---
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: 32 of 50
url: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/32/
cite: "Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster, History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X, section 32. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/32/"
---

# 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.

## 32. Book VI · chapters 34–42

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/32/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/32/#p-N

[¶0] 34.5. That this state of affairs might not inspire excessive joy in the patricians, a trivial cause —as often happens —set on foot a mighty change. Marcus Fabius Ambustus was very influential, not only amongst his fellows, but with the plebs as well, for the members of that class felt that he was far from looking down upon it. This man had married his two daughters, the elder to Servius Sulpicius, the younger to Gaius Licinius Stolo, a man of mark, albeit a plebeian; and the very fact that he had not rejected such an alliance had won regard for Fabius with the common people.

> Latin: 34.5. ne id nimis laetum parti alteri esset, parua, ut plerumque solet, rem ingentem moliundi causa interuenit. M. Fabi Ambusti, potentis uiri cum inter sui corporis homines tum etiam ad plebem, quod haudquaquam inter id genus contemptor eius habebatur, filiae duae nuptae, Ser. Sulpicio maior, minor C. Licinio Stoloni erat, illustri quidem uiro tamen plebeio; eaque ipsa adfinitas haud spreta gratiam Fabio ad uolgum quaesierat.

[¶1] 34.6. It fell out that the sisters Fabia were together in the house of Servius Sulpicius, then a consular tribune, and were whiling away the time in talk, as women will, when a lictor of Sulpicius, who was returning from the Forum, rapped on the door, in the usual manner, with his rod. At this the younger Fabia, being unused to the custom, went white, which made the elder laugh with surprise at her sister's ignorance. But that laugh rankled in the other's mind, for a woman's feelings are influenced by trifles.

> Latin: 34.6. forte ita incidit ut in Ser. Sulpici tribuni militum domo sorores Fabiae cum inter se, ut fit, sermonibus tempus tererent, lictor Sulpici, cum is de foro se domum reciperet, forem, ut mos est, uirga percuteret. cum ad id moris eius insueta expauisset minor Fabia, risui sorori fuit miranti ignorare id sororem;

[¶2] 34.7. I suppose, too, that the crowd of people who attended the tribune and took a ceremonious leave of him made her look upon her sister's marriage as a fortunate one and regret her own, in that ill-judging spirit which makes us all so very loath to be outdone by our nearest friends.

> Latin: 34.7. ceterum is risus stimulos paruis mobili rebus animo muliebri subdidit. frequentia quoque prosequentium rogantiumque num quid uellet credo fortunatum matrimonium ei sororis uisum suique ipsam malo arbitrio, quo a proximis quisque minime anteiri uolt, paenituisse.

[¶3] 34.8. She was still suffering from the smart of wounded pride, when her father, happening to see her, asked if anything was wrong. She would fain have concealed the reason of her grief, which was too little consistent with sisterly affection and did no great honour to her husband; but he brought her by tender inquiries to confess that she was unhappy in being mated to one beneath her, having married into a house where neither dignities nor influence could enter.

> Latin: 34.8. confusam eam ex recenti morsu animi cum pater forte uidisset, percontatus 'satin salue?' auertentem causam doloris, quippe nec satis piam aduersus sororem nec admodum in uirum honorificam, elicuit comiter sciscitando, ut fateretur eam esse causam doloris, quod iuncta impari esset, nupta in domo quam nec honos nec gratia intrare posset.

[¶4] 34.10. Ambustus then comforted his daughter and bade her be of good cheer: she would see ere long in her own home the same state she beheld at her sister's.

> Latin: 34.10. consolans inde filiam Ambustus bonum animum habere iussit: eosdem propediem domi uisuram honores quos apud sororem uideat.

[¶5] 34.11. From that moment he began to make plans with his son-in-law, taking into their counsels also Lucius Sextius, a strenuous youth, whose aspirations were thwarted only by his lack of patrician blood.

> Latin: 34.11. inde consilia inire cum genero coepit, adhibito L. Sextio, strenuo adulescente et cuius spei nihil praeter genus patricium deesset.

[¶6] 35.1. An opportunity for innovation was presented by the enormous load of debt, which the plebs could have no hope of lightening but by placing their representatives in the highest offices.

> Latin: 35.1. occasio uidebatur rerum nouandarum propter ingentem uim aeris alieni, cuius leuamen mali plebes nisi suis in summo imperio locatis nullum speraret: accingendum ad eam cogitationem esse;

[¶7] 35.2. They therefore argued that they must gird themselves to think of this: with toil and effort the plebeians had already advanced so far that it was in their power, if they continued to exert themselves, to reach the highest ground, and to equal the patricians in honours as well as in worth.

> Latin: 35.2. conando agendoque iam eo gradum fecisse plebeios unde, si porro adnitantur, peruenire ad summa et patribus aequari tam honore quam uirtute possent.

[¶8] 35.3. For the present it was resolved that Gaius Licinius and Lucius Sextius should be elected tribunes of the plebs, a magistracy in which they might open for themselves a way to the other distinctions.

> Latin: 35.3. in praesentia tribunos plebis fieri placuit, quo in magistratu sibimet ipsi uiam ad ceteros honores aperirent;

[¶9] 35.4. Once elected, they proposed only such measures as abated the influence of the patricians, while forwarding the interests of the plebs. One of these had to do with debt, providing that what had been paid as interest should be deducted from the original sum, and the remainder discharged in three annual instalments of equal size.

> Latin: 35.4. creatique tribuni C. Licinius et L. Sextius promulgauere leges omnes aduersus opes patriciorum et pro commodis plebis: unam de aere alieno, ut deducto eo de capite quod usuris pernumeratum esset id quod superesset triennio aequis portionibus persolueretur;

[¶10] 35.5. A second set a limit on lands, prohibiting anyone from holding more than five hundred iugera. A third did away with the election of military tribunes, and prescribed that of the consuls one, at any rate, should be chosen from the plebs. These were all matters of great moment, and it would not be possible to carry them without a tremendous struggle.

> Latin: 35.5. alteram de modo agrorum, ne quis plus quingenta iugera agri possideret; tertiam, ne tribunorum militum comitia fierent consulumque utique alter ex plebe crearetur; cuncta ingentia et quae sine certamine maximo obtineri non possent.

[¶11] 35.6. Now when all the things that men immoderately covet, lands, money, and promotion, were jeopardized at once, the patricians became thoroughly alarmed; and failing, after frightened conference in public and private gatherings, to devise any other remedy than that veto which they had already tried before in many struggles, provided themselves with friends amongst the colleagues of the tribunes, to oppose their measures.

> Latin: 35.6. omnium igitur simul rerum, quarum immodica cupido inter mortales est, agri, pecuniae, honorum discrimine proposito conterriti patres, cum trepidassent publicis priuatisque consiliis, nullo remedio alio praeter expertam multis iam ante certaminibus intercessionem inuento collegas aduersus tribunicias rogationes comparauerunt.

