OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

269

during the two first centuries of the imperialhistory.

But when the last enclosure of the Romanconstitution was trampled down by Caracalla ,the separation of professions gradually succeededto the distinction of ranks. The more polishedcitizens of the internal provinces were alone qua-lified to act as lawyers and magistrates. Therougher trade of arms was abandoned to the pea-sants and barbarians of the frontiers, who knewno country but their camp, no science but that ofwar, no civil laws, and scarcely those of militarydiscipline. With bloody hands, savage manners,and desperate resolutions, they sometimes guard-ed, but much oftener subverted, the throne ofthe emperors.

CHAP.

VI.