1.2. THE consuls were now Gaius Plautius (for the second time) and Lucius Aemilius Mamercus, when the men of Setium and Norba brought tidings to Rome that the Privernates were in revolt, with complaints of a defeat suffered at their hands. was also reported that a Volscian army, conducted by the Antiates, had encamped at Satricum. wars were by lot assigned to Plautius. marched first on Privernum and at once gave battle. much ado he overcame the enemy, captured Privernum, and putting in it a strong garrison, restored it to the inhabitants, but deprived them of two —thirds of their territory.
1.2. Volscorum item exercitum duce Antiati populo consedisse ad Satricum allatum est. bellum Plautio sorte evenit. ad Privernum profectus extemplo acie conflixit. magno certamine devicti hostes; oppidum captum redditumque Privernatibus praesidio valido imposito; agri partes duae ademptae.
1.4. he led his victorious army towards Satricum, to oppose the Antiates. The battle there, which was desperately fought, with heavy losses on both sides, was interrupted by a storm before victory had inclined to either army.
1.4. victor exercitus Satricum contra Antiates ductus. magna utrimque caede atrox proelium fuit; et cum tempestas eos neutro inclinata spe dimicantes diremisset, Romani nihil eo certamine tam ambiguo fessi in posterum diem proelium parant.
1.5. The Romans, not a whit discouraged by so indecisive a struggle, prepared to do battle on the morrow; but the Volsci, when they reckoned up the men they had lost in the fighting, were by no means so eager to incur the danger a second time, and in the night marched off like beaten men for Antium, with fear and trembling, abandoning their wounded and a part of their baggage.
1.5. Volscis recensentibus quos viros in acie amisissent haudquaquam idem animus ad iterandum periculum fuit; nocte pro victis Antium agmine trepido sauciis ac parte impedimentorum relicta abierunt.
1.6. great quantity of arms was found, not only amongst the slain but also in the enemy's camp. that he gave these arms to Lua Mater, the consul proceeded to lay waste the enemy's country as far as the coast.
1.6. magna vis cum inter caesa hostium corpora tum in castris inventa est. Luae Matri dare se consul dixit finesque hostium usque ad oram maritimam est depopulatus.
1.7. The other consul, Aemilius, having entered the Sabellian territory, nowhere encountered a Samnite camp or levies. he was ravaging their fields with fire and sword, he was approached by Samnite envoys, who begged for peace.
1.7. consuli Aemilio ingresso Sabellum agrum non castra Samnitium, non legiones usquam oppositae. ignique vastantem agros legati Samnitium pacem orantes adeunt;
1.8. referred by Aemilius to the senate, they obtained an audience, and giving over their air of arrogance, besought the Romans to grant them peace and the right to war against the Sidicini. These requests, they said, were the more justifiable, inasmuch as they had become friends of the Roman People when their state was flourishing and not, like the Campanians, in their adversity;
1.8. a quo reiecti ad senatum, potestate facta dicendi, positis ferocibus animis pacem sibi ab Romanis bellique ius adversus Sidicinos petierunt, quae se eo iustius petere, quod et in amicitiam populi Romani secundis suis rebus, non adversis ut Campani, venissent, et adversus Sidicinos sumerent arma, suos semper hostes, populi Romani nunquam amicos,
1.10. moreover, it was against the Sidicini that they were drawing the sword, a people always their enemies and never friendly to the Romans, of whom they had never, like the Samnites, sought friendship in time of peace, nor assistance, like the Campanians, in time of war; neither were they under the protection of the Roman People, nor yet their subjects. Titus Aemilius the praetor laid the petition of the Samnites before the senate, and the Fathers voted to renew the treaty with them. The praetor then replied to the ambassadors that the Roman People had not been to blame for the interruption of the friendship, and that, since the Samnites were themselves grown weary of a war contracted through their own fault, they had no objection to renewing the covenant;
1.10. qui nec ut Samnites in pace amicitiam nec ut Campani auxilium in bello petissent, nec in fide populi Romani nec in dicione essent. de postulatis Samnitium T. Aemilius praetor senatum consuluisset reddendumque iis foedus patres censuissent, praetor Samnitibus respondit nec quo minus perpetua cum eis amicitia esset per populum Romanum stetisse, nec contradici quin, quoniam ipsos belli culpa sua contracti taedium ceperit, amicitia de integro reconcilietur;
2.3. as for the Sidicini, the Romans would not interfere with the free judgment of the Samnite People regarding peace and war.
