The proper means of the Romans
The first means the Romans used was the opening of the sanctuary and giving liberty and freedom to all that would to come unto them; which Romulus did to the end (his neighbours at that time evil entreated by tyrants, and the country swarming full with discontented persons) Rome might by that means be the sooner peopled through the benefit of their safety they were sure to find there; neither was he therein deceived a whit, for thither flocked with their goods a number of people that were either thrust out of their habitations, or unsafe and unsure of their lives in their countries. But when they found afterward a want of women necessary for propagation, Romulus proclaimed certain great and solemn feasts at which he stole and held away by force the greatest part of the youngest women that did resort to see them: so that it is no marvel if out of so fierce and stout a people there rose so fierce and stout an issue.
The very same reason in a matter in these our days hath increased so much the city of Geneva, forasmuch as it hath offered entertainment to all comers out of France and Italy that have either forsaken or been exiled their countries for religion's sake. And the same country of Germany (they call Francorum Vallem) by the sufferance of Casimir, one of the Counts Palatine of the Rhine, later erected by the Belgians that were for religion thrust out of their countries have done the like.
Cosimo the Great Duke of Tuscany, to appopulate the port Ferraio, gave protection to such as would fly thither, and confined a number that for their offences had worthy deserved punishment, which course the Great Duke Francis his son observed afterward for the peopling of Pisa and Livorno. But as we have afore said, it is neither strength nor necessity that have power to make a city frequented, or to raise it unto greatness. For a people enforced and violently driven to rest in one place is like unto seed sown in the sands, wherein it never taketh root to grow to ripeness.
But let us return unto our sanctuary. It cannot be denied but that a moderate liberty and a lawful place of safety very greatly helpeth to draw a multitude of people to a resting place. And hereof it comes that free cities are in comparison of other places more famous and more replenished with people than cities subject unto princes and to monarchies.
The second means wherewith Rome increased was that they made the towns that well deserved of them (which they after called municipia) to be partakers of their franchises and of their offices. For these honours, to be citizens of Rome, and to enjoy the great privileges annexed to their enfranchisement, drew into the city all such as through adherency, through favour or through service done unto the commonwealth might have any hope to bear office or rule therein, and such as looked not so high resorted yet thither to serve their kinsmen's turns or their friends with their voices, to advance them to some good office. And thus Rome was frequented and enriched with concourse of an infinite sight of people, both noble and rich, that in particular or in common which were honoured with the enfranchisement and freedom of Rome.
The third means was the continual entertainment the Romans gave to curiosity, and that was the great number of admirable things they did in Rome. The triumphs of the victorious captains, the wonderful buildings, the battles on the water, the fights of sword players, the hunting of wild beasts, the public shows and sights, the plays of Apollo, the Seculars and others, which were performed with unspeakable pomp and preparation, and many other suchlike things that drew the curious people unto Rome. And forasmuch as these alluring sights were, as it were, perpetual, Rome was also, as it were, perpetually full of strangers and foreign people.
