Lucius Cornelius Scipio on that of the patricians. Fortune even rendered
the plebeian consul more distinguished; for when news was brought that a
vast army of the Gauls had pitched their camp in the Latin territory,
Scipio being attacked with a serious fit of illness, the Gallic war was
intrusted out of course to Popillius. He having raised an army with
great energy, after he had ordered the younger citizens to assemble in
arms outside the Capuan gate, and the quæstors to carry the standards
from the treasury to the same place, having completed four legions, he
gave the surplus of the men to the prætor Publius Valerius Publicola,
recommending to the senate to raise another army, which might be a
reserve to the state against the sudden contingencies of war. He
himself, after sufficiently preparing and arranging every thing,
proceeds towards the enemy; and in order to ascertain their strength
before he should hazard a decisive action, he commenced drawing an
intrenchment on a hill, the nearest he could select to the camp of the
Gauls. They being a fierce race and of an eager turn for fighting, when,
on descrying the standards of the Romans at a distance, they drew out
their forces, as expecting to commence the battle forthwith, when they
perceived that neither the opposite army descended into the plain, and
that the Romans were protected both by the height of the ground and also
by the entrenchments, supposing that they were dismayed with fear, and
also more exposed to attack, because they were intent on the work, they
advance with a furious shout. On the side of the Romans neither the
works were interrupted, (it was the triarii who were employed at them,)
but the battle was commenced by the hastati and the principes, who stood
in front of the workmen armed and prepared for the fight. Besides their
own valour, the higher ground aided them, so that all the spears and
javelins did not fall ineffectual, as when thrown on the same level, (as
is generally the case,) but being steadied by their own weight they took
effect; and the Gauls weighed down by the weapons, with which they had
their bodies transfixed, or their shields rendered too cumbrous by those
sticking in them. When they advanced almost up the steep at a run,
becoming irresolute, they at first halted; then when the very delay
shook the courage of the one party, and raised that of the enemy, being
then pushed backwards they fell one upon the other, and produced a
carnage among themselves more shocking than the carnage [caused by the
enemy]. For more were crushed by the precipitate rout, than there were
slain by the sword.
24. Nor as yet was the victory decided in favour of the Romans; another
difficulty still was remaining for them after they had descended into
the plain; for the great numbers of the Gauls being such as to prevent
all feeling of such a disaster, raised up fresh troops against the
victorious enemy, as if a new army rose up once more. And the Romans
stood still, suppressing their ardour; both because the struggle had to
be undergone a second time by them wearied as they were, and the consul,
having his left arm well nigh transfixed with a javelin, whilst he
exposed himself incautiously in the van, had retired for a short time
from the field. And now, by the delay, the victory was on the point of
being relinquished, when the consul, having had his wound tied up,
riding back to the van, cries out, "Soldiers, why do you stand? You have
not to do with a Latin or Sabine enemy, whom, when you have vanquished
by your arms, from an enemy you may make an ally; against brutes we have
drawn our swords. Their blood must be drawn or ours given to them. You
have repulsed them from your camp, you have driven them headlong down
the valley, you stand on the prostrated bodies of your foes. Fill the
plains with the same carnage as you have filled the mountains; do not
wait till they fly, you standing still; your standards must be advanced,
you must proceed against the enemy." Roused again by these
exhortations, they drive back from their ground the foremost companies
of the Gauls, and by forming wedges, they break through the centre of
their body. By these means, the enemy being disunited, as being now
without regular command, or subordination of officers, they turn their
violence against their own; and being dispersed through the plains, and
carried beyond their own camp in their precipitate flight, they make for
the citadel of Alba, which met their eyes as the most elevated among
hills of equal altitude. The consul, not pursuing them beyond the camp,
because the wound weakened him, and he was unwilling to expose his
wearied army to hills occupied by the enemy, bestowed the entire plunder
of the camp on the soldiers, and led back his army, victorious and
enriched with the Gallic spoils, to Rome. The consul's wound occasioned
a delay of the triumph, and the same cause made the senate wish for a
dictator, that there might be some one who, the consuls being both sick,
should hold the elections. Lucius Furius Camillus being nominated
dictator, Publius Cornelius Scipio being attached as master of the
horse, restored to the patricians their former possession of the
consulship. He himself being, for that service, elected consul, had
Appius Claudius Crassus named as his colleague.
25. Before the new consuls entered on their office, a triumph was
celebrated by Popillius over the Gauls amid the great applause of the
commons; and they, in a low voice, frequently asked one another, whether
any one was dissatisfied with a plebeian consul. At the same time they
found fault with the dictator, who had obtained the consulship as a
bribe for having infringed the Licinian law, more dishonourable for the
private ambition [evinced] thereby than for the injury inflicted on the
public, so that, when dictator, he might have himself appointed consul.
The year was remarkable for many and various commotions. The Gauls
[descending] from the Alban mountains, because they were unable to
endure the severity of the winter, straggling through the plains and the
parts adjoining the sea, committed devastations. The sea was infested by
fleets of the Greeks; and the borders of the Antian shore, and the mouth
of the Tiber; so that the maritime plunderers, encountering those on
land, fought on one occasion an obstinate fight, and separated, the
Gauls to their camp, the Greeks back to their ships, doubting whether
they should consider themselves as vanquished or victors. Among these
the greatest alarm arose at the circumstance, that assemblies of the
Latin states were held at the grove of Ferentina; and an unequivocal
answer was given to the Romans on their ordering soldiers from them,
"that they should cease to issue their orders to those of whose
assistance they stood in need: that the Latins would take up arms in
defence of their own liberty, rather than for the dominion of others."
The senate becoming uneasy at the defection of their allies, whilst two
foreign wars existed at the same time, when they perceived that those
whom fidelity had not restrained, should be restrained by fear, ordered
the consuls to exert to the utmost the energies of their authority in
holding a levy. For that they should depend on an army of their
countrymen, since their allies were deserting them. Ten legions are said
to have been levied, consisting each of four thousand two hundred
infantry and three hundred horse. Such a newly-raised army, if any
foreign force should assail, the present power of the Roman people,
which is scarcely confined within the whole world, could not easily
raise now, if concentrated upon one point: so true it is, we have
improved in those particulars only about which we are solicitous, riches
and luxury. Among the other distressing events of this year, Appius
Claudius, one of the consuls, dies in the midst of the preparations for
the war; and the whole direction of affairs devolved on Camillus; over
whom, the only consul, it did not appear seemly that a dictator should
be appointed, either in consideration of his high character, which
should not be made subordinate to the dictatorship, or on account of the
auspicious omen of his surname with respect to a Gallic war. The consul,
then, having stationed two legions to protect the city, and divided the
remaining eight with the prætor Lucius Pinarius, mindful of his father's
valour, selects the Gallic war for himself without any appeal to lots:
the prætor he commanded to protect the sea-coast, and to drive the
Greeks from the shore. And after he had marched down into the Pomptine
territory, because he neither wished to engage on the level ground, no
circumstance rendering it necessary, and he considered that the enemy
were sufficiently subdued, by preventing from plunder persons whom
necessity obliged to live on what was so obtained, he selected a
suitable place for a fixed encampment.
