Pulvillus, and Publius Valerius. The cares of the public were, in the very beginning of the year, diverted from the Etrurian war: for a number of fugitives, from the Pomptine district, running hastily into the city, in a body, brought intelligence, that the Antians were in arms, and that the states of the Latines had privately sent their young men to co-operate with them in the war, alleging that the state was not concerned in the business, but only did not hinder volunteers to engage in any service which they chose. It had ceased to be the practice to despise any enemy: the senate therefore thanked the gods that Camillus was in office, because, had he been in a private station, it would have been necessary to have nominated him dictator: his colleagues also agreed, that, when any danger threatened, the entire direction of affairs should be vested in him singly, and determined to consign all their authority into his hands; nor did they think, that any concession which they made, towards exalting his dignity, derogated in the least from their own. After the tribunes had been highly commended by the senate, Camillus too, covered with confusion, returned them his thanks, and proceeded to say, that "a heavy burthen was laid on him by the Roman "people, who had created him, in a manner, dictator, now a "fourth time; a very great one, by the senate, in such judg"ments as that body had expressed concerning him; but the (6 greatest of all, by the condescension of colleagues of such " eminent distinction, Wherefore, if it were possible to add "to his diligence and vigilance, he would vie with himself, " and labour earnestly, that the opinion of the state concern

ing him, so universally conceived, might be as lasting, as "it was honourable to him. With respect to the war, and the "Antians, there was more of threats in it than of danger; "nevertheless his advice was, that, as they should fear no"thing, so they should despise nothing. The city of Rome "was besieged on all sides, by the ill-will and hatred of its

"neighbours. The business of the commonwealth would "therefore require more generals and more armies than one, "It is my design," said he, " that you, Publius Valerius, as 66 my associate in command and counsel, shall march with me, "at the head of the legions, against the enemy at Antium: "that you, Quintus Servilius, after forming another army, "and putting it in readiness, shall encamp in the city, and be "ready to act, in case the Etrurians, as lately, or these new "disturbers, the Latines and Hernicians, should, in the mean "time, make any attempts: I am perfectly assured, that your " conduct will be worthy of your father, of your grandfather, "of yourself, and of six tribunates. Let a third army be en. "listed by Lucius Quintius, for the guard of the city, out of "those excused from service, and those past the military age. "Let Lucius Horatius provide arms, weapons, corn, and "whatever else the exigencies of war may demand. You, "Servius Cornelius, we, your colleagues, appoint the presi"dent of this grand council of the state, the guardian of religion, of the assemblies, of the laws, and of every thing "else pertaining to the city." All of them cheerfully pro mising their best endeavours, in the several departments committed to them, Valerius, whom he had chosen his associate in command, added, that," he should consider Camillus as "dictator, and himself as his master of the horse," and desired them therefore to "regulate their expectations respect

ing the war, according to the opinion which they entertain"ed of their sole commander." The senate, elated with joy, one and all declared, that "they really cherished the best expectations with regard to war and peace, and every branch "of public business; nor would the commonwealth ever "stand in need of a dictator, if it were to have such men in

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office, united in such harmony of sentiment, equally ready "to obey and to command, and who rather considered fame

"as their joint stock, than endeavoured to monopolize it, to "the exclusion of others."

VII. A cessation of civil business being proclaimed, and troops levied, Camillus and Valerius marched towards Satricum, to which place the Antians had drawn together not only the youth of the Volscians, chosen from among the new generation, but immense numbers from the Latines and Hernicians, nations who, from a long enjoyment of peace, were in the fullest vigour. This new enemy then being united in addition to the old, shook the resolution of the Roman soldiery: and the centurions reporting to Camillus, while he was employed in forming his line of battle, that "the minds of the soldiers "were disturbed; that a backwardness appeared in their tak66 ing up arms, and that they went out of the camp with re“luctance, and after several halts; nay, that some had been "heard to say, that each of them would have to fight against "an hundred enemies; that so great a multitude, even if

