Some Recent Books on Roman History

there is always the posaibility that it may approximate more nearly than any of its predecessors to that ideal text-book whichsome day-we ourselves intend to write.The only recent English text-book on Roman history is that of Fetter0 and Barbagallo, translated by George Chrystal.The aim of the authors has been to bring out cl&rly the connection of the larger events of Roman history, for " history must convey the sense not only of succession but of evolution."I n the first volume on the Monarchy and the Republic their effort has been in large measure successful : their sketch has proved, as I can testify from practical experience, of real interest to students.The second volume I have not yet used in class.The work is in the main conservative in tendency, somewhat surprisingly so, considering Ferrero's previously published books.The historicity of the Licinio-Sextian legislation is, for instance, vigorously maintained, though, in view of the popular character of the text-book, it is remarkable that the only modern work cited in defence of the traditional account of the Licinio-Sextian agrarian law is that of Sinaisky : the Zupiski of the University of Dorpat are not generally accessible to English students, and mention should rather have been made of the sfudies of Cardinali, Schwarze, and Soltau.'I n one point, however, Ferrero's views are revolutionary : for him Rome under the ea.rly monarchy is a great commercial power, trading with the Adriatic countries, with Carthage and Sicily, with Corsica and Sardinia, with Magna Graecia and even with the Oriental Greeks.Surely all the evidence which we possess would seem to disprove this.The primitive history of h m e is that of a state of peasant farmers, and not of merchants with widespread commercial relations.'I n the account of the last century of the Republic Cf.B. I

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