26. Where when they were spending the time in quiet in their quarters, a
Gaul, remarkable for his size and the appearance of his arms, came
forward; and striking his shield with his spear, after he had procured
silence, through an interpreter he challenged any one of the Romans to
contend with him with the sword. There was a tribune of the soldiers, a
young man, Marcus Valerius, who considering himself not less worthy of
that distinction than Titus Manlius, having first ascertained the
consul's pleasure, advanced fully armed into the middle space. The human
contest was rendered less remarkable by reason of the interposition of
the divine power. For just as the Roman was commencing the encounter, a
crow settled suddenly on his helmet, facing the enemy, which, as an
augury sent from heaven, the tribune at first received with pleasure.
Then he prayed that whatever god or goddess had sent him the auspicious
bird, would willingly and kindly aid him. Wondrous to relate, the bird
not only kept the place it had once taken, but as often as the encounter
was renewed, raising itself on its wings, it attacked the face and eyes
of the foe with its beak and talons, until Valerius slays him, terrified
at the sight of such a prodigy, and confounded both in his vision and
understanding. The crow soaring out of sight makes towards the east.
Hitherto the advanced guards on both sides remained quiet. When the
tribune began to strip the body of the slain enemy, neither the Gauls
any longer confined themselves to their post, and the Romans began to
run to their successful champion with still greater speed. There a
scuffle taking place around the body of the prostrate Gaul, a desperate
fight is stirred up. And now the contest is carried on not by the
companies of the nearest posts, but by the legions pouring out from both
sides. The soldiers exulting in the victory of the tribune, and also at
such favour and attention from the gods, are commanded by Camillus to
advance against the enemy: and he, pointing to the tribune distinguished
by the spoils, "Soldiers," said he, "imitate this man; and around their
fallen leader strew heaps of Gauls." Gods and men assisted at that
fight; and the struggle was carried on against the Gauls with a fury by
no means equivocal in its result, so thoroughly were both armies
impressed with the respective success of the two soldiers, between whom
the single combat had taken place. Among the first party, whose
encounter had called out the others, there was a desperate encounter:
the rest of the soldiery, before they came within throw of a weapon,
turned their backs. At first they were dispersed through the Volscians
and the Falernian territory; thence they made for Apulia and the upper
sea. The consul, calling an assembly, after heaping praises on the
tribune, bestows on him ten oxen and a golden crown. He himself, being
commanded by the senate to take charge of the maritime war, joined his
camp to that of the prætor. There because matters seemed to be delayed
by the dastardly conduct of the Greeks, who did not venture into the
field, with the approbation of the senate, he nominated Titus Manlius
Torquatus dictator. The dictator, after appointing Aulus Cornelius
Cossus his master of the horse, held the consular elections, and with
the greatest applause of the people he returned Marcus Valerius Corvus
(for that was his surname from thenceforth) as consul, though absent,
the rival of his own glory, then three and twenty years of age. As
colleague to Corvus, Marcus Popillius Lænas, a plebeian, was assigned to
be consul for the fourth time. Nothing memorable occurred between
Camillus and the Greeks; neither the one were warriors by land, nor the
Romans by sea. At length, when they were repelled from the shore, among
other things necessary for use, water also failing, they abandoned
Italy. To what state or what nation that fleet belonged, there is
nothing certain. I would be most inclined to think that they belonged to
the tyrants of Sicily; for the farther Greece, being at that time
wearied by intestine war, was now in dread of the power of the
Macedonians.
27. The armies being disbanded, whilst there was both peace abroad, and
tranquillity at home by reason of the concord of the different orders,
lest matters might be too happy, a pestilence having attacked the state,
compelled the senate to order the decemvirs to inspect the Sibylline
books, and by their suggestion a lectisternium took place. The same year
a colony was led to Satricum by the Antians, and the city, which the
Latins had demolished, was rebuilt. And a treaty was concluded at Rome
with the Carthaginian ambassadors, they having come to request
friendship and an alliance. The same tranquillity continued at home and
abroad, during the consulate of Titus Manlius Torquatus and Caius
Plautius. Only the interest of money from twelve was reduced to six per
cent; and the payment of the debts was adjusted into equal portions of
three years, on condition that the fourth payment should be made at the
present time. And then also, though a portion of the commons were
distressed, still public credit engrossed the attention of the senate in
preference to the difficulties of private individuals. Their
circumstances were relieved most effectually, because a cessation was
introduced of the taxes and levy. On the third year after Satricum was
rebuilt by the Volscians, Marcus Valerius Corvus having been elected
consul for the second time with Caius Poetelius, when news had been
brought from Latium, that ambassadors from Antium were going round the
states of the Latins to excite a war, being ordered to attack the
Volscians, before greater numbers of the enemy should be assembled,
proceeds to Satricum with his army ready for action. And when the
Antians and other Volscians met him, their forces being previously
prepared, in case any movement should be made on the part of Rome, no
delay of engaging took place between the two parties incensed with long
pent-up hate. The Volscians, a nation more spirited to renew hostilities
than to carry on war, being defeated in the fight, make for the walls of
Satricum in a precipitate flight; and their reliance in their walls not
being sufficiently strong, when the city, encompassed by a continuous
line of troops, was now on the point of being taken by scalade, they
surrendered to the number of four thousand soldiers, besides the unarmed
multitude. The town was demolished and burnt; only they kept the fire
from the temple of Mother Matuta. The entire plunder was given up to the
soldiers. The four thousand who had surrendered were considered
exclusive of the spoil; these the consul when triumphing drove before
his chariot in chains; afterwards by selling them he brought a great sum
of money into the treasury. There are some who state that this body of
captives consisted of slaves; and this is more probable than that
persons who had surrendered were exposed to sale.
28. Marcus Fabius Dorso and Servius Sulpicius Camerinus succeeded these
consuls. After this the Auruncan war commenced in consequence of a
sudden attempt at depredation: and through fear lest this act of one
state might be the concerted scheme of the whole Latin nation, Lucius
Furius being created dictator, as if against all Latium already in
arms, nominated Cneius Manlius Capitolinus his master of the horse. And
when, a suspension of public business being proclaimed, (a measure
usually adopted during great alarms,) the levy was held without
exemptions, the legions were led against the Auruncans with all possible
expedition. The spirit of freebooters rather than of enemies was found
there. They were vanquished therefore in the first encounter. However
the dictator, both because they had commenced hostilities without
provocation, and presented themselves to the contest without reluctance,
considering that the aid of the gods should also be engaged, vowed a
temple to Juno Moneta in the heat of the battle, and when he returned
victorious to Rome, obliged by his vow, he resigned his dictatorship.
