Superstitions, sentiments, even language and the consciousness of nationality, linger dormant among them, till an upheaval comes, till buried seeds are thrown out on the surface and forgotten plants blossom once more.

The world has seen many examples of such resurrection--not least in modern Europe.

The Roman Empire offers us singularly few instances, but it would be untrue to say that there were none.
But while it is true generally that Romanization spread rapidly in the west, we must admit great differences between different districts even of the same provincial areas.

Some grew Romanized soon and thoroughly, others slowly and imperfectly.

For instance, Gallia Comata, that is, Gaul north and west of the Cevennes, contrasted sharply in this respect with Narbonensis, the province of the Mediterranean coast and the Rhone Valley.