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 THE CI TV IN HIS TOR Y 733

world-empire she created the conditions requisite for the growth of large centers of population. The extension of political influ- ence to distant countries led to the development of an elaborate administrative system having its center in Rome. The conquered countries, instead of being reduced to a condition of complete subjection, were permitted a large measure of local self-govern- ment. Political centralization brought with it well-developed means of communication between province and capital, and a system of police protection to life and property. Thus freedom of migration was for the first time made possible and resulted in the influx of the country population into the cities. The economic opportunities offered by a city of the size of Rome, combined with the fascination of the spectacular display of court life, proved irresistible to the most energetic and capable of the inhabitants of the rural districts. The constant tension of interest and excitement which the city offered made poverty seem more desirable than comparative ease in the rural districts. The metropolis was open to every new idea and eagerly welcomed every invention and discovery. Men of science, philosophers, and poets, all sought the audience of Rome.

With all these influences at work it is not surprising that the population soon approached the million mark. Owing to the absence of a census the exact number is not known, the estimates varying from one and a half to two millions. The best authorities place it at about 800,000." There is abundant evidence that when this point was reached all the phenomena of overcrowding made their appearance. While the walls of the city embraced a com- paratively large territory and were being continually moved far- ther from the original limits, the lack of means of transportation led to the concentration of population in the central districts. Everyone wished to be near the center of social life and amuse- ment. The clientes had to be at the door of the patron early in the day and were unwilling to take the risk of a long journey from the peripheral or suburban districts. A degree of over- crowding resulted with which no modern city offers a parallel.

' Cf. Beloch, Bevblkerung der griechisch-romiuhen Welt (Leipzig: Duncker und Humblot, 1886).