The senate ordered duumvirs to be appointed to have the temple built
suitably to the grandeur of the Roman people; the site destined for it
was in the citadel, where the ground was on which the house of Marcus
Manlius Capitolinus had stood. The consuls, having employed the
dictator's army for the Volscian war, took Sora from the enemy, having
attacked them by surprise. The temple of Moneta is dedicated the year
after it had been vowed, Caius Marcius Rutilus being consul for the
third time, and Titus Manlius Torquatus for the second time. A prodigy
immediately followed the dedication, similar to the ancient one of the
Alban mount. For it both rained stones, and during the day night seemed
to be spread [over the sky]; and on the books being inspected, the state
being filled with religious scruples, it was resolved by the senate that
a dictator should be nominated for the purpose of regulating the
ceremonies. Publius Valerius Publicola was nominated; Quintus Fabius
Ambustus was assigned to him as master of the horse. It was determined
that not only the tribes, but the neighbouring states also should offer
supplications: and a certain order was appointed for them on what day
each should offer supplication. Severe sentences of the people are said
to have been passed on that year against usurers, for whom a day of
trial had been appointed by the ædiles. Matters came to an interregnum,
there being no particular reason on record. After the interregnum, both
the consuls were elected from the patricians, Marcus Valerius Corvus a
third time, and Aulus Cornelius Cossus, so that it would seem that such
was the end aimed at.
29. Henceforward shall be recorded wars of greater importance, both by
the strength of the belligerent powers, by the distance of the
countries, or the length of time during which they were carried on. For
in that year arms were taken up against the Samnites, a nation powerful
both in wealth and in arms. Pyrrhus followed as an enemy the war of the
Samnites carried on with various success, the Carthaginians followed
Pyrrhus. How great a mass of events! How often have extreme dangers been
encountered, that the empire might be raised to its present magnitude,
which is now scarcely sustained! But the cause of the war between the
Samnites and Romans, as they had been joined in alliance and friendship,
came from without; it originated not among themselves. After the
Samnites had unjustly taken up arms, because they had the advantage in
strength, against the Sidicinians, the weaker party being obliged to
have recourse to the aid of the more powerful, unite themselves to the
Campanians. As the Campanians brought to the relief of their allies
rather a name than strength, enervated as they were by luxury, they were
beaten in the Sidicinian territory by men who were inured to the use of
arms, and then brought on themselves the entire burthen of the war. For
the Samnites, taking no further notice of the Sidicinians, having
attacked the Campanians as being the chief of the neighbouring states,
from whom the victory might be equally easy, and a greater share of
spoil and glory, after they had secured Tifata, a ridge of hills hanging
over Capua, with a strong garrison, they march down from thence with
their army formed in a square into the plain which lies between Capua
and Tifata. There a second battle was fought; and the Campanians, after
an unsuccessful fight, being driven within their walls, when the flower
of their youth being cut down, no hope was nigh at hand, they were
obliged to sue for aid from the Romans.
30. Their ambassadors, being introduced into the senate, spoke as near
as possible to this purport: "Conscript fathers, the Campanian state has
sent us to you, to solicit from you friendship for ever, and present
aid, which if we had solicited whilst our affairs were prosperous, as it
would have commenced more readily, so would it have been bound by a
weaker tie. For then, as we should have recollected that we entered into
friendship on equal terms, we might be equally friendly as now, but
less submissive and compliant with your wishes. Now, won over by your
compassion for us, and defended by your aid in our critical
circumstances, it is incumbent on us that we show our sense also of the
kindness received; lest we should seem ungrateful, and undeserving of
aid from either god or man. Nor, indeed, do I think that because the
Samnites first became your allies and friends, such a circumstance is
sufficient to prevent our being admitted into friendship; but merely
shows that they excel us in priority and in the degree of honour; for no
provision has been made in your treaty with the Samnites that you should
not form any new treaties. It has ever been with you a sufficient title
to your friendship, that he who sought it desired to be a friend of
yours. We, Campanians, though our present state forbids us to speak in
high terms, not yielding to any state save you in the extent of our
city, or in the fertility of our land, come into friendship with you, no
inconsiderable accession in my opinion to your flourishing condition. We
shall be in the rear of the Æquans and Volscians, the eternal enemies of
this city, whenever they may stir; and whatever ye shall be the first to
perform in defence of our safety, the same shall we ever do in defence
of your empire and glory. Those nations which lie between us and you
being reduced, which both your bravery and good fortune makes it certain
will soon be the case, you will then have an uninterrupted empire
extending even to us. It is distressing and painful, what our condition
obliges us to confess. Conscript fathers, matters are come to this, that
we Campanians must be the property either of friends or enemies. If you
defend us, yours; if you desert us, we shall be the property of the
Samnites. Consider, then, whether you would rather that Capua and all
Campania should be added to your power or to that of the Samnites.
Romans, it is surely but just, that your compassion and your aid should
lie open to all men; to those, however, chiefly, who, whilst they afford
it beyond their means to others imploring aid, have themselves been
involved in this distress. Although we fought nominally for the
Sidicinians, in reality for ourselves, when we saw a neighbouring state
assailed by the nefarious plunder of the Samnites; and after the
Sidicinians had been consumed, we saw that the conflagration would pass
over to ourselves. For the Samnites do not come to attack us, because
they resent an injury received, but because they are glad that a pretext
has been presented to them. If this were the gratification of their
resentment, and not an occasion for satiating their ambition, was it not
sufficient that they cut down our legions once in the Sidicinian
territory, a second time in Campania itself? What sort of resentment
must that be, which the blood shed in two pitched battles cannot
satiate? To this add the laying waste of our lands; the spoil of men and
cattle driven away, the burning and ruin of our country-houses, every
thing destroyed by fire and sword. Could not resentment be satisfied
with this? But ambition must be satiated. That hurries them on to
besiege Capua. They either wish to destroy that most beautiful city, or
to possess it themselves. But, Romans, do you take possession of it in
your kindness, rather than suffer them to hold it by injustice. I am not
addressing a people who decline just wars; but still, if you make but a
show of your aid, I do not think that you will have occasion for war.
