The very title of _imperator_, from which we have derived our
modern one of _emperor_, proclaims the nature of the government, and the
tenure of that office. It was purely a government by the sword, or
permanent _stratocracy_ having a movable head. Never was there a people
who inquired so impertinently as the Romans into the domestic conduct of
each private citizen. No rank escaped this jealous vigilance; and private
liberty, even in the most indifferent circumstances of taste or expense,
was sacrificed to this inquisitorial rigor of _surveillance_ exercised on
behalf of the State, sometimes by erroneous patriotism, too often by
malice in disguise. To this spirit the highest public officers were
obliged to bow; the consuls, not less than others. And even the occasional
dictator, if by law irresponsible, acted nevertheless as one who knew that
any change which depressed his party, might eventually abrogate his
privilege. For the first time in the person of an imperator was seen a
supreme autocrat, who had virtually and effectively all the
irresponsibility which the law assigned, and the origin of his office
presumed.
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