第 4 节
作者: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