2.3. quod ad Sidicinos attineat, nihil intercedi quo minus Samniti populo pacis bellique liberum arbitrium sit.
2.4. the ratification of the treaty, the ambassadors went home, and the Roman army was at once recalled, after receiving a year's pay and rations for three months, which the consul had stipulated should be the price of a truce, to last until the envoys should return.
2.4. icto cum domum revertissent, extemplo inde exercitus Romanus deductus, annuo stipendio et trium mensum frumento accepto, quod pepigerat consul ut tempus indutiis daret quoad legati redissent.
2.5. The Samnites marched against the Sidicini with the same forces which they had employed in the war with Rome, and were confidently hoping to capture the city of their enemies in a little while, when the Sidicini attempted to anticipate them by surrendering to the Romans.
2.5. Samnites copiis iisdem quibus usi adversus Romanum bellum fuerant contra Sidicinos profecti, haud in dubia spe erant mature urbis hostium potiundae, cum ab Sidicinis deditio prius ad Romanos coepta fieri est;
2.6. , after the Fathers had rejected their offer, on the ground that it came too late and had been wrung from them only by the direst necessity, they carried it to the Latins, who had already risen in arms on their own account.
2.6. dein, postquam patres ut seram eam ultimaque tandem necessitate expressam aspernabantur, ad Latinos iam sua sponte in arma motos facta est.
2.7. the Campanians —so much more vivid was their recollection of the injury done them by the Samnites than of the kindness of the Romans —could not refrain from joining in this expedition.
2.7. Campani quidem—adeo iniuriae Samnitium quam beneficii Romanorum memoria praesentior erat—his se armis abstinuere.
2.8. great army, gathered out of all these nations, invaded the borders of the Samnites, under a Latin general, but wrought more havoc by pillage than in battle; and although the Latins came off best in all encounters, they were not unwilling to retire from the enemy's country, that they might not have to fight so often.
2.8. his tot populis unus ingens exercitus duce Latino fines Samnitium ingressus plus populationibus quam proeliis cladium fecit; et quamquam superiores certaminibus Latini erant, haud inviti, ne saepius dimicandum foret, agro hostium excessere.
2.9. The Samnites thus had time to send ambassadors to Rome. before the senate, they complained that they were suffering the same treatment as allies that they had experienced while enemies, and besought the Romans, with the utmost humility, that they would be satisfied to have snatched from the grasp of the Samnites a victory over their Campanian and Sidicinian foes, and not suffer them actually to be conquered by the most cowardly of nations.
2.9. spatium Samnitibus datum est Romam legatos mittendi; qui cum adissent senatum, conquesti eadem se foederatos pati quae hostes essent passi, precibus infimis petiere ut satis ducerent Romani victoriam quam Samnitibus ex Campano Sidicinoque hoste eripuissent, ne vinci etiam se ab ignavissimis populis sinerent;
2.11. the Latins and Campanians were subject to the Roman People, let the Romans use their authority and keep them from invading Samnium; but if they rejected that authority, let them hold them in check by force of arms.
2.11. Latinos Campanosque, si sub dicione populi Romani essent, pro imperio arcerent Samniti agro, sin imperium abnuerent, armis coercerent.
2.12. this plea the Romans returned an ambiguous reply, since they were loath to confess that the Latins were no longer under their control, and feared to estrange them if they censured them.
2.12. haec responsum anceps datum, quia fateri pigebat in potestate sua Latinos iam non esse, timebantque, ne arguendo abalienarent:
2.13. The Campanians, they said, were upon a different footing, having come under their protection not by treaty but by surrender; accordingly the Campanians, whether willing or not, should keep the peace; but there was nothing in their treaty with the Latins which entitled them to prevent their going to war with whom they chose.
2.13. Campanorum aliam condicionem esse, qui non foedere sed per deditionem in fidem venissent; itaque Campanos, seu velint seu nolint, quieturos; in foedere Latinos nihil esse quod bellare cum quibus ipsi velint prohibeant. responsum sicut dubios Samnites quidnam facturum Romanum censerent dimisit, ita Campanos metu abalienavit, Latinos velut nihil iam non concedentibus Romanis ferociores fecit.
3.2. answer, as it left the Samnites quite at a loss to forecast the Roman policy, so it alienated the Campanians with fear, while it persuaded the Latins that there was no longer any concession the Romans would not make them, and rendered them yet more audacious. their leaders, under colour of forwarding the war against the Samnites, appointed numerous councils, and in all their deliberations secretly concocted war with Rome. this war, too, the Campanians took part, against their preservers.
