Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/315

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 297 of gold. This treasure was immediately melted down CHAP, by the prudent dictator, who was satisfied that it would ' be more serviceable to his soldiers than to the gods: his example was imitated by his successors; and the custom was introduced, of exchanging these splendid ornaments for the more acceptable present of the cur- rent gold coin of the empire s. The spontaneous offer- ing was at length exacted as the debt of duty ; and instead of being confined to the occasion of a triumph, it was supposed to be granted by the several cities and provinces of the monarchy, as often as the emperor condescended to announce his accession, his consul- ship, the birth of a son, the creation of a Cassar, a vic- tory over the barbarians, or any other real or imagin- ary event which graced the annals of his reign. The peculiar free gift of the senate of Rome was fixed by custom at sixteen hundred pounds of gold, or about sixty-four thousand pounds sterling. The oppi-essed subjects celebrated their own felicity, that their sove- reign should graciously consent to accept this feeble but voluntary testimony of their loyalty and gratitude *". A people elated by pride, or soured by discontent. Conclusion. is seldom qualified to form a just estimate of their ac- tual situation. The subjects of Constantino were inca- pable of discerning the decline of genius and manly virtue, which so far degraded them below the dignity of their ancestors ; but they could feel and lament the rage of tyranny, the relaxation of discipline, and the increase of taxes. The impartial historian, who ac- knowledges the justice of their complaints, will observe some favourable circumstances which tended to alle- viate the misery of their condition. The threatening tempest of barbarians, which so soon subverted the foundations of Roman greatness, was still repelled, or P See Lipsius de ]Magnitud. Romana, 1. ii. c. 9. The Tarrogonese Spain presented the emperor Claudius with a crown of gold of seven, and Gaul with another of nine hundred pounds' weight. I have followed the rational emendation of Lipsius. '• Cod.Theod. 1. xii. tit. xiii. The senators were supposed to be exempt from the aiirum coronariiim ; but the aiiri ohlatio, which was required at their hands, was precisely of the same nature.