The state sometimes bestowed on a victorious general the honor of a triumph. This was a grand parade and procession in the city of Rome. First came the magistrates and senators, wagons laden with booty, and captives in chains. Then followed the conqueror himself, clad in a gorgeous robe and riding in a four-horse chariot. Behind him marched the soldiers, who sang a triumphal hymn. The long procession passed through the streets to the Forum and mounted the Capitoline Hill. There the general laid his laurel crown upon the knees of the statue of Jupiter, as a thank offering for victory. Meanwhile, the captives who had just appeared in the procession were strangled in the underground prison of the Capitol. It was a day of mingled joy and tragedy. MILITARY GENIUS OF THE ROMANS The Romans, it has been said, were sometimes vanquished in battle, but they were always victorious in war. With the short swords of her disciplined soldiers, her flexible legion, and her fortified camps, Rome won dominion in Italy and began the conquest of the world. STUDIES 1. On an outline map indicate the Roman dominions in 509 B.C.; in 338 B.C.; in 264 B.C. 2. Make a list of the Roman magistrates mentioned in this chapter, and of the powers exercised by each. 3. Give the meaning of our English words "patrician," "plebeian," "censor," "dictator," "tribune," "augury," "auspices," and "veto." 4. Connect the proper events with the following dates: 753 B.C.; 509 B.C.; and 338 B.C. 5. Why have Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica been called the "suburbs of Italy"? 6. "Italy and Greece may be described as standing back to back to each other." Explain this statement. 7. What is the origin of our names of the two months, January and March? 8. Compare the early Roman with the early Greek religion as to (a) likenesses; (b) differences. 9. Why have the consuls been called "joint kings for one year"? 10. What do you understand by "martial law"? Under what circumstances is it sometimes declared in the United States? 11. Compare the position of the Roman patricians with that of the Athenian nobles before the legislation of Draco and Solon. 12. What officers in American cities perform some of the duties of the censors, praetors, and aediles? 13. In the Roman and Spartan constitutions contrast: (a) consuls and kings; (b) censors and ephors; and (c) the two senates. 14. Compare the Roman Senate and the Senate of the United States as to size, term of office of members, conditions of membership, procedure, functions, and importance. 15. How far can the phrase, "government of the people, by the people, for the people," be applied to the Roman Republic at this period? 16. What conditions made it easy for the Romans to conquer Magna Graecia and difficult for them to subdue the Samnites? 17. What is a "Pyrrhic victory"? 18. Compare the nature of Roman rule over Italy with that of Athens over the Delian League.