no contest; attacking it by surprise, they took it at the first onset: the town was then plundered and burnt. Contenebra sustained a siege for a few days, and it was continual labour, unintermitted either by night or by day, which subdued the townsmen; for the Roman army being divided into six parts, each division maintained the fight, for one hour in six, in rotation, whereas the smallness of their number exposed the same townsmen always, fatigued as they were, to a contest with an enemy who were continually relieved. They gave way at length, and made room for the Romans to enter the city. It was agreed between the tribunes, that the spoil should be converted to the use of the public; but the order not being issued in time, during the delay, the soldiers possessed themselves of the spoil, which could not be taken from them, without occasioning general discontent. In the same year, that the additions to the city should not consist of private buildings only, the lower parts of the Capitol were rebuilt with hewn stone; a work deserving notice, even amidst the present magnificence of the city.

V. And now, while the citizens were busily employed in building, the tribunes of the commons endeavoured to draw crowds to their harangues, by proposals of agrarian laws. The Pomptine territory was held out as a lure to their hopes, as the possession of it was then, by the reduction of the Volscian power by Camillus, perfectly secure, which had not been the case before. They laid heavy charges, that “that "territory was much more grievously oppressed by the no"bility, than it had been by the Volscians; for the latter had "only made incursions into it, at such times as they had arms "and strength; whereas certain persons of the nobility for

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cibly usurped possession of land, which was the property of "the public: nor, unless there were a division of it now made, "would there be any room left for the commons." They made no great impression on the commons, who were so in

intent on building, that they did not much frequent the Forum; and, besides, were so exhausted by their expences in that way, that they were careless about land, which they had not abilities to improve. The state having ever been strongly affected with religious impressions, and even those of the first rank having, at that time, in consequence of the late misfortunes, become superstitious, the government was changed to an interregnum, in order that the auspices might be taken anew. There were interreges in succession, Marcus Manlius Capitolinus, Servius Sulpicius Camerinus, and Lucius Valerius Potitus. The last held, at length, an election of military tribunes, with consular power; B.C.384. and appointed Lucius Papirius, Caius Cornelius,

Y.R.368.

Caius Sergius, Lucius Æmilius a second time, Lucius Menenius, and Lucius Valerius Poplicola a third time. These entered into office immediately on the expiration of the interregnum. In that year the temple of Mars, vowed during the Gallic war, was dedicated by Titus Quintius, one of the duumvirs appointed for the performance of religious rites, Four new tribes were formed of the new citizens, the Stellatine, the Tromentine, the Sabatine, and the Narnian, which made up the number of twenty-five tribes.

VI. Lucius Sicinius, plebeian tribune, pressed the business of the Pomptine lands in the assemblies of the people, who now attended in greater numbers, and were also more easily led to wish for land than formerly. Mention was introduced, in the senate, of declaring war against the Latines and Hernicians, but that business was postponed, by their attention being called to a more important war, Etruria being in arms. They had recourse, therefore, to the expedient of electing Camillus a military tribune, with consular power. The five colleagues, joined with him, were Servius Cornelius Maluginensis, Quintus Servilius Fidenas a sixth time, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, Lucius Horatitis VOL. II. C

Y.R.369.

B.C.383.

8

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 judgments as that body had expressed concerning him; but the 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 nothing, 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 “ 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 re

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ligion, of the assemblies, of the laws, and of every thing "else pertaining to the city." All of them cheerfully promising 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 respecting 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 "office, united in such harmony of sentiment, equally ready "to obey and to command, and who rather considered fame

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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 tak

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, Æquans, 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