unarmed, could hardly be withstood, much less when they “ were furnished with arms;" he leaped on his horse, and in the front of the battalions, turning to the line, and riding between the ranks, asked them, "what is the meaning, soldiers, "of this dejection, of this unusual backwardness? Are ye "unacquainted with the enemy, or with me, or with your"selves? The enemy, what are they, but the continual sub"ject of your bravery and your glory? On the other hand, "with me at your head, not to mention the taking of Falerii, "and Veii, or the cutting to pieces the Gallic legions, by "whom our country was held in captivity, you have lately "celebrated a triple triumph, for three several victories

gained over these same Volscians, Equans, and Etrurians. "Is it that ye do not recognize me as your leader, because "I gave you the signal not in character of dictator, but of tri"bune? I desire not the highest degree of authority over you; and with respect to me, you ought to regard nothing

"but myself: for neither did the dictatorship ever add to my courage, nor even exile deprive me of it. We are all there"fore the same, and since we bring to this war all the same "advantages which accompanied us in the former, let us expect the same issue. Do you once begin the fight, each party will do what they have learned and practised: you "will conquer; they will fly."

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VIII. Then, giving the signal, he leaped from his horse, and laying hold of the nearest standard-bearer, hurried him onward against the foe, calling aloud, "Soldier, advance the standard." On seeing this, that Camillus himself, now unequal, through age, to acts of bodily strength, was advancing against the enemy, they all raised the shout, and rushed forward together, every one crying out eagerly, "Follow the "general." It is said, that the standard was even thrown, by order of Camillus, into the ranks of the enemy, and the van hereby excited to exert themselves for its recovery: that in this spot, the Antians were first compelled to give way, and that the panic spread, not only through the first line, but even to the troops in reserve. Nor was it only the force of the soldiers, animated by the presence of their leader, which disheartened the enemy, the very sight of Camillus struck terror into the Volscians: so that wherever he met their eyes, victory was no longer doubtful. This was particularly evident, when hastily mounting his horse, he rode with a footman's shield to the left wing, when it was almost driven from its ground, and by his appearance restored the battle, while he pointed to the rest of the line who were fighting with success. The affair was now decided. On the one side the enemy's disordered numbers impeded their flight; on the other, the wearied soldiers would have had a long and laborious task, in putting to the sword so great a multitude, when heavy rain suddenly falling, attended with a violent storm of wind, prevented the pursuit of the victory, for it was no longer a fight.

The signal for retreat was then given, and the following night put an end to the war, without any farther trouble to the Romans for the Latines and Hernicians abandoning the Volscians, marched away to their homes; having found such an issue of their enterprise as the wickedness of it deserved. The Volscians seeing themselves deserted by those, through reliance on whom they had been induced to revive hostilities, abandoned their camp, and shut themselves up within the walls of Satricum: against these, the first plan of operations, adopted by Camillus, was to inclose them with lines of circumvallation, and to carry on his approaches by mounds, and other works: but finding that no obstruction was ever given to these, by any sally from the town, he judged that the enemy were not possessed of such a degree of spirit, as should induce him, in apprehension thereof, to wait in tedious expectation of victory; and therefore exhorting his men not to waste their strength by a long course of labours, as in the siege of Veii, for victory was within their reach; and the soldiers showing the greatest alacrity, he assailed the walls on all sides by scalade, and made himself master of the town. The Volscians threw down their arms, and surrendered.

IX. But the general's thoughts were intent on a matter of greater moment, on the city of Antium. That, he knew, was the grand spring which set the Volscians in motion, and had given rise to the last war. But as a city of so great strength could not be taken without great preparations for the siege, and a large train of engines and machines, he left his colleague to command the army, and went to Rome, in hopes of persuading the senate to resolve on the destruction of Antium. In the middle of his discourse on the subject, it being, I suppose, the will of the gods, that the state of Antium should have a longer duration, ambassadors arrived from Nepete and Sutrium, imploring aid against the Etrurians, and urging that the opportunity for assisting them would be