25t>
THE DECLINE AND FALL
CHAP.
VI.
and aboli-tion of thetribute onRoman ci-tizens.
prevented the clamours of the people, by the in-stitution of a regular pay for the soldiers, whichwas levied by a general tribute, assessed accord-ing to an equitable proportion on the propertyof the citizens. 1 " During more than two hun-dred years after the conquest of Yeii, the vic-tories of the republic added less to the wealththan to the power of Rome. The states of Italy paid their tribrfte in military service only, andthe vast force, both by sea and land, which wasexerted in the Punic wars, Avas maintained atthe expence of the Romans themselves. Thathigh-spirited people (such is often the generousenthusiasm of freedom) cheerfully submitted tothe most excessive but voluntary burdens, inthe just confidence that they should speedilyenjoy the rich harvest of their labours. Theirexpectations were not disappointed. In thecourse of a few years, the riches of Syracuse ,of Carthage, of Macedonia , and of Asia, werebrought in triumph to Rome . The treasuresof Perseus alone amounted to near two millionssterling, and the Roman people, the sovereignof so many nations, was for ever delivered fromthe weight of taxes." The increasing revenueof the provinces was found sufficient to defraythe ordinary establishment of war and govern-ment, and the superfluous mass of gold andsilver was deposited in the temple of Saturn,