  The subservient element is wont ever to shape itself according to the disposition of its rulers. (Mai, p. 560, from Antonius Melissa, p. 78, ed.  Tigur.)

4.  For who would not prefer to be upright and at his death to lie in the bosom of the State, rather than to behold her devastated? (Mai, p. 557.)

5.  If any one were building a house for you where you were not going to remain, you would think the undertaking a loss:  do you now wish to grow rich in that place from which you must depart repeatedly before evening? (Mai, ib.)

6.  Do you not know that we tarry in others’ domains just like strangers and sojourners?  Do you not know that it is the lot of sojourners to be driven out when they are not expecting or looking for it?  That is our case. (Mai, ib.)

7.  Who would not choose to die from one blow, and that with no pain or very little, instead of after sickness?  Who would not pray to depart from a sound body with sound spirits rather than to rot with some decay or dropsy, or wither away in hunger? (Mai, ib.)

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Dio's Rome, Volume 1 (of 6) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.