Beacon Lights of History, Volume 03 eBook

John Lord
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 284 pages of information about Beacon Lights of History, Volume 03.

Beacon Lights of History, Volume 03 eBook

John Lord
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 284 pages of information about Beacon Lights of History, Volume 03.
commanded,—­and he was attended by vassal kings from the East.  The forces of Octavius were not so large, though better disciplined; nor was he a match for Antony in military experience.  Antony with his superior forces wished to fight upon the land, but against his better judgment was overruled by Cleopatra, who, having reinforced him with sixty galleys, urged him to contend upon the sea.  The rivals met at Actium, where was fought one of the great decisive battles of the world.  For a while the fortunes of the day were doubtful, when Cleopatra, from some unexplained motive, or from panic, or possibly from a calculating policy, was seen sailing away with her ships for Egypt.  And what was still more extraordinary, Antony abandoned his fleet and followed her.  Had he been defeated on the sea, he still had superior forces on the land, and was a match for Octavius.  His infatuation ended in a weakness difficult to comprehend in a successful Roman general.  And never was infatuation followed by more tragic consequences.  Was this madness sent upon him by that awful Power who controls the fate of war and the destinies of nations?  Who sent madness upon Nebuchadnezzar?  Who blinded Napoleon at the very summit of his greatness?  May not that memorable defeat have been ordered by Providence to give consolidation and peace and prosperity to the Roman Empire, so long groaning under the complicated miseries of anarchy and civil war?  If an imperial government was necessary for the existing political and social condition of the Roman world,—­and this is maintained by most historians,—­how fortunate it was that the empire fell into the hands of a man whose subsequent policy was peace, the development of resources of nations, and a vigorous administration of government!

It is generally conceded that the reign of Octavius—­or, as he is more generally known, Augustus Caesar—­was able, enlightened, and efficient.  He laid down the policy which succeeding emperors pursued, and which resulted in the peace and prosperity of the Roman world until vices prepared the way for violence.  Augustus was a great organizer, and the machinery of government which he and his ministers perfected kept the empire together until it was overrun by the New Germanic races.  Had Antony conquered at Actium, the destinies of the empire might have been far different.  But for two hundred years the world never saw a more efficient central power than that exercised by the Roman emperors or by their ministers.  Imperialism at last proved fatal to genius and the higher interests of mankind; but imperialism was the creation of Julius Caesar, as a real or supposed necessity; it was efficiently and beneficently continued by his grand-nephew Augustus; and its consolidated strength became an established institution which the civilized world quietly accepted.

The battle of Actium virtually settled the civil war and the fortunes of Antony, although he afterwards fought bravely and energetically; but all to no purpose.  And then, at last, his eyes were opened, and Shakspeare makes him bitterly exclaim,—­

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Beacon Lights of History, Volume 03 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.