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#0214
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. V.
fCk
spectives. Well indeed might foreigners con-
template such a city with astonishment, natives
behold it with pride, and the calm philosopher
feel the enthusiasm, and assume the language of
the poet, when he describes its matchless won-
ders. ° Verum” says Pliny, “ ad urbis nostrse
miracula transire conveniat .... et sic quoque
terrarum orbem victum ostendere; quod acci-
disse toties pene quot referentur miracula appa-
rebit; universitate vero acervata, etin quemdam
unum cumulum conjecta, non alia magnitude ex-
surgit, quam si mundus alius quidam in uno loco
narraretur.* ”
But I have already observed that Rome, in
every period of its existence, from its infancy
down to its modern decrepitude, has ever been
distinguished for grandeur in design, and for
magnificence in execution. Nor was this cha-
racteristic spirit confined to the public works
and edifices which I have enumerated above; it
shewed itself even in fabrics raised for such tran-
sient objects as accidental or annual amuse-
ments. Two instances deserve notice. One is
of Marcus Scaurus, who, when edile, erected a
temporary theatre, and adorned it with three
hundred and sixty marble columns, and three
xxxvi. 15.
Ch. V.
fCk
spectives. Well indeed might foreigners con-
template such a city with astonishment, natives
behold it with pride, and the calm philosopher
feel the enthusiasm, and assume the language of
the poet, when he describes its matchless won-
ders. ° Verum” says Pliny, “ ad urbis nostrse
miracula transire conveniat .... et sic quoque
terrarum orbem victum ostendere; quod acci-
disse toties pene quot referentur miracula appa-
rebit; universitate vero acervata, etin quemdam
unum cumulum conjecta, non alia magnitude ex-
surgit, quam si mundus alius quidam in uno loco
narraretur.* ”
But I have already observed that Rome, in
every period of its existence, from its infancy
down to its modern decrepitude, has ever been
distinguished for grandeur in design, and for
magnificence in execution. Nor was this cha-
racteristic spirit confined to the public works
and edifices which I have enumerated above; it
shewed itself even in fabrics raised for such tran-
sient objects as accidental or annual amuse-
ments. Two instances deserve notice. One is
of Marcus Scaurus, who, when edile, erected a
temporary theatre, and adorned it with three
hundred and sixty marble columns, and three
xxxvi. 15.