Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/292

 268 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, shown to birth as to merits To each was assigned, ' by the pubHc, a guard, and a council of an hundred persons ; and the first of the princes appears to have enjoyed a preeminence of rank and honour which some- times tempted the Romans to compHment him with the regal title '^. more abso- The comparative view of the powers of the magi- the^propertv ^trates, in two remarkable instances, is alone sufficient than over to represent the whole system of German manners. oflh^e^Ger- ^^^ disposal of the landed property within their dis- mans. trict, was absolutely vested in their hands, and they distributed it every year according to a new division*. At the same time they were not authorised to punish with death, to imprison, or even to strike, a private citizen ^ A people thus jealous of their persons, and careless of their possessions, must have been totally destitute of industry and the arts, but animated with a high sense of honour and independence. Voluntary The Germans respected only those duties which they ^"g^p" imposed on themselves. The most obscure soldier re- sisted with disdain the authority of the magistrates. " The noblest youths blushed not to be numbered among the faithful companions of some renowned chief, to whom they devoted their arms and service. A noble emulation prevailed among the companions to obtain the first place in the esteem of their chief; amongst the chiefs to acquire the greatest number of vahant companions. To be ever surrounded by a band of select youths, was the pride and strength of the chiefs, their ornament in peace, their defence in war. The glory of such distinguished heroes diffused itself be- yond the narrow limits of their own tribe. Presents and embassies solicited their friendship, and the fame of their arms often ensured victory to the party which they espoused. In the hour of danger, it was shameful for the chief to be surpassed in valour by his compan- « Caesar, vi. 22 ; Tacit. Germ. 26. ^ Tacit. Germ. 7. ments.
 * Reges ex nobilitate, duces ex virlute sumunt. Tacit. Germ. 7.
 * » Cluver. Germ. Ant. 1. i. c. 38.