gG Before Chrift 222. 



with an evil eye : but being at prefent threatened with an invafion from 

 rhe Gauls, the defcendents of their antient conquerors, they were 

 obliged to difTemble, and to propofe a treaty, whereby the river Iberus 

 in the north-eafl part of Spain was agreed to be the frontier of the 

 Carthaginian territories, exempting however from their dominion the 

 city of Saguntum, which being on the Carthaginian fide of that river, 

 would eafily fnrnifh either of the parties with a pretence for war, when 

 they fhould find it convenient to engage in ir. 



About this time, we are told, a law was pafled at Rome, prohibiting 

 the fenators from being owners of any veflels exceeding the burthen of 

 300 amphora (about 2,000 gallons). Such boats were thought fuffi- 

 cient to bring home the produce of their farms : and all kind of trade 

 was thought unbecoming the higher ranks. Many of the fenators how- 

 ever allowed their avarice fo far to get the better of their pride, that 

 they wifiied to partake of the profits of trade, and were iriuch enraged 

 at the promoters of the law. [Liv. Hijl. L. xxi, c. 63.] Hence it ap- 

 pears, that fome trade was now carried on by the Romans, but that the 

 exercife of it was rather difreputable ; a clear proof that the Roman 

 trade was on a very trifling fcale. 



The diftincflion between foldiers and feamen was another proof of the 

 low eftimation in which commerce was held among the Romans. While 

 the military fervice was the road to every preferment, feamen were de- 

 fpifed, and drawn from the meanefl; cLifs of the populace, confifiing of 

 men whofe whole property did not amount to 400 Grecian drachmae, 

 (about £'] : 10 fl:erling) and who were therefor fuppofed not fufficiently 

 interefted in the profperity of the commonwealth to be intru ed wit i 

 arms. [Folyl/. L.\\,c. 17.] The fame notions were retained in the 

 mofl flourifhing ages of Rome, as we fhall have occafion to obferve in 

 due time. How widely different from Tyre and Carthage, where na- 

 vigators and feamen were held in deferved efteem ! 



About this time a great earthquake threw down the famous coloilus 

 of Rhodes, and defi:royed the naval arfenals, with a great part of the 

 city. The general good will of the other Itates of Grecian origin, with 

 all of whom the Rhodians were connected in the friendly band of com- 

 mercial intercourfe, turned this accident much to their advantage : for 

 the Grecian kings and dates of Europe, Afia, and Egypt, drove who 

 fliould be moft liberal in contributing corn and other provifions, fliips, 

 timber, and naval (lores, and alfo money to a great amount, for repair- 

 ing their damages, and particularly for renewing their colofllis *. On 

 this occafion liicro^ king oi Syracufe, and fome other princes, moreover 

 cxcnipted the Rhodians from paying any duties in their ports. And 



• Tlic Rliiidlaiis, prob;il)ly thiiiking tlic coIofTus funds, dfllimd for llint piiipofc hy tht' libcitilily 

 nn idle cxptiifc, uoi il;c oracle of Dclpli! to ])u)- of their friends, to olticr ufes. 

 liibit the rcftoration of it, and applied the ample 4 



