OF THE ROMANS UNDER THE EMPERORS. BY DAWSON MASSY, M.A., Rector of Killeshin and Author of The Secret History of Romanism,' LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS & CO., 33, PATERNOSTER-ROW; DUBLIN; HERBERT, 117, GRAFTON-STREET. 1863. (The Author reserves the Right of Translation.) ROME thrice Sacked by the Goths-Hono- rius and his Chickens-Chrysostom- Augustine Nestorius Mariolatry- The Authentic Portrait-Patrick-The Gothic Warrior's Grave-Genseric the Vandal-Sacks Rome-Leo I. founds the Confessional - He Crushes the French Church-Attila the Hun-His Self-offered Bride-His Submission to THE Last Emperor of Rome-The Com- pletion of its Twelfth Century-Degene- racy of the Nobles-Mendicity of the Populace-Resignation of Empire-New Objects of Ambition and Avarice- Spiritual Sway-Monachism Developed -Scandalous Valour - First King of BENEDICT remodels Monachism - Grè- gory I., the Last Bishop of Rome - Strange Expositor He Discovers the New Palladium of Rome-Relic-Wor- ship-Story of St. Viarius-Gregory's Amulets The Cunning Smith -The Dry Blow-Gregory Denounces the Title of all the Popes as a Mark of Anti- Christ His Chant-Purgatory - The Mass-His Aunt's Woful Fall-Clovis and His Franks-Test of a True Ser- BONIFACE III., the First Pope-He As- sumes the Name of Blasphemy-Boni- face IV. follows out the Pagan Idea in Idolatry The Arabian Avenger Ma- hommed-The Emperor Leo's Crusade against Images-Popes Gregory II. and III, rebel to save their Images-Charles Martel Invited to Rome-Pope Stephen forges a Letter from St. Peter-He ob- tains King Pepin's Aid and his Dona- tion of the Sovereignty of Rome -Char- lemagne confirms the Donation-His Fatal Policy-Archbishop Whately on CHAPTER I. Thou art in Rome! the city that so long Reigned absolute, the mistress of the world; Grew into everything.'-ROGERS. AUGUSTUS, THE FIRST EMPEROR. OUR SAVIOUR's advent dates from about the middle of the reign of Augustus; and fitly did the famous peace which then hushed the civil wars of the Roman world in a repose so calm, passive, and almost deathlike, precede the coming of the Prince of Peace, to make that peace spiritual, universal, and eternal. Founded by a small band of marauders, for security's sake, upon the wild and solitary Palatine Hill, Rome had now swelled from a "den of the wolves of Italy' into a seven-hilled city, the emporium of the world, furnished with every luxury, and many of her chief necessities from foreign cities, which on every coast and in every clime vied with intense rivalry in ministering to her insatiable appetite. Every summer her glittering sea was alive with vessels; and as each successive fleet neared the harbour of Ostia or Puteoli, the well-known topsails were descried above the horizon by the watchmen of Rome, a deputation of senators went forth B |