The contempt of the Samnites has just reached to us; it soars not
higher. Accordingly, Romans, we may be protected even by the shadow of
your aid: whatever after this we shall possess, whatever we ourselves
shall be, determined to consider all that as yours. For you the
Campanian field shall be ploughed; for you the city of Capua shall be
made populous; you shall be to us in the light of founders, parents, ay,
even immortal gods. There shall be no colony of your own which shall
surpass us in attachment and loyalty to you. Grant to the Campanians,
conscript fathers, your nod, and your irresistible favour, and bid us
hope that Capua will be safe. With what crowds of persons of all classes
attending us do you suppose that we set out from thence--how, think you,
did we leave every place full of vows and tears? In what a state of
expectation do you suppose that the senate are, the Campanian nation,
our wives and our children? I am certain that the entire multitude are
standing at the gates, looking forward to the road that leads from
hence, anxious as to what answer you may order us, conscript fathers, to
bring back to them, in their solicitude and suspense of mind. One kind
of answer may bring them safety, victory, light, and liberty--what the
other may, I feel horror to think. Determine therefore about us, as
about persons who will be your future friends and allies, or as persons
who are to have no existence any where."
31. The ambassadors then withdrawing, after the senate had been
consulted, though to a great many, their city the greatest and
wealthiest in Italy, their land the most fertile, and situated near the
sea, seemed likely to prove a granary to the Roman people for all
varieties of provision; still the faith of their engagements was more
regarded than such great advantages, and the consul, by the direction of
the senate, answered as follows: "Campanians, the senate considers you
deserving of aid. But it is meet that friendship be so established with
you, that no prior friendship and alliance be violated. The Samnites are
united in a treaty with us. Therefore we refuse you arms against the
Samnites, which would be a violation of duty to the gods first, and then
to men. We will, as divine and human law requires, send ambassadors to
our allies and friends to entreat that no violence be committed against
you?" To this the chief of the embassy replied, (for such were the
instructions they had brought from home,) "Since you are not willing to
defend by just force our possessions against violence and injustice, at
least you will defend your own. Wherefore, conscript fathers, we
surrender the Campanian people, and the city of Capua, their lands, the
temples of the gods, all things divine and human, into your jurisdiction
and that of the Roman people; whatever we shall suffer henceforth, being
determined to suffer as men who have surrendered to you." On these
words, all extending their hands towards the consuls, bathed in tears
they fell prostrate in the porch of the senate-house. The fathers,
affected at the vicissitude of human greatness, seeing that a nation
abounding in wealth, noted for luxury and pride, from which a little
time since their neighbours had solicited assistance, was now so broken
in spirit, as to give up themselves and all they possessed into the
power of others; moreover, their honour also seemed to be involved in
not betraying those who had surrendered, nor did they consider that the
people of the Samnites would act fairly, if they should attack a
territory and a city which had become the property of the Roman people
by a surrender. It was resolved therefore, that ambassadors should be
sent forthwith to the Samnites; instructions were given "that they
should lay before the Samnites the entreaties of the Campanians, the
answer of the senate duly mindful of the friendship of the Samnites, and
finally the surrender that had been concluded. That they requested, in
consideration of the friendship and alliance subsisting between them,
that they would spare their subjects; and that they would not carry
hostilities into that territory which had become the property of the
Roman people. If by gentle measures they did not succeed, that they
should denounce to the Samnites in the name of the senate and Roman
people, to withhold their arms from the city of Capua and the Campanian
territory." When the ambassadors urged these matters in the assembly of
the Samnites, so fierce an answer was returned, that they not only said
that they would prosecute that war, but their magistrates, having gone
out of the senate-house, in the very presence of the ambassadors,
summoned the prefects of the cohorts; and with a distinct voice
commanded them, to proceed forthwith into the Campanian territory, in
order to plunder it.
32. The result of this embassy being reported at Rome, the care of all
other concerns being laid aside, the senate, having despatched heralds
to demand satisfaction, and, because this was not complied with, war
being proclaimed in the usual way, they decreed that the matter should
be submitted to the people at the very earliest opportunity; and both
the consuls having set out from the city by order of the people with two
armies, Valerius into Campania, Cornelius into Samnium, the former
pitches his camp at Mount Gaurus, the latter at Saticula. The legions of
the Samnites met with Valerius first; for they thought that the whole
weight of the war would incline to that side. At the same time
resentment stimulated them against the Campanians, that they should be
so ready at one time to lend aid, at another to call in aid against
them. But as soon as they beheld the Roman camp, they fiercely demanded
the signal each from his leader; they maintained that the Roman would
bring aid to the Campanian with the same fate with which the Campanian
had done to the Sidicinian. Valerius, having delayed for a few days in
slight skirmishes for the purpose of making trial of the enemy,
displayed the signal for battle, exhorting his men in few words "not to
let the new war or the new enemy terrify them. In proportion as they
should carry their arms to a greater distance from the city, the more
and more unwarlike should the nation prove to be against whom they
should proceed. That they should not estimate the valour of the Samnites
by the defeats of the Sidicinians and Campanians. Let the combatants be
of what kind they may be, that it was necessary that one side should be
vanquished. That as for the Campanians indeed, they were undoubtedly
vanquished more by circumstances flowing from excessive luxury and by
their own want of energy than by the bravery of the enemy. What were the
two successful wars of the Samnites, during so many ages, against so
many glorious exploits of the Roman people, who counted almost more
triumphs than years since the building of their city? who held subdued
by their arms all the states around them, the Sabines, Etruria, the
Latins, Hernicians, Æquans, Volscians, Auruncans? who eventually drove
by flight into the sea, and into their ships, the Gauls, after
slaughtering them in so many engagements? That soldiers ought both to
enter the field relying on their national military renown, and on their
own valour, and also to consider under whose command and auspices the
battle is to be fought; whether he be one which is to be listened to as
a pompous exhorter, bold merely in words, unacquainted with military
labours, or one who knows how to wield arms himself also, to advance
before the standards, and to show himself in the midst of the danger. My
acts, not my words merely, I wish you to follow; and to seek from me not
military orders only, but example also. It was not by intrigues merely,
nor by cabals usual among the nobles, but by this right hand, I procured
for myself three consulships, and the highest eulogies. There was a time
when this could be said; [no wonder,] for you were a patrician, and
sprung from the liberators of your country; and that family of yours had
the consulship the same year that the city had consuls. Now the
consulship lies open in common to us patricians and to you plebeians;
nor is it, as formerly, the prize of birth, but of valour. Look forward,
therefore, soldiers, to even the highest honour. Though you, as men,
have, with the approbation of the gods, given me this new surname of
Corvus, the ancient surname of our family, Publicolæ, has not been
erased from my memory. I ever do and ever have cultivated the good will
of the Roman commons abroad and at home, as a private man and in public
offices, high and low, as tribune equally as when consul, with the same
undeviating line of conduct through all my successive consulships. Now,
with respect to that which is at hand, with the aid of the gods, join
with me in seeking a new and complete triumph over the Samnites."
