to be gained by any requisitions of their own.concurrence of the whole confederacy, was left The plebeian tribunes, alone partook not of undecided. During the following year the the general satisfaction and harmony diffused siege was prosecuted with less vigour, because through every rank, but averred, that "this some of the tribunes and their troops were would not prove such matter of joy, nor so hon- called away to oppose the Volscians. The ourable to the patricians, as they themselves military tribunes, with consular power, of this imagined. That the plan appeared better on year were, Caius Valerius Potitus a third time, the first view, than it would prove on experience. Manius Sergius Fidenas, Publius Cornelius For how could that money be procured unless Maluginensis, Cneius Cornelius Cossus, Cæso by imposing a tax on the people? They were Fabius Ambustus, Spurius Nautius Rutilus, a generous to some, therefore, at others expense. second time. [Y. R. 351. B. C. 401.] A Besides, even though this should be borne, pitched battle was fought with the Volscians, those who had served out their time in the ar- between Ferentinum and Ecetra, in which the my would never endure that their successors Romans had the advantage. Siege was then should be retained on better terms than they laid by the tribunes to Artena, a town of the themselves had been; and that they should Volscians. After some time, the enemy havbear the expense first of their own service and ing attempted a sally, and being driven back then of that of others." These arguments had into the town, the besiegers got an opportunity an effect on great numbers of the commons. of forcing their way in, and made themselves At last, on the publication of the decree for masters of every place, except the citadel. levying the tax, the tribunes went so far, as, on This fortress was naturally very strong, and a their part, to give public notice, that they body of armed men had thrown themselves would give protection to any person who should into it. Under its walls great numbers were refuse his proportion of the tax for payment to slain and made prisoners. The citadel was the soldiers. The patricians persisted in sup- then besieged, but it neither could be taken by port of a matter so happily begun. They first storm, because it had a garrison suflicient for of all paid in their own assessment; and there the size of the place, nor did it afford any hope being no silver coined at that time, some of of a surrender, because, before the city was them conveying their weighed brass to the taken, all the public stores of corn had been treasury in wagons, gave a pompous appear- conveyed thither; so that the Romans would ance to their payments. This being done by have grown weary of the attempt, and retired, the senate with the strictest punctuality, and had not the fortress been betrayed to them by according to their rated properties, the princi- a slave. He gave admittance through a place pal plebeians, connected in friendship with the of difficult access, to some soldiers, who made nobility, in pursuance of a plan laid down, be- themselves masters of it; and while they were gan to pay; and, when the populace saw these employed in killing the guards, the rest of the highly commended by the patricians, and also multitude, losing all courage at the sight of respected as good citizens by those of military this unexpected attack, laid down their arms. age, scorning the support of the tribunes, they After demolishing both the citadel and city of began at once to vie with each other in paying Artena, the legions were led back from the the tax. The law being then passed for de- country of the Volscians, and the whole power claring war against the Veientians, a numerous of Rome turned against Veii. The traitor army, composed chiefly of volunteers, followed received as a reward, besides his liberty, the the new military tribunes, with consular power, property of two families, and was called Serto Veii. vius Romanus. Some are of opinion, that Artena belonged to the Veientians, not to the Volscians: a mistake occasioned by there having been once a town of that name between Care and Veii. But that town the Roman kings demolished; it was the property of the Caritians, not of the Veicntians; this other of the same name, the destruction of which we have related, was in the country of the Volscians.

LXI. These tribunes were Titus Quintius Capitolinus, Publius, Quintius Cincinnatus, Caius Julius Iulus a second time, Aulus Manlius, Lucius Furius Medullinus a second time, and Manius Emilius Mamercinus. [Y. R. 350. B. C. 402.] By these Veii was first invested. A little before this siege began, a full meeting of the Etrurians being held at the temple of Voltumna, the question whether the Veientians should be supported by the joint

THE

HISTORY OF ROME.

BOOK V.

On occasion of the siege of Veii, winter huts erected for the troops; on account of which, being a new plan, the tribunes of the people endeavour to excite discontent, complaining that no repose is given to the soldiers, even in winter. The cavalry, for the first time, serve on horses of their own. Veii, after a siege of ten years, taken by Furius Camillus, dictator. In the character of military tribune, he lays siege to Falisci; sends back the children of the enemy, who were betrayed into his hands; being charged with criminal conduct, goes into exile. The Senonian Gauls lay siege to Clusium. Roman ambassadors, sent to mediate peace, take part with the Clusians; provoked at which, the Gauls march directly against Rome, and, after routing the Romans at the Allia, tuke possession of the whole city, except the Capitol. Having scaled the Capitol in the night, they are discovered by the cackling of geese, and repulsed, principally by the exertions of Marcus Manlius. The Romans, compelled by famine agree to ransom themselves. While they are weighing the gold, Camillus arrives with an army, beats off the Gauls, and destroys their army. He prevente the design of moving to Veii.

