罗马帝国消亡史经典英文版 (80).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

Chapter36:TotalExtinctionOfTheWesternEmpire.

PartI.

SackOfRomeByGenseric,KingOfTheVandals.-HisNavalDepredations.-SuccessionOfTheLastEmperorsOfTheWest,Maximus,Avitus,Majorian,Severus,Anthemius,Olybrius,Glycerius,Nepos,Augustulus.-TotalExtinctionOfTheWesternEmpire.-ReignOfOdoacer,TheFirstBarbarianKingOfItaly.

Thelossordesolationoftheprovinces,fromtheOceantotheAlps,impairedthegloryandgreatnessofRome:herinternalprosperitywasirretrievablydestroyedbytheseparationofAfrica.TherapaciousVandalsconfiscatedthepatrimonialestatesofthesenators,andinterceptedtheregularsubsidies,whichrelievedthepovertyandencouragedtheidlenessoftheplebeians.ThedistressoftheRomanswassoonaggravatedbyanunexpectedattack;andtheprovince,solongcultivatedfortheirusebyindustriousandobedientsubjects,wasarmedagainstthembyanambitiousBarbarian.TheVandalsandAlani,whofollowedthesuccessfulstandardofGenseric,hadacquiredarichandfertileterritory,whichstretchedalongthecoastaboveninetydaysjourneyfromTangiertoTripoli;buttheirnarrowlimitswerepressedandconfined,oneitherside,bythesandydesertandtheMediterranean.ThediscoveryandconquestoftheBlacknations,thatmightdwellbeneaththetorridzone,couldnottempttherationalambitionofGenseric;buthecasthiseyestowardsthesea;heresolvedtocreateanavalpower,andhisboldresolutionwasexecutedwithsteadyandactiveperseverance.ThewoodsofMountAtlasaffordedaninexhaustiblenurseryoftimber:hisnewsubjectswereskilledintheartsofnavigationandship-building;heanimatedhisdaringVandalstoembraceamodeofwarfarewhichwouldrendereverymaritimecountryaccessibletotheirarms;theMoorsandAfricanswerealluredbythehopesofplunder;and,afteranintervalofsixcenturies,thefleetsthatissuedfromthe