---
title: "History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X"
author: "Livy"
translator: "Benjamin Oliver Foster"
title_ru: "История Рима от основания города, книги I–X"
author_ru: "Тит Ливий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 3 of 50
url: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/3/
cite: "Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster, History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X, section 3. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/3/"
---

# History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X

*Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster*

Russian: История Рима от основания города, книги I–X, Тит Ливий

From Aeneas and Romulus to the kings, the founding of the Republic, Lucretia, Horatius at the bridge, Coriolanus, the Gauls in Rome and the Samnite wars.

> Latin: Livy, Ab urbe condita I–X, ed. Robert Seymour Conway and Charles Flamstead Walters (Oxford Classical Texts), from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0914.phi001.perseus-lat3, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Benjamin Oliver Foster, Livy (Loeb Classical Library), from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0914.phi001.perseus-eng1). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 3. Book I · chapters 21–29

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/3/#p-N

[¶0] 21.1. The consideration and disposal of these matters diverted the thoughts of the whole people from violence and arms. Not only had they something to occupy their minds, but their constant preoccupation with the gods, now that it seemed to them that concern for human affairs was felt by the heavenly powers, had so tinged the hearts of all with piety, that the nation was governed by its regard for promises and oaths, rather than by the dread of laws and penalties.

> Latin: 21.1. ad haec consultanda procurandaque multitudine omni a ui et armis conuersa, et animi aliquid agendo occupati erant, et deorum adsidua insidens cura, cum interesse rebus humanis caeleste numen uideretur, ea pietate omnium pectora imbuerat ut fides ac ius iurandum †proximo† legum ac poenarum metu ciuitatem regerent.

[¶1] 21.2. And while Numa's subjects were spontaneously imitating the character of their king, as their unique exemplar, the neighboring peoples also, who had hitherto considered that it was no city but a camp that had been set up in their midst, as a menace to the general peace, came to feel such reverence for them, that they thought it sacrilege to injure a nation so wholly bent upon the worship of the gods.

> Latin: 21.2. et cum ipsi se homines in regis uelut unici exempli mores formarent, tum finitimi etiam populi, qui antea castra non urbem positam in medio ad sollicitandam omnium pacem crediderant, in eam uerecundiam adducti sunt, ut ciuitatem totam in cultum uersam deorum uiolari ducerent nefas.

[¶2] 21.3. There was a grove watered by a perennial spring which flowed through the midst of it, out of a dark cave. Thither Numa would often withdraw, without witnesses, as if to meet the goddess; so he dedicated the grove to the Camenae, alleging that they held counsel there with his wife Egeria.

> Latin: 21.3. lucus erat quem medium ex opaco specu fons perenni rigabat aqua. quo quia se persaepe Numa sine arbitris uelut ad congressum deae inferebat, Camenis eum lucum sacrauit, quod earum ibi concilia cum coniuge sua Egeria essent.

[¶3] 21.4. He also established an annual worship of Faith, to whose chapel he ordered that the flamens should proceed in a two-horse hooded carriage, and should wrap up their arms as far as the fingers before sacrificing, as a sign that faith must be kept, and that even in men's clasped hands her seat is sacred.

> Latin: 21.4. et [soli] Fidei sollemne instituit. ad id sacrarium flamines bigis curru arcuato uehi iussit manuque ad digitos usque inuoluta rem diuinam facere, significantes fidem tutandam sedemque eius etiam in dexteris sacratam esse.

[¶4] 21.5. He established many other rites, as well as places of sacrifice, which the pontiffs called Argei. But of all his services the greatest was this, that throughout his reign he guarded peace no less jealously than his kingdom.

> Latin: 21.5. multa alia sacrificia locaque sacris faciendis quae Argeos pontifices uocant dedicauit. omnium tamen maximum eius operum fuit tutela per omne regni tempus haud minor pacis quam regni.

[¶5] 21.6. Thus two successive kings in different ways, one by war, the other by peace, promoted the nation's welfare. Romulus ruled thirty-seven years, Numa forty-three. The state was not only strong, but was also well organized in the arts both of war and of peace.

> Latin: 21.6. ita duo deinceps reges, alius alia uia, ille bello, hic pace, ciuitatem auxerunt. Romulus septem et triginta regnauit annos, Numa tres et quadraginta. cum ualida tum temperata et belli et pacis artibus erat ciuitas.

[¶6] 22.1. At Numa's death the state reverted to an interregnum. Then Tullus Hostilius, grandson of that Hostilius who had distinguished himself in the battle with the Sabines at the foot of the citadel, was declared king by the people, and the senate confirmed their choice.

> Latin: 22.1. Numae morte ad interregnum res rediit. inde Tullum Hostilium, nepotem Hostili, cuius in infima arce clara pugna aduersus Sabinos fuerat, regem populus iussit; patres auctores facti.

[¶7] 22.2. This monarch was not only unlike the last, but was actually more warlike than Romulus had been. Besides his youth and strength, the glory of his grandfather was also an incentive to him. So, thinking that the nation was growing decrepit from inaction, he everywhere sought excuses for stirring up war.

> Latin: 22.2. hic non solum proximo regi dissimilis sed ferocior etiam quam Romulus fuit. cum aetas uiresque tum auita quoque gloria animum stimulabat. senescere igitur ciuitatem otio ratus undique materiam excitandi belli quaerebat.

[¶8] 22.3. It happened that the Roman rustics were driving off cattle from Alban territory, while the Albans were treating the Romans in the same way. The man who was then in power in Alba was Gaius Cluilius.

> Latin: 22.3. forte euenit ut agrestes Romani ex Albano agro, Albani ex Romano praedas in uicem agerent.

[¶9] 22.4. Each side, at about the same time, sent envoys to demand restitution. Tullus had commanded his envoys to do nothing else till they had carried out his orders; he felt convinced that the Albans would refuse his demands, in which case he could declare war with a good conscience. The Alban representatives proceeded rather laxly.

> Latin: 22.4. imperitabat tum Gaius Cluilius Albae. utrimque legati fere sub idem tempus ad res repetendas missi. Tullus praeceperat suis ne quid prius quam mandata agerent; satis sciebat negaturum Albanum; ita pie bellum indici posse.