[¶12] 35.7. These men, seeing Licinius and Sextius summon the tribes to vote, came up in the midst of a body-guard of patricians, and refused to permit the bills to be recited or anything else to be done that was usual in passing a resolution of the plebs.

> Latin: 35.7. qui ubi tribus ad suffragium ineundum citari a Licinio Sextioque uiderunt, stipati patrum praesidiis nec recitari rogationes nec sollemne quicquam aliud ad sciscendum plebi fieri passi sunt.

[¶13] 35.8. And now the assembly had been summoned repeatedly without avail, and the rogations were as though they had been voted down, when Sextius cried out, “So be it! Since it is your pleasure that the intercession should be so powerful, we will use that very weapon for the protection of the plebs.”

> Latin: 35.8. iamque frustra saepe concilio aduocato, cum pro antiquatis rogationes essent, 'bene habet' inquit Sextius; 'quando quidem tantum intercessionem pollere placet, isto ipso telo tutabimur plebem.

[¶14] 35.9. “Come now, senators, and proclaim an assembly for the choice of military tribunes; I warrant you shall have no joy of that word veto, which you now hear with such satisfaction from the chorus of our colleagues.”

> Latin: 35.9. agitedum comitia indicite, patres, tribunis militum creandis; faxo ne iuuet uox ista ueto, qua nunc concinentes collegas nostros tam laeti auditis.'

[¶15] 35.10. His threats were no idle ones: except for the aediles and tribunes of the plebs, there was not an election held. Licinius and Sextius were chosen again, and suffered no curule magistrates to be elected; and this dearth of magistrates continued in the City for five years, while the plebs continued to re-elect the two men tribunes, and they to prevent the election of military tribunes.

> Latin: 35.10. haud inritae cecidere minae: comitia praeter aedilium tribunorumque plebi nulla sunt habita. Licinius Sextiusque tribuni plebis refecti nullos curules magistratus creari passi sunt; eaque solitudo magistratuum et plebe reficiente duos tribunos et iis comitia tribunorum militum tollentibus per quinquennium urbem tenuit.

[¶16] 36.1. There was fortunately a respite from other wars, but the colonists of Velitrae, growing insolent in time of peace, because they knew that the Romans had no army, not only made several incursions into Roman territory, but went so far as to lay siege to Tusculum.

> Latin: 36.1. alia bella opportune quieuere: Ueliterni coloni gestientes otio quod nullus exercitus Romanus esset, et agrum Romanum aliquotiens incursauere et Tusculum oppugnare adorti sunt;

[¶17] 36.2. This circumstance affected not only the senators but even the plebeians; that the Tusculans, who had long been their friends and were now their fellow citizens, should be imploring aid filled them with shame.

> Latin: 36.2. eaque res Tusculanis, ueteribus sociis, nouis ciuibus, opem orantibus uerecundia maxime non patres modo sed etiam plebem mouit.

[¶18] 36.3. The tribunes of the plebs relaxing their opposition, elections were held by an interrex, which resulted in the choice of the following military tribunes: Lucius Furius, Aulus Manlius, Servius Sulpicius, Servius Cornelius, and Publius and Gaius Valerius.

> Latin: 36.3. remittentibus tribunis plebis comitia per interregem sunt habita; creatique tribuni militum L. Furius A. Manlius Ser. Sulpicius Ser. Cornelius P. et C. Ualerii. haudquaquam tam oboedientem in dilectu quam in comitiis plebem habuere;

[¶19] 36.4. They found the plebs much less submissive to the levy than they had been to the election; but by strenuous efforts they enrolled an army, and, marching out, not only drove the enemy away from Tusculum, but even shut him up within his own walls, and Velitrae was besieged with far more vigour than Tusculum had been.

> Latin: 36.4. ingentique contentione exercitu scripto profecti non ab Tusculo modo summouere hostem sed intra suamet ipsum moenia compulere;

[¶20] 36.5. Yet those who had begun the siege were not able to conclude it before the election of new military tribunes.

> Latin: 36.5. obsidebanturque haud paulo ui maiore Uelitrae quam Tusculum obsessum fuerat. nec tamen ab eis, a quibus obsideri coeptae erant, expugnari potuere;

[¶21] 36.6. The candidates chosen were Quintus Servilius, Gaius Veturius, Aulus and Marcus Cornelius, Quintus Quinctius, and Marcus Fabius. Even these tribunes accomplished nothing memorable at Velitrae. At home the situation was more dangerous.

> Latin: 36.6. ante noui creati sunt tribuni militum, Q. Seruilius C. Ueturius A. et M. Cornelii Q. Quinctius M. Fabius. nihil ne ab his quidem tribunis ad Uelitras memorabile factum.

[¶22] 36.7. For besides Sextius and Licinius, who had proposed the laws and were now for the eighth time re-elected tribunes of the plebs, the military tribune Fabius, Stolo's father-in-law, was openly advocating the adoption of the measures he had himself suggested.

> Latin: 36.7. in maiore discrimine domi res uertebantur. nam praeter Sextium Liciniumque latores legum, iam octauum tribunos plebis refectos, Fabius quoque tribunus militum, Stolonis socer, quarum legum auctor fuerat, earum suasorem se haud dubium ferebat;

[¶23] 36.8. And whereas there had been at first eight members of the college of plebeian tribunes who opposed the bills, there were now but five; and these, puzzled and confounded, as is apt to be the case with men who forsake their party, were no more than mouthpieces, repeating in justification of their vetoes only what they had been privately schooled to say, to wit, that a majority of the plebeians were absent at Velitrae with the army;

> Latin: 36.8. et cum octo ex collegio tribunorum plebi primo intercessores legum fuissent, quinque soli erant, et, ut ferme solent qui a suis desciscunt, capti et stupentes animi uocibus alienis id modo quod domi praeceptum erat intercessioni suae praetendebant:

[¶24] 36.9. and that the assemblies ought to be put off until the return of the soldiers, so that the entire body of the plebs might vote on matters that concerned them.

> Latin: 36.9. Uelitris in exercitu plebis magnam partem abesse; in aduentum militum comitia differri debere, ut uniuersa plebes de suis commodis suffragium ferret.

[¶25] 36.10. Sextius and Licinius, with some of their colleagues and one of the military tribunes, Fabius, being experts now —after so many years of practice —in the art of playing on the passions of the commons, would bring the leading senators forward and ply them with questions about each of the measures they were laying before the people: Had they the hardihood to demand that, when land was being assigned to the plebs in parcels of two iugera, they themselves should be authorized to hold more than five hundred iugera?

> Latin: 36.10. Sextius Liciniusque cum parte collegarum et uno ex tribunis militum Fabio, artifices iam tot annorum usu tractandi animos plebis, primores patrum productos interrogando de singulis, quae ferebantur ad populum, fatigabant:

[¶26] 36.11. Did they desire that single patricians should possess the allotments of almost three hundred citizens; and that the plebeian should have a farm scarce large enough to contain a shelter for his necessities or a place of burial?