33. Never was a general on a more familiar footing with his soldiers, by
his performing all the duties among the lowest of the soldiers without
reluctance. Moreover in the military sports, wherein equals vie with
their equals in contests of swiftness and strength, affable and
condescending, he conquered and was conquered with the same countenance;
nor did he spurn any competitor who should offer; in his acts kind
according to the occasion; in his conversation no less mindful of the
ease of others than of his own dignity; and, a thing than which nothing
is more agreeable to the people, he administered his offices by the same
line of conduct by which he had gained them. The whole army therefore,
cheering the exhortation of their leader with the utmost alacrity, march
forth from the camp. The battle commenced with equal hopes and equal
strength on both sides, as much as any battle ever did, with confidence
in themselves, and without contempt of their enemies. Their recent
exploits and their double victory a few days before, increased the
spirits of the Samnites on the other side; the glories of four hundred
years and victory coeval with the building of their city [had the same
effect] on the Romans; to both sides, however, the circumstance of the
enemy being a new one gave additional anxiety. The battle was a proof
what spirits they possessed; for they maintained the conflict in such a
manner, that, for a considerable time, the armies inclined to neither
side. Then the consul, thinking that some confusion should be caused
among them, since they could not be overpowered by force, endeavours to
disorder their foremost battalions by a charge of cavalry. And when he
saw them wheel their troops within a narrow compass in fruitless
disorder, and that they could not open a passage to the enemy, riding
back to the van of the legions, after leaping from his horse, he says,
"Soldiers, this is the task for us infantry; come on, as ye shall see me
making way with my sword, in whatever direction I shall advance into the
enemy's line, so let each man, with all his might, beat down those who
oppose him. All those places, where their erected spears now glitter,
you shall see cleared by widely-extended slaughter." He had uttered
these words, when the cavalry by order of the consul turn to the wings,
and open a passage for the legions to the centre of the line. First of
all, the consul attacks the enemy, and slays him whom he happened to
engage. Those on the right and left, fired at this sight, commence a
dreadful fight, each with the foe opposite him. The Samnites obstinately
stand their ground, though they receive more wounds than they inflict.
The battle had now lasted for a considerable time, great slaughter
occurred around the standards of the Samnites; in no part was there a
flight, so firmly had they made up their minds to be vanquished by death
alone. Wherefore the Romans, when they perceived their strength to relax
by fatigue, and but a small part of the day still remained, fired with
fury, rush upon the enemy. Then for the first time it appeared that they
were giving ground, and that the matter was inclining to a flight; then
the Samnites were taken, some slain; nor would many have survived, had
not night terminated the victory rather than the battle. Both the Romans
confessed, that they had never fought with a more determined enemy; and
the Samnites, on being asked what cause first drove them to fly after
being so determined, said, that it was the eyes of the Romans which
seemed to them to flash fire, and their distracted looks, and furious
aspect; that more of terror arose from thence, than from any thing else.
Which terror they confessed not only in the issue of the battle, but in
their departure by night. Next day the Romans take possession of the
deserted camp of the enemy, whither all the Campanians flocked to
congratulate them.
34. But this joy was well nigh alloyed by a great loss sustained in
Samnium. For the consul Cornelius, having set out from Saticula,
incautiously led his army into a mountainous tract, passable through a
deep defile, and beset on all sides by the enemy; nor did he perceive
the enemy stationed over his head, until a retreat could no longer be
made with safety. Whilst the Samnites delayed only till he should bring
down his entire army into the valley; Publius Decius, a tribune of the
soldiers, espies in the tract a hill higher than the rest, hanging over
the enemies' camp, rather steep to be ascended by an encumbered army,
not difficult for such as were lightly armed. He says therefore to the
consul, greatly alarmed in mind, "Aulus Cornelius, do you perceive that
elevated point above the enemy? That is the bulwark of our hope and
safety, if we briskly gain possession of it, which the Samnites in their
blindness have given up. Only give me the first rank and spearmen of one
legion; when with these I shall have gained the summit, do you proceed
hence free from all apprehension, and save yourself and the army. For
the enemy, lying beneath us and [exposed thereby] to all our weapons,
will not be able to stir without destruction to themselves. After that
either the good fortune of the Roman people or our own bravery will
extricate us." Being commanded by the consul, he received the body of
men [required] and proceeds by secret paths through the mountain, nor
was he observed by the enemy until he approached the place which he was
making for. Then, whilst all were struck with astonishment, after he had
attracted the eyes of all to himself, he both afforded the consul time
to draw off his army to more advantageous ground, and he himself was
posted on the top of the hill. The Samnites, whilst they march their
forces now in this direction, now in that, having lost the opportunity
of effecting either object, can neither pursue the consul, unless
through the same defile in which they had him a little before exposed to
their weapons, nor march up the rising ground over themselves, which had
been seized on by Decius. But both their resentment stimulated them more
against the latter, who had taken from them the favourable opportunity
of achieving their object, and also the proximity of the place, and the
paucity of the enemy; and one time they would fain surround the hill on
all sides with armed men, so as to cut off Decius from the consul; at
another time they wished to open a passage, so that they may fall on
them when they had descended into the defile. Before they had determined
on what they should do, night came on them. Decius at first entertained
a hope, that he would have to engage them from the higher ground, as
they ascended against the steep; then surprise took possession of him,
that they neither commenced the fight, nor if they were deterred from
that by the unevenness of the ground, that they did not surround him
with works and a circumvallation. Then summoning the centurions to him,
he said, "What ignorance of war and indolence is that? or how did such
men obtain a victory over the Sidicinians and Campanians? You see that
their battalions move to and fro, that sometimes they are collected to
one spot, at other times they are drawn out. As for work, no one
attempts it, when we might by this time have been surrounded with a
rampart. Then indeed should we be like to them, if we delay longer here
than is expedient. Come on, accompany me; that whilst some day light
remains, we may ascertain in what places they put their guards, in what
direction an escape may lie open from hence." All these points he
carefully observed, clad in a soldier's vest, the centurions whom he
took with him being also in the attire of common soldiers, lest the
enemy might notice the general going the round.
35. Then having placed watch-guards, he commands the ticket to be issued
to all the rest, that when the signal had been given by the trumpet of
the second watch, they should assemble to him in silence fully armed.
