Cere1110111CS. —The Romans associated so much pomp with their funerals, even in the earliest times, that the " Law pf the Twelve Tables" had to interfere in the matter. The rivalry between the patri cians and the plebeians, which grew out of the successful struggle of the latter for larger rights and the efforts of the former to maintain their superiority in external appearance at least, attained its most signal mani festation in this very display, which no law was able effectually to restrain. found so many inventions to evade the laws, and exhibited itself in such manifold varieties, that we must content ourselves with a very general mention of them.
When the eyes of the deceased had been closed by some friend or relative, his name was called aloud, amidst the lamentations of all present.
As soon as the fact of his death was believed to be established, his body was placed in charge of the funeral director. After it had been washed, anointed, and dressed in suitable garments, it was laid out on a flower bedecked bier in the atrium. A cypress was placed before the door, to indicate the presence of death; the hearth-fire was extinguished, and was not relighted until after the burial.
The funeral processions of the nobles were directed by a person special ly appointed for the purpose, who was aided by lictors. They were led by funereal music, and by female mourners who sang songs in praise of the deceased. Mimes even were engaged, who recited passages from the tragic poets—an extreme which soon degenerated into a farce when the mimes performed burlesques while their leader imitated the appearance and man ners of the deceased. The next place in the procession was occupied by waxen images of the family ancestors or by actors representing them. Immediately before the body were carried, on elevated frames covered with costly draperies, whatever civic honors the dead man had worn, such as wreaths of victory, pictures of conquered cities, spoils of the enemy, etc. They were borne by relatives, manumitted slaves, or, in the case of a person of distinguished merit, by an escort furnished by the state. The bier was followed by the relatives and by the public, all clad in dark clothes (toga fialla or sordida), and finally by the newly-manumitted slaves, who as a badge of their new dignity wore on the head either a hat or a white woollen fillet. The procession moved first to the public rostrum, where a eulogy in praise of the deceased was delivered, and thence to the place of interment.
Cremation and the place of sepulture, after the practice of cremation had come into vogue, the pyre was erected. The corpse was
laid upon it, anointed with precious oils, and surrounded by testimonials of affection; then, amidst the lamentations of all, the nearest relative, avert ing his head, applied the torch. While it was burning, gladiatorial coin bats took place in honor of the deceased and for the entertainment of the spectators. This was a revival of an old practice, which without doubt bore a close relation to the custom of sacrificing to the dead. The ashes were gathered amidst invocations of the manes of the deceased, and with solemn rites were deposited in urns. Sprinkling with holy water purified those present. The urns were deposited in mausoleums built as grandly as means would permit, many of which may yet be seen located along the highroads outside of Rome, Pompeii, and other cities. Infants were always buried, and no display was made at the funerals of boys and girls. To ward the end of the Empire burial in sarcophagi again became the universal custom. During the time of mourning the Romans abstained from public amusements, and even from frequenting the baths.
The Public I (ft of the Romans contrasted strongly with their strict family life, and possessed some features which claim our particular atten tion. During the Republic every citizen endeavored to gain a high, if possible the highest, position in the state. While the patricians strained every nerve to confine official dignities to their own class, the people strove by every means to give personal merit the preference over inherited rank. The consulship was still open to merit, but not so the imperial throne. During the Empire lofty ambition was the more perilous iu that the prize sought was the exclusive possession of a single man, and that often in the very moment of its attainment it brought destruction upon its pursuer. The contest for it often required the use of the worst men as instruments and helpers.
While the multitude were absorbed in the pursuit of riches and pleasure, the better citizens sought satisfaction in honorable leisure. They preferred a secluded country-life, and busied themselves entirely with the adminis tration of their property. If they were obliged to adopt some profession, the law and other such vocations afforded the means of an honorable and independent subsistence. The study of philosophy and other sciences was universal. Family and social life among the higher classes attained an unprecedented development. The young Roman contested for public life clad iu a white toga (toga candida), whence the word " candidate " is derived.