The World War and What was Behind It | Page 7

and finally
the southern Italians learned that it was possible to live in cities,
without hunting and plundering. Grazing (the tending of flocks of
animals) came to be the occupation of many. The owners of sheep or
cattle drove their flocks from place to place, as grass and water failed
them where they were. There was no separate ownership of land.

At last came the rise of the city of Rome, which, starting out as the
stronghold of a little gang of robbers, spread its rule gradually over all
the surrounding country. By this time, the barbarians of northern
Europe had gotten past the use of clubs as weapons. They, too, had
learned to make tools and arms of bronze, and those living near
civilized countries had obtained swords of iron. The club, however, still
remained as the sign of authority. The large bludgeon of the chief was
carried before the tribe as a sign of his power over them. You have all
seen pictures of a king sitting on his throne and holding a wand or stick
in his right hand. It is interesting to think that this scepter, which the
present king of England carries on state occasions to remind his people
of his power, is a relic of the old, old days when his grandfather, many
times removed, broke the head of his rival for leadership in the tribe
and set up his mighty club for his awestruck people to worship.
The city of Rome (at first a republic, afterwards an empire) spread its
rule over all of Italy, over all the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and
finally over all the countries of Europe south and west of the rivers
Danube and Rhine. One of the emperors planted a colony north of the
Danube near its mouth, and the descendants of these colonists are
living in that same country today. They have not forgotten their origin,
for they still call themselves Romans (Roumani [Roo-mä'ni]), and talk
a language greatly resembling the Latin, which was the tongue spoken
by the Romans of old. With the exception of this country, which is now
Roumania, the part of Europe north and east of the Danube and Rhine
was practically free from the Romans. In this territory, roving bands
wandered around, driving their cattle with them and clearing the woods
of game.
[Illustration: The Forum (public square) of Rome as it was 1600 years
ago.]
In some ways, the Romans were a highly civilized people. They had
schools where their children were taught to read and write, to speak
Greek, and to work problems in geometry. They had magnificent public
buildings, fine temples and palaces. They built excellent paved roads
all over the southern part of Europe, and had wonderful systems of

aqueducts which supplied their cities with pure water from springs and
lakes miles away. Their dress was made of fine cloth. They knew how
to make paper, glass, and steel.
On the other hand, they were a cruel and bloodthirsty people. Their
favorite amusement was to go to shows where gladiators fought, either
with each other or with wild beasts. These gladiators were generally
men from tribes which had fought against Rome. They had been
captured and brought to that city, where they were trained to use certain
weapons. Then on holidays, with all the people of Rome packed into
big amphitheaters, these unfortunate captives were forced to fight with
each other until one man of each pair was killed. It occasionally
happened that one gladiator might be wounded, and lie helpless on the
sand, The spectators would then shout to the victorious fighter to take
his knife and finish what he had begun. In this way what would seem to
us like cold-blooded murder was committed hundreds of times each
year, while the fairest ladies and young girls of Rome sat and watched
with eager interest. Thus, although the Romans had all the outward
appearance of being civilized, they were savages at heart, and had no
sympathy for any people who were not of their own race.
[Illustration: The Last Combat of the Gladiators]
In the early days, the Romans prided themselves on their honor. They
scorned a lie and looked down on anyone who would cheat or deceive.
They lived hardy lives and would not allow themselves luxuries. They
rather despised the Greeks, because the latter surrounded themselves
with comforts in life. The early Romans were fighters by nature. They
had a certain god named Janus (our month January is named after him)
and his temple was open only when they were engaged in war. It is a
matter of history that during the twelve hundred years from the first
building of Rome to the end of the Roman Empire, the temple of Janus
was closed on but