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   After the subjugation of the Greeks by the Roman armies, the riches of
the
conquered country, that is to say its productions of art, as well as its
stores
of gold and silver, were carried to the imperial city, and poured into the
lap
of the proud mistress of the world. All the works of art executed in Rome
for some years after the conquest of Greece, were the workmanship of Grecian
artists; and so many were employed, and so constantly, that the productions
of their genius were sent into the most distant parts of the empire.
  The Romans have been blamed, and with some reason, for the introduction
of too much ornament in all their works, yet it cannot be doubted that
architecture was much improved by them, or if this be disputed, was adapted
to more generally useful purposes, and applied in the decoration of domestic
edifices.  It is in the ancient buildings of Rome, that we first observe
the
introduction of the arch in construction, and windows and chimneys in dwelling-
houses, without which, no building, how beautiful and elegant soever it may
be as a work of art, can possess any of the qualities which are essential
in
modern erections, comfort; convenience, and elegance.      We are far better
acquainted with the social relations and domestic habits of the Romans, than
of the Greeks, and we are not without some information as to their modes
of
decorating their houses.
   The Greek government, as we have already seen, was distinguished by its
simplicity of design, and the want of all ostentation in the executive. The
Roman emperors having conquered nearly all the known world, had brought
the spoils of many states to the capital, and, ambitious of each other, erected
costly and magnificent trophies of victory, while the wealth which by the
success of war constantly increased in the city, gave birth to temples, palaces,
aqueducts, and other public edifices; and citizens stirred the ambition of
their
order, by a lavish display of elegance and wealth. If this be a faithful
representation of the state of feeling at Rome, it is easy to account for
the
rapid progress of the art of decoration during the supremacy of the Roman
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