In reality, one such
emperor there was. Trajan, whether by martial inclinations, or (as is
supposed by some) by dissatisfaction with his own position at Rome, when
brought into more immediate connection with the senate, was driven into
needless war; and he achieved conquests in the direction of Dacia as well
as Parthia. But that these conquests were not substantial,--that they were
connected by no true cement of cohesion with the existing empire, is
evident from the rapidity with which they were abandoned. In the next
reign, the empire had already recoiled within its former limits; and in
two reigns further on, under Marcus Antoninus, though a prince of elevated
character and warlike in his policy, we find such concessions of territory
made to the Marcomanni and others, as indicate too plainly the shrinking
energies of a waning empire. In reality, if we consider the polar
opposition, in point of interest and situation, between the great officers
of the republic and the Augustus or Caesar of the empire, we cannot fail to
see the immense effect which that difference must have had upon the
permanent spirit of conquest.
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