[¶10] 22.5. Received by Tullus with gracious and kindly hospitality, they attended in a friendly spirit the banquet which he gave in their honour. Meanwhile the Romans had been beforehand with them in seeking redress, and, being denied it by the Alban leader, had made a declaration of war, to take effect in thirty days.

> Latin: 22.5. ab Albanis socordius res acta; excepti hospitio ab Tullo blande ac benigne, comiter regis conuiuium celebrant. tantisper Romani et res repetiuerant priores et neganti Albano bellum in tricesimum diem indixerant. haec renuntiant Tullo.

[¶11] 22.6. Returning, they reported these things to Tullus, who thereupon invited the Alban envoys to inform him of the object of their mission. They, knowing nothing of what had happened, at first spent some time in apologies. They said they should be sorry to utter anything which might give offence to Tullus, but that they were compelled to do so by their orders; they had come to seek restitution; if it should be denied them they were commanded to declare war.

> Latin: 22.6. tum legatis Tullus dicendi potestatem quid petentes uenerint facit. illi omnium ignari primum purgando terunt tempus: se inuitos quicquam quod minus placeat Tullo dicturos, sed imperio subigi; res repetitum se uenisse; ni reddantur bellum indicere iussos.

[¶12] 22.7. To this Tullus replied: “Tell your king the Roman king calls the gods to witness which people first spurned the other's demand for redress and dismissed its envoys, that they may call down upon the guilty nation all the disasters of this war.”

> Latin: 22.7. ad haec Tullus 'nuntiate' inquit, 'regi uestro regem Romanum deos facere testes, uter prius populus res repetentes legatos aspernatus dimiserit, ut in eum omnes expetant huiusce clades belli.'

[¶13] 23.1. With this answer the Albans returned to their city, and both sides prepared for war with the greatest energy —a civil war, to all intents and purposes, almost as if fathers were arrayed against sons; for both were of Trojan ancestry, since Lavinium had been planted from Troy, Alba from Lavinium, and from the line of the Alban kings had come the Romans.

> Latin: 23.1. haec nuntiant domum Albani. et bellum utrimque summa ope parabatur, ciuili simillimum bello, prope inter parentes natosque, Troianam utramque prolem, cum Lauinium ab Troia, ab Lauinio Alba, ab Albanorum stirpe regum oriundi Romani essent.

[¶14] 23.2. Still, the issue of the war made the struggle less deplorable, for no battle was fought, and when only the buildings of one of the cities had been destroyed, the two peoples were fused into one.

> Latin: 23.2. euentus tamen belli minus miserabilem dimicationem fecit, quod nec acie certatum est et tectis modo dirutis alterius urbis duo populi in unum confusi sunt.

[¶15] 23.3. The Albans were first in the field, and with a great army invaded the Roman territory. Their camp they pitched not more than five miles from the City, and surrounded it with a trench. (This was known for some centuries as the Cluilian Trench, from the name of the general, until in the course of time both trench and name disappeared.)

> Latin: 23.3. Albani priores ingenti exercitu in agrum Romanum impetum fecere. castra ab urbe haud plus quinque milia passuum locant, fossa circumdant; fossa Cluilia ab nomine ducis per aliquot saecula appellata est, donec cum re nomen quoque uetustate aboleuit.

[¶16] 23.4. In this camp Cluilius the Alban king died, and the Albans chose as dictator Mettius Fufetius. Meantime Tullus, emboldened principally by the death of the king, and asserting that Heaven's great powers would take vengeance upon all of the Alban name, beginning with their king himself, for their unscrupulous war, made a night march past the enemy's camp and led his army into the country of the Albans. This move drew Mettius out from his fortifications.

> Latin: 23.4. in his castris Cluilius Albanus rex moritur; dictatorem Albani Mettium Fufetium creant. interim Tellus ferox, praecipue morte regis, magnumque deorum numen ab ipso capite orsum in omne nomen Albanum expetiturum poenas ob bellum impium dictitans, nocte praeteritis hostium castris, infesto exercitu in agrum Albanum pergit.

[¶17] 23.5. Leading his troops the shortest way towards the enemy, he sent an envoy on ahead to say to Tullus that before they fought it was well that they should confer together; if Tullus would meet him he was confident he had that to say which would be of no less moment to the Roman state than to the Alban. Without rejecting this suggestion, Tullus nevertheless drew up his men in line of battle, in case the proposals should prove impracticable.

> Latin: 23.5. ea res ab statiuis exciuit Mettium. ducit quam proxime ad hostem potest; inde legatum praemissum nuntiare Tullo iubet priusquam dimicent opus esse conloquio; si secum congressus sit, satis scire ea se allaturum quae nihilo minus ad rem Romanam quam ad Albanam pertineant.

[¶18] 23.6. On the other side the Albans also formed up. When both armies had been marshalled, the leaders, attended by a few of their nobles, advanced to the middle of the field.

> Latin: 23.6. haud aspernatus Tullus, tamen si uana adferantur in aciem educit. exeunt contra et Albani. postquam instructi utrimque stabant, cum paucis procerum in medium duces procedunt.

[¶19] 23.7. Then the Alban began as follows: “Pillage and failure to make the amends demanded in accordance with our treaty I think I have myself heard named by our king, Cluilius, as the occasion of this war, and I doubt not, Tullus, but you make the same contention. But if truth is to be spoken, rather than sophistries, it is greed for dominion that is goading two kindred and neighbouring peoples into war.”

> Latin: 23.7. ibi infit Albanus: 'iniurias et non redditas res ex foedere quae repetitae sint, et ego regem nostrum Cluilium causam huiusce esse belli audisse uideor, nec te dubito, Tulle, eadem prae te ferre; sed si uera potius quam dictu speciosa dicenda sunt, cupido imperii duos cognatos uicinosque populos ad arma stimulat.

[¶20] 23.8. “Whether rightly or wrongly I do not attempt to determine; that is a question that may well have been considered by him who undertook the war; I am only the general appointed by the Albans to prosecute that war. But this is the point, Tullus, which I wish to suggest to you: Of the magnitude of the Etruscan power which encompasses us, and you especially, you are better aware than we, in proportion as you are nearer to that people. Great is their strength on land, exceedingly great on the sea.”

