278 ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



Afterward this magnificent structure was used as a 

 fortress, and later it was abandoned to birds of ill- 

 omen. At length its walls were drawn upon for mate- 

 rial to erect mediaeval churches, and treated as a quarry 

 from which building stone could be obtained easier 

 than from distant ledges. Pilgrims of the eighth 

 century looked upon the unequaled pile as a symbol 

 of the lasting greatness of Rome, and repeatedly 

 quoted the following lines : 



" While stands the Colosseum, Rome shall stand, 

 When falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall, 

 And when Rome falls, with it shall fall the world." 



At the north boundary of the Forum Romanum 

 rises the Capitoline Hill, so called from its being the 

 site of the Capitol. The approaches to the citadel are 

 from the side opposite the Forum, the gateway being 

 guarded by sculptured lions and grand statues of the 

 C&esars. In the center of the Piazza stands an eques- 

 trian statue of Marcus Aurelius. On the right and left 

 are ponderous river gods, representing the Tiber and 

 the IsTile. From the windows of the Senate Chamber 

 can be seen the multiple and magnificent ruins of the 

 Forum, the Tarpeian Rock, and Mamertine prison 

 where captive kings were incarcerated, and St. Peter 

 caused a miraculous spring to now that he might bap- 

 tize his jailers. In this dungeon Jugurtha perished 

 through lack of food, and Yercingetorix was kept for 

 show-days. When taken from this underground jail, 

 to be dragged at the chariot wheels of Csesar, the 

 unfortunate prisoner was reviled and jeered by a 

 blood-thirsty and debased populace. These painful 

 incidents show at what a low ebb were the public 

 morals of the times. 



