罗马帝国消亡史经典英文版 (10).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

Chapter06:DeathOfSeverus,TyrannyOfCaracalla,UsurpationOfMarcinus.

Part1.TheDeathOfSeverus.-TyrannyOfCaracalla.-UsurpationOfMacrinus.-FolliesOfElagabalus.-VirtuesOfAlexanderSeverus.-LicentiousnessOfTheArmy.-GeneralStateOfTheRomanFinances.

Theascenttogreatness,howeversteepanddangerous,mayentertainanactivespiritwiththeconsciousnessandexerciseofitsownpowers:butthepossessionofathronecouldneveryetaffordalastingsatisfactiontoanambitiousmind.ThismelancholytruthwasfeltandacknowledgedbySeverus.Fortuneandmerithad,fromanhumblestation,elevatedhimtothefirstplaceamongmankind.Hehadbeenallthings,ashesaidhimself,andallwasoflittlevalue^1Distractedwiththecare,notofacquiring,butofpreservinganempire,oppressedwithageandinfirmities,carelessoffame,^2andsatiatedwithpower,allhisprospectsoflifewereclosed.Thedesireofperpetuatingthegreatnessofhisfamilywastheonlyremainingwishofhisambitionandpaternaltenderness.

[Footnote1:Hist.August.p.71.Omniafui,etnihilexpedit.]

[Footnote2:DionCassius,l.lxxvi.p.1284.]

LikemostoftheAfricans,Severuswaspassionatelyaddictedtothevainstudiesofmagicanddivination,deeplyversedintheinterpretationofdreamsandomens,andperfectlyacquaintedwiththescienceofjudicialastrology;which,inalmosteveryageexceptthepresent,hasmaintaineditsdominionoverthemindofman.Hehadlosthisfirstwife,whilehewasgovernoroftheLionneseGaul.^3Inthechoiceofasecond,hesoughtonlytoconnecthimselfwithsomefavoriteoffortune;andassoonashehaddiscoveredthattheyoungladyofEmesainSyriahadaroyalnativity,hesolicitedandobtainedherhand.^4JuliaDomna(forthatwashername)deservedallthatthestarscouldpromiseher.Shepossessed,eveninadvancedage,theattractionsofbeauty,^5andunite