> Latin: 23.8. neque, recte an perperam, interpretor. fuerit ista eius deliberatio qui bellum suscepit: me Albani gerendo bello ducem creauere. illud te, Tulle, monitum uelim: Etrusca res quanta circa nos teque maxime sit, quo propior es [Uolscis] hoc magis scis. multum illi terra, plurimum mari pollent.

[¶21] 23.9. “You must consider that the instant you give the signal for battle, the Tuscans will be watching our two armies, so that, when we have become tired and exhausted, they may attack at once the victor and the vanquished. In Heaven's name, therefore, since we are not content with unquestioned liberty, but are proceeding to the doubtful hazard of dominion or enslavement, let us adopt some plan by which we may decide the question which nation shall rule the other, without a great disaster and much carnage on both sides.”

> Latin: 23.9. memor esto, iam cum signum pugnae dabis, has duas acies spectaculo fore ut fessos confectosque simul uictorem ac uictum adgrediantur. itaque si nos di amant, quoniam non contenti libertate certa in dubiam imperii seruitiique aleam imus, ineamus aliquam uiam qua utri utris imperent sine magna clade, sine multo sanguine utriusque populi decerni possit.'

[¶22] 23.10. Tullus made no objection, though inclined to war by nature no less than by his anticipation of victory. While both parties were considering what to do, a plan was hit upon for the execution of which Fortune herself supplied the means.

> Latin: 23.10. haud displicet res Tullo quamquam cum indole animi tum spe uictoriae ferocior erat. quaerentibus utrimque ratio initur cui et fortuna ipsa praebuit materiam.

[¶23] 24.1. It chanced that there were in each of these armies triplet brothers, not ill-matched either in age or in physical prowess. That they were Horatii and Curiatii is generally allowed, and scarcely any other ancient tradition is better known; yet, in spite of the celebrity of the affair, an uncertainty persists in regard to the names —to which people, that is, the Horatii belonged, and to which the Curiatii. The writers of history are divided. Still, the majority, I find, call the Roman brothers Horatii, and theirs is the opinion I incline to adopt.

> Latin: 24.1. forte in duobus tum exercitibus erant trigemini fratres, nec aetate nec uiribus dispares. Horatios Curiatiosque fuisse satis constat, nec ferme res antiqua alia est nobilior; tamen in re tam clara nominum error manet, utrius populi Horatii, utrius Curiatii fuerint. auctores utroque trahunt; plures tamen inuenio qui Romanos Horatios uocent; hos ut sequar inclinat animus.

[¶24] 24.2. To these young men the kings proposed a combat in which each should fight for his own city, the dominion to belong with that side where the victory should rest.

> Latin: 24.2. cum trigeminis agunt reges ut pro sua quisque patria dimicent ferro; ibi imperium fore unde uictoria fuerit. nihil recusatur; tempus et locus conuenit.

[¶25] 24.3. No objection was raised, and time and place were agreed on. Before proceeding with the battle, a treaty was made between the Romans and the Albans, providing that the nation whose citizens should triumph in this contest should hold undisputed sway over the other nation. One treaty differs from another in its terms, but the same procedure is always employed.

> Latin: 24.3. priusquam dimicarent foedus ictum inter Romanos et Albanos est his legibus ut cuiusque populi ciues eo certamine uicissent, is alteri populo cum bona pace imperitaret. foedera alia aliis legibus, ceterum eodem modo omnia fiunt.

[¶26] 24.4. On the present occasion we are told that they did as follows, nor has tradition preserved the memory of any more ancient compact. The fetial asked King Tullus, “Dost thou command me, King, to make a treaty with the pater patratus of the Alban People?” Being so commanded by the king, he said, “I demand of thee, King, the sacred herb.”

> Latin: 24.4. tum ita factum accepimus, nec ullius uetustior foederis memoria est. fetialis regem Tullum ita rogauit: 'iubesne me, rex, cum patre patrato populi Albani foedus ferire?' iubente rege, 'sagmina' inquit 'te, rex, posco.' rex ait: 'pura tollito.'

[¶27] 24.5. The king replied, “Thou shalt take it untainted.” The fetial brought from the citadel an untainted plant. After this he asked the king, “Dost thou grant me, King, with my emblems and my companions, the royal sanction, to speak for the Roman People of the Quirites?”

> Latin: 24.5. fetialis ex arce graminis herbam puram attulit. postea regem ita rogauit: 'rex, facisne me tu regium nuntium populi Romani Quiritium, uasa comitesque meos?' rex respondit: 'quod sine fraude mea populique Romani Quiritium fiat, facio.'

[¶28] 24.6. The king made answer, “So far as may be without prejudice to myself and the Roman People of the Quirites, I grant it.” The fetial was Marcus Valerius; he made Spurius Fusius pater patratus, touching his head and hair with the sacred sprig. The pater patratus is appointed to pronounce the oath, that is, to solemnize the pact; and this he accomplishes with many words, expressed in a long metrical formula which it is not worth while to quote.

> Latin: 24.6. fetialis erat M. Ualerius; is patrem patratum Sp. Fusium fecit, uerbena caput capillosque tangens. pater patratus ad ius iurandum patrandum, id est, sanciendum fit foedus; multisque id uerbis, quae longo effata carmine non operae est referre, peragit.

[¶29] 24.7. The conditions being then recited, he cries, “Hear, Jupiter; hear, pater patratus of the Alban People: hear ye, People of Alba: From these terms, as they have been publicly rehearsed from beginning to end, without fraud, from these tablets, or this wax, and as they have been this day clearly understood, the Roman People will not be the first to depart.”

> Latin: 24.7. legibus deinde recitatis, 'audi' inquit, 'Iuppiter; audi, pater patrate populi Albani; audi tu, populus Albanus. ut illa palam prima postrema ex illis tabulis ceraue recitata sunt sine dolo malo, utique ea hic hodie rectissime intellecta sunt, illis legibus populus Romanus prior non deficiet.

[¶30] 24.8. “If it shall first depart from them, by general consent, with malice aforethought, then on that day do thou, great Diespiter, so smite the Roman People as I shall here to-day smite this pig: and so much the harder smite them as thy power and thy strength are greater.”

