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appealing to the universal law of nations。 The sight only increased the
insolence of the Tarentines。 They clapped their hands； and set up a shout
of laughter which shook the theatre。 ‘‘Men of Tarentum；'' said Posthumius；
‘‘it will take not a little blood to wash this gown。''
Rome； in consequence of this insult； declared war against the
Tarentines。 The Tarentines sought for allies beyond the Ionian Sea。
Phyrrhus； king of Epirus； came to their help with a large army； and； for the
first time； the two great nations of antiquity were fairly matched against
each other。
The fame of Greece in arms； as well as in arts； was then at the height。
Half a century earlier； the career of Alexander had excited the admiration
and terror of all nations from the Ganges to the Pillars of Hercules。 Royal
houses； founded by Macedonian captains； still reigned at Antioch and
Alexandria。 That barbarian warriors； led by barbarian chiefs； should win a
pitched battle against Greek valor guided by Greek science； seemed as
incredible as it would now seem that the Burmese or the Siamese should；
in the open plain； put to flight an equal number of the best English troops。
The Tarentines were convinced that their countrymen were irresistible in
war； and this conviction had emboldened them to treat with the grossest
indignity one whom they regarded as the representative of an inferior race。
Of the Greek generals then living Pyrrhus was indisputably the first。
Among the troops who were trained in the Greek discipline his Epirotes
ranked high。 His expedition to Italy was a turning…point in the history of
the world。 He found there a people who； far inferior to the Athenians and
Corinthians in the fine arts； in the speculative sciences； and in all the
refinements of life； were the best soldiers on the face of the earth。 Their
arms； their gradations of rank； their order of battle； their method of
intrenchment； were all of Latin origin； and had all been gradually brought
near to perfection； not by the study of foreign models； but by the genius
and experience of many generations of great native commanders。 The first
words which broke from the king； when his practised eye had surveyed the
Roman encampment； were full of meaning： ‘‘These barbarians；'' he said；
‘‘have nothing barbarous in their military arrangements。'' He was at first
victorious； for his own talents were superior to those of the captains who
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were opposed to him； and the Romans were not prepared for the onset of
the elephants of the East； which were then for the first time seen in Italy
moving mountains； with long snakes for hands。 But the victories of the
Epirotes were fiercely disputed； dearly purchased； and altogether
unprofitable。 At length； Manius Curius Dentatus； who had in his first
Consulship won two triumphs； was again placed at the head of the Roman
Commonwealth； and sent to conquer the invaders。 A great battle was
fought near Beneventum。 Pyrrhus was completely defeated。 He repassed
the sea； and the world learned； with amazement； that a people had been
discovered who； in fair fighting； were superior to the best troops that had
been drilled on the system of Parmenio and Antigonus。
The conquerors had a good right to exult in their success； for their
glory was all their own。 They had not learned from their enemy how to
conquer him。 It was with their own national arms； and in their own
national battle array； that they had overcome weapons and tactics long
believed to be invincible。 The pilum and the broadsword had vanquished
the Macedonian spear。 The legion had broken the Macedonian phalanx。
Even the elephants； when the surprise produced by their first appearance
was over； could cause no disorder in the steady yet flexible battalions of
Rome。 It is said by Florus； and may easily be believed； that the triumph
far surpassed in magnificence any that Rome had previously seen。 The
only spoils which Papirius Cursor and Fabius Maximus could exhibit were
flocks and herds； wagons of rude structure； and heaps of spears and
helmets。 But now； for the first time； the riches of Asia and the arts of
Greece adorned a Roman pageant。 Plate； fine stuffs； costly furniture； rare
animals； exquisite paintings and sculptures； formed part of the procession。
At the banquet would be assembled a crowd of warriors and statesmen；
among whom Manius Curius Dentatus would take the highest room。 Caius
Fabricius Luscinus； then； after two Consulships and two triumphs； Censor
of the Commonwealth； would doubtless occupy a place of honor at the
board。 In situations less conspicuous probably lay some of those who were；
a few years later； the terror of Carthage： Caius Duilius； the founder of the
maritime greatness of his country； Marcus Atilius Regulus； who owed to
defeat a renown far higher than that which he had derived from his
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victories； and Caius Lutatius Catalus； who； while suffering from a
grievous wound； fought the great battle of the 芶 tes； and brought the First
Punic War to a triumphant close。 It is impossible to recount the names of
these eminent citizens； without reflecting that they were； without
exception； Plebeians； and would； but for the ever memorable struggle
maintained by Caius Licinius and Lucius Sextius； have been doomed to
hide in obscurity； or to waste in civil broils； the capacity and energy which
prevailed against Pyrrhus and Hamilcar。
On such a day we may suppose that the patriotic enthusiasm of a Latin
poet would vent itself in reiterated shouts of ‘‘Io triumphe；'' such as were
uttered by Horace on a far less exciting occasion； and in boasts resembling
those which Virgil put into the mouth of Anchises。 The superiority of some
foreign nations； and especially of the Greeks； in the lazy arts of peace；
would be admitted with disdainful candor； but pre 雖 inence in all the
qualities which fit a people to subdue and govern mankind would be
claimed for the Romans。
The following lay