Education Volume 34 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 Excerpt: ...military organization so that the legion was the most efficient military formation in antiquity. The practice of introducing new plants--often supposed to be very modern--nourished in the valley of the Euphrates many centuries before Christ, and was not unknown in Italy. The olive and the vine had been acclimatized in very early times, and Italy produced the best oil and also in the first century after Christ two-thirds of all the best varieties of wine. Hemp, the Persian peach tree, the walnut, an Egyptian plum tree, and many others were introduced. Also, for instance, tame pigeons, peacocks, and guinea fowl. The silkworm was secured from the East during the empire, and another species was not imported until last century. In architecture they possibly learned of the Etruscans the use of the stone arch. They were, however, the first to understand the practical possibilities of the arch principle, to construct arches, vaults, and domes of different important types and on a grand scale which was not equalled again for a thousand years. They also employed these structures in the most extensive manner. In politics, literature, science, and art they borrowed very freely the products of earlier civilizations, especially the Greek, but frequently gave them a new form and adapted them to the use of western nations. The Romans were as broad-minded in regard to nationalities as in respect to things. They were the most cosmopolitan imperial race in history, and this characteristic undoubtedly contributed to their marvelous success. The original population of Rome is supposed to have consisted of representatives of several nationalities, and it is in accordance with this view that in early times a very liberal policy was adopted in granting citizenship to subject commu...