Of necessity the conception was narrow only the ruling order could have any history at all and only the ruling city: only Rome, not Italy. 1 In the Revolution the power of the old governing class was broken, its composition transformed. […] Men believed only in destiny and the inexorable stars. […] Between senator and knight the cleavage was of rank only. […] Loyalty could only be won by loyalty in return. […] The party did not appeal to the impecunious only.