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#0172
162
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. V.
Deep interred under the accumulated deposit of
fifteen centuries, it now serves for the foundation
of another city, which, though the fairest in the
world, shines only with a few faintly reflected
rays of its tarnished glory. . If then the magnifi-
cence of modern Rome be an object of admira-
tion and wonder, what must have been the ma-
jesty of the ancient city ? Greater probably than
the imagination of moderns, little accustomed to
works of unusual beauty or magnitude, can con-
ceive, and capable of astonishing, not strangers
only, but even the Greeks themselves, though
the. latter were habituated to architectural scene-
ry, and almost educated in the midst of temples
and colonnades.
Constantins, a cold and unfeeling prince, who
had visited all the cities of Greece and Asia,
and was familiar with the superb exhibitions of
Ephesus, Magnesia, and Athens, was struck
dumb with admiration as he proceeded in tri-
umphal pomp through the streets but when he
entered the forum of Trajan, and beheld all the
wonders of that matchless structure, he felt for
once a momentary enthusiasm, and burst into
exclamations of surprise and astonishment.*
* The Emperor is said to have fixed his attention on the
equestrian statue of Trajan, that stood before the Basilica,
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. V.
Deep interred under the accumulated deposit of
fifteen centuries, it now serves for the foundation
of another city, which, though the fairest in the
world, shines only with a few faintly reflected
rays of its tarnished glory. . If then the magnifi-
cence of modern Rome be an object of admira-
tion and wonder, what must have been the ma-
jesty of the ancient city ? Greater probably than
the imagination of moderns, little accustomed to
works of unusual beauty or magnitude, can con-
ceive, and capable of astonishing, not strangers
only, but even the Greeks themselves, though
the. latter were habituated to architectural scene-
ry, and almost educated in the midst of temples
and colonnades.
Constantins, a cold and unfeeling prince, who
had visited all the cities of Greece and Asia,
and was familiar with the superb exhibitions of
Ephesus, Magnesia, and Athens, was struck
dumb with admiration as he proceeded in tri-
umphal pomp through the streets but when he
entered the forum of Trajan, and beheld all the
wonders of that matchless structure, he felt for
once a momentary enthusiasm, and burst into
exclamations of surprise and astonishment.*
* The Emperor is said to have fixed his attention on the
equestrian statue of Trajan, that stood before the Basilica,