(2) Immensum obtinentes loci.] Compare the phrases 'Multum diei, 'medium autumni,' 'reliquum noctis,' 'in æquo campi,' below. Celeritas hostium.] The election of military tribunes took place on the 1st of Quinctilis (July), and the battle on the 16th, so that this allows fifteen days for their march of 100 miles from Clusium. So the Romans represented their army as an irregular force (tumultuarius) in order to lessen the disgrace of their defeat. Tumultuario.] Sometimes called 'subitarius' - The word properly applied to an army collected in haste on report of a sudden inroad (tumultus), without regard to age, or to the usual religious solemnities of enrolment, oath, &c. Infra viam.] This was the Via Salaria, leading from Rome towards the Sabines. (3) Saltem] ='As they might have been at all events.' Diductam in cornua.] In Roman war the 'cornu' was half the line. Their line was drawn out as far as possible towards each flank. Ad subsidiarios signa convertit.] Brennus attacks this reserve body first, and drives it from its position. The name 'Brennus' has by some been connected with the Kymrian 'Brenhin,' which signifies 'king,' or 'leader;' by others, with 'Bran,' a common proper name in Welsh history. (4) Pugnantium.] Livy means that none were killed in the battle; but they fell in the flight. Non modo præsidii.] For 'non modo,' see note on xiv. (1). When Livy is comparing the battle of Canna with that of Alia, he says 'Fuga ad Aliam sicut urbem prodidit, ita exercitum servavit' (xxii. 50). XLI TAKING OF ROME. (1) Ut mos eis est.] Cæsar notices the practice (Bell. Gall. vi. 17). Complorati.] This refers to 'Romani,' viz., to the Roman army, who were all lamented as dead, and thus filled the city with mourning. " Comploratus' strictly used only of the dead, like 'conclamatus.' See note on viii. (6). Stupefecit]='Deadened.' (2) Malum continens fuit.] So 'continens agmen' of a long unbroken line. Compare 'continuatis funeribus, xvi. (1), and note. Inde.] Namely 'Ex capitolio,' the words ' ex loco munito,' added to explain it. Compare 'Inde ex loco superiore, sect (9), below. Like the Athenians, at the approach of Xerxes, the majority of the people left the city, but they still determined to defend the capitol, the sanctuary of the nation. Facilem · jacturam.] Compare 'Facilis jactura sepulcri' (Virg. Æn. ii. 646). (3) Nihil... relinquebant.] They had exhausted all possible misery, none was left. Communibus deploratis.] Communia,' và koɩvà.—' Deploro' to 'give up for lost, dead. Lit., 'to stop lamenting,' like 'comploro' above, when lamentation is of no more avail. So in Livy iii. 38, ' Deploratur in perpetuum libertas (quasi mortua).' (4) Doliolis.] The place bore afterwards the name 'Doliola.' Religio est: = 'Nefas est.' Religious awe forbids it. Sublicio ponte.] See note on xxii. (1). Care.] In return for the hospitality of Care (the old Agylla) the Romans afterwards admitted them to the rights of citizenship without 'suffragium.' Hence 'In Cæritum tabulas referri,' 'to be deprived of full citizenship.' 'Cærite cera digni' (Horat. I. Ep. vi. 62). The town is now called Cervetri, a corruption of Care Vetere. (5) Præfante carmen.] 'Carmen' a sacred form of words, an oath, treaty, law. Hence 'præire verbis' = to dictate an oath; ‘jurare in verba' to take an oath. They who had held curule magistracies would wear the 'toga prætexta,' those who had won triumphs, the 'toga picta,' holding golden palm-branches in their hands. = (7) Delendæ urbis.] See note on ii. (1). Non... solum.] Supply 'non' as in the phrase 'Non modo,' xl. (4). (8) Quamvis inopem.] 'Quamvis' is to be joined with the adjective, as in xxvii. (9). Quamvis suspectos infensosque inter se jungebat animos.' (9) Testudine facta.] 'Testudo' was a shed under which engines were moved against walls. Also a formation of soldiers, the front rank standing, the rear kneeling, their shields forming a solid roof over their heads, used for carrying walls by assault. This is fully described by Livy in xliv. 9. This last is meant here, but Gauls would not adopt any such systematic mode of attack. Inde ex loco superiore.] See note on (2) above. XLII BLOCKADE OF THE CAPITOL. (1) Sacrificium. . . statum.] Answering to our 'fixed' holidays. 