> Latin: 36.11. auderentne postulare ut, cum bina iugera agri plebi diuiderentur, ipsis plus quingenta iugera habere liceret ut singuli prope trecentorum ciuium possiderent agros, plebeio homini uix ad tectum necessarium aut locum sepulturae suus pateret ager?

[¶27] 36.12. Or was it their wish that the plebs, undone with usury, should give up their bodies to imprisonment and torture, instead of paying the principal sums they owed? Did they mean every day to drag off gangs of condemned debtors from the Forum? to fill with prisoners the houses of the nobles? to make of every patrician's dwelling a private gaol?

> Latin: 36.12. an placeret fenore circumuentam plebem, [ni] potius quam sortem [creditum] soluat, corpus in neruum ac supplicia dare et gregatim cottidie de foro addictos duci et repleri uinctis nobiles domus et, ubicumque patricius habitet, ibi carcerem priuatum esse?

[¶28] 37.1. The shame and pity of these conditions awoke more indignation in their hearers, who feared for their own safety, than the speakers had themselves felt in denouncing them. And yet the patricians —as they proceeded to assert —would never check their greed for land, nor cease murdering the plebs with usury, until the commons should elect one of the two consuls from their own number, to guard their liberties.

> Latin: 37.1. haec indigna miserandaque auditu cum apud timentes sibimet ipsos maiore audientium indignatione quam sua increpuissent, atqui nec agros occupandi modum nec fenore trucidandi plebem alium patribus unquam fore, adfirmabant, nisi alterum ex plebe consulem, custodem suae libertatis, [plebi] fecissent.

[¶29] 37.3. Contempt, they argued, was now become the portion of the plebeian tribunes, for they used the veto to break down their own power.

> Latin: 37.3. contemni iam tribunos plebis, quippe quae potestas iam suam ipsa uim frangat intercedendo.

[¶30] 37.4. There could be no question of equal rights, where the other side commanded and they themselves could do nothing but protest. Until they shared in the authority, the plebs would never have an equal footing in the state. And let no one think that it would be sufficient if plebeians were accepted as candidates at the consular elections: unless it were required that at least one consul must be chosen from the commons, none ever would be.

> Latin: 37.4. non posse aequo iure agi ubi imperium penes illos, penes se auxilium tantum sit; nisi imperio communicato nunquam plebem in parte pari rei publicae fore. nec esse quod quisquam satis putet, si plebeiorum ratio comitiis consularibus habeatur; nisi alterum consulem utique ex plebe fieri necesse sit, neminem fore.

[¶31] 37.5. Had they already forgotten, that although the election of tribunes of the soldiers rather than consuls had been resolved upon, expressly in order that the highest honour might be open even to plebeians, yet for four and forty years no commoner had been chosen to that office?

> Latin: 37.5. an iam memoria exisse, cum tribunos militum idcirco potius quam consules creari placuisset ut et plebeiis pateret summus honos, quattuor et quadraginta annis neminem ex plebe tribunum militum creatum esse?

[¶32] 37.6. How could they suppose, that with two places only now available, the patricians would of their own volition bestow the office on the plebs, when they had habitually claimed eight places in electing military tribunes? Would those men allow the consulship to be approached, who had blocked so long the road to the tribuneship?

> Latin: 37.6. qui crederent duobus nunc in locis sua uoluntate impertituros plebi honorem, qui octona loca tribunis militum creandis occupare soliti sint, et ad consulatum uiam fieri passuros, qui tribunatum saeptum tam diu habuerint?

[¶33] 37.7. The law must make good for them what they could not gain by favour at the elections; one of the two consulships must be set apart for the undisputed use of the plebs, for if left in dispute it would always fall a prize to the more powerful.

> Latin: 37.7. lege obtinendum esse quod comitiis per gratiam nequeat, et seponendum extra certamen alterum consulatum ad quem plebi sit aditus, quoniam in certamine relictus praemium semper potentioris futurus sit.

[¶34] 37.8. Neither could it any longer be maintained —as the nobles had been wont to assert — that among the plebeians were none who were suitable for curule magistracies. Had the public administration been a jot more indifferent or slipshod since the tribuneship of Publius Licinius Calvus, who was the first man elected from the plebs, than it had been during those years in which none but patricians had been military tribunes?

> Latin: 37.8. nec iam posse dici id quod antea iactare soliti sint, non esse in plebeiis idoneos uiros ad curules magistratus. numqui enim socordius aut segnius rem publicam administrari post P. Licini Calui tribunatum, qui primus ex plebe creatus sit, quam per eos annos gesta sit quibus praeter patricios nemo tribunus militum fuerit?

[¶35] 37.9. Nay, on the contrary, several patricians had been impeached after holding the tribuneship, but not one plebeian. Quaestors, too, like military tribunes, had begun a few years before to be elected from the commons, nor had the Roman People regretted it in a single case.

> Latin: 37.9. quin contra patricios aliquot damnatos post tribunatum, neminem plebeium. quaestores quoque, sicut tribunos militum, paucis ante annis ex plebe coeptos creari nec ullius eorum populum Romanum paenituisse.

[¶36] 37.10. The consulship remained for the commons to achieve; this was the citadel of liberty, this its pillar. If they attained to this, then would the Roman People hold that the kings had been really driven from the City, and their freedom firmly based;

> Latin: 37.10. consulatum superesse plebeiis; eam esse arcem libertatis, id columen. si eo peruentum sit, tum populum Romanum uere exactos ex urbe reges et stabilem libertatem suam existimaturum;

[¶37] 37.11. for the commons would thenceforward be partakers in all that made the patricians now surpass them, —authority and honour, martial renown, birth and nobility, —great things for themselves to enjoy, but even greater to bequeath to their children.

> Latin: 37.11. quippe ex illa die in plebem uentura omnia quibus patricii excellant, imperium atque honorem, gloriam belli, genus, nobilitatem, magna ipsis fruenda, maiora liberis relinquenda.

[¶38] 37.12. Perceiving that speeches of this sort were well received, they introduced a new measure, providing that in place of two men vested with superintendence of the sacred rites, a board of ten should be elected, with a proviso that half the number should be of the plebs, and half patricians; the voting on all these bills they deferred until the return of the army which was besieging Velitrae.

> Latin: 37.12. huius generis orationes ubi accipi uidere, nouam rogationem promulgant, ut pro duumuiris sacris faciundis decemuiri creentur ita ut pars ex plebe, pars ex patribus fiat; omniumque earum rogationum comitia in aduentum eius exercitus differunt qui Uelitras obsidebat.

[¶39] 38.1. A year rolled round before the legions could be brought back from Velitrae; consequently the question of the laws remained in abeyance and was put off until the coming in of the new military tribunes; for as to the tribunes of the plebs, the commons chose the same men over again —the two, at any rate, who had brought in the bills.

