The colonies with which the Romans strengthened their empire were not of a kind peculiar to them: we read of Alban, Volscian, Sabellian colonies; which, and even the Etruscan ones, there can be no doubt were of exactly the same nature. If our accounts were somewhat more copious, all these would range under one general head as Italian colonies. To avoid the appearance of an arbitrary assumption, I will speak only of the Roman, and of the contrast between them and the Greek.

The latter were in general newly built towns; or if the colonists settled in cities already founded, the old population was mostly exterminated: in the surrounding territory it survived, but in bondage; from which condition it generally rose in course of time to that of a commonalty. They were planted at a distance from the parent state, usually by persons who emigrated to escape from commotions and civil feuds, and not under the direction of the government at home: or if a colony went forth in peace and with the blessing of the parent state, and the latter retained honorary privileges, still the colony from the beginning was free and independent, even when founded to serve as a safe mart for commerce. The totally opposite character of the Roman colonies is described in a definition, which is certainly very ancient, and only needs some explanation and addition.