The Veientes were the most powerful of the twelve peoples who inhabited
Etruria. Their capital, Veii, situated on a steep rock, was only twelve
miles from Rome; and the inhabitants were, for more than three hundred
and fifty years, the most persevering enemies of the growing republic.
The Romans, tired of seeing their projects constantly thwarted by the
Veientes, declared war against them, after a truce of twenty years;
and in order the better to carry out that great design, resolved to
lay siege to their capital. Situated upon a steep rock, abundantly
provided with everything, famine alone could reduce it. The task was
a long one, but it did not terrify the Romans. It became necessary to
defend the soldier from the rigours of winter, and tents made of skins
were erected, which proved as good as houses to them. This being an
innovation, the tribunes of the people opposed it strongly, but a check
soon silenced their vain clamours. The Veientes, in a sortie, took the
besiegers by surprise, burnt their machines, and destroyed most of
their works. All orders of the Romans swore not to leave the camp till
the city was taken. The horsemen, whom the republic was bound to supply
with horses, offered to find them at their own expense. The senate,
only anxious for the glory and interest of the state, charmed with this
unanimous zeal, assigned for the first time a pay to the horsemen, and
to all the volunteers who would repair to the siege. The works were
quickly re-established, with the addition of much more considerable new
ones. Rome was beginning to look for the most favourable results, when
the hatred of the military tribunes, L. Virginius and M. Sergius, who
commanded the army, almost annihilated their hopes. The Capenates and
the Falerii, neighbours of the Veientes, armed secretly, and surprised
and attacked the camp of the Romans. The two tribunes carried their
quarrel so far as to separate and divide the army into two parts.
Whilst in this state, the enemy fell upon Sergius. The besieged, in
concert with them, made a sortie and attacked him on their side. The
astonished Romans fought feebly, and soon sought safety in flight.
All were in disorder, and the rout became general. Virginius might
have saved his colleague, but he preferred enjoying the spectacle
of his defeat. The exasperated senate obliged them both to abdicate
their commands; they were brought to trial, and very heavily fined for
so great a crime. The Falerii returned to the charge, but they were
repulsed with great loss. In the mean time, the siege did not advance,
and the efforts of the Roman armies terminated in ravaging the lands of
their enemies. The following year, the war was still more unsuccessful.
Under vain pretences of religion, the military tribunes, with whom the
Romans were dissatisfied, were deposed, and a dictator was chosen, as
was the custom on all the pressing emergencies of the republic. M.
Furius Camillus, whose rare valour and high capacity had been displayed
more than once in command, was raised to this supreme dignity. The
presence of this great man soon restored the military discipline,
which had been weakened by the disunion of the leaders, and brought
good fortune back to the standards of Rome. The city was pressed
more closely, and the forts which the besieged had destroyed were
reconstructed. Camillus defeated the Falerii and the Capenates, and
after that victory, he pushed on the attack with additional ardour. At
length, despairing of succeeding by force, he had recourse to sapping
and mining. His soldiers, by dint of hard labour, opened for themselves
a subterraneous passage into the castle; thence, dispersing themselves
about the city, whilst the general amused the besieged by an assault,
some charged those who defended the walls, whilst others broke down
the gates, and let the army into the place in crowds. The terrified
citizens knew not which way to fly; all issues were occupied by their
enemies. Some were crushed beneath the ruins of the houses, others were
consumed by the flames; the image of death was everywhere. The furious
soldiery immolated all that came in their way; nothing was heard but
cries and lamentations. The dictator put an end to the carnage, and
disarmed the prisoners, but in accordance with his promise, gave the
city up to the pillage of his victorious troops. The republic received
the news of this victory with transports of the liveliest joy, and all
orders of the state vied with each other in doing honour to the triumph
of Camillus.--And yet they afterwards banished him.
[Illustration: SIEGE OF VEII.]