> Latin: 38.1. prius circumactus est annus quam a Uelitris reducerentur legiones; ita suspensa de legibus res ad nouos tribunos militum dilata; nam plebis tribunos eosdem, duos utique quia legum latores erant, plebes reficiebat.

[¶40] 38.2. The military tribunes chosen were Titus Quinctius, Servius Cornelius, Servius Sulpicius, Spurius Servilius, Lucius Papirius, and Lucius Veturius.

> Latin: 38.2. tribuni militum creati T. Quinctius Ser. Cornelius Ser. Sulpicius Sp. Seruilius L. Papirius L. Ueturius.

[¶41] 38.3. At the very outset of the year came a final struggle over the laws; and when the tribes were summoned to vote, and the proposers of the measures would not yield to the vetoes of their colleagues, the frightened patricians were put to their two last shifts —the greatest office, and the greatest of the citizens.

> Latin: 38.3. principio statim anni ad ultimam dimicationem de legibus uentum; et cum tribus uocarentur nec intercessio collegarum latoribus obstaret, trepidi patres ad duo ultima auxilia, summum imperium summumque ad ciuem decurrunt.

[¶42] 38.4. They voted to name a dictator, and appointed Marcus Furius Camillus, who chose Lucius Aemilius for his master of the horse. To meet these formidable preparations of their adversaries, the proposers of the laws on their side armed the commons with tremendous enthusiasm for the cause, and proclaiming a council of the plebs, called up the tribes to vote.

> Latin: 38.4. dictatorem dici placet; dicitur M. Furius Camillus, qui magistrum equitum L. Aemilium cooptat. legum quoque latores aduersus tantum apparatum aduersariorum et ipsi causam plebis ingentibus animis armant concilioque plebis indicto tribus ad suffragium uocant.

[¶43] 38.5. Attended by a body of patricians, and breathing wrath and menaces, the dictator took his seat, and the affair began with the usual skirmish between the tribunes of the plebs, some of whom urged the passing of the law while others interposed their vetoes. But powerful as the veto was on the legal side, it was being overcome by the popularity of the bills themselves and their proposers, and the tribes which had been summoned first were voting “Ay,” when Camillus addressed the people. “Quirites,” he said, “since you are now swayed not by the authority of the tribunes but by their lawlessness, and are bringing to naught the right of protest —obtained through the secession of the plebs —with the same violence with which you won it; for your own sake no less than for the sake of tile whole republic, I shall, as dictator, sustain the veto, and safeguard with my absolute authority your defence which you are overthrowing.”

> Latin: 38.5. cum dictator, stipatus agmine patriciorum, plenus irae minarumque consedisset atque ageretur res solito primum certamine inter se tribunorum plebi ferentium legem intercedentiumque et, quanto iure potentior intercessio erat, tantum uinceretur fauore legum ipsarum latorumque et 'uti rogas' primae tribus dicerent, tum Camillus 'quando quidem' inquit, 'Quirites, iam uos tribunicia libido, non potestas regit et intercessionem, secessione quondam plebis partam, uobis eadem ui facitis inritam qua peperistis, non rei publicae magis uniuersae quam uestra causa dictator intercessioni adero euersumque uestrum auxilium imperio tutabor.

[¶44] 38.7. “If then Gaius Licinius and Lucius Sextius yield to the protest of their colleagues, I will in no way intrude a patrician magistracy upon a council of the plebs; but if, in defiance of the protest, they try to impose their terms, as though upon a conquered state, I will not permit the tribunician power to work its own undoing.”

> Latin: 38.7. itaque si C. Licinius et L. Sextius intercessioni collegarum cedunt, nihil patricium magistratum inseram concilio plebis; si aduersus intercessionem tamquam captae ciuitati leges imponere tendent, uim tribuniciam a se ipsa dissolui non patiar.'

[¶45] 38.8. This warning the tribunes treated with contempt, and were proceeding with unabated energy to carry out their plans, when Camillus, in high dudgeon, sent his lictors to turn the commons out; and threatened, that if they continued in their course, he would administer the oath to all of military age, and forthwith lead the army out of the City.

> Latin: 38.8. aduersus ea cum contemptim tribuni plebis rem nihilo segnius peragerent, tum percitus ira Camillus lictores qui de medio plebem emouerent misit et addidit minas, si pergerent, sacramento omnes iuniores adacturum exercitumque extemplo ex urbe educturum.

[¶46] 38.9. The plebs were greatly dismayed; but the courage of their leaders was rather kindled than damped by his vehemence. Yet before the matter had been decided either way, Camillus resigned his office, whether because there had been a flaw in his election —as certain writers have held —or because the tribunes proposed to the plebs and the plebs decreed, that if Marcus Furius should take any action in the capacity of dictator, he should be fined five hundred thousand asses.

> Latin: 38.9. terrorem ingentem incusserat plebi: ducibus plebis accendit magis certamine animos quam minuit. sed re neutro inclinata magistratu se abdicauit, seu quia uitio creatus erat, ut scripsere quidam, seu quia tribuni plebis tulerunt ad plebem idque plebs sciuit, ut, si M. Furius pro dictatore quid egisset, quingentum milium ei multa esset;

[¶47] 38.10. But that the auspices, and not a law without a precedent, were responsible for his withdrawal, the very nature of the man inclines me to believe; also the fact that Publius Manlius was at once made dictator in his place —for what good would his appointment do, in a struggle in which Marcus Furius had been beaten?

> Latin: 38.10. sed auspiciis magis quam noui exempli rogatione deterritum ut potius credam, cum ipsius uiri facit ingenium, tum quod ei suffectus est extemplo P. Manlius dictator—quem quid creari attinebat ad id certamen quo M. Furius uictus esset?— et quod eundem M.

[¶48] 38.11. Besides, Marcus Furius himself was dictator again in the following year, and he would surely have been ashamed to resume an authority which had broken down in his own hands the year before.

> Latin: 38.11. Furium dictatorem insequens annus habuit, haud sine pudore certe fractum priore anno in se imperium repetiturum;

[¶49] 38.12. Moreover at the time when the proposal to fine him is said to have been made, either he had the power to resist this order —which deprived him, as he could see, of all authority, —or else he lacked the power to obstruct even those measures in defence of which this order had been proposed.

> Latin: 38.12. simul quod eo tempore quo promulgatum de multa eius traditur aut et huic rogationi, qua se in ordinem cogi uidebat, obsistere potuit aut ne illas quidem propter quas et haec lata erat impedire;

[¶50] 38.13. Finally, whatever conflicts have occurred between tribunes and consuls, down to the times we can ourselves remember, the dictatorship has always towered above them.

> Latin: 38.13. et quod usque ad memoriam nostram tribuniciis consularibusque certatum uiribus est, dictaturae semper altius fastigium fuit.

[¶51] 39.1. In the interval between the abdication of the earlier dictator and the entrance upon his office of the new one, Manlius, the tribunes —as though there were an interregnum —held a council of the plebs, and it became evident which of the measures proposed were more acceptable to the plebeians, and which to their introducers.

