The Story of the Romans

Hélène Adeline Guerber

American Book Company, 1896 - Education - 288 pages

From the earliest hill tribes to the cultural peak of the Pax Romana, and finally to the Western Empire's chaotic decline - H. A. Guerber's history of Rome is superb for young readers.

The legends that accompanied the founding of the Roman Republic were part of the popular consciousness; the twin boys Romulus and Remus, raised by a wolf, going on to found Rome. First ruled by kings, Rome transitioned to a republic, with a ruling Senate and offices. The author mixes legend with the known facts of the era; that Italy was divided into tribes such as the Etruscans and the Latins. The feuds between these groups were gradually consigned to the past, as all of Italy united under a single, Roman culture.

Yet there were threats to the young nation; to the South, across the Meditteranean Sea, was the prosperous Carthage. To the north were the Gallic tribes. Overcoming these established Rome as the strongest power of Europe. However, political infighting led to the end of the Republic's government: beginning with Augustus, Rome was an Empire - with very much political power concentrated in the hands of the Emperor.

In this illustrated and well-written history, H. A. Guerber successfully summarizes the feats and accomplishments of classical Rome.

Contents

• MAPS 9: 9
• The First Settlers II: 11
• The Escape from the Burning City: 14
• The Clever Trick: 17
• The Boards are Eaten: 20
• The Wolf and the Twins: 22
• Romulus builds Rome: 25
• The Maidens Carried off: 28
• Union of Sabines and Romans: 31
• Death of Romulus: 32
• The Strange Signs of the Romans: 34
• The Quarrel with Alba: 37
• The Fight between the Horatii and the Curiatii: 39
• Tarquin and the Eagle: 42
• The Roman Youths: 45
• The King Outwitted: 47
• The Murder of Tarquin: 50
• The Ungrateful Children: 51
• The Mysterious Books: 54
• Tarquins Poppies: 58
• The Oracle of Delphi: 60
• The Death of Lucretia: 62
• The Stern Father: 66
• A Roman Triumph: 69
• XXXIX: 71
• The Twin Gods: 78
• The Farmer Hero: 91
• The Death of Virginia: 97
• The Invasion of the Gauls: 104
• The Proscription Lists: 162
• Sertorius and his Doe: 165
• The Revolt of the Slaves: 167
• Pompeys Conquests: 170
• The Conspiracy of Catiline: 172
• Cæsars Conquests: 176
• The Crossing of the Rubicon: 179
• The Battle of Pharsalia: 181
• The Death of Cæsar: 184
• The Second Triumvirate: 188
• The Vision of Brutus: 189
• Antony and Cleopatra: 192
• The Poisonous Snake: 195
• The Augustan Age: 197
• Death of Augustus: 201
• Varus Avenged: 203
• Death of Germanicus 0: 206
• Tiberius Smothered: 208
• The Wild Caligula: 211
• The Wicked Wives of Claudius: 215
• Neros First Crimes: 218
• The Christians Persecuted: 221
• Neros Cruelty: 225
• Two Short Reigns: 227
• The Siege of Jerusalem: 228
• The Buried Cities: 231
• The Terrible Banquet: 235
• The Emperors Tablets: 237
• The Good Trajan: 239
• Trajans Column: 240
• The Great Wall: 243
• Hadrians Death: 244
• Antoninus Pius: 246

Popular passages

Page 250 - To the gods I am indebted for having good grandfathers, good parents, a good sister, good teachers, good associates, good kinsmen and friends, — nearly everything good.

Page 36 - See a pin and pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck,

Page 166 - I am Sulla the Fortunate, who, in the course of my life, have surpassed both friends and enemies; the former by the good, the latter by the evil, I have done them.

Page 122 - It would be as easy to turn the sun from its course, as thee from the path of honor,

Page 171 - Crassus has overcome the gladiators in a pitched battle, but I have plucked up the war by the roots!

Page 179 - sate thyself now with that metal of which in life thou wert so greedy.

Page 170 - found himself at the head of an army of more than a hundred thousand men.

Page 192 - although he was so ill at the time that he had to be carried in a litter.

Page 193 - Brutus, I am thy evil genius; thou shalt see me again at Phi-lip'pi!

Page 250 - would rather save the life of one citizen, than put to death a thousand enemies.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Story of the Romans; Eclectic school readings; Guerber's historical readers; No Series Linked
• Author: Hélène Adeline Guerber
• Publisher: American Book Company, 1896
• ISBN: 1789873614, 9781789873610
• Length: 288 pages
• Subjects: Education / History; History / Ancient / Rome