Whither when they had assembled in silence according to the orders
issued, "Soldiers," says he, "this silence is to be observed in
listening to me, waving the military mode of expressing assent. When I
shall have thoroughly explained my sentiments to you, then such of you
as shall approve the same, will pass over; we will follow that line of
conduct which shall meet the judgment of the majority. Now hear what I
meditate in mind. The enemy have surrounded you, not brought hither in
flight, nor left behind through cowardice. By valour you seized this
ground; by valour you must make your way from it. By coming hither you
have saved a valuable army of the Roman people; by forcing your way
hence, save yourselves. You have proved yourselves worthy, though few in
number, of affording aid to multitudes, whilst you yourselves stand in
need of aid from no one. You have to do with that enemy, who on
yesterday, through their supineness, availed themselves not of the
fortunate opportunity of destroying our whole army, who did not see this
hill so advantageously situate hanging over their heads, until it was
seized on by us; who with so many thousand men did not prevent us so few
from the ascent, and did not surround us with a rampart when in
possession of the ground, though so much of the day still remained. That
enemy which with their eyes open and awake you so baffled, it is
incumbent on you now to beguile, buried, as they are, in sleep; nay, it
is absolutely necessary. For our affairs are in that situation, that I
am rather to point out to you your necessity than to propose advice. For
whether you are to remain or to depart hence, can no longer be matter of
deliberation, since, with the exception of your arms, and courage
mindful of those arms, fortune has left you nothing, and we must die of
famine and thirst, if we are more afraid of the sword than becomes men
and Romans. Therefore our only safety is to sally forth from this and to
depart. That we must do either by day or by night. But lo! another point
which admits of less doubt; for if daylight be waited for, what hope is
there, that the enemy, who have now encompassed the hill on every side,
as you perceive, with their bodies exposed at disadvantage, will not hem
us in with a continued rampart and ditch? If night then be favourable
for a sally, as it is, this is undoubtedly the most suitable hour of
night. You assembled here on the signal of the second watch, a time
which buries mortals in the profoundest sleep. You will pass through
their bodies lulled to sleep, either in silence unnoticed by them, or
ready to strike terror into them, should they perceive you, by a sudden
shout. Only follow me, whom you have followed. The same fortune which
conducted us hither, will I follow. Those of you to whom these measures
seem salutary, come on, pass over to the right."
36. They all passed over, and followed Decius as he proceeded through
the intervals which lay between the guards. They had now passed the
middle of the camp, when a soldier, striding over the bodies of the
watchmen as they lay asleep, occasioned a noise by striking one of their
shields. When the watchman, being aroused by this, stirred the next one
to him, and those who were awake stirred up others, not knowing whether
they were friends or foes, whether it was the garrison that sallied
forth or the consul had taken their camp; Decius, having ordered the
soldiers to raise a shout, as they were no longer unobserved,
disheartens them by panic whilst still heavy from sleep, by which being
perplexed, they were neither able to take arms briskly, nor make
resistance, nor to pursue them. During the trepidation and confusion of
the Samnites, the Roman guard, slaying such of the guards as came in
their way, reached the consul's camp. A considerable portion of night
still remained, and things now appeared to be in safety; when Decius
says, "Roman soldiers, be honoured for your bravery. Your journey and
return ages shall extol. But to behold such bravery light and day are
necessary; nor do you deserve that silence and night should cover you,
whilst you return to the camp with such distinguished glory. Here let us
wait in quiet for the daylight." His words they obeyed. And as soon as
it was day, a messenger being despatched to the camp to the consul, they
were aroused from sleep with great joy; and the signal being given by
ticket, that those persons returned safe who had exposed their persons
to evident danger for the preservation of all, rushing out each most
anxiously to meet them, they applaud them, congratulate them, they call
them singly and collectively their preservers, they give praises and
thanks to the gods, they raise Decius to heaven. This was a sort of camp
triumph for Decius, who proceeded through the middle of the camp, with
his guard fully armed, the eyes of all being fixed on him, and all
giving him equal honour with the consul. When they came to the general's
tent, the consul summons them by sound of trumpet to an assembly; and
commencing with the well-earned praises of Decius, he adjourned the
assembly on the interposition of Decius himself, who advising the
postponement of every thing else, whilst the occasion was still present,
persuaded the consul to attack the enemy, whilst still in consternation
from the panic of the night, and dispersing in separate detachments
around the hill, [adding] that he believed that some who had been sent
out in pursuit of him were straggling through the forest. The legions
were ordered to take arms; and having departed from the camp, as the
forest was now better known by means of scouts, they are led onwards to
the enemy through a more open tract. Having unexpectedly attacked the
enemy when off their guard, since the soldiers of the Samnites
straggling in every direction, most of them unarmed, were not able
either to rally, nor to take arms, nor to betake themselves within the
rampart, they first drive them in a panic into the camp: then they take
the camp itself, having dislodged the guards. The shout spread around
the hill; and puts each to flight from their respective posts. Thus a
great part yielded to an enemy they had not seen. Those whom the panic
had driven within the rampart (they amounted to thirty thousand) were
all slain; the camp was plundered.
37. Matters being thus conducted, the consul, having summoned an
assembly, pronounces a panegyric on Decius, not only that which had been
commenced on a previous occasion, but as now completed by his recent
deserts; and besides other military gifts, he presents him with a golden
crown and one hundred oxen, and with one white one of distinguished
beauty, richly decorated with gilded horns. The soldiers who had been in
the guard with him, were presented with a double allowance of corn for
ever; for the present, with an ox and two vests each. Immediately after
the consuls' donation, the legions place on the head of Decius a crown
of grass, indicative of their deliverance from a blockade, expressing
their approbation of the present with a shout. Decorated with these
emblems, he sacrificed the beautiful ox to Mars; the hundred oxen he
bestowed on the soldiers, who had been with him in the expedition. On
the same soldiers the legions conferred, each a pound of corn and a pint
of wine; and all these things were performed with great alacrity, with a
military shout, a token of the approbation of all. The third battle was
fought near Suessula, in which the army of the Samnites, having been
routed by Marcus Valerius, having summoned from home the flower of their
youth, determined on trying their strength by a final contest. From
Suessula messengers came in great haste to Capua, and from thence
horsemen in full speed to the consul Valerius, to implore aid. The
troops were immediately put in motion; and the baggage in the camp being
left with a strong guard, the army moves on with rapidity; and they
select at no great distance from the enemy a very narrow spot (as, with
the exception of their horses, they were unaccompanied by a crowd of
cattle and servants). The army of the Samnites, as if there was to be no
delay in coming to an engagement, draw up in order of battle; then, when
no one came to meet them, they advance to the enemy's camp in readiness
for action. There when they saw the soldiers on the rampart, and persons
sent out to reconnoitre in every direction, brought back word into how
narrow a compass the camp had been contracted, inferring thence the
scanty number of the enemy. The whole army began to exclaim, that the
trenches ought to be filled up, the rampart to be torn down, and that
they should force their way into the camp; and by that temerity the war
would have been soon over, had not the generals restrained the
impetuosity of the soldiers. However, as their own numbers bore heavily
on their supplies, and in consequence, first of their sitting down so
long at Suessula, and then by the delay of the contest, they were not
far from a want of provisions, it was determined, whilst the enemy
remained shut up as if through fear, that the soldiers should be led
through the country to forage; [supposing] in the mean time, that all
supplies would fail the Romans also, who having marched in haste, had
brought with him only as much corn as could be carried on his shoulders
amid his arms. The consul, after he had observed the enemy scattered
through the country, that the posts were left but insufficiently
attended, having in a few words encouraged his men, leads them on to
besiege the camp. After he had taken this on the first shout and
contest, more of the enemy being slain in their tents than at the gates
and rampart, he ordered the captive standards to be collected into one
place, and having left behind two legions as a guard and protection,
after giving them strict order that they should abstain from the booty,
until he himself should return; having set out with his troops in
regular order, the cavalry who had been sent on driving the dispersed
Samnites as it were by hunting toils, he committed great slaughter among
them. For in their terror they could neither determine by what signal
they should collect themselves into a body, whether they should make for
the camp, or continue their flight to a greater distance. And so great
was their terror, and so precipitate their flight, that to the number of
forty thousand shields, though by no means were so many slain, and one
hundred and seventy standards, with those which had been taken in the
camp, were brought to the consul. Then they returned to the enemy's
camp; and there all the plunder was given up to the soldiers.