> Latin: 39.1. inter priorem dictaturam abdicatam nouamque a Manlio initam ab tribunis uelut per interregnum concilio plebis habito apparuit quae ex promulgatis plebi, quae latoribus gratiora essent.

[¶52] 39.2. For the tribes were on the point of passing the bills relating to interest and land, and of rejecting the one about the plebeian consul, and both policies would have been finally disposed of, if the tribunes had not said that they were putting all these questions to the plebs collectively.

> Latin: 39.2. nam de fenore atque agro rogationes iubebant, de plebeio consule antiquabant; et perfecta utraque res esset, ni tribuni se in omnia simul consulere plebem dixissent. P. Manlius deinde dictator rem in causam plebis inclinauit C. Licinio, qui tribunus militum fuerat, magistro equitum de plebe dicto.

[¶53] 39.4. Then Publius Manlius, becoming dictator, gave the affair a turn in favour of the plebs by naming Gaius Licinius, who had been military tribune and was a commoner, his master of the horse. I find that the patricians took offence at this, but that the dictator was wont to excuse himself to them by alleging his close relationship to Licinius, and asserting that a master of the horse possessed no greater authority than a consular tribune.

> Latin: 39.4. id aegre patres passos accipio: dictatorem propinqua cognatione Licini se apud patres excusare solitum, simul negantem magistri equitum maius quam tribuni consularis imperium esse.

[¶54] 39.5. Licinius and Sextius, when an assembly had been proclaimed for the election of plebeian tribunes, so bore themselves that while professing an unwillingness to be re-elected, they furnished the plebs with the strongest incentives to give them what they pretended not to covet.

> Latin: 39.5. Licinius Sextiusque, cum tribunorum plebi creandorum indicta comitia essent, ita se gerere ut negando iam sibi uelle continuari honorem acerrime accenderent ad id quod dissimulando petebant plebem:

[¶55] 39.6. They said it was now nine years that they had stood embattled, as it were, against the optimates, with the greatest danger to themselves and no advantage to the public.

> Latin: 39.6. nonum se annum iam uelut in acie aduersus optimates maximo priuatim periculo, nullo publice emolumento stare. consenuisse iam secum et rogationes promulgatas et uim omnem tribuniciae potestatis.

[¶56] 39.7. The measures they had proposed and the whole power of the tribunate had, like themselves, grown old and useless. First the intercession of their colleagues had been employed to attack their laws; then the young men had been banished to the seat of war at Velitrae; finally they had themselves been menaced with the thunderbolt of the dictatorship.

> Latin: 39.7. primo intercessione collegarum in leges suas pugnatum esse, deinde ablegatione iuuentutis ad Ueliternum bellum; postremo dictatorium fulmen in se intentatum.

[¶57] 39.8. At present they were thwarted neither by their colleagues, nor by war, nor even by the dictator, for he had actually given them a presage of plebeian consuls by appointing a plebeian master of the horse:

> Latin: 39.8. iam nec collegas nec bellum nec dictatorem obstare, quippe qui etiam omen plebeio consuli magistro equitum ex plebe dicendo dederit:

[¶58] 39.9. no, it was the plebs themselves who stood in the way of their own advancement. A City and a Forum rid of creditors, and lands delivered from unlawful occupation, were things they might enjoy at once, if they would. When, pray, did they expect to weigh these blessings and be duly grateful, if at the very moment of entertaining measures for their own advantage they cut off all hope of office from the men who introduced them? It was not like the reasonableness of the Roman People to ask to be relieved themselves of usury and settled on lands which the nobles had unjustly held, while leaving the men to whom they owed these advantages to grow old as tribunicians —not only without honours, but even without the hope of them.

> Latin: 39.9. se ipsam plebem et commoda morari sua. liberam urbem ac forum a creditoribus, liberos agros ab iniustis possessoribus extemplo, si uelit, habere posse. quae munera quando tandem satis grato animo aestimaturos, si inter accipiendas de suis commodis rogationes spem honoris latoribus earum incidant? non esse modestiae populi Romani id postulare ut ipse fenore leuetur et in agrum iniuria possessum a potentibus inducatur, per quos ea consecutus sit senes tribunicios non sine honore tantum sed etiam sine spe honoris relinquat.

[¶59] 39.11. So let them first make up their minds what it was they wished; and then declare their wishes at the election of the tribunes. If they desired to enact together the measures which the tribunes had brought forward, there was some reason for re-electing them; for they would carry through what they had advocated; but if every man cared only for the adoption of such clauses as concerned him personally, there was no use in an invidious prolongation of their term; they would do without the tribuneship, and the people would do without the proposed reforms.

> Latin: 39.11. proinde ipsi primum statuerent apud animos quid uellent; deinde comitiis tribuniciis declararent uoluntatem. si coniuncte ferre ab se promulgatas rogationes uellent, esse quod eosdem reficerent tribunos plebis; perlaturos enim quae promulgauerint: sin quod cuique priuatim opus sit id modo accipi uelint, opus esse nihil inuidiosa continuatione honoris; nec se tribunatum nec illos ea quae promulgata sint habituros.

[¶60] 40.1. On hearing the tribunes make this stubborn speech, though the other senators were dazed and dumbfounded by such outrageous arguments, they say that Appius Claudius Crassus, the decemvir's grandson, moved more by hate and resentment than by hope, came forward to oppose them, and spoke to the following purpose:

> Latin: 40.1. aduersus tam obstinatam orationem tribunorum cum prae indignitate rerum stupor silentiumque inde ceteros patrum defixisset, Ap. Claudius Crassus, nepos decemuiri, dicitur odio magis iraque quam spe ad dissuadendum processisse et locutus in hanc fere sententiam esse:

[¶61] 40.3. "It would be no strange or surprising thing to me, Quirites, if on this occasion I, too, should be taunted with the one reproach that rebellious tribunes have ever directed at our family, to wit, that the Claudian gens from its very origin has regarded no feature of our public life as more important than the majesty of the senate and has always opposed the interests of the plebs.

> Latin: 40.3. 'neque nouum neque inopinatum mihi sit, Quirites, si, quod unum familiae nostrae semper obiectum est ab seditiosis tribunis, id nunc ego quoque audiam, Claudiae gentis iam inde ab initio nihil antiquius in re publica patrum maiestate fuisse, semper plebis commodis aduersatos esse.

[¶62] 40.4. The former of these charges I neither deny nor seek to refute —namely, that we have striven with all our might, from the day we were first called to be citizens and senators, that, so far as in us lay, the dignity of those families with which you proposed to rank us might truthfully be said to have rather gained than lost;

> Latin: 40.4. quorum alterum neque nego neque infitias eo—nos, ex quo adsciti sumus simul in ciuitatem et patres, enixe operam dedisse ut per nos aucta potius quam imminuta maiestas earum gentium inter quas nos esse uoluistis dici uere posset:

[¶63] 40.5. as to the other charge, I would venture to maintain, Quirites, speaking for myself and for my forefathers, that unless one should assume that what is done for the good of the whole nation is opposed to the welfare of the plebs, —as though they inhabited another city, —we have never wittingly done anything, whether as private citizens or magistrates, disadvantageous to the plebs; and that no word or act of ours can be truthfully alleged as being against your interests, though some there may have been which ran counter to your wishes.

