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"a difference of conditions. We are free, and Eumenes is a king. It is natural that we, being a free people, should plead for the liberty of others; and that kings should en"deavour to make all things pay homage to their sovereign sway. However this be, the circumstance which perplexes "us on this occasion, is not so much the affair in itself, which "seems to be of such a nature, that you cannot be very much "divided in opinion about it, as the regard and difference "which we ought to show to so august a prince as Eumenes. "If there was no other way of acknowledging the important "services of a king, your confederate and ally, but in subjecting free cities to his power, you then might be doubtful, from the fear you might be under, either of not disco"vering gratitude enough towards a prince who is your friend; "or of renouncing your principles, and the glory you have acquired in the war against Philip, by restoring all the "Grecian cities to their liberty. But fortune has put you "in such a condition, as not to fear either of those inconve"niences. The immortal gods be praised, the victory you "have so lately gained, by which you acquire no less riches "than glory, enables you to acquit yourselves easily of what 66 you call a debt. Lycaonia, the two Phrygias, all Pisidia, "Chersonesus, and the country contiguous to it, are all in "your hands. One of these provinces is alone capable of "enlarging considerably the dominions of Eumenes; but all "of them together will equal him to the most powerful kings. "You therefore may, at one and the same time, recompense very largely your allies, and not depart from the maxims "which form the glory of your empire. The same motive prompted you to march against Philip and Antiochus. As "the cause is the same, the like issue is expected; not only because you yourselves have already set the example, but "because your honour requires it. Others engage in war, merely to dispossess their neighbours of some city, fortress, or sea-port; but you, O Romans, never draw the "sword from such motives; when you fight, it is for glory; "and it is this circumstance which inspires all nations with a "reverence and awe for your name and empire, almost equal "to that which is paid the gods. Your business is to pre"serve that glory. You have undertaken to rescue, from the bondage of kings, and to restore to its ancient liberty, a "nation famous for its antiquity; and still more renowned "for its glorious actions, and its exquisite taste for the polite "arts and sciences. It is the whole nation whom you have "taken under your protection, and you have promised it "them to the end of time. The cities, situated in Greece "itself, are not more Grecian than the colonies they settled in Asia. A change of country has not wrought any altera

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"tion in our origin or manners. We, as Grecian cities in Asia, have endeavoured to rival our ancestors and founders, in virtue and in knowledge. Many persons in this as"sembly have seen the cities of Greece and those of Asia: the only difference is, that we are situated at a farther distance "from Rome. If a difference in climate should change the "nature and disposition of men, the inhabitants of Marseilles, surrounded as they are with ignorant and barbarous "nations should necessarily have long since degenerated; " and yet we are informed that you have as great a regard "for them, as if they lived in the centre of Greece. And in"deed they have retained, not only the sound of the language, "the dress, and the whole exterior of the Greeks; but have "also preserved still more their manners, laws, and genius, "and all these pure and uncorrupted by their intercourse “ with the neighbouring nations. Mount Taurus is now the "boundary of your empire. Every country on this side of “it ought not to appear remote from you. Wherever you "have carried your arms, convey thither also the genius and "form of your government. Let the Barbarians, who are "accustomed to slavery, continue under the empire of kings, "since it is grateful to them. The Greeks, in the mediocrity of their present condition, think it glorious to imitate your exalted sentiments. Born and nurtured in liberty, they know you will not deem it a crime in them to be jea"lous of it, as you yourselves are so. Formerly, their own strength was sufficient to secure empire to them; but now they implore the gods that it may be enjoyed for ever by “those people, with whom they have placed it. All they “desire is, that you will be pleased to protect, by the power "of your arms, their liberties, as they are now no longer able "to defend them by their own. But, says somebody, some of "those cities have favoured Antiochus. Had not the others "favoured Philip also; and the Tarentines, Pyrrhus? To "cite but one people, Carthage, your enemy as well as rival, "enjoys its liberties and laws. Consider, O Romans, the engagements which this example lays you under. Will you concede to Eumenes's ambition (I beg his pardon for "the expression) what you refused to your own just indig"nation? As for us Rhodians, in this, as well as in all the wars which you have carried on in our countries, we have endeavoured to behave as good and faithful allies; and "you are to judge whether we have really been such, Now "that we enjoy peace, we are so free as to give you a coun"sel which must necessarily tend to your glory. If you fol"low it, it will demonstrate to the universe, that however nobly you obtain victories, you yet know how to make a nobler use of them.”

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It was impossible to forbear applauding this speech, and it was thought worthy of the Roman grandeur. The senate found itself on this occasion divided and opposed by different sentiments and duties, of whose importance and justice they were sensible, but which, at the same time, it was difficult to reconcile on this occasion. On one side, gratitude for the services of a king, who had adhered to them with inviolable zeal and fidelity, made a strong impression on their minds : on the other they earnestly wished to have it thought that the sole view of their undertaking this war was to restore the Grecian cities to their liberty. It must be confessed, that the motives on both sides were exceedingly strong. The restoring of every part of Greece to its liberties and laws, after Philip's defeat, had acquired the Romans a reputation infinitely superior to all other triumphs. But then it would be dangerous to displease so powerful a prince as Eumenes; and it was the interest of the Romans to bring over other kings to their side by the attractive charms of advantage. However, the wisdom of the senate knew how to reconcile these different duties.