3.2. per speciem adversus Samnites belli parandi crebra concilia indicentes omnibus consultationibus inter se principes occulte Romanum coquebant bellum. quoque adversus servatores suos bello Campanus aderat.
3.3. though all their measures were sedulously concealed —for they wished to shake off the Samnite foe behind them before the Romans should take the alarm —yet through certain persons connected by private ties of hospitality and kinship, information of the conspiracy leaked out and was brought to Rome.
3.3. quamquam omnia de industria celabantur—priusquam moverentur Romani, tolli ab tergo Samnitem hostem volebant—tamen per quosdam privatis hospitiis necessitudinibusque coniunctos indicia coniurationis eius Romam emanarunt;
3.4. The consuls were commanded, before their time was up, to resign their office, in order that new consuls might the sooner be chosen to confront so momentous an invasion; but a scruple arose at allowing the election to be held by those whose authority had been abridged, and so they had an interregnum.
3.4. iussisque ante tempus consulibus abdicare se magistratu, quo maturius novi consules adversus tantam molem belli crearentur, religio incessit, ab eis quorum imminutum imperium esset comitia haberi. interregnum initum.
3.5. were two interreges, Marcus Valerius and Marcus Fabius: the latter announced the election to the consulship of Titus Manlius Torquatus (for the third time) and Publius Decius Mus.
3.5. interreges fuere, M. Valerius ac M. Fabius; is creavit consules T. Manlium Torquatum tertium, P. Decium Murem.
3.6. is believed to have been in this year that Alexander, king of Epirus, sailed with a fleet to Italy —a war which, had it prospered in its beginning, would doubtless have extended to the Romans.
3.6. anno Alexandrum Epiri regem in Italiam classes appulisse constat; quod bellum, si prima satis prospera fuissent, haud dubie ad Romanos pervenisset.
3.7. was also the era of the exploits of Alexander the Great, who was the son of this man's sister, and was doomed to be cut off by sickness while a young man, in another quarter of the world, after proving himself to be invincible in war.
3.7. aetas rerum magni Alexandri est, quem sorore huius ortum in alio tractu orbis, invictum bellis, iuvenem fortuna morbo exstinxit.
3.8. the Romans, though quite certain that the allies and all the Latins were going to revolt, nevertheless, as if concerned not for themselves but for the Samnites, summoned to Rome the ten chief men of the Latins, that they might give them such commands as they might wish.
3.8. Romani, etsi defectio sociorum nominisque Latini haud baud dubia erat, tamen tamquam de Samnitibus non de se curam agerent, decem principes Latinorum Romam evocaverunt, quibus imperarent quae vellent.
3.9. Latium at that time had two praetors, Lucius Annius Setinus and Lucius Numisius Circeiensis, both from Roman colonies, through whose contrivance, besides Signia and Velitrae —likewise Roman colonies —even the Volsci had been induced to draw the sword.
3.9. tum duos Latium habebat, L. Annium Setinum et L. Numisium Circeiensem, ambo ex coloniis Romanis, per quos praeter Signiam Velitrasque et ipsas colonias Romanas Volsci etiam exciti ad arma erant; eos nominatim evocari placuit.
3.10. was determined to summon these men by name. could be in doubt why they were sent for; accordingly, before setting out for Rome the praetors held a council, and explaining how they had been summoned by the Roman senate, asked instructions touching the answers they should give to the questions which they supposed would be put to them.
3.10. cuiquam dubium erat super qua re accirentur; itaque concilio prius habito praetores quam Romam proficiscerentur evocatos se ab senatu docent Romano et quae actum iri secum credant, quidnam ad ea responderi placeat referunt. aliud alii censerent, tum Annius: ipse ego rettuli quid responderi placeret, tamen magis ad summam rerum nostrarum pertinere arbitror quid agendum nobis quam quid loquendum sit. erit explicatis consiliis accommodare rebus verba.
4.2. one was suggesting this thing and another that, Annius arose. “I have myself referred to you,” said he, “the question as to what our reply should be, nevertheless I consider that what we are to do is of more importance to the welfare of our nation than what we are to say.” “will be easy, when we have straightened out our plans, to frame words suitable to our conduct. if we are able even now to endure slavery under a shadowy pretence of equal treaty —rights, what is left for us but to give up the Sidicini, and obeying the behest not of the Romans only but also of the Samnites, make answer to the Romans that we are ready to lay down our arms at their beck and call?”