> Latin: 40.5. illud alterum pro me maioribusque meis contendere ausim, Quirites, nisi, quae pro uniuersa re publica fiant, ea plebi tamquam aliam incolenti urbem aduersa quis putet, nihil nos neque priuatos neque in magistratibus quod incommodum plebi esset scientes fecisse nec ullum factum dictumue nostrum contra utilitatem uestram, etsi quaedam contra uoluntatem fuerint, uere referri posse.

[¶64] 40.6. But were I not a Claudius, nor sprung from a patrician line, but were merely any one of the Quirites, assuming only that I knew my parents had both been born to freedom and that I lived in a free state, could I pass this by in silence?

> Latin: 40.6. an hoc, si Claudiae familiae non sim nec ex patricio sanguine ortus sed unus Quiritium quilibet, qui modo me duobus ingenuis ortum et uiuere in libera ciuitate sciam, reticere possim L.

[¶65] 40.7. Are Lucius Sextius yonder and Gaius Licinius, our perpetual tribunes — save the mark! —grown so presumptuous in the nine years of their reign, as to threaten that they will leave you free to exercise your right of suffrage neither in elections nor in enacting laws?

> Latin: 40.7. illum Sextium et C. Licinium, perpetuos, si dis placet, tribunos, tantum licentiae nouem annis quibus regnant sumpsisse, ut uobis negent potestatem liberam suffragii non in comitiis, non in legibus iubendis se permissuros esse?

[¶66] 40.8. "' On a certain condition,' says one of them, ' you shall elect us tribunes for the tenth time '; as though he were to say,' What others sue for we are so surfeited withal that we will not accept it without a great reward.'

> Latin: 40.8. '"sub condicione" inquit, "nos reficietis decimum tribunos." quid est aliud dicere "quod petunt alii, nos adeo fastidimus ut sine mercede magna non accipiamus"?

[¶67] 40.9. But what in short is that reward by the grant of which we may always have you for tribunes of the plebs? ' That you adopt,' says he, 'all our rogations in a lump, whether you like them or detest them, —be they good or bad.' I beseech you, Tarquin tribunes of the plebs, imagine me a simple citizen calling out from the midst of the assembly, ' By your good leave, suffer us to choose from these proposals those we regard as wholesome for us, and to reject the rest.'

> Latin: 40.9. sed quae tandem ista merces est qua uos semper tribunos plebis habeamus? "ut rogationes" inquit, "nostras, seu placent seu displicent, seu utiles seu inutiles sunt, omnes coniunctim accipiatis." obsecro uos, Tarquinii tribuni plebis, putate me ex media contione unum ciuem succlamare "bona uenia uestra liceat ex his rogationibus legere quas salubres nobis censemus esse,

[¶68] 40.11. 'No,' he answers, 'you shall not have leave to enact the measures that concern you all, touching interest and lands, unless you will put up with the monstrous sight in Rome of Lucius Sextius and Gaius Licinius here as consuls —an idea you loathe and abominate; —accept everything, or I offer nothing.'

> Latin: 40.11. antiquare alias." "non" inquit, "licebit tu de fenore atque agris quod ad uos omnes pertinet iubeas et hoc portenti non fiat in urbe Romana uti L. Sextium atque hunc C. Licinium consules, quod indignaris, quod abominaris, uideas; aut omnia accipe, aut nihil fero";

[¶69] 40.12. As though a man were starving, and one should serve poison to him with his food, and command him either to abstain from what would give him life, or mix the deadly with the life-giving. Well then! If this state were free, would not the people have cried out to you in full assembly, 'Begone, with your tribuneships and your rogations!' Come! If you will not propose what is profitable to the people to accept, shall there be none to do it?

> Latin: 40.12. ut si quis ei quem urgeat fames uenenum ponat cum cibo et aut abstinere eo quod uitale sit iubeat aut mortiferum uitali admisceat. ergo si esset libera haec ciuitas, non tibi frequentes succlamassent "abi hinc cum tribunatibus ac rogationibus tuis"? quid? si tu non tuleris quod commodum est populo accipere, nemo erit qui ferat?

[¶70] 40.13. Suppose that some patrician, or —what those fellows would make out to be still more hateful —some Claudius, should say, ' Either take all or I will propose nothing,' which of you, Quirites, would endure it?

> Latin: 40.13. illud si quis patricius, si quis, quod illi uolunt inuidiosius esse, Claudius diceret "aut omnia accipite, aut nihil fero", quis uestrum, Quirites, ferret?

[¶71] 40.14. Will you never choose rather to look at facts than at advocates, but always lend ready ears to the utterances of that noble magistrate, and refuse to hear what is said by any of us?

> Latin: 40.14. nunquamne uos res potius quam auctores spectabitis sed omnia semper quae magistratus ille dicet secundis auribus, quae ab nostrum quo dicentur aduersis accipietis?

[¶72] 40.15. " His language, you will admit, is far from appropriate in a free state; well, what of his rogation, which they resent your refusal to accept? Quirites, it is all of a piece with his words. ' I propose,' he says, 'that it shall not be permitted you to choose such consuls as you will.'

> Latin: 40.15. at hercule sermo est minime ciuilis; quid? rogatio qualis est, quam a uobis antiquatam indignantur? sermoni, Quirites, simillima. "consules" inquit, "rogo ne uobis quos uelitis facere liceat."

[¶73] 40.16. For can aught else be his meaning, when he commands that in any case one consul be chosen from the plebs, and deprives you of the power to name two patricians?

> Latin: 40.16. an aliter [rogat] qui utique alterum ex plebe fieri consulem iubet nec duos patricios creandi potestatem uobis permittit?

[¶74] 40.17. If wars should arise in these days, like the Etruscan war, when Porsinna held Janiculum, or like the Gallic war a little while ago, when all this City —except the Capitol and the Citadel —was in the hands of your enemies; and if Lucius Sextius were standing for the consulship, along with Marcus Furius here, and any other patrician whomsoever; could you endure that Lucius Sextius should be certain of election, while Camillus had to risk defeat?

> Latin: 40.17. si hodie bella sint, quale Etruscum fuit cum Porsenna Ianiculum insedit, quale Gallicum modo cum praeter Capitolium atque arcem omnia haec hostium erant, et consulatum cum hoc M. Furio et quolibet alio ex patribus L. ille Sextius peteret, possetisne ferre Sextium haud pro dubio consulem esse, Camillum de repulsa dimicare?

[¶75] 40.18. Is it thus they would equalize the opportunities of office? Would they authorize the election of two plebeian consuls, and forbid the choice of two patricians? Must we perforce take one plebeian, while for both places we may pass the patricians by? What sort of fellowship, of partnership, is this? Are you not satisfied to get a part of that in which you had no part before, unless in reaching for the part you can seize the whole?

