Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/115

Rh Capua, might be divided against itself, in so far as its constitution was remodeled after that of Rome, and a party of local aristocrats loyal to the Romans was thus formed. This policy of isolation and division was effectual.

Roman Government. — As the leading power of Italy, Rome claimed and exercised the exclusive right to make war, to conclude treaties, and to coin money for general circulation. It acted as an arbiter between the different communities, and protected them against foreign and domestic foes, such as the Gauls and the mutineers at Rhegium. It required, in return, contingents from the Latins and other allies, probably in the form of a fixed number of infantry, cavalry, or ships. This involved an indirect taxation, as each community equipped and paid its own contingent But Rome had the wisdom to avoid taxing its allies directly, to allow them local self-government, and to govern them with moderation. To facilitate the work of supervision and control, it instituted in the allied communities a municipal census corresponding to that of Rome, and in 267 it established four Italian quaestorships. These magistrates were primarily to improve the navy (hence called quaestores classici) and were stationed respectively at Ostia, Cales, Ariminum or Ravenna, and possibly at Lilybaeum. Their chief duties were no doubt to collect the Roman revenues and to levy troops and ships within their districts.

Central and southern Italy had become a political unity, and Rome now aimed to make it a national unity. But to Latinize so many peoples different in language, manners, and civilization was a task requiring the work of centuries. In the meantime, however, the grand political organization of Italy stood the strain of two great wars, and testified to the greatness of Roman character and statesmanship.