Universal History, Ancient and Modern (Volume 5); From the Earliest Records of Time, to the General Peace of 1801 - Softcover

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1804. Excerpt: ... CHAP. VIII. From the End of the first Punic War to the Termination of the Second. !E war which was just concluded, had been -*- conducted on the part of the Carthaginians in a great measure by Hamilcar, who displayed singular courage, prudence and abilities, and only sunk at last in the common misfortunes of his country. Such was his enmity to Rome, that he did not even suffer it to die with him, but entailed it as an inheritance in his son, the illustrious Annibal. The Romans too, though completely victorious, entertained no less antipathy against the rival state which still existed in such strength as to justify a considerable share of jealousy and circumspection. However, it was necessary they should respire after so long a conflict; and in six years after the peace with the Carthaginians, the temple of Janus was shut, for the second time since A c the foundation of the city. The Romans 22j.' being thus in friendship with all nations, had an opportunity of cultivating the arts u- C. of peace: they now began to cherish a taste for poetry, the first liberal art which rises in every civilized nation, and the first also thai decays in an advanced state of society. Hitherto they had been entertained only with the rude drolleries of buffoons; and in the sports called Fescennini, a few debauched actors invented their own parts, while raillery and smut supplied the place of humour. To these a composition of a higher kind succeeded, denominated satire. This was a kind of dramatic poem, in which the follies of the great were made an object of derision to the vulgar. Aftef these came tragedy and comedy, both borrowed from the Greeks; and, indeed, the first dramatic poet of Rome, whose name was Livius Andronicus, was born in Greece. The instant the higher species of composition appeared, thi...