Literature.
Out of the great mass of material on this subject mention might be made of the following: Seignobos, Europe since 1814, Chaps. XI and XXVII (one of the best accounts); Judson, Europe in the Nineteenth Century, Part II, Chap. X, and Part III, Chap. XIV (clear and interesting); Phillips, Modern Europe, Chap. XV; Cesaresco, Liberation of Italy; Cesaresco, Cavour; and Stillman, Union of Italy, 1815-1895. The two authors last mentioned represent somewhat different points of view. The Countess Cesaresco waxes eloquent as she unfolds her story. Stillman is inclined to take a less roseate view of the manner and means whereby Italy won her place among the nations. Marriott, “Makers of Modern Italy,” will also be found very helpful and suggestive. The list might be increased materially, but the books which have been cited will not only be found helpful, but may readily be secured from most libraries.
Ancient History in the Secondary School
WILLIAM FAIRLEY, Ph.D., Editor.
Choice of Material.
There remain to us but two of these studies of the Roman world; but two short months of school in which to cover tragic centuries of European development. A stern self-restraint in the choice of topics to be treated is necessary therefore, both for the articles and for the school. The welter of detail is all but overwhelming; and the teacher must select a few salient features of these eight centuries. For the present month we may consider what is worth while down to the so-called “fall of Rome.”
The Two Good Centuries.
From the time when the new empire settled down into peace under Augustus to the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 A.D. there came a period, when, as has been well said, the Mediterranean basin was probably more prosperous, more happy and better governed than at any time before or since. This is not always understood and accepted. The evil side of Tiberius, Caligula, Nero, Domitian, the turmoil under Galba and his two successors, have been unduly emphasized. Probably there has been too much “muck-raking” even by eminent historians. Under the worst of the rulers named it is to be remembered that tyranny and cruelty were almost totally confined to the capital and its cliques. The provinces were on the whole well administered, especially in comparison with the corruption of later republican times. Within this period, too, fall the Golden and the Silver Ages of Roman literature.