I. PEACE now subsisted in all other quarters; | deemed an impiety: for, instigated by pique, (Y. R. 352. B. C. 400.] but the Romans and because another candidate for the office of priest Veientians were still in arms, and displayed had been preferred before him, by the suffrages such violent rancour and animosity as made it of the twelve states, in the middle of the evident that utter destruction would be the fate solemnity, he abruptly carried away the perof the party vanquished. The election of ma- formers, of whom a great part were his slaves. gistrates in the two states was conducted in That nation, therefore, devoted beyond all very different methods. The Romans aug- others to religious performances, the more so, mented the number of their military tribunes because they excelled in the conduct of them, with consular power, electing eight, a number passed a decree, by which all aid was refused to greater than had hitherto been known. These the Veientians, so long as they should continue were Manius Æmilius Mamercinus a second under the government of a king. At Veii, all time, Lucius Valerius Potitus a third time, mention of this decree was suppressed by peoAppius Claudius Crassus, Marcus Quintilius ple's dread of the king, who would have treated Varus, Lucius Julius Iulus, Marcus Postu- any person, reported to have mentioned such a mius, Marcus Furius Camillus, Marcus Postu-matter, as a leader of sedition, not as the author mius Albinus. The Veientians, on the other of an idle rumour. Although the Romans hand, disgusted at the annual intrigues of can- received intelligence that all was quiet in didates, which were sometimes the cause of violent dissentions, elected a king. This step gave great offence to all the states of Etruria, as, besides their abhorrence of kingly government, they held the person elected in no less detestation. He, out of the insolence of wealth, and the arrogance of his temper, had, before this, rendered himself obnoxious to the nation, by violently breaking off the performance of certain annual games, the omission of which was

Etruria, yet, being also informed that this business was again agitated in every one of their meetings, they formed and strengthened their fortifications in such a manner as gave them security on both sides. Some they raised on the part next the town, againt the irruptions of the townsmen; others on the side opposite Etruria, so as to guard against any auxiliaries which might come from thence.

II. The Roman generals conceiving greater

the plebeian tribunes to foment sedition, on every occasion, regarded your interests or their own, I am confident that, in the course of this year, every such doubt must have vanished; and while I rejoice at your being at length unde

hopes from a blockade, than from an assault, 'served no other purpose, might remind his colresolved to carry on their operations during the leagues, that the army was composed not of whole winter; and accordingly they began to slaves but of freemen; of citizens who ought erect huts, a proceeding quite new to Roman to be brought home, at least in winter, to their soldiers. As soon as an account of this was habitations, and the comforts of their own brought to the plebeian tribunes, who for a long roofs, and allowed, at some time of the year time past found no pretext for starting new dis- to visit their parents, children, and wives; to turbances, they flew out to meet the people in exercise the rights of Romans, and to take a assembly, and laboured to inflame the minds of part in the election of magistrates." While the commons, asserting that "this was the they exclaimed in these and such like terms, purpose for which pay for the soldiery had been they were not unequally matched in an oppoestablished; nor had they been so blind, as not nent, Appius Claudius, who had been left at to see, that such a present from their enemies home, by his colleagues, for the purpose of rewas tainted with poison. That the liberty of pressing the turbulent schemes of the tribunes; the commons had been sold; their young men a man trained, from his youth, in contentions carried away without hope of return, exposed with the plebeians; who, some years before, to the severity of winter, excluded from their had recommended, as has been mentioned, the houses and family affairs. What did they sup-disuniting the power of the tribunes by the pose was the reason for keeping the troops on protests of their colleagues. duty without intermission? They would find III. Endowed by nature with good abilities, it, in fact, to be no other than the apprehen- and possessed also of experience, from long sion, lest, in case of the attendance of those practice he spoke on this occasion in the folyouths, in whom the whole strength of the com-lowing manner: "If it ever was a matter of mons consisted, some steps might be taken to- doubt, citizens, whether the motives which led wards promoting their interests. Besides, the men were more harassed, and subjected to greater hardships than the Veientians. For the latter passed the winter under their own roofs, having their city secured by strong walls, and its natural situation; while the Roman sol-ceived in respect of a mistake of long continudiers, in the midst of labour and toils, lay per-ance, I cannot at the same time refrain from ishing in tents, overwhelmed by snow and frost; congratulating you and on your account the never laying their arms out of their hands even in that severe season, which had ever given a respite to all wars either on land or sea. Neither kings nor consuls, overbearing as they were, before the institution of the tribunitian office; nor the stern government of a dictator; nor the arbitrary decemvirs; ever imposed such a pain as this of unremitting military service. Yet military tribunes assumed that degree of kingly power over the commons of Rome. What would have been the behaviour of those men, in the office of consul or dictator, who have exhibited a picture of proconsular power in colours of such harshness and cruelty? but this was no worse than what the people deserv-er? Thus, in fact, as labourers in the field of inied. Among eight military tribunes, they did not give room to one plebeian. Till of late, the patricians used to find the utmost difficulty in filling up three places; but now they march in files, eight deep, to take possession of the posts of government; and even in such a crowd, no plebeian is found intermixed, who, if he

