In the hour of prosperity, their ambition was diverted by more alluring objects; and in the decay and division of the empire, they were oppressed by the defence of their hereditary provinces.

Amidst the ruins of Italy, the famous Marozia invited one of the usurpers to assume the character of her third husband; and Hugh, king of Burgundy was introduced by her faction into the mole of Hadrian or Castle of St.Angelo, which commands the principal bridge and entrance of Rome.

Her son by the first marriage, Alberic, was compelled to attend at the nuptial banquet; but his reluctant and ungraceful service was chastised with a blow by his new father.

The blow was productive of a revolution.

"Romans," exclaimed the youth, "once you were the masters of the world, and these Burgundians the most abject of your slaves.