Antiochus's ambassadors were brought in after those of Rhodes, and all they requested of the senate was, to confirm the peace which L. Scipio had granted them. They complied with their desire, and accordingly, some days after, it was also ratified in the assembly of the people.

The ambassadors of the Asiatic cities were likewise heard, and the answer made to then was, that the senate would despatch pursuant to their usual custom, ten commissioners to inquire into and settle the affairs of Asia. It was told them in general, that Lycaonia, the two Phrygias, and Mysia, should thenceforward be subject to king Eumenes. To the Rhodians were allotted Lycia, and that part of Caria which lies nearest to Rhodes, and part of Pisidia. In both these distributions, such cities were excepted as enjoyed their freedom, before the battle fought against Antiochus. It was enacted, that the rest of the cities of Asia, which had paid tribute to Attalus, should also pay it to Eumenes; and that such as had been tributaries to Antiochus, should be free and exempt from contributions of every kind.

Eumenes and the Rhodians seemed very well satisfied with this prudent regulation. The latter requested as a favour, that the inhabitants of Soli, a city of Cilicia, descended originally, as well as themselves, from the people of Argos, might be restored to their liberty. The senate after consulting Antiochus's ambassadors on that head, informed the Rhodians of the violent opposition which those ambassadors had made to their request; because Soli, as situated beyond Mount Taurus, was not included in the treaty. However,

that if they imagined the honour of Rhodes was concerned in this demand, they would again attempt to overcome their reluctance. The Rhodians returning the most hearty thanks once more to the Romans, for the great favours they vouchsafed them, answered, that it was far from their intention to interrupt the peace in any manner, and retired highly satisfied.

The Romans decreed a triumph to Emilius Regillus, who had gained a victory at sea over the admiral of Antiochus's fleet; and still more justly to L. Scipio, who had conquered the king in person. He assumed the surname of Asiaticus, that his titles might not be inferior to those of his brother, upon whom that of Africanus had been conferred.

Thus ended the war against Antiochus, which was not of long duration, cost the Romans but little blood, and yet contributed very much to the aggrandising of their empire. But, at the same time, this victory contributed also, in another manner, to the decay and ruin of that very empire, by introducing into Rome, by the wealth it brought into it, a taste and love for luxury and effeminate pleasures; for it is from this victory over Antiochus, and the conquest of Asia, that " Pliny dates the depravity and corruption of manners in the republic of Rome, and the fatal changes which took place there. Asia, vanquished by the Roman arms, in its turn vanquished Rome by its vices. Foreign wealth extinguished, in that city, a love for the ancient poverty and simplicity, in which its strength and honour had consisted. Luxury, which in a manner entered Rome in triumph with the superb spoils of Asia, brought with her in her train irregularities and crimes of every kind, made greater havoc in the cities than the mightiest armies could have done, and in that manner avenged the conquered globe.

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REFLEXIONS ON THE CONDUCT OF THE ROMANS WITH REGARD TO THE GRECIAN STATES, AND THE KINGS BOTH OF EUROPE AND ASIA.

The reader begins to discover, in the events before related, one of the principal characteristics of the Romans, which will soon determine the fate of all the states of Greece, and produce an almost general change in the universe, I mean,

a spirit of sovereignty and dominion. This characteristic does not display itself at first in its full extent; it reveals itself only by degrees; and it is only by insensible progressions, which at the same time are rapid enough, that it is carried at last to its greatest height.

It must be confessed, that this people, on certain occasions, show such a moderation and disinterestedness, as (judging of them only from their outside) exceed every thing we meet with in history, and to which it seems inconsistent to refuse praise. Was there ever a more delightful or more glorious day, than that in which the Romans, after having carried on a long and dangerous war; after crossing seas, and exhaust ing their treasures; caused a herald to proclaim, in a general assembly, that the Roman people restored all the cities to their liberty; and desired to reap no other fruit from their victory, than the noble pleasure of doing good to nations, the bare remembrance of whose ancient glory sufficed to endear them to the Romans? The description of that immortal day can hardly be read without tears, and without being affected with a kind of enthusiasm of esteem and admiration.

Had this deliverance of the Grecian states proceeded mere ly from a principle of generosity, void of all interested motive; had the whole tenor of the conduct of the Romans never belied such exalted sentiments; nothing could possibly have been more august, or more capable of doing honour to a nation. But, if we penetrate ever so little beyond this glaring outside, we soon perceive, that this specious moderation of the Romans was entirely founded upon a profound policy: wise indeed, and prudent, according to the ordinary rules of government, but, at the same time, very remote from that noble disinterestedness, so highly extolled on the present occasion. It may be affirmed, that the Grecians then abandoned themselves to a stupid joy; fondly imagining that they were really free, because the Romans declared them so.

Greece, in the times I am now speaking of, was divided between two powers; I mean the Grecian republics and Macedonia; and they were always engaged in war; the former to preserve the remains of their ancient liberty; and the latter to complete their subjection. The Romans, being perfectly well acquainted with this state of Greece, were sensible, that they needed not be under any apprehensions from those little republics, which were grown weak through length of years, intestine feuds, mutual jealousies, and the wars they had been forced to support against foreign powers. But Macedonia, which was possessed of well-disciplined troops, inured to all the toils of war, which had continually in view the glory of its former monarchs; which had for