> Latin: 24.8. si prior defexit publico consilio dolo malo, tum tu ille Diespiter populum Romanum sic ferito ut ego hunc porcum hic hodie feriam; tantoque magis ferito quanto magis potes pollesque.'

[¶31] 24.9. When Spurius had said these words, he struck the pig with a flint. In like manner the Albans pronounced their own forms and their own oath, by the mouth of their own dictator and priests.

> Latin: 24.9. id ubi dixit porcum saxo silice percussit. sua item carmina Albani suumque ius iurandum per suum dictatorem suosque sacerdotes peregerunt.

[¶32] 25.1. When the treaty had been established, the brothers armed themselves, in accordance with the agreement. On either side the soldiers urged on their champions. They reminded them that their fathers' gods, their native land, their parents, and all their countrymen, whether at home or with the army, had their eye only on their swords and their right hands.

> Latin: 25.1. foedere icto trigemini, sicut conuenerat, arma capiunt. cum sui utrosque adhortarentur, deos patrios, patriam ac parentes, quidquid ciuium domi, quidquid in exercitu sit, illorum tunc arma, illorum intueri manus, feroces et suopte ingenio et pleni adhortantium uocibus in medium inter duas acies procedunt.

[¶33] 25.2. Eager for the combat, as well owing to their native spirit as to the shouts of encouragement which filled their ears, the brothers advanced into the space between the two lines of battle. The two armies were drawn up, each in front of its own camp, no longer in any immediate danger, but their concern as great as ever; and no wonder, since empire was staked on those few men's valour and good fortune!

> Latin: 25.2. consederant utrimque pro castris duo exercitus, periculi magis praesentis quam curae expertes; quippe imperium agebatur in tam paucorum uirtute atque fortuna positum. itaque ergo erecti suspensique in minime gratum spectaculum animo incenduntur.

[¶34] 25.3. Alert, therefore, and in suspense, they concentrated their attention upon this unpleasing spectacle. The signal was given, and with drawn steel, like advancing battle-lines, the six young men rushed to the charge, breathing the courage of great armies. Neither side thought of its own danger, but of the nation's sovereignty or servitude, and how from that day forward their country must experience the fortune they should themselves create.

> Latin: 25.3. datur signum infestisque armis uelut acies terni iuuenes magnorum exercituum animos gerentes concurrunt. nec his nec illis periculum suum, publicum imperium seruitiumque obuersatur animo futuraque ea deinde patriae fortuna quam ipsi fecissent.

[¶35] 25.4. The instant they encountered, there was a clash of shields and a flash of glittering blades, while a deep shudder ran through the onlookers, who, as long as neither side had the advantage, remained powerless to speak or breathe.

> Latin: 25.4. ut primo statim concursu increpuere arma micantesque fulsere gladii, horror ingens spectantes perstringit et neutro inclinata spe torpebat uox spiritusque.

[¶36] 25.5. Then, in the hand-to-hand fight which followed, wherein were soon exhibited to men's eyes not only struggling bodies and the play of the sword and shield, but also bloody wounds, two of the Romans fell, fatally wounded, one upon the other, while all three of the Albans were wounded.

> Latin: 25.5. consertis deinde manibus cum iam non motus tantum corporum agitatioque anceps telorum armorumque sed uolnera quoque et sanguis spectaculo essent, duo Romani super alium alius, uolneratis tribus Albanis, exspirantes corruerunt.

[¶37] 25.6. At the fall of the Romans a shout of joy burst from the Alban army, while the Roman levies now bade farewell to all their hopes; but not to their anxiety, for they were horror-stricken at the plight of the single warrior whom the three Curiatii had surrounded.

> Latin: 25.6. ad quorum casum cum conclamasset gaudio Albanus exercitus, Romanas legiones iam spes tota, nondum tamen cura deseruerat, exanimes uice unius quem tres Curiatii circumsteterant.

[¶38] 25.7. He happened to have got no hurt, and though no match for his enemies together, was ready to fight them one at a time. So, to divide their attack, he fled, thinking that each of them would pursue him with what speed his wounds permitted.

> Latin: 25.7. forte is integer fuit, ut uniuersis solus nequaquam par, sic aduersus singulos ferox. ergo ut segregaret pugnam eorum capessit fugam, ita ratus secuturos ut quemque uolnere adfectum corpus sineret.

[¶39] 25.8. He had already run some little distance from the spot where they had fought, when, looking back, he saw that they were following at wide intervals and that one of them had nearly overtaken him.

> Latin: 25.8. iam aliquantum spatii ex eo loco ubi pugnatum est aufugerat, cum respiciens uidet magnis interuallis sequentes, unum haud procul ab sese abesse.

[¶40] 25.9. Facing about, he ran swiftly up to his man, and while the Alban host were calling out to the Curiatii to help their brother, Horatius had already slain him, and was hastening, flushed with victory, to meet his second antagonist. Then with a cheer, such as is often drawn from partisans by a sudden turn in a contest, the Romans encouraged their champion, and he pressed on to end the battle.

> Latin: 25.9. in eum magno impetu rediit; et dum Albanus exercitus inclamat Curiatiis uti opem ferant fratri, iam Horatius caeso hoste uictor secundam pugnam petebat. tunc clamore qualis ex insperato fauentium solet Romani adiuuant militem suum;

[¶41] 25.10. And so, before the third Curiatius could come up —and he was not far off —Horatius dispatched the second.

> Latin: 25.10. et ille defungi proelio festinat. prius itaque quam alter— nec procul aberat—consequi posset, et alterum Curiatium conficit;

[¶42] 25.11. They were now on even terns, one soldier surviving on each side, but in hope and vigour they were far from equal. The one, unscathed and elated by his double victory, was eager for a third encounter. The other dragged himself along, faint from his wound and exhausted with running; he thought how his brothers had been slaughtered before him, and was a beaten man when he faced his triumphant foe. What followed was no combat.

> Latin: 25.11. iamque aequato Marte singuli supererant, sed nec spe nec uiribus pares. alterum intactum ferro corpus et geminata uictoria ferocem in certamen tertium dabat: alter fessum uolnere, fessum cursu trahens corpus uictusque fratrum ante se strage uictori obicitur hosti. nec illud proelium fuit.

