HKB
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Often appears with: tyranny and despotism · three-day deadline · temperance vs debauchery · temperance and self-mastery · taxation, tribute, and revenue · sulla’s moral legislation · slavery and bondage · selling privileges · royal decree for jewish redemption · public finance and debt · odoacer and roman society · maxentius tyrannical rule
Usually: argument (2) · law or decree (1) · reflection (1) · captivity (1) · injustice endured (1) · the fall of the great (1) · censure (1) · detachment (1) · indignation (1) · praise (1)
“What a strange and unjust thing is this, O citizens, that I cannot dispose of my own booty as I please!” Plutarch, Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans · wit
“For I look upon it as an easy task, or rather sport, to beat Antiochus, Alcibiades's pilot, or to circumvent Philocles, the Athenian demagogue” Plutarch, Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans · observation
“The disgrace of the Romans still excites our respectful compassion, and we fondly sympathize with the imaginary grief and indignation of their degenerate posterity.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · observation
“And let every one that will inform against those that do not obey this decree, and I will that their estates be confiscated into the king's treasury.” Josephus, Flavius, Antiquities of the Jews · insight
The comparison continues by contrasting their temperance and use of wealth: Lysander is said to remain disciplined, while Sulla is portrayed as licentious and financially draining Rome through confiscations and sales of privileges.
Lions at home, but foxes out of doors; and ever maintained a sober, truly Spartan, and well disciplined course of conduct. Whereas Sylla could never moderate his unruly affections, either by poverty when young, or by years when grown old, but would be still prescribing laws to the citizens concerning chastity and sobriety, himself living all that time, as Sallust affirms, in lewdness and adultery. By these ways he…
Contrasting Constantine’s relative restraint in Gaul with Maxentius’ cruelty in Italy and Africa, Gibbon describes Maxentius’ repression, confiscations, exploitation of senators, and harsh treatment of enemies.
apologetic tone. Te vero Constantine, quantumlibet oderint hoses, dum perhorrescant. Hæc est enim vera virtus, ut non ament et quiescant. The orator appeals to the ancient ideal of the republic.—M.] The virtues of Constantine were rendered more illustrious by the vices of Maxentius. Whilst the Gallic provinces enjoyed as much happiness as the condition of the times was capable of receiving, Italy a…
Gibbon argues that Odoacer’s rule could not reverse Italy’s long decline: agriculture decayed, harvests were disrupted, war/famine/pestilence reduced population, and property was confiscated for new barbarian conquerors.
51) and Tillemont, (Mem. Eccles. tom. xvi. p. 178-181,) from the original life by Eugippius. The narrative of the last migration of Severinus to Naples is likewise an authentic piece.] Odoacer was the first Barbarian who reigned in Italy, over a people who had once asserted their just superiority above the rest of mankind. The disgrace of the Romans still excites our respectful compassion, and we f…
Ptolemy agrees to redeem Jewish slaves at 120 drachmas each, issues a decree protecting captives from deceit, and allows them to claim names within three days; the king funds redemption from his treasury and confiscates disobedient estates.
workmanship of God; and I am sensible that he is well-pleased with those that do good. I do therefore put up this petition to thee, to do good to them." 3. When Aristeus was saying thus, the king looked upon him with a cheerful and joyful countenance, and said, "How many ten thousands dost thou suppose there are of such as want to be made free?" To which Andreas replied, as he stood by, and said, "A few more than te…