The rich and polite Italians, who had almost universally embraced the philosophy of Epicurus, enjoyed the present blessings of ease and tranquillity, and suffered not the pleasing dream to be interrupted by the memory of their old tumultuous freedom.

With its power, the senate had lost its dignity; many of the most noble families were extinct.

The republicans of spirit and ability had perished in the field of battle, or in the proscription.

The door of the assembly had been designedly left open, for a mixed multitude of more than a thousand persons, who reflected disgrace upon their rank, instead of deriving honor from it.

[2] [Footnote 1: Orosius, vi.18.