The city of Rome (at first a republic, afterwards an empire) spread its rule over all of Italy, over all the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and finally over all the countries of Europe south and west of the rivers Danube and Rhine.  One of the emperors planted a colony north of the Danube near its mouth, and the descendants of these colonists are living in that same country today.  They have not forgotten their origin, for they still call themselves Romans (Roumani [Roo-mae’ni]), and talk a language greatly resembling the Latin, which was the tongue spoken by the Romans of old.  With the exception of this country, which is now Roumania, the part of Europe north and east of the Danube and Rhine was practically free from the Romans.  In this territory, roving bands wandered around, driving their cattle with them and clearing the woods of game.

[Illustration:  The Forum (public square) of Rome as it was 1600 years ago.]

In some ways, the Romans were a highly civilized people.  They had schools where their children were taught to read and write, to speak Greek, and to work problems in geometry.  They had magnificent public buildings, fine temples and palaces.  They built excellent paved roads all over the southern part of Europe, and had wonderful systems of aqueducts which supplied their cities with pure water from springs and lakes miles away.  Their dress was made of fine cloth.  They knew how to make paper, glass, and steel.

On the other hand, they were a cruel and bloodthirsty people.  Their favorite amusement was to go to shows where gladiators fought, either with each other or with wild beasts.  These gladiators were generally men from tribes which had fought against Rome.  They had been captured and brought to that city, where they were trained to use certain weapons.  Then on holidays, with all the people of Rome packed into big amphitheaters, these unfortunate captives were forced to fight with each other until one man of each pair was killed.  It occasionally happened that one gladiator might be wounded, and lie helpless on the sand, The spectators would then shout to the victorious fighter to take his knife and finish what he had begun.  In this way what would seem to us like cold-blooded murder was committed hundreds of times each year, while the fairest ladies and young girls of Rome sat and watched with eager interest.  Thus, although the Romans had all the outward appearance of being civilized, they were savages at heart, and had no sympathy for any people who were not of their own race.

[Illustration:  The Last Combat of the Gladiators]

In the early days, the Romans prided themselves on their honor.  They scorned a lie and looked down on anyone who would cheat or deceive.  They lived hardy lives and would not allow themselves luxuries.  They rather despised the Greeks, because the latter surrounded themselves with comforts in life.  The early Romans were fighters by nature.  They had a certain god named Janus (our month January is named after him) and his temple was open only when they were engaged in war.  It is a matter of history that during the twelve hundred years from the first building of Rome to the end of the Roman Empire, the temple of Janus was closed on but three occasions and then only for a short time.