38. The result of this contest obliged the Faliscians, who were on terms
of a truce, to petition for a treaty of alliance from the senate; and
diverted the Latins, who had their armies already prepared, from the
Roman to a Pelignian war. Nor did the fame of such success confine
itself within the limits of Italy; but the Carthaginians also sent
ambassadors to Rome to congratulate them, with an offering of a golden
crown, to be placed in Jupiter's shrine in the Capitol. Its weight was
twenty-five pounds. Both consuls triumphed over the Samnites, whilst
Decius followed distinguished with praises and presents, when amid the
rough jesting of the soldiers the name of the tribune was no less
celebrated than that of the consuls. The embassies of the Campanians and
Suessulans were then heard; and to their entreaties it was granted that
a garrison should be sent thither, in order that the incursions of the
Samnites might be repelled. Capua, even then by no means favourable to
military discipline, alienated from the memory of their country the
affections of the soldiers, which were debauched by the supply of
pleasures of all kinds; and schemes were being formed in winter-quarters
for taking away Capua from the Campanians by the same kind of wickedness
as that by which they had taken it from its original possessors: "and
not undeservedly would they turn their own example against themselves.
For why should the Campanians, who were neither able to defend
themselves nor their possessions, occupy the most fertile land of Italy,
and a city worthy of that land, rather than the victorious army, who had
driven the Samnites from thence by their sweat and blood? Was it
reasonable that men who had surrendered to them should have the full
enjoyment of that fertile and delightful country; that they, wearied by
military toil, had to struggle in an insalubrious and arid soil around
their city, or within the city to suffer the oppressive and exhausting
weight of interest-money daily increasing?" These schemes agitated in
secret cabals, and as yet communicated only to a few, were encountered
by the new consul Caius Marcius Rutilus, to whom the province of
Campania had fallen by lot, Quintus Servilius, his colleague, being left
behind in the city. Accordingly when he was in possession of all these
circumstances just as they had occurred, having ascertained them through
the tribunes, matured by years and experience, (for he was consul now
for the fourth time, and had been dictator and censor,) thinking it the
wisest proceeding to frustrate the violence of the soldiers, by
prolonging their hope of executing their project whenever they might
wish, he spreads the rumour, that the troops were to winter in the same
towns on the year after also. For they had been cantoned throughout the
cities of Campania, and their plots had spread from Capua to the entire
army. This abatement being given to the eagerness of their projects, the
mutiny was set at rest for the present.
39. The consul, having led out his army to the summer campaign,
determined, whilst he had the Samnites quiet, to purge the army by
sending away the turbulent men; by telling some that their regular time
had been served; that others were weighed down by years and debilitated
in bodily vigour. Some were sent away on furloughs, at first
individuals, then some cohorts also, on the plea that they had wintered
far from their home and domestic affairs. When different individuals
were sent to different places under pretence of the business of the
service, a considerable number were put out of the way; which multitude
the other consul detained in Rome under different pretences. And first
indeed, not suspecting the artifice, they returned to their homes by no
means with reluctance. After they saw that neither those first sent
returned to their standards, and that scarcely any others, except those
who had wintered in Campania, and chiefly the fomenters of the mutiny,
were sent away; at first wonder, and then certain fear entered their
minds, that their schemes had been divulged; "that now they would have
to suffer trials, discoveries, the secret punishments of individuals,
and the tyrannical and cruel despotism of the consuls and the senate.
Those who were in the camp, discuss these things in secret conferences,
seeing that the sinews of the conspiracy had been got rid of by the
artifice of the consul." One cohort, when they were at no great distance
from Anxur, posted itself at Lautulæ, in a narrow woody pass between the
sea and the mountains, to intercept those whom the consul was dismissing
under various pretences (as has been already mentioned). Their body was
now becoming strong in numbers; nor was any thing wanting to complete
the form of a regular army, except a leader. Without order, therefore,
they come into the Alban territory committing depredations, and under
the hill of Alba Longa, they encompass their camp with a rampart. The
work here being completed, during the remainder of the day they discuss
their different opinions regarding the choice of a commander, not having
sufficient confidence in any of those present. Whom could they invite
out from Rome? What individuals of the patricians or of the commons was
there, who would either knowingly expose himself to such imminent
danger, or to whom could the cause of the army, set mad by
ill-treatment, be safely committed? On the following day, when the same
subject of deliberation detained them, some of the straggling marauders
ascertained and brought an account, that Titus Quinctius cultivated a
farm in the Tusculan territory, forgetful of the city and its honours.
This was a man of patrician family, whose military career, which was
passed with great glory, having been relinquished in consequence of one
of his feet being lamed by a wound, he determined on spending his life
in the country far from ambition and the forum. His name once heard,
they immediately recognised the man; and with wishes for success,
ordered him to be sent for. There was, however, but little hope that he
would do any thing voluntarily; they resolved on employing force and
intimidation. Accordingly those who had been sent for the purpose,
having entered the house in the silence of the night, and surprising
Quinctius overcome in sleep, threatening that there was no alternative,
either authority and honour, or death, in case he resisted, unless he
followed, they force him to the camp. Immediately on his arrival he was
styled general, and whilst he was startled at the strange nature of the
sudden occurrence, they convey to him the ensigns of honour, and bid him
lead them to the city. Then having torn up their standard, more under
the influence of their own impetuosity than by the command of their
general, they arrive in hostile array at the eighth stone on the road,
which is now the Appian; and would have proceeded immediately to the
city, had they not heard that an army was coming to meet them, and that
Marcus Valerius Corvus was nominated dictator against them, and Lucius
Æmilius Mamercinus master of the horse.