[¶43] 25.12. The Roman cried exultantly, “Two victims I have given to the shades of my brothers: the third I will offer up to the cause of this war, that Roman may rule Alban.” His adversary could barely hold up his shield.

> Latin: 25.12. Romanus exsultans 'duos' inquit, 'fratrum manibus dedi; tertium causae belli huiusce, ut Romanus Albano imperet, dabo.' male sustinenti arma gladium superne iugulo defigit, iacentem spoliat.

[¶44] 25.13. With a downward thrust Horatius buried his sword in the Alban's throat, and despoiled him where he lay. The Romans welcomed their hero with jubilations and thanksgivings, and their joy was all the greater that they had come near despairing. The burial of their dead then claimed the attention of the two armies, —with widely different feelings, since one nation was exalted with imperial power, the other made subject to a foreign sway.

> Latin: 25.13. Romani ouantes ac gratulantes Horatium accipiunt, eo maiore cum gaudio, quo prope metum res fuerat. ad sepulturam inde suorum nequaquam paribus animis uertuntur, quippe imperio alteri aucti, alteri dicionis alienae facti.

[¶45] 25.14. The graves may still be seen where each soldier fell: two Roman graves in one spot, nearer Alba; those of the three Albans towards Rome, but separated, just as they had fought.

> Latin: 25.14. sepulcra exstant quo quisque loco cecidit, duo Romana uno loco propius Albam, tria Albana Romam uersus sed distantia locis ut et pugnatum est.

[¶46] 26.1. Before they left the field Mettius asked, in pursuance of the compact, what Tullus commanded him to do, and the Roman ordered him to hold his young men under arms, saying that he should employ their services, if war broke out with the Veientes.

> Latin: 26.1. priusquam inde digrederentur, roganti Mettio ex foedere icto quid imperaret, imperat Tullus uti iuuentutem in armis habeat: usurum se eorum opera si bellum cum Ueientibus foret.

[¶47] 26.2. The armies then marched home. In the van of the Romans came Horatius, displaying his triple spoils. As he drew near the Porta Capena he was met by his unwedded sister, who had been promised in marriage to one of the Curiatii. When she recognized on her brother's shoulders the military cloak of her betrothed, which she herself had woven, she loosed her hair and, weeping, called on her dead lover's name.

> Latin: 26.2. ita exercitus inde domos abducti. princeps Horatius ibat, trigemina spolia prae se gerens; cui soror uirgo, quae desponsa uni ex Curiatiis fuerat, obuia ante portam Capenam fuit, cognitoque super umeros fratris paludamento sponsi quod ipsa confecerat, soluit crines et flebiliter nomine sponsum mortuum appellat.

[¶48] 26.3. It enraged the fiery youth to hear his sister's lamentations in the hour of his own victory and the nation's great rejoicing. And so, drawing his sword and at the same time angrily upbraiding her, he ran her through the body.

> Latin: 26.3. mouet feroci iuueni animum comploratio sororis in uictoria sua tantoque gaudio publico. stricto itaque gladio simul uerbis increpans transfigit puellam.

[¶49] 26.4. “Begone” he cried, “to your betrothed, with your ill-timed love, since you have forgot your brothers, both the dead and the living, and forgot your country!”

> Latin: 26.4. 'abi hinc cum immaturo amore ad sponsum,' inquit, 'oblita fratrum mortuorum uiuique, oblita patriae. sic eat quaecumque Romana lugebit hostem.'

[¶50] 26.5. “So perish every Roman woman who mourns a foe!” Horrid as this deed seemed to the Fathers and the people, his recent service was an off-set to it; nevertheless he was seized and brought before the king for trial. The king, that he might not take upon himself the responsibility for so stern and unpopular a judgement, and for the punishment which must follow sentence, called together the council of the people and said: “In accordance with the law I appoint duumvirs to pass judgement upon Horatius for treason.”

> Latin: 26.5. atrox uisum id facinus patribus plebique, sed recens meritum facto obstabat. tamen raptus in ius ad regem. rex ne ipse tam tristis ingratique ad uolgus iudicii ac secundum iudicium supplicii auctor esset, concilio populi aduocato 'duumuiros' inquit, 'qui Horatio perduellionem iudicent, secundum legem facio.' lex horrendi carminis erat:

[¶51] 26.6. The dread formula of the law ran thus: “Let the duumvirs pronounce him guilty of treason; if he shall appeal from the duumvirs, let the appeal be tried; if the duumvirs win, let the lictor veil his head; let him bind him with a rope to a barren tree; let him scourge him either within or without the pomerium.”

> Latin: 26.6. 'duumuiri perduellionem iudicent; si a duumuiris prouocarit, prouocatione certato; si uincent, caput obnubito; infelici arbori reste suspendito; uerberato uel intra pomerium uel extra pomerium.'

[¶52] 26.7. By the terms of this law duumvirs were appointed. They considered that they might not acquit, under that act, even one who was innocent, and having given a verdict of guilty, one of them pronounced the words, “Publius Horatius, I adjudge you a traitor; go, lictor, bind his hands.”

> Latin: 26.7. hac lege duumuiri creati, qui se absoluere non rebantur ea lege ne innoxium quidem posse, cum condemnassent, tum alter ex iis 'Publi Horati, tibi perduellionem iudico' inquit. 'i, lictor, colliga manus.'

[¶53] 26.8. The lictor had approached and was about to fit the noose. Then Horatius, at the prompting of Tullus, who put a merciful construction upon the law, cried, “I appeal!”

> Latin: 26.8. accesserat lictor iniciebatque laqueum. tum Horatius auctore Tullo, clemente legis interprete, 'prouoco' inquit. itaque prouocatione certatum ad populum est.

[¶54] 26.9. And so the appeal was tried before the people. What influenced men most of all in that trial was the assertion of Publius Horatius, the father, that his daughter had been justly slain; otherwise he should have used a father's authority and have punished his son, himself. He then implored them not to make him childless whom they had beheld a little while before surrounded by a goodly offspring.