> Latin: 40.18. hocine est in commune honores uocare, ut duos plebeios fieri consules liceat, duos patricios non liceat? et alterum ex plebe creari necesse sit, utrumque ex patribus praeterire liceat? quaenam ista societas, quaenam consortio est? parum est, si, cuius pars tua nulla adhuc fuit, in partem eius uenis, nisi partem petendo totum traxeris?

[¶76] 40.19. 'I fear' he replies, 'lest if it be permitted to choose two patricians, you may choose no one from the plebs.' His meaning is: 'Since of your own accord you will never choose unworthy men, I will make it obligatory on you to elect those whom you do not wish.'

> Latin: 40.19. "timeo" inquit, "ne, si duos licebit creari patricios, neminem creetis plebeium." quid est dicere aliud "quia indignos uestra uoluntate creaturi non estis, necessitatem uobis creandi quos non uoltis imponam"?

[¶77] 40.20. What follows? Why, a man would not owe the people so much as thanks, if he were the sole plebeian candidate along with two patricians: he would say that he had been elected not by your suffrages, but by the statute.

> Latin: 40.20. quid sequitur, nisi ut ne beneficium quidem debeat populo, si cum duobus patriciis unus petierit plebeius et lege se non suffragio creatum dicat?

[¶78] 41.1. "They would force us, not invite us, to grant them office; and thus they mean to win the very highest honours without incurring even such obligations as would be imposed by the least important. They would make their canvass not on worth but on opportunity.

> Latin: 41.1. quomodo extorqueant, non quomodo petant honores, quaerunt; et ita maxima sunt adepturi, ut nihil ne pro minimis quidem debeant; et occasionibus potius quam uirtute petere honores malunt.

[¶79] 41.2. There is many a man who resents being investigated and appraised, who thinks it right that he alone should be certain of success, while his competitors are struggling for office; who would withdraw himself from your judgment; who would have you vote for him from compulsion, not from choice —not as freemen, but as slaves.

> Latin: 41.2. est aliquis, qui se inspici, aestimari fastidiat, qui certos sibi uni honores inter dimicantes competitores aequum censeat esse, qui se arbitrio uestro eximat, qui uestra necessaria suffragia pro uoluntariis et serua pro liberis faciat.

[¶80] 41.3. I say nothing of Licinius and Sextius, whose years of continuous power you reckon like those of the kings on the Capitol: who is there in the state to-day so lowly that the opportunities afforded by that law would not make access to the consulship easier for him than for us and for our children? To elect us will sometimes be beyond your power, even though you wish it; but those persons you would be compelled to elect, even against your inclinations.

> Latin: 41.3. omitto Licinium Sextiumque, quorum annos in perpetua potestate tamquam regum in Capitolio numeratis: quis est hodie in ciuitate tam humilis cui non uia ad consulatum facilior per istius legis occasionem quam nobis ac liberis nostris fiat, si quidem nos ne cum uolueritis quidem creare interdum poteritis, istos etiam si nolueritis necesse sit?

[¶81] 41.4. “Of the indignity of the thing I have said enough. But dignity after all is concerned with men: what of religious observances and auspices —for the immortal gods are involved in insult and disrespect to these? That this City was founded under auspices; that all measures, warlike and peaceful, at home and in the field, are carried out with auspices, who does not know?”

> Latin: 41.4. de indignitate satis dictum est—etenim dignitas ad homines pertinet—: quid de religionibus atque auspiciis—quae propria deorum immortalium contemptio atque iniuria est— loquar? auspiciis hanc urbem conditam esse, auspiciis bello ac pace domi militiaeque omnia geri, quis est qui ignoret?

[¶82] 41.5. “Who then control the auspices, by the tradition of our fathers? The patricians, to be sure; for no plebeian magistrate is elected under auspices;”

> Latin: 41.5. penes quos igitur sunt auspicia more maiorum? nempe penes patres; nam plebeius quidem magistratus nullus auspicato creatur;

[¶83] 41.6. “the auspices belong so exclusively to us, that not only are the patrician magistrates whom the people elect no otherwise elected than with auspices, but we ourselves even —without the people's suffrage —take auspices and nominate an interrex; and have, as private citizens, the right of taking them, which you plebeians have not even in your magistracies.”

> Latin: 41.6. nobis adeo propria sunt auspicia, ut non solum quos populus creat patricios magistratus non aliter quam auspicato creet sed nos quoque ipsi sine suffragio populi auspicato interregem prodamus et priuatim auspicia habeamus, quae isti ne in magistratibus quidem habent.

[¶84] 41.7. “He therefore deprives the state outright of auspices, who by electing plebeian consuls deprives the patricians of them —for they alone can take them. They may jeer now, if they like, at religious scruples.”

> Latin: 41.7. quid igitur aliud quam tollit ex ciuitate auspicia qui plebeios consules creando a patribus, qui soli ea habere possunt, aufert?

[¶85] 41.8. 'After all,' they will say, 'what difference does it make if the sacred chickens will not feed; if they are slow to come out from the coop; if a bird utters an ill-omened cry? ' These are trivial things; but because they did not scorn these trivial things, your fathers were able to build this great republic; and now we, as though we had no further use for Heaven's favour, are polluting all “the ceremonies.

> Latin: 41.8. eludant nunc licet religiones: "quid enim est, si pulli non pascentur, si ex cauea tardius exierint, si occecinerit auis?" parua sunt haec; sed parua ista non contemnendo maiores uestri maximam hanc rem fecerunt;

[¶86] 41.9. Let pontiffs then, augurs, and kings of the sacrifices, be chosen from the vulgar herd; let us set the mitre of the Flamen Dialis on anybody's head, so he but be a man; let us make over the sacred shields, the inner shrine, the gods and the service of the gods, to those whom we may not without sin intrust ” “with them; let laws be proposed and magistrates elected without the approval of the auspices; neither to centuriate nor curiate comitia let the fathers give their sanction; let Sextius and Licinius bear sway in Rome, like Romulus and Tatius —because they give away the moneys and the lands ”

> Latin: 41.9. nunc nos, tamquam iam nihil pace deorum opus sit, omnes caerimonias polluimus. uolgo ergo pontifices, augures, sacrificuli reges creentur; cuilibet apicem Dialem, dummodo homo sit imponamus; tradamus ancilia, penetralia, deos deorumque curam, quibus nefas est; non leges auspicato ferantur, non magistratus creentur; nec centuriatis nec curiatis comitiis patres auctores fiant; Sextius et Licinius tamquam Romulus ac Tatius in urbe Romana regnent, quia pecunias alienas, quia agros dono dant.

[¶87] 41.11. “of others. Is it so sweet to plunder others of their fortunes? Does it not occur to them that one of their laws will make vast deserts in the country-side, by driving the landlords out from their demesnes, while the other will wipe out credit, and with it all ” “human intercourse?

