罗马帝国消亡史经典英文版 (12).docxVIP

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经典英文巨著、宝贵学习参考资料

经典英文巨著、宝贵学习参考资料

Chapter07:TyrannyOfMaximin,Rebellion,CivilWars,DeathOfMaximin.

Part1.TheElevationAndTyrannyOfMaximin.-RebellionInAfricaAndItaly,UnderTheAuthorityOfTheSenate.-CivilWarsAndSeditions.-ViolentDeathsOfMaximinAndHisSon,OfMaximusAndBalbinus,AndOfTheThreeGordians.-UsurpationAndSecularGamesOfPhilip.

Ofthevariousformsofgovernmentwhichhaveprevailedintheworld,anhereditarymonarchyseemstopresentthefairestscopeforridicule.Isitpossibletorelatewithoutanindignantsmile,that,onthefathersdecease,thepropertyofanation,likethatofadroveofoxen,descendstohisinfantson,asyetunknowntomankindandtohimself;andthatthebravestwarriorsandthewiseststatesmen,relinquishingtheirnaturalrighttoempire,approachtheroyalcradlewithbendedkneesandprotestationsofinviolablefidelity?Satireanddeclamationmaypainttheseobvioustopicsinthemostdazzlingcolors,butourmoreseriousthoughtswillrespectausefulprejudice,thatestablishesaruleofsuccession,independentofthepassionsofmankind;andweshallcheerfullyacquiesceinanyexpedientwhichdeprivesthemultitudeofthedangerous,andindeedtheideal,powerofgivingthemselvesamaster.

Inthecoolshadeofretirement,wemayeasilydeviseimaginaryformsofgovernment,inwhichthesceptreshallbeconstantlybestowedonthemostworthy,bythefreeandincorruptsuffrageofthewholecommunity.Experienceoverturnstheseairyfabrics,andteachesus,thatinalargesociety,theelectionofamonarchcanneverdevolvetothewisest,ortothemostnumerouspartofthepeople.Thearmyistheonlyorderofmensufficientlyunitedtoconcurinthesamesentiments,andpowerfulenoughtoimposethemontherestoftheirfellow-citizens;butthetemperofsoldiers,habituatedatoncetoviolenceandtoslavery,rendersthemveryunfitguardiansofalegal,orevenac