> Latin: 26.9. moti homines sunt in eo iudicio maxime P. Horatio patre proclamante se filiam iure caesam iudicare; ni ita esset, patrio iure in filium animaduersurum fuisse. orabat deinde ne se quem paulo ante cum egregia stirpe conspexissent orbum liberis facerent.

[¶55] 26.10. So saying, the old man embraced the youth, and pointing to the spoils of the Curiatii set up in the place which is now called “the Horatian Spears,” he exclaimed, “This man you saw but lately advancing decked with spoils and triumphing in his victory; can you bear, Quirites, to see him bound beneath a fork and scourged and tortured? Hardly could Alban eyes endure so hideous a sight.”

> Latin: 26.10. inter haec senex iuuenem amplexus, spolia Curiatiorum fixa eo loco qui nunc Pila Horatia appellatur ostentans, 'huncine' aiebat, 'quem modo decoratum ouantemque uictoria incedentem uidistis, Quirites, eum sub furca uinctum inter uerbera et cruciatus uidere potestis? quod uix Albanorum oculi tam deforme spectaculum ferre possent.

[¶56] 26.11. “Go, lictor, bind the hands which but now, with sword and shield, brought imperial power to the Roman People! Go, veil the head of the liberator of this city! Bind him to a barren tree! Scourge him within the pomerium, if you will —so it be amidst yonder spears and trophies of our enemies —or outside the pomerium —so it be amongst the graves of the Curiatii! For whither can you lead this youth where his own honours will not vindicate him from so foul a punishment?”

> Latin: 26.11. i, lictor, colliga manus, quae paulo ante armatae imperium populo Romano pepererunt. i, caput obnube liberatoris urbis huius; arbore infelici suspende; uerbera uel intra pomerium, modo inter illa pila et spolia hostium, uel extra pomerium, modo inter sepulcra Curiatiorum; quo enim ducere hunc iuuenem potestis ubi non sua decora eum a tanta foeditate supplicii uindicent?'

[¶57] 26.12. The people could not withstand the father's tears, or the courage of Horatius himself, steadfast in every peril; and they acquitted him, more in admiration of his valour than from the justice of his cause. And so, that the flagrant murder might yet be cleansed away, by some kind of expiatory rite, the father was commanded to make atonement for his son at the public cost.

> Latin: 26.12. non tulit populus nec patris lacrimas nec ipsius parem in omni periculo animum, absolueruntque admiratione magis uirtutis quam iure causae. itaque ut caedes manifesta aliquo tamen piaculo lueretur, imperatum patri ut filium expiaret pecunia publica.

[¶58] 26.13. He therefore offered certain piacular sacrifices, which were thenceforward handed down in the Horatian family, and, erecting a beam across the street, to typify a yoke, he made his son pass under it, with covered head. It remains to this day, being restored from time to time at the state's expense, and is known as “the Sister's Beam.”

> Latin: 26.13. is quibusdam piacularibus sacrificiis factis quae deinde genti Horatiae tradita sunt, transmisso per uiam tigillo, capite adoperto uelut sub iugum misit iuuenem. id hodie quoque publice semper refectum manet; sororium tigillum uocant.

[¶59] 26.14. Horatia's tomb, of hewn stone, was built on the place where she had been struck down.

> Latin: 26.14. Horatiae sepulcrum, quo loco corruerat icta, constructum est saxo quadrato.

[¶60] 27.1. But the peace with Alba did not last long. The discontent of the people, who criticized the dictator for having confided the nation's welfare to three soldiers, broke down his weak character, and since honest measures had proved unsuccessful, he resorted to evil ones to regain the favour of his countrymen.

> Latin: 27.1. nec diu pax Albana mansit. inuidia uolgi quod tribus militibus fortuna publica commissa fuerit, uanum ingenium dictatoris corrupit, et quoniam recta consilia haud bene euenerant, prauis reconciliare popularium animos coepit.

[¶61] 27.2. Accordingly, just as in war he had sought peace, so now in time of peace he desired war. But seeing that his own state was richer in courage than in strength, he stirred up other tribes to make war openly after due declaration; while for his own people he reserved the part of the traitor under the disguise of friendship.

> Latin: 27.2. igitur ut prius in bello pacem, sic in pace bellum quaerens, quia suae ciuitati animorum plus quam uirium cernebat esse, ad bellum palam atque ex edicto gerundum alios concitat populos, suis per speciem societatis proditionem reseruat.

[¶62] 27.3. The men of Fidenae, a Roman colony, and the Veientes, whom they admitted to a share in their designs, were induced to commence hostilities by a promise that the Albans would go over to their side.

> Latin: 27.3. Fidenates, colonia Romana, Ueientibus sociis consilii adsumptis, pacto transitionis Albanorum ad bellum atque arma incitantur.

[¶63] 27.4. Fidenae having openly revolted, Tullus summoned Mettius and his army from Alba, and led his forces against the enemy. Crossing the Anio, he pitched his camp at the confluence of the rivers. The Veientine army had crossed the Tiber between that place and Fidenae.

> Latin: 27.4. cum Fidenae aperte descissent, Tullus Mettio exercituque eius ab Alba accito contra hostes ducit. ubi Anienem transiit, ad confluentes conlocat castra. inter eum locum et Fidenas Ueientium exercitus Tiberim transierat.

[¶64] 27.5. These troops, drawn up next the river, formed the right wing; on the left the Fidenates were posted, nearer the mountains. Tullus marshalled his own men against the Veientine enemy; the Albans he posted opposite the army of Fidenae. The Alban commander was as wanting in courage as in loyalty. Not daring, therefore, either to hold his ground or openly to desert, he drew off by imperceptible degrees in the direction of the mountains.

> Latin: 27.5. hi et in acie prope flumen tenuere dextrum cornu; in sinistro Fidenates propius montes consistunt. Tullus aduersus Ueientem hostem derigit suos, Albanos contra legionem Fidenatium conlocat. Albano non plus animi erat quam fidei. nec manere ergo nec transire aperte ausus sensim ad montes succedit;

[¶65] 27.6. Then, when he thought he had got near enough to them, he brought up his whole battle-line to an elevated position, and still irresolute, deployed his ranks with the object of consuming time. His purpose was to swing his forces to the side which fortune favoured.

