348 HISTORICAL TALES.

But this degree of vengeance did not satisfy Rome.
Her ambassadors had been insulted,—by a mob, it is
true; but in those days the law-abiding had often
to suffer for the deeds of the mob. The Achgwan
League, with Corinth at its head, had dared to resist
the might and majesty of Rome. A lesson must be
given that would not be easily forgotten. Corinth
must be utterly destroyed.

Such was the deliberate decision of the Roman
senate; such the order sent to Mummius. At his
command the plundering of the city was completed.
It was fabulously rich in works of art. Many of
these were sent to Rome. Many of them were de-
stroyed. The Romans were ignorant of their value.
Their leader himself was as incompetent and igno-
rant as any Roman general could well be. He had
but one thought, to obey the orders of the senate.
The plundered city was thereupon set on fire and
burned to the ground, its walls were pulled down,
the spot where it had stood was cursed, its territory
was declared the property of the Roman people.
No more complete destruction of a city had ever
taken place. <A century afterwards Corinth was re-
built by order of Julius Cesar, but it never became
again the Corinth of old.

As for the destruction of works of priceless value,
it was pitiable. When Polybius returned and saw
the ruins, he found common goldiers playing dice on
paintings of the most celebrated artists of Greece.
Mummius, who was as honest as he was dull-witted,
strictly obeyed orders in sending the choicest of the
spoil to Rome, and made himself forever famous as a