Absolutely nothing was done on the part of the government towards concentrating and rounding off their dominion, and the decay of the fleet seemed at length to dissolve the last bond of connection between the distant possessions.

The democracy no doubt attempted, so soon as it again raised its head, to shape its external policy in the spirit of Gracchus--Marius in particular cherished such ideas--but as it did not for any length of time attain the helm, its projects were left unfulfilled.

It was not till the democracy practically took in hand the government on the overthrow of the Sullan constitution in 684, that a revolution in this respect occurred.

First of all their sovereignty on the Mediterranean was restored--the most vital question for a state like that of Rome.

Towards the east, moreover, the boundary of the Euphrates was secured by the annexation of the provinces of Pontus and Syria.