> Latin: 27.6. inde ubi satis subisse sese ratus est, erigit totam aciem, fluctuansque animo ut tereret tempus ordines explicat. consilium erat qua fortuna rem daret, ea inclinare uires.

[¶66] 27.7. At first the Romans posted next to the Albans were amazed when they perceived that their flank was being uncovered by the withdrawal of their allies; then a horseman galloped up to the king, and told him that the Albans were marching off. In this crisis Tullus vowed to establish twelve Salian priests, and to build shrines to Pallor and Panic.

> Latin: 27.7. miraculo primo esse Romanis qui proximi steterant ut nudari latera sua sociorum digressu senserunt; inde eques citato equo nuntiat regi abire Albanos. Tullus in re trepida duodecim uouit Salios fanaque Pallori ac Pauori.

[¶67] 27.8. The horseman he reprimanded in a loud voice, that the enemy might overhear him, and ordered him to go back and fight; there was no occasion for alarm; it was by his own command that the Alban army was marching round, that they might attack the unprotected rear of the Fidenates.

> Latin: 27.8. equitem clara increpans uoce ut hostes exaudirent, redire in proelium iubet: nihil trepidatione opus esse; suo iussu circumduci Albanum exercitum ut Fidenatium nuda terga inuadant;

[¶68] 27.9. He also ordered the cavalry to raise their spears. This manœuvre hid the retreat of the Alban army from a large part of the Roman foot-soldiers; those who had seen it, believing what the king had been heard to say, fought all the more impetuously. The enemy in their turn now became alarmed; they had heard Tullus's loud assertion, and many of the Fidenates, having had Romans among them as colonists, knew Latin.

> Latin: 27.9. idem imperat ut hastas equites erigerent. id factum magnae parti peditum Romanorum conspectum abeuntis Albani exercitus intersaepsit; qui uiderant, id quod ab rege auditum erat rati, eo acrius pugnant. terror ad hostes transit; et audiuerant clara uoce dictum, et magna pars Fidenatium, ut quibus coloni additi Romani essent, Latine sciebant.

[¶69] 27.10. And so, lest the Albans should suddenly charge down from the hills and cut them off from their town, they beat a retreat. Tullus pressed them hard, and having routed the wing composed of the Fidenates, returned, bolder than ever, to the Veientes, who were demoralized by the panic of their neighbours.

> Latin: 27.10. itaque ne subito ex collibus decursu Albanorum intercluderentur ab oppido, terga uertunt. instat Tullus fusoque Fidenatium cornu in Ueientem alieno pauore perculsum ferocior redit. nec illi tulere impetum, sed ab effusa fuga flumen obiectum ab tergo arcebat.

[¶70] 27.11. They, too, failed to withstand his attack, but their rout was stopped by the river in their rear When they had fled thus far, some basely threw away their arms and rushed blindly into the water, others hesitated on the bank and were overtaken before they had made up their minds whether to flee or resist. Never before had the Romans fought a bloodier battle.

> Latin: 27.11. quo postquam fuga inclinauit, alii arma foede iactantes in aquam caeci ruebant, alii dum cunctantur in ripis inter fugae pugnaeque consilium oppressi. non alia ante Romana pugna atrocior fuit.

[¶71] 28.1. Then the Alban army, which had been a spectator of the battle, was led down into the plain. Mettius congratulated Tullus on the conquest of his enemies; Tullus replied kindly to Mettius, and commanded the Albans in a good hour to join their camp to that of the Romans.

> Latin: 28.1. tum Albanus exercitus, spectator certaminis, deductus in campos. Mettius Tullo deuictos hostes gratulatur; contra Tullus Mettium benigne adloquitur. quod bene uertat, castra Albanos Romanis castris iungere iubet; sacrificium lustrale in diem posterum parat.

[¶72] 28.2. He then made preparations to perform, on the morrow, a sacrifice of purification. At dawn, when all things were in readiness, he issued to both armies the customary order, convoking them to an assembly.

> Latin: 28.2. ubi inluxit, paratis omnibus ut adsolet, uocari ad contionem utrumque exercitum iubet. praecones ab extremo orsi primos exciuere Albanos. hi nouitate etiam rei moti ut regem Romanum contionantem audirent proximi constitere.

[¶73] 28.3. The heralds, beginning at the outskirts of the camp, called out the Albans first, who being moved by the very novelty of the occasion, took their stand close to the Roman king, that they might hear him harangue his army.

> Latin: 28.3. ex composito armata circumdatur Romana legio; centurionibus datum negotium erat ut sine mora imperia exsequerentur.

[¶74] 28.4. The Roman troops, by previous arrangement, were armed and disposed around them, and the centurions were bidden to execute orders promptly. Then Tullus began as follows: “Romans, if ever anywhere in any war you have had reason to give thanks, first to the immortal gods and then to your own valour, it was in the battle of yesterday. For you fought not only against your enemies, but a harder and more dangerous fight —against the treachery and the perfidy of your allies.”

> Latin: 28.4. tum ita Tullus infit: 'Romani, si unquam ante alias ullo in bello fuit quod primum dis immortalibus gratias ageretis, deinde uestrae ipsorum uirtuti, hesternum id proelium fuit. dimicatum est enim non magis cum hostibus quam, quae dimicatio maior atque periculosior est, cum proditione ac perfidia sociorum.

[¶75] 28.5. “For, to undeceive you, I gave no orders that the Albans should draw off towards the mountains. What you heard was not my command, but a trick and a pretended command, devised in order that you might not know you were being deserted, and so be distracted from the fight; and that the enemy, thinking that they were being hemmed in on the rear, might be panic-stricken and flee.”

> Latin: 28.5. nam ne uos falsa opinio teneat, iniussu meo Albani subiere ad montes, nec imperium illud meum sed consilium et imperii simulatio fuit, ut nec uobis, ignorantibus deseri uos, auerteretur a certamine animus, et hostibus, circumueniri se ab tergo ratis, terror ac fuga iniceretur.

[¶76] 28.6. “And yet this guilt which I am charging does not attach to all the Albans; they but followed their general, as you, too, would have done, had I desired to lead you off anywhere. It is Mettius yonder who led this march; Mettius, too, who contrived this war; Mettius who broke the treaty between Roman and Alban.”