40. As soon as they came in sight and recognised the arms and standards,
instantly the recollection of their country softened the resentment of
all. Not yet were they so hardy as to shed the blood of their
countrymen, nor had they known any but foreign wars, and secession from
their own was deemed the extreme of rage. Accordingly now the generals,
now the soldiers sought a meeting for a negotiation. Quinctius, who was
satiated with arms [taken up] even in defence of his country, much more
so against it; Corvus, who entertained a warm affection for all his
countrymen, chiefly the soldiers, and above others, for his own army,
advanced to a conference. To him, being immediately recognised, silence
was granted with no less respect by his adversaries, than by his own
party: he says, "Soldiers, at my departure from the city, I prayed to
the immortal gods, your public deities as well as mine, and earnestly
implored their goodness so, that they would grant me the glory of
establishing concord among you, not victory over you. There have been
and there will be sufficient opportunities, whence military fame may be
obtained: on this occasion peace should be the object of our wishes.
What I earnestly called for from the immortal gods when offering up my
prayers, you have it in your power to grant to me, if you will remember,
that you have your camp not in Samnium, nor among the Volscians, but on
Roman ground; that those hills which you behold are those of your
country, that this is the army of your countrymen; that I am your own
consul, under whose guidance and auspices ye last year twice defeated
the legions of the Samnites, twice took their camp by storm. Soldiers, I
am Marcus Valerius Corvus, whose nobility ye have felt by acts of
kindness towards you, not by ill-treatment; the proposer of no
tyrannical law against you, of no harsh decree of the senate; in every
post of command more strict on myself than on you. And if birth, if
personal merit, if high dignity, if public honours could suggest
arrogance to any one, from such ancestors have I been descended, such a
specimen had I given of myself, at such an age did I attain the
consulship, that when but twenty-three years old I might have been a
proud consul, even to the patricians, not to the commons only. What act
or saying of mine, when consul, have ye heard of more severe than when
only tribune? With the same tenor did I administer two successive
consulships; with the same shall this uncontrollable office, the
dictatorship, be administered. So that I shall be found not more
indulgent to these my own soldiers and the soldiers of my country, than
to you, I shudder to call you so, its enemies. Ye shall therefore draw
the sword against me, before I draw it against you. On that side the
signal shall be sounded, on that the shout and onset shall begin, if a
battle must take place. Determine in your minds, on that which neither
your fathers nor grandfathers could; neither those who seceded to the
Sacred Mount, nor yet those who afterwards posted themselves on the
Aventine. Wait till your mothers and wives come out to meet you from the
city with dishevelled hair, as they did formerly to Coriolanus. At that
time the legions of the Volscians, because they had a Roman for their
leader, ceased from hostilities; will not ye, a Roman army, desist from
an unnatural war? Titus Quinctius, under whatever circumstances you
stand on that side, whether voluntarily or reluctantly, if there must be
fighting, do you then retire to the rear. With more honour even will you
fly, and turn your back to your countryman, than fight against your
country. Now you will stand with propriety and honour among the foremost
to promote peace; and may you be a salutary agent in this conference.
Require and offer that which is just; though we should admit even unjust
terms, rather than engage in an impious combat with each other." Titus
Quinctius, turning to his party with his eyes full of tears, said, "In
me too, soldiers, if there is any use of me, ye have a better leader for
peace than for war. For that speech just now delivered, not a Volscian,
nor a Samnite expressed, but a Roman: your own consul, your own general,
soldiers: whose auspices having already experienced for you, do not wish
to experience them against you. The senate had other generals also, who
would engage you with more animosity; they have selected the one who
would be most indulgent to you, his own soldiers, in whom as your
general you would have most confidence. Even those who can conquer,
desire peace: what ought we to desire? Why do we not, renouncing
resentment and hope, those fallacious advisers, resign ourselves and all
our interests to his tried honour?"
41. All approving with a shout, Titus Quinctius, advancing before the
standards, declared that "the soldiers would be obedient to the
dictator; he entreated that he would espouse the cause of his
unfortunate countrymen, and having espoused it, he would maintain it
with the same fidelity with which he had wont to administer public
affairs. That for himself individually he made no terms: that he would
found his hope in nothing else but in his innocence. That provision
should be made for the soldiers, as provision had been made by the
senate, once for the commons, a second time for the legions, so that the
secession should not be visited with punishment." The dictator, having
lauded Quinctius, and having bid the others to hope for the best,
returned back to the city with all speed, and, with the approbation of
the senate, proposed to the people in the Peteline grove, that the
secession should not be visited with chastisement on any of the
soldiers. He also entreated, with their permission, that no one should
either in jest or earnest upbraid any one with that proceeding. A
military devoting law was also passed, that the name of any soldier once
enrolled, should not be erased unless with his own consent; and to the
law [a clause] was added that no one, after he had been a tribune of the
soldiers, should afterwards be a centurion. That demand was made by the
conspirators on account of Publius Salonius; who in alternate years was
both tribune of the soldiers and first centurion, which they now call
_primi pili_. The soldiers were incensed against him, because he had
always been opposed to their recent measures, and had fled from Lantulæ,
that he might have no share in them. Accordingly when this alone was not
obtained from the senate through their regard for Salonius, then
Salonius, conjuring the conscript fathers, that they would not value his
promotion more highly than the concord of the state, prevailed in having
that also carried. Equally ineffectual was the demand, that some
deductions should be made from the pay of the cavalry, (they then
received triple,) because they had opposed the conspiracy.
42. Besides these, I find in some writers that Lucius Genucius, tribune
of the commons, proposed to the people, that no one should be allowed to
practise usury; likewise provision was made by other enactments, that no
one should fill the same office within ten years; nor hold two offices
on the same year; and that it should be allowed that both the consuls
should be plebeians. If all these concessions were made to the people,
it is evident that the revolt possessed no little strength. In other
annals it is recorded, that Valerius was not appointed dictator, but
that the entire business was managed by the consuls; and also that that
band of conspirators were driven to arms not before they came to Rome,
but at Rome; and that it was not on the country-house of Titus
Quinctius, but on the residence of Caius Manlius the assault was made by
night, and that he was seized by the conspirators to become their
leader: that having proceeded thence to the fourth mile-stone, they
posted themselves in a well-defended place; and that it was not with the
leaders mention of a reconciliation originated; but that suddenly, when
the armies marched out to battle fully armed, a mutual salutation took
place; that mixing together the soldiers began to join hands, and to
embrace each other with tears; and that the consuls, on seeing the minds
of the soldiers averse from fighting, made a proposition to the senate
concerning the re-establishment of concord. So that among ancient
writers nothing is agreed on, except that there was a mutiny, and that
it was composed. Both the report of this disturbance, and the heavy war
entered into with the Samnites, alienated some states from the Roman
alliance: and besides the treaty of the Latins, which now for a long
time was not to be depended on, the Privernians also by a sudden
incursion laid waste Norba and Setia, Roman colonies in their
neighbourhood.