=275. Rome Becomes a Republic.= Romulus was the first of six kings. The people drove out the sixth because he was cruel, and Rome became a republic. The republic was ruled by two men called "consuls," aided by the advice of great men called "senators." These senators were among the wisest men in the Old World. =276. Stories of Roman Heroes.= The people of Rome, like the Greeks, had their tales of what the bold heroes of olden times had done. [Sidenote: =Horatius saves Rome=] One of the most famous stories is about a hero named Horatius. The Romans sent for him to lead their soldiers against the last king, who was trying to get back the Roman throne. Bold Horatius took his stand on a narrow bridge leading across the Tiber to the city. Here he met the enemy, and defended the bridge with only his good sword until the Roman soldiers broke down the bridge behind him. When the bridge fell, he plunged into the fast rolling stream and swam ashore. [Illustration: THE PANTHEON, A ROMAN TEMPLE DEDICATED TO ALL THE GODS] [Sidenote: =The story of Cincinnatus=] The story that American boys and girls like best, perhaps, is one the Romans never tired of telling their children. It is about an old farmer-soldier named Cincinnatus. Rome's enemies were knocking at the very doors of the "Eternal City." The Romans called for Cincinnatus to head the army. They found him ploughing on his little farm. He left his plough and oxen in the field, took command of the Roman army, and by a night attack completely defeated the enemy. He was the most popular man in Rome and could have held any office in the government. But he returned to his plow as if nothing had happened. George Washington is often called the American Cincinnatus, for he, too, at the close of our Revolution, laid down his arms and went to live on his farm on the banks of the Potomac. [Sidenote: =How the common people gained new rights=] =277. The First Battle between Rich and Poor.= A fierce war between the rich and poor threatened to destroy the republic itself. The rich were selfish and thought they should have all the power. After a long struggle the poor gained some political rights by all moving to a sacred hill and beginning to build a rival city. The rich gave in and the poor in Rome had a right to choose a man who could raise his hand in the assembly and say: "I forbid," which he did by using the Latin word, "veto." This is where we get our word "veto." =278. The People Called Gauls Take Rome.= For many years the Romans quarreled among themselves. How could they defend Rome from the great bands of brave and fierce people who swarmed down from the North? These were the Gauls. They were very large men who dressed in skins of beasts. They defeated the Romans, burned their cities, and murdered the people. [Illustration: SAVAGE GAULS AND THEIR WEAPONS] [Sidenote: =Gauls become Romans=]