> Latin: 28.6. nec ea culpa quam arguo omnium Albanorum est: ducem secuti sunt, ut et uos, si quo ego inde agmen declinare uoluissem, fecissetis. Mettius ille est ductor itineris huius, Mettius idem huius machinator belli, Mettius foederis Romani Albanique ruptor. audeat deinde talia alius, nisi in hunc insigne iam documentum mortalibus dedero.'

[¶77] 28.7. “Let another dare such a deed hereafter if I do not speedily visit such a punishment on him as shall be a conspicuous warning to all mankind.” Thereupon the centurions, sword in hand, surrounded Mettius, while the king proceeded: “May prosperity, favour, and fortune be with the Roman people and myself, and with you, men of Alba! I purpose to bring all the Alban people over to Rome, to grant citizenship to their commons, to enroll the nobles in the senate, to make one city and one state. As formerly from one people the Alban nation was divided into two, so now let it be reunited into one.” Hearing these words the Alban soldiers, themselves unarmed and fenced in by armed men, were constrained, however their wishes might differ, by a common fear, and held their peace.

> Latin: 28.7. centuriones armati Mettium circumsistunt; rex cetera ut orsus erat peragit: 'quod bonum faustum felixque sit populo Romano ac mihi uobisque, Albani, populum omnem Albanum Romam traducere in animo est, ciuitatem dare plebi, primores in patres legere, unam urbem, unam rem publicam facere; ut ex uno quondam in duos populos diuisa Albana res est, sic nunc in unum redeat.' ad haec Albana pubes, inermis ab armatis saepta, in uariis uoluntatibus communi tamen metu cogente, silentium tenet.

[¶78] 28.9. Then Tullus said: “Mettius Fufetius, if you were capable of learning, yourself, to keep faith and abide by treaties, you should have lived that I might teach you this; as it is, since your disposition is incurable, you shall yet by your punishment teach the human race to hold sacred the obligations you have violated.”

> Latin: 28.9. tum Tullus 'Metti Fufeti' inquit, 'si ipse discere posses fidem ac foedera seruare, uiuo tibi ea disciplina a me adhibita esset; nunc quoniam tuum insanabile ingenium est, at tu tuo supplicio doce humanum genus ea sancta credere quae a te uiolata sunt. ut igitur paulo ante animum inter Fidenatem Romanamque rem ancipitem gessisti, ita iam corpus passim distrahendum dabis.'

[¶79] 28.10. “Accordingly, just as a little while ago your heart was divided between the states of Fidenae and Rome, so now you shall give up your body to be torn two ways,” He then brought up two four-horse chariots, and caused Mettius to be stretched out and made fast to them, after which the horses were whipped up in opposite directions, and bore off in each of the cars fragments of the mangled body, where the limbs held to their fastenings.

> Latin: 28.10. exinde duabus admotis quadrigis, in currus earum distentum inligat Mettium; deinde in diuersum iter equi concitati, lacerum in utroque curru corpus, qua inhaeserant uinculis membra, portantes.

[¶80] 28.11. All eyes were turned away from so dreadful a sight. Such was the first and last punishment among the Romans of a kind that disregards the laws of humanity. In other cases we may boast that with no nation have milder punishments found favour.

> Latin: 28.11. auertere omnes ab tanta foeditate spectaculi oculos. primum ultimumque illud supplicium apud Romanos exempli parum memoris legum humanarum fuit: in aliis gloriari licet nulli gentium mitiores placuisse poenas.

[¶81] 29.1. While this was going on, horsemen had already been sent on to Alba to fetch the inhabitants to Rome, and afterwards the legions were marched over to demolish the city.

> Latin: 29.1. inter haec iam praemissi Albam erant equites qui multitudinem traducerent Romam. legiones deinde ductae ad diruendam urbem.

[¶82] 29.2. When they entered the gates there was not, indeed, the tumult and panic which usually follow the capture of a city, when its gates have been forced or its walls breached with a ram or its stronghold stormed, when the shouts of the enemy and the rush of armed men through the streets throw the whole town into a wild confusion of blood and fire.

> Latin: 29.2. quae ubi intrauere portas, non quidem fuit tumultus ille nec pauor qualis captarum esse urbium solet, cum effractis portis stratisue ariete muris aut arce ui capta clamor hostilis et cursus per urbem armatorum omnia ferro flammaque miscet;

[¶83] 29.3. But at Alba oppressive silence and grief that found no words quite overwhelmed the spirits of all the people; too dismayed to think what they should take with them and what leave behind, they would ask each other's advice again and again, now standing on their thresholds, and now roaming aimlessly through the houses they were to look upon for that last time.

> Latin: 29.3. sed silentium triste ac tacita maestitia ita defixit omnium animos, ut prae metu [obliti] quid relinquerent, quid secum ferrent deficiente consilio rogitantesque alii alios, nunc in liminibus starent, nunc errabundi domos suas ultimum illud uisuri peruagarentur.

[¶84] 29.4. But when at length the horsemen began to be urgent, and clamorously commanded them to come out; when they could now hear the crash of the buildings which were being pulled down in the outskirts of the city; when the dust rising in different quarters had overcast the sky like a gathering cloud; then everybody made haste to carry out what he could, and forth they went, abandoning their lares and penates, and the houses where they had been born and brought up. And now the streets were filled with an unbroken procession of emigrants, whose mutual pity, as they gazed at one another, caused their tears to start afresh; plaintive cries too began to be heard, proceeding chiefly from the women, when they passed the venerable temples beset by armed men, and left in captivity, as it seemed to them, their gods.

> Latin: 29.4. ut uero iam equitum clamor exire iubentium instabat, iam fragor tectorum quae diruebantur ultimis urbis partibus audiebatur puluisque ex distantibus locis ortus uelut nube inducta omnia impleuerat, raptim quibus quisque poterat elatis, cum larem ac penates tectaque in quibus natus quisque educatusque esset relinquentes exirent, iam continens agmen migrantium impleuerat uias, et conspectus aliorum mutua miseratione integrabat lacrimas, uocesque etiam miserabiles exaudiebantur, mulierum praecipue, cum obsessa ab armatis templa augusta praeterirent ac uelut captos relinquerent deos.