> Latin: 41.11. tanta dulcedo est ex alienis fortunis praedandi, nec in mentem uenit altera lege solitudines uastas in agris fieri pellendo finibus dominos, altera fidem abrogari cum qua omnis humana societas tollitur?

[¶88] 41.12. Upon every account I urge you to reject these bills; and may Heaven prosper what you do!”

> Latin: 41.12. omnium rerum causa uobis antiquandas censeo istas rogationes. quod faxitis deos uelim fortunare.'

[¶89] 42.1. The speech of Appius availed no further than to put off the passing of the measures.

> Latin: 42.1. oratio Appi ad id modo ualuit ut tempus rogationum iubendarum proferretur.

[¶90] 42.2. Returned for the tenth time to office, the tribunes Sextius and Licinius obtained the enactment of a law requiring that half the board of ten who had charge of sacred rites should be plebeians. Having elected five patricians and five plebeians, the people felt that they had set a precedent for the consulship.

> Latin: 42.2. refecti decumum iidem tribuni, Sextius et Licinius, de decemuiris sacrorum ex parte de plebe creandis legem pertulere. creati quinque patrum, quinque plebis; graduque eo iam uia facta ad consulatum uidebatur.

[¶91] 42.3. Satisfied with their victory, the plebs gave way to the patricians, and relinquishing for the moment discussion about the consuls, permitted the election of military tribunes. Those chosen were Aulus and Marcus Cornelius (for their second terms), Marcus Geganius, Publius Manlius, Lucius Veturius, and (for the sixth time) Publius Valerius.

> Latin: 42.3. hac uictoria contenta plebes cessit patribus ut in praesentia consulum mentione omissa tribuni militum crearentur. creati A. et M. Cornelii iterum M. Geganius P. Manlius L. Ueturius P. Ualerius sextum.

[¶92] 42.4. Rome's foreign relations were now peaceful everywhere except for the siege of Velitrae —the result of which, though delayed, was scarce in doubt —when a sudden rumour of a Gallic war drove the state to appoint Marcus Furius to his fifth dictatorship. He nominated Titus Quinctius Poenus to be master of the horse.

> Latin: 42.4. cum praeter Uelitrarum obsidionem, tardi magis rem exitus quam dubii, quietae externae res Romanis essent, fama repens belli Gallici allata perpulit ciuitatem ut M. Furius dictator quintum diceretur. is T. Quinctium Poenum magistrum equitum dixit.

[¶93] 42.5. Claudius relates that the battle with the Gauls took place that year near the river Anio; and that this was the occasion of the famous duel on the bridge in which Titus Manlius slew a Gaul who had challenged him to combat, and despoiled him of his chain, while the two armies looked on.

> Latin: 42.5. bellatum cum Gallis eo anno circa Anienem flumen auctor est Claudius inclitamque in ponte pugnam, qua T. Manlius Gallum cum quo prouocatus manus conseruit in conspectu duorum exercituum caesum torque spoliauit, tum pugnatam.

[¶94] 42.6. But I am more inclined to believe, with the majority of our authorities, that this exploit took place no less than ten years later, and that in the year of which I am now writing, the dictator, Marcus Furius, fought a battle against the Gauls on Alban soil.

> Latin: 42.6. pluribus auctoribus magis adducor ut credam decem haud minus post annos ea acta, hoc autem anno in Albano agro cum Gallis dictatore M. Furio signa conlata.

[¶95] 42.7. Notwithstanding the great terror occasioned by the invasion of the Gauls and the recollection of their old defeat, the Romans gained a victory that was neither difficult nor uncertain.

> Latin: 42.7. nec dubia nec difficilis Romanis, quamquam ingentem Galli terrorem memoria pristinae cladis attulerant, uictoria fuit. multa milia barbarorum in acie, multa captis castris caesa;

[¶96] 42.8. Many thousands of barbarians fell in battle, and many after the camp was taken. The others roamed about, making mostly towards Apulia, and owed their escape from the Romans to their distant flight and the dispersion which resulted from their panic and their straggling.

> Latin: 42.8. palati alii Apuliam maxime petentes cum fuga [se] longinqua tum quod passim eos simul pauor errorque distulerant, ab hoste sese tutati sunt. dictatori consensu patrum plebisque triumphus decretus.

[¶97] 42.9. The dictator was awarded a triumph with the consent of both senate and plebs. Hardly had Camillus brought the war to an end, when he was confronted with a fiercer opposition in the City. After desperate struggles the senate and the dictator were beaten, and the measures advocated by the tribunes were adopted.

> Latin: 42.9. uixdum perfunctum eum bello atrocior domi seditio excepit, et per ingentia certamina dictator senatusque uictus, ut rogationes tribuniciae acciperentur; et comitia consulum aduersa nobilitate habita, quibus L. Sextius de plebe primus consul factus.

[¶98] 42.10. An election of consuls was held, against the wishes of the nobles, and resulted in the choice of Lucius Sextius, the first of the plebeians to attain that honour. Even this did not end their disputes. The patricians declared that they would not ratify the election, and the affair had almost led to a secession of the plebs and threatened other terrible embroilments, when the dictator finally proposed a compromise which allayed the discord; the nobles gave way to the plebs in regard to the plebeian consul, and the plebs conceded to the nobles that they might elect from the patricians one praetor to administer justice in the City.

> Latin: 42.10. et ne is quidem finis certaminum fuit. quia patricii se auctores futuros negabant, prope secessionem plebis res terribilesque alias minas ciuilium certaminum uenit cum tandem per dictatorem condicionibus sedatae discordiae sunt concessumque ab nobilitate plebi de consule plebeio, a plebe nobilitati de praetore uno qui ius in urbe diceret ex patribus creando.

[¶99] 42.12. Thus after their long quarrel the orders were reconciled at last. The senate decided that this was a fitting occasion to honour the immortal gods —who deserved it then, if ever at any time —by celebrating the Great Games, and voted that one day should be added to the customary three; this burden the aediles of the plebs refused to shoulder, whereupon the young patricians called out that they would willingly do it for the sake of honouring the gods.

> Latin: 42.12. ita ab diutina ira tandem in concordiam redactis ordinibus, cum dignam eam rem senatus censeret esse meritoque id, si quando unquam alias, deum immortalium [causa libenter facturos] fore ut ludi maximi fierent et dies unus ad triduum adiceretur, recusantibus id munus aedilibus plebis, conclamatum a patriciis est iuuenibus se id honoris deum immortalium causa libenter facturos [ut aediles fierent].

[¶100] 42.14. The entire people united in thanks to them, and the senate decreed that the dictator should hold a popular election of two aediles to be chosen from the patricians, and that the Fathers should ratify all the elections of that year.

> Latin: 42.14. quibus cum ab uniuersis gratiae actae essent, factum senatus consultum, ut, duumuiros aediles ex patribus dictator populum rogaret, patres auctores omnibus eius anni comitiis fierent.