XVII Century

Cue (NZERS), 1 June 1944, Page 15

XVII Century

18th Century Rome was an attractive city despite the ravages of Roman Fever and the total absence of sanitation. It was am age in which the newly aroused interest in the past — stimulated by the discoveries of Herculaneum attracted the Antiquary and the Treasure-seeker rather than the -Archaeologist and the

Historian. Arbitrary and erroneous names were given to. the many surviving ruins and Rome was a happy hunting ground for those .who admired ruins for their own sake and appreciated; them for their

artistic value. The Forum was still m overgrown tangle of wild vines and rough- pasture on which flocks wandered. he broken columns covered with vegetation or encrusted with equally, ruinous mediaeval tenements were the subject of innumerable delicate engravings by _ such artists as Piranesi.

Benedict XIV, a great Jurist and philanthropist, commenced . vigorous schemes of improvement. The Appian Way was rebuilt, museums founded, the Pontine Marshes partially controlled, and the rudiments of , a sanitary system were established.

This excellent programme was interrupted by the military intervention of Napoleon who resented the Papal encouragement and support of,the Allied armies who opposed him and the French Revolution. Money intended for the development of Rome was diverted to pay the fine imposed by Napolebn. ~

Worse was to follow. In 1799 the Roman mobs futilely rioted against the occupying French Troops.' The- reaction was immediate; the Pope an old man then very ill was arrested, and died in exile. His successor Pius VII continued to oppose Napoleon,,' and remained a virtual prisoner of the Military Government of the King of, Rome — a title held by Napoleon’s? infant son.