140 WIVES OF THE C^SAllS. 



perhaps, there never previously or since existed in a similar society, 

 so splendid an assemblage of varied talent, individual fame, or cri- 

 minal allurement. 



Julia was yet extremely young when Augustus first conceived the 

 project of her marriage with Marcellus, the son of Marcus Claudius 

 Marcellus and his sister Octavia. The youthful prince was much 

 beloved by Caesar ; his noble qualities endeared him to the people. 

 His illustrious race presented retrospectively the proudest glories of 

 the Roman Commonwealth ; the husband selected by Augustus for 

 his daughter, descended lineally from that Marcellus* who in battle 

 slew the Gallic king, Viridomarus the second who, since Romulus, 

 had offered up the spolia opima to Feretrian Jove the first who 

 broke the spell of Hannibal's victorious career in Italy the same 

 whose patient vigilance subdued the Syracusans, and transferred 

 the fruits of his important victory to Rome, as specimens of art to 

 emulate the genius of his countrymen. The young Marcellus gave 

 an early earnest of hereditary excellence ; his gracious manners, his 

 benevolence, his cultivated mind and natural capacity, were hailed 

 with hope and expectation by the Roman people ; and the purpose 

 of Augustus, who obviously designed the husband of his daughter as 

 the heir to his imperial power, was sanctioned by the universal 

 approbation. The ennobling qualities of Marcellus were, notwith- 

 standing, insufficient to engage the fancy of his destined bride. 

 Their marriage was, however, so desired by Caesar, that in spite of 

 his detention in the Spanish provinces, he charged his favourite, 

 Agrippa, with the conduct of the ceremony, and directed its imme- 

 diate performance. The nuptials were magnificently celebrated, and 

 Rome became the scene of every species of festivity and recreation. 

 The senators, the knights, and commffon people, equally participated 

 in the pleasures of the games, the theatres, and various diversions. 

 Agrippa zealously discharged the duties of a friend and minister, 

 and, anxious to confer the utmost possible magnificence upon the 

 marriage, drew largely on his private funds for the enlargement of 

 the costly splendours which Augustus had prescribed. He was, 

 moreover, enabled to distinguish the event by a superb solemnity. 

 The Pantheon, that monument of his munificence, was now com- 

 pleted. The opportunity was fortunate, and Agrippa chose the 

 moment of the marriage for the consecration of the splendid edifice. 

 The utmost pomp was manifest in each of these imposing ceremonies. 

 The meaner citizens of Rome were gladdened with abundant feasts 

 and largess in profusion, and happiness was visible on every face 

 save that of Livia, who saw in the alliance another rising obstacle to 

 those ambitious plans, which she so long had formed, and afterwards 

 so steadily pursued in favour of her son, Tiberius. 



Augustus, on his return to Rome, was gratified by the complacent 

 spirit of the senate, which received Marcellus as a member of its 



* " Adspice, ut insignia spoliis Marcellus opimis 

 Ingreditur, victorq. viros supereminet omnes ! 

 Hie rem Romanam, magiio turbante tumultu, 

 Sistet, eques sternet Poenos, Gallumq. rebellem, 

 Tertiaq. arma patri suspendet capta Quirino." JEn. 1. 6. 