commonwealth, that the delusion has been removed by a train of prosperous events, rather than by any other means. Is there a person living, who is not convinced that the plebeian tribunes were never so highly displeased and provoked by any instance of the ill treatment felt by you, if any such ever real y existed, as by the generosity of the patricians towards the commons, in establishing pay for the army? What other event do ye think they either dreaded then with so much anxiety, or wish so ardently at present to obviate, as an union between the orders, which in their opinion would prove the subversion of the the tribunitian pow

quity, they are at a loss for employment; and even wish; that there may be always some diseased part in the commonwealth, for the cure of which they may be employed by you. For whether tribunes, are ye at present defending the commons, or making an attack on them? Whether are ye adversaries of the soldiery, or

means of supporting himself and his family, at home, and in the field. At present, he has a source of pleasure in the profits set apart for him by the commonwealth, and he no doubt

patrons of their cause? Perhaps ye will say thus, whatever the patricians do, we disapprove, whether it be favourable or prejudicial to the commons; and, just as masters forbid their slaves to have any dealings with those belong-receives his pay with joy. Let him, therefore, ing to others, and think proper to cut off the commerce between them either of kindness or unkindness, ye, in like manner, interdict us, the patricians, from all intercourse with the commons; lest by our civility and generosity we should challenge their regard, and they become obedient and willing to be directed as we might see best. Would it not much better become you, if ye had any of the sentiments, or feelings, I say not, of fellow citizens, but of human beings, rather to favour, and, as far as in your power, to cherish this kindness of the patricians, and the tractable disposition of the commons? Were such harmony once established on a permanent footing, who is there that would not venture to engage, that this empire would soon arrive at a heighth of grandeur far beyond all the neighbouring states.

IV. "I shall hereafter explain to you, not only the expediency but the necessity, of the plan adopted by my colleagues, of not drawing off the troops at Veii, until the business shall be completed. At present I choose to confine my observations to the state of the soldiery; and if what I shall say on that head were to be spoken, not only before you, but also in the camp, I am persuaded, that it would appear reasonable to the army themselves. Indeed, if my own understanding were incapable of suggesting any arguments on the subject, I might be well content with those which have been thrown out in the discourses of our adversaries. They lately insisted that pay ought not to be given to the soldiers, because it had never been given before. Upon what grounds, therefore, can they now be displeased, if persons who have received an addition of profit, beyond what was usual, are enjoined to perform some additional labour proportioned thereto? In no case is labour to be procured without emolument, nor emolument, in general, without the expense of labour. Toil and pleasure, in their natures opposite, are yet linked together in a kind of necessary connection. Formerly, the soldier deemed it a hardship to give up his labour to the commonwealth, and to bear his own expenses. At the same time, he found pleasure in having it in his power, for a part of the year, to till his own ground, and to acquire the VOL. I.-2 B

bear with resignation the being detained a little longer from his home and from his family affairs, which are not now burthened with his expenses. Suppose the commonwealth called him to a statement of accounts, might it not justly say, you receive pay by the year, give me your labour by the year. Do you think it just that for half a-year's service, you should receive a whole year's pay. It is disagreeable to me, Romans, to dwell on this topic; for this kind of proceeding suits only those, who employ mercenary soldiers; but we wish to deal, as with our fellow citizens. Either, then, the war ought not to have been undertaken, or it ought to be conducted in a manner suited to the dignity of the Roman people, and to be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible. Now it will certainly be brought to a conclusion, if we press forward the siege; If we do not retire, until we have attained the object of our hopes, in the capture of Veii. In truth, if there were no other motive, the very discredit of acting otherwise ought to urge us to perseverance. In former times, a city was held besieged for ten years on account of one woman, by the united force of all the Greeks. At what a distance from their homes! What tracts of land and sea lying between! Yet we grumble at the fatigue of a siege of one year's continuance within less than twenty miles of us, almost within sight of our city; because, I suppose, the ground of our quarrel is not sufficiently just to stimulate us to persevere. This is the seventh time that the people have rebelled. During peace, they were never faithful to their engagements. They have laid waste our territories a thousand times. They have compelled the Fidenatians to revolt from us; have put to death our colonists in that district; and have been the instigators of the impious murder of our ambassa dors, in violation of the laws of nations: they have endeavoured in short, to stir up all Etru ria against us; and, at this day, are busy in the same attempt: and scarcely did they refrain from offering violence to our ambassadors who demanded satisfaction. Against such people, ought war to be waged in a remiss and dilatory manner?

