DOI chapter:
Chap. V: Magnificence of Ancient Rome - its Cloacæ - Aqueducts - Viæ - Forums - Temples - Thermæ - Theatres - Instances of private Magnificence - Greatness, the Characteristic of Roman Taste at all times
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62268#0169
Ch. V.
THROUGH ITALY.
159
of a much more satisfactory nature. Independ-
ently of the arts and the sciences, that seem to
expand all their treasures, and to court our ob-
servation at every step ; he who delights to range
in thought over the past, and to converse with
the great of ancient times, will here find an in-
exhaustible fund of occupation in every street,
and the memory of some noble achievement or
illustrious person meeting him at every turn.
“ Id quidem infinitum est in hac urbe,” says
Cicero, speaking of Athens, “ quacumque eiftm
ingredimur, in aliquam historiam vestigium po-
nimus,” * an observation far more applicable to
Rome, because it is a grander theatre, more fer-
tile in events, and more productive of heroes.
To these recollections, which spring from the
very soil itself, and are inseparably attached to
its localities, we must superadd the antique sta-
tues that fill the cabinets both public and private,
and place the worthies of ancient times before
us in all the dignity of dress and attitude. The
Capitol, in fact, was never so crowded with he-
roes and senators, with consuls and dictators, as
it is at present; never were so many kings as-
sembled in its halls, and never was it visited by
De Fin. lib. v. 2.
THROUGH ITALY.
159
of a much more satisfactory nature. Independ-
ently of the arts and the sciences, that seem to
expand all their treasures, and to court our ob-
servation at every step ; he who delights to range
in thought over the past, and to converse with
the great of ancient times, will here find an in-
exhaustible fund of occupation in every street,
and the memory of some noble achievement or
illustrious person meeting him at every turn.
“ Id quidem infinitum est in hac urbe,” says
Cicero, speaking of Athens, “ quacumque eiftm
ingredimur, in aliquam historiam vestigium po-
nimus,” * an observation far more applicable to
Rome, because it is a grander theatre, more fer-
tile in events, and more productive of heroes.
To these recollections, which spring from the
very soil itself, and are inseparably attached to
its localities, we must superadd the antique sta-
tues that fill the cabinets both public and private,
and place the worthies of ancient times before
us in all the dignity of dress and attitude. The
Capitol, in fact, was never so crowded with he-
roes and senators, with consuls and dictators, as
it is at present; never were so many kings as-
sembled in its halls, and never was it visited by
De Fin. lib. v. 2.