Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/750

 734 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

Hundreds and thousands were crowded into cellar dwellings. The narrow streets, characteristic of all the ancient Italian cities, added to the difficulties of the situation. In Rome we can clearly see the relation of the standard of life of a people to the question of overcrowding. It is true that most of our modern cities con- tain districts far more densely populated than any quarter of Rome, but, owing to the low standard of life of the poorer classes and the lack of effective sanitary supervision, the result- ing conditions in Rome were far worse. Fortunately, the habits of the people led them to spend the greater portion of their time in the streets, which counteracted, in part at least, the unwhole- some effects of the conditions of habitation. This love of street life, which contrasts so strongly with the conditions in the American cities of today, led to the congestion of the thorough- fares to such a degree that Caesar found it necessary to issue a decree prohibiting the passage of wagons through the central districts during the ten hours after sunrise. The strict enforce- ment of this regulation was made imperative by the great num- ber of traders' booths that were erected along the sidewalks. Not until the time of Augustus was any systematic attempt made to regulate the building of dwelling houses. Their height was then limited to seven stories, and some elementary sanitary requirements prescribed.

It is curious, and at first sight rather surprising, that the municipality of Rome — and the same is true of all the ancient cities — while neglecting the regulation of private sanitation, gave considerable attention to everything connected with public convenience and comfort. Great public baths, a magnificent water supply and splendid public places were provided with a munificence which has not since been equaled. By such means the emperors gained the support of the masses. To make way for such public improvements whole sections of the city were torn down, thus increasing the congestion in adjacent districts.

In short, the municipal activity of Rome was directed mainly toward the development of the social amusements of the city. The regulation of individual health and welfare was largely lost sight of. In modern times the tendency seems to be in exactly