Indian Sculpture c13.4

c13.4

Europe, the least extensive of the three great divisions of the globe, has been principally distinguished by the discoveries of the geographers and the manners of the inhabitants. The Roman empire, in its meridian, extended from the wall of Antoninus and the northern limits of Britain, to mount Atlas and the tropic of Cancer; the western provinces of Spain and Gaul, to the confines of Ethiopia and Arabia, the kingdom of Colchis, and the Caspian sea. The frontier of this vast territory was guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth.