His just laws
Some of the orders which he sent to his officers show how great and just a ruler he was. He orders that "all shall live entirely in accordance with God's precept, justly and under a just rule, and each one shall be admonished to live in harmony with his fellows." Let no one "do injury to the churches of God, or to the poor, or the widows, or the wards, or any Christian." He then lays down the rules of living for the clergy, nuns, bishops, and other church officers, that their lives may be holy and their influence good.
He wanted to see justice done all over his kingdom—to the poor as well as to the rich. Wonderful stories, some true, have been woven about the name of the great emperor.
Why his empire fell
He built up a great empire, but it was too great to live long. There were too many races with different ways of living, and the provinces were too far apart. When the strength and wisdom of his hand and head passed away in death, the great empire began to crumble and fall apart.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPILS
The Leading Facts. 1. Julius Caesar takes the popular side. 2. Governor of Gaul. 3. Conquest of Gaul and the Germans. 4. Caesar invades Britain. 5. Crosses the Rubicon and becomes ruler of the Roman Empire. 6. Why he was assassinated. 7. What Rome gave to the world. 8. Rome famous for its wonderful buildings and roads. 9. Her great literature. 10. How Rome prepared the way for Christianity. 11. Coming of the Huns and Teutons marks the downfall of Rome. 12. The removal of the Roman emperor and Odoacer made king. 13. Anglo-Saxons in Britain. 14. Rome takes Christianity to the Germans. 15. Charles the Great. 16. The Palace School. 17. The crowning of Charlemagne.
Study Questions. 1. Who was Julius Caesar? 2. What did he do to make people remember him? 3. Why did good men join in murdering him? 4. Name the different things given to the world by Rome? 5. Explain how Rome helped Christianity. 6. Who were the Huns and the Teutons? 7. Tell about the following in Charlemagne's career: (1) The battle of Tours; (2) How Charlemagne looked and dressed; (3) His Palace School; (4) How he ruled the Franks; (5) How he was crowned; (6) Why his empire crumbled at his death.
Suggested Readings. Tappan, The Story of the Roman People, 123-237; Harding, The City of the Seven Hills, 184-211; Yonge, Young Folks' History of Rome, 229; Clarke, The Story of Caesar; Guerber, The Story of the Romans.