第 4 节
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一米八 更新:2024-05-15 20:30 字数:9321
but afterwards; more being added; Patres Conscripti。 By this more
imposing title he distinguished the senate from the populace; and in
other ways separated the nobles and the commons; calling them patrons;
and these their clients; by which means he created wonderful love
and amity betwixt them; productive of great justice in their dealings。
For they were always their clients' counsellors in law cases; their
advocates in courts of justice; in fine; their advisers and supporters
in all affairs whatever。 These again faithfully served their
patrons; not only paying them all respect and deference; but also;
in case of poverty; helping them to portion their daughters and pay
off their debts; and for a patron to witness against his client; or
a client against his patron; was what no law nor magistrate could
enforce。 In aftertimes; all other duties subsisting still between
them; it was thought mean and dishonourable for the better sort to
take money from their inferiors。 And so much of these matters。
In the fourth month; after the city was built; as Fabius writes; the
adventure of stealing the women was attempted and some say Romulus
himself; being naturally a martial man; and predisposed too; perhaps
by certain oracles; to believe the fates had ordained the future
growth and greatness of Rome should depend upon the benefit of war;
upon these accounts first offered violence to the Sabines; since he
took away only thirty virgins; more to give an occasion of war than
out of any want of women。 But this is not very probable; it would seem
rather that; observing his city to be filled by a confluence of
foreigners; a few of whom had wives; and that the multitude in
general; consisting of a mixture of mean and obscure men; fell under
contempt; and seemed to be of no long continuance together; and hoping
farther; after the women were appeased; to make this injury in some
measure an occasion of confederacy and mutual commerce with the
Sabines; he took in hand this exploit after this manner。 First; he
gave it out as if he had found an altar of a certain god hid under
ground; the god they called Consus; either the god of counsel (for
they still call a consultation consilium; and their chief
magistrates consules; namely; counsellors); or else the equestrian
Neptune; for the altar is kept covered in the Circus Maximus at all
other times; and only at horse…races is exposed to public view; others
merely say that this god had his altar hid under ground because
counsel ought to be secret and concealed。 Upon discovery of this
altar; Romulus; by proclamation; appointed a day for a splendid
sacrifice; and for public games and shows; to entertain all sorts of
people: many flocked thither; and he himself sat in front; amidst
his nobles clad in purple。 Now the signal for their falling on was
to be whenever he rose and gathered up his robe and threw it over
his body; his men stood all ready armed; with their eyes intent upon
him; and when the sign was given; drawing their swords and falling
on with a great shout they ravished away the daughters of the Sabines;
they themselves flying without any let or hindrance。 They say there
were but thirty taken; and from them the Curiae or Fraternities were
named; but Valerius Antias says five hundred and twenty…seven; Juba;
six hundred and eighty…three virgins: which was indeed the greatest
excuse Romulus could allege; namely; that they had taken no married
woman; save one only; Hersilia by name; and her too unknowingly; which
showed that they did not commit this rape wantonly; but with a
design purely of forming alliance with their neighbours by the
greatest and surest bonds。 This Hersilia some say Hostilius married; a
most eminent man among the Romans; others; Romulus himself; and that
she bore two children to him;… a daughter; by reason of
primogeniture called Prima; and one only son; whom; from the great
concourse of citizens to him at that time; he called Aollius; but
after ages Abillius。 But Zenodotus the Troezenian; in giving this
account; is contradicted by many。
Among those who committed this rape upon the virgins; there were;
they say; as it so then happened; some of the meaner sort of men;
who were carrying off a damsel; excelling all in beauty and comeliness
and stature; whom when some of superior rank that met them;
attempted to take away; they cried out they were carrying her to
Talasius; a young man; indeed; but brave and worthy; hearing that;
they commended and applauded them loudly; and also some; turning back;
accompanied them with good…will and pleasure; shouting out the name of
Talasus。 Hence the Romans to this very time; at their weddings; sing
Talasius for their nuptial word; as the Greeks do Hymenaeus; because
they say Talasius was very happy in his marriage。 But Sextius Sylla
the Carthaginian; a man wanting neither learning nor ingenuity; told
me Romulus gave this word as a sign when to begin the onset;
everybody; therefore; who made prize of a maiden; cried out; Talasius;
and for that reason the custom continues so now at marriages。 But most
are of opinion (of whom Juba particularly is one) that this word was
used to new…married women by way of incitement to good housewifery and
talasia (spinning); as we say in Greek; Greek words at that time not
being as yet overpowered by Italian。 But if this be the case; and if
the Romans did at the time use the word talasia as we do; a man
might fancy a more probable reason of the custom。 For when the
Sabines; after the war against the Romans were reconciled;
conditions were made concerning their women; that they should be
obliged to do no other servile offices to their husbands but what
concerned spinning; it was customary; therefore; ever after; at
weddings; for those that gave the bride or escorted her or otherwise
were present; sportingly to say Talasius; intimating that she was
henceforth to serve in spinning and no more。 It continues also a
custom at this very day for the bride not of herself to pass her
husband's threshold; but to be lifted over; in memory that the
Sabine virgins were carried in by violence; and did not go in of their
own will。 Some say; too; the custom of parting the bride's hair with
the head of a spear was in token their marriages began at first by war
and acts of hostility; of which I have spoken more fully in my book of
Questions。
This rape was committed on the eighteenth day of the month Sextilis;
now called August; on which the solemnities of the Consualia are kept。
The Sabines were a numerous and martial people; but lived in
small; unfortified villages; as it befitted; they thought; a colony of
the Lacedaemonians to be bold and fearless; nevertheless; seeing
themselves bound by such hostages to their good behaviour; and being
solicitous for their daughters; they sent ambassadors to Romulus
with fair and equitable requests; that he would return their young
women and recall that act of violence; and afterwards; by persuasion
and lawful means; seek friendly correspondence between both nations。
Romulus would not part with the young women; yet proposed to the
Sabines to enter into an alliance with them; upon which point some
consulted and demurred long; but Acron; king of the Ceninenses; a
man of high spirit and a good warrior; who had all along a jealousy of
Romulus's bold attempts; and considering particularly; from this
exploit upon the women; that he was growing formidable to all
people; and indeed insufferable; were he not chastised; first rose
up in arms; and with a powerful army advanced against him。 Romulus
likewise prepared to receive him; but when they came within sight
and viewed each other; they made a challenge to fight a single duel;
the armies standing by under arms; without participation。 And Romulus;
making a vow to Jupiter; if he should conquer; to carry himself; and
dedicate his adversary's armour to his honour; overcame him in combat;
and a battle ensuing; routed his army also; and then took his city;
but did those he found in it no injury; only commanded them to
demolish the place and attend him to Rome; there to be admitted to all
the privileges of citizens。 And indeed there was nothing did more
advance the greatness of Rome; than that she did always unite and
incorporate those whom she conquered into herself。 Romulus; that he
might perform his vow in the most acceptable manner to Jupiter; and
withal make the pomp of it delightful to the eye of the city; cut down
a tall oak which he saw growing in the camp; which he trimmed to the
shape of a trophy; and fastened on it Acron's whole suit of armour
disposed in proper form; then he himself; girding his clothes about
him; and crowning his head with a laurel garland; his hair
gracefully flowing; carried the trophy resting erect upon his right
shoulder; and so marched on; singing songs of triumph; and his whole
army following after; the citizens all receiving him with acclamations
of joy and wonder。 The procession of this day was the origin and model
of all after triumphs。 This trophy was styled an offering to Jupiter
Feretrius; from ferire; which in Latin is to smite; for Romulus prayed
he might smite and overthrow his enemy; and the