'Moveable' feasts were called 'conceptivæ ' feriæ, because they were fixed at some time preceding by the magistrates, as the 'Latina' were. So the This festival was probably in honour of Sancus or Hercules. Gens Horatia had an expiatory fast, sacra piacularia,' in commemoration of Horatius's fratricide. Gabino cinctu.] The toga was brought over the head and wrapped round the body. This was used on solemn occasions, as when the consul opened the Temple of Janus (Virgil, Æneid vii. 612); or when a general devoted himself to death, as in the case of Decius (Livy viii. 9). Perhaps this last was the origin of the custom, for it was a religious rite to die with the head covered. And on this occasion, probably, Fabius was symbolically devoting himself to death. See note on xxxii. (10). Eadem.] See note on xxxv. (5). A prælio.] Post Prælium · ἐκ μάχης. (2) Cadicius.] A centurion, in command at Veii. This is what is meant by 'ordinis sui.' 6 Mutari finibus.] Equivalent to 'mutare fines.' Compare Cœlum, non animum, mutant qui trans mare currunt.' We may say equally 'mutare locum' and 'mutari loco.' "Muto'='movito.' In Plautus we have 'Nec se luna quoquam mutat.' (3) Carmentis.] Sc. Portam. Carmens, or Carmenta, the mother of Evander, after whom this gate was named. It was called 'Scelerata' from the fatal journey of the Fabii through it. See xxviii. (3). Equo.] In comparison with the rest of the cliff it was practicable. (4) Selibras farris.] Compare xxii. (2). XLIII CAPITULATION. (1) Angore.] Angor' is properly used of suffocation. Originally of confinement of space, from the same root as 'Augustus,' 'angulus,' 'anguis' (from its pointed head): our word 'anguish' is derived from it. (2) Cum stationes procederent.] 'Statio' means an outpost,' a 'picket.' See xxii. (1). Here it is applied to the soldiers themselves, as in English. Væ victis esse.] 'The weakest must go to the wall.' The Gauls, we are told by Polybius, returned home with their booty without molestation. But Rome's pride required a different sequel to the story, and Camillus is brought in again to avenge the insulted majesty of his country. If the Gauls were harassed after their victory, it was probably by the Etrurians; but the Romans would claim the glory for themselves. L XLIV RELIEF OF THE CITY. (1) Secunda suis.] Secunda='Commoda.' Compare xxvii. (8). Abdicandæ dictatura.] We may say either 'Abdico dictaturam,' or, more usually, 'abdico me dictatura.' Here it would be the former. XLV CAMILLUS' SPEECH. (1) Quid enim repetimus.] Quid='Cur.' Compare 'Fare, age, quid venias.' Virg. Æn. vi. 389. Ut omnem negligentiam.] So clear had been the hand of Providence in the saving of Rome, that no one could be an unbeliever for the future. (2) Alia terra celavimus.] See xli. (4). (3) Stati.] See note on xlii. (1). Quam par vestrum.] The conduct of C. Fabius was indeed a match for yours. He speaks ironically. (4) Pulvinar.]='Epulum,' a slight change from its real meaning. Ancile.] So called probably from their shape dyrúλn, 'crooked.' They were rounded at each end, and curved inwardly at the sides. (5) Juno Regina.] See xxxvii. (8). Aius Locutius.] He had warned the Romans of the coming invasion of the Gauls, and, as his warning was neglected, Camillus built him a temple to propitiate him. The name is an instance of a twofold title, like 'Anna Perenna,' 'Faunus Fatuus.' See Paley on Fasti iii. 292. (6) Flamen Dralis.] Priest of Jupiter. He, the Flamen Martialis, and Flamen Quirinalis, were the three Flamines Majores. Rem militarem continent.] For at these 'comitia' military command (imperium) was conferred. The 'comitia centuria' conferred civil power (potestas) only. (7) Hanc eandem rem.] This was after the fall of Veii. Imposuisse.] Supply Videbitur.. (8) Casa illa conditoris.] Casa Romuli was still kept up, and shown on the Palatine, in Livy's time. 'Quæ fuerit nostri, si quæris, regia nati; Ovid, Fast. iii. 183, 4. (9) Superficie. The 'Superficies' was strictly the upper face of a thing. But here, as elsewhere, it includes all that is on the ground, especially the houses' of the city. Minus.] He means that he alludes to his exile, not as their wrong, but as his own misfortune. Saluberrimos colles.] Cicero's testimony is the same. He says that the country people used to come into Rome to escape the malaria during the summer months. (10) Quæ... ratio.] The order is 'Quæ ratio est experiri alia expertis.' Expertis' is passive. Alius is occasionally used with the ablative. Malum, an interjection. Capite humano.] Compare 'So when they did design The Capitol's first line, A Bleeding Head, when they begun, And yet in that the State Foresaw its happy fate.' Palgrave's 'Golden Treasury,' lxv. (11) In comitio.] Below the steps of the Curia. See xvi. (4). Per publicum] = Per vias. So 'privatum' of the houses of the citizens, 'Undique ex tota urbe proripientium se ex privato' (Livy, ii. 24). THE END. |