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V. "If such just causes of resentment have | cern which they take in the affair, we are at no weight with us, have, I beseech you, the fol- liberty to take Veii. But who can promise lowing considerations none? The city has that if we suspend our operations, they will be been inclosed with immense works, by which in the same temper hereafter? For, if you the enemy are confined within their walls. Of allow any relaxation, more respectable, and late they have not tilled their lands; and what more frequent embassies will be despatched; were cultivated before, have been laid waste in and the very circumstance which now disgusts the course of the war. If we withdraw our the Etrurians, the establishment of a king at army, who can doubt that not only through de- Veii, may, in the interim, be done away, either sire of revenge, but even through the necessity by the joint determination of the several memimposed on them of plundering the property of bers of the state for the sake of recovering the others, since they have lost their own, they friendship of Etruria, or by a voluntary act of will make an invasion on our territories? By the king himself, who may be unwilling to consuch conduct, therefore, we should not defer tinue on the throne, when he finds it an obthe war, but open it a passage into our own struction to the welfare of his countrymen. See frontiers. What shall we say, as to the cir-now how many consequences, and how detricumstances immediately affecting the soldiers, mental, attend that method of proceeding; the of whose interests your worthy tribunes have, loss of works formed with so great labour; the all on a sudden, grown so careful, after having consequent devastation of our frontiers; and, attempted to wrest their pay out of their hands? instead of the Veientians, the whole nation of How do they stand? They have formed a Etruria united against us. These, tribunes, rampart and a trench, both works of immense are your plans, much indeed, of the same kind, labour, through so great an extent of ground; as if, in the case of a sick person, who by subthey have erected forts, at first only a few, af-mitting to a regimen with resolution might terwards a great number, when the army was quickly recover his health, should render his augmented; and they have raised defences, not disorder tedious, and perhaps incurable, for the only on the side next to the city, but also op- sake of the present pleasure which eating and posite Etruria, against any succours which drinking would afford him. should arrive from thence. Why need I mention towers, covered approaches, and the like; together with all the various machines used in attacking towns? Now, that such a quantity of labour has been expended, and that they have just come to the finishing of the work, do ye think it would be prudent to abandon all these preparations, that the next summer, they may be obliged to undergo again the same course of toil and labour in forming them anew? How much less difficult would it be, to support the works already formed, to press forward, to persevere, and thus at once to be set at rest? The business might soon be accomplished by a uniform course of exertions; for it is certain, that by thus interrupting and suspending all proceedings, we absolutely hinder the attainment of our own hopes. What I have said, regards only the labour, and the loss of time. But let me ask farther, can we disregard the danger which we incur by procrastination, while we see so frequent meetings held by the Etrurians on the subject of sending aid to Veii? As matters stand, at present they are displeased and angry with that people; declare that they will not send them aid; and for any con

VI. "I insist, that though it were of no consequence, with respect to the present war, yet it is certainly of the utmost importance to military discipline, that our soldiers be accustomed, not only to enjoy the fruits of victory, but should the business prove tedious, to endure the irksomeness of delay; to wait the issue of their hopes, though tardy; and, if the summer did not finish the war, to try what the winter might produce; and not, like birds of spring, to look about for hiding places and shelter, the moment autumn arrived. Consider, I beseech you, how the pleasure of hunting and eagerness in the chase hurry men through woods and over mountains, in the midst of frost and snow; and shall we not bestow on the necessary exigencies of war, the same degree of patience, which is usually called forth, even by sport and amusement? Do we suppose the bodies of our soldiers so effeminate, their minds so feeble, that they cannot for one winter endure the fatigue of a camp, and absence from home? That like those who carry on war by sea, they must regulate their operations by taking advantage of the weather, and observing the seasons of the year? That they are incapa