4.2. si etiam nunc sub umbra foederis aequi servitutem pati possumus, quid abest quin proditis Sidicinis non Romanorum solum sed Samnitium quoque dicto pareamus respondeamusque Romanis nos, ubi innuerint, posituros arma?
4.3. if our hearts are pricked at last with a longing for liberty; if treaties, if alliances, mean equality of rights; if we may now glory in the kinship of the Romans, of which we were formerly ashamed; if they mean by “allied army” one which added to their own doubles its numbers, one which they would not wish to make its own war and peace, apart from them; —if “these things are so, I say, why are not all things equalized?”
4.3. autem tandem libertatis desiderium remordet animos, si foedus, si societas aequatio iuris est, si consanguineos nos Romanorum esse, quod olim pudebat, nunc gloriari licet, si socialis illis exercitus is est quo adiuncto duplicent vires suas, quem secernere ab se consilia bellis propriis ponendis sumendisque nolint, cur non omnia aequantur? non alter ab Latinis consul datur? pars virium, ibi et imperii pars esto.
4.5. “is not one consul furnished by the Latins? a portion of the strength is, there, too, should be a portion of the authority.”
4.5. quidem nobis hoc per se haud nimis amplum, quippe concedentibus Romam caput Latio esse; sed ut amplum videri posset, diuturna patientia fecimus.
4.6. “us, indeed, this is not in itself any too great an honour, since we suffer Rome to be the capital of Latium; but we have made it seem an honour by our prolonged submissiveness.”
4.6. si quando unquam consociandi imperii, usurpandae libertatis tempus optastis, en hoc tempus adest, et virtute vestra et deum benignitate vobis datum.
4.7. “yet, if ever at any time you have desired to share in the government and to use your freedom, behold, now is your opportunity, bestowed on you by your valour and by Heaven's favour!”
4.7. patientiam negando militem; quis dubitat exarsisse eos, cum plus ducentorum annorum morem solveremus? tamen hunc dolorem.
4.8. “have tried their patience by denying them troops; who can doubt that they were enraged when we broke the tradition of two hundred years? they swallowed their resentment. waged war on our own account with the Paeligni; those who aforetime withheld from us even the right to defend our own borders by ourselves, never interposed.”
4.8. nostro nomine cum Paelignis gessimus; qui ne nostrorum quidem finium nobis per nos tuendorum ius antea dabant nihil intercesserunt.
4.9. “have heard how we received the Sidicini into our protection, how the Campanians have left them and joined us, how we are raising armies against the Samnites, their confederates, —and have not stirred from the City.”
4.9. Sidicinos in fidem receptos, Campanos ab se ad nos descisse, exercitus nos parare adversus Samnites, foederatos suos, audierunt nec moverunt se ab urbe.
4.10. “comes this great restraint on their part, if it come not from the consciousness of our strength —and their own? I have good authority for saying that when the Samnites were complaining of us, the Roman senate answered in such wise that it might readily appear that even the Romans themselves no longer demanded that Latium should be under their authority.”
4.10. haec illis tanta modestia, nisi a conscientia virium et nostrarum et suarum? auctores habeo querentibus de nobis Samnitibus ita responsum ab senatu Romano esse ut facile appareret ne ipsos quidem iam postulare ut Latium sub Romano imperio sit. modo postulando quod illi vobis taciti concedunt.
4.11. “but take up in your demands what they tacitly concede to you. there is any man whom fear prevents from saying this, lo, I declare that I myself will say it, in the hearing not of the Roman People only and their senate, but of Jupiter himself, who dwells in the Capitol; that if they wish us to observe the treaty of alliance, they must receive from us one consul and a moiety of the senate.”
4.11. quem hoc metus dicere prohibet, en ego ipse audiente non populo Romano modo senatuque sed Iove ipso, qui Capitolium incolit, profiteor me dicturum, ut si nos in foedere ac societate esse velint, consulem alterum ab nobis senatusque partem accipiant.
4.12. These bold encouragements, and even promises, were received with a general shout of approval, and Annius was empowered to act and speak as might seem conducive to the welfare of the Latin state and befitting his own honour. the arrival of the Latins in Rome, they were given audience of the senate in the Capitol., after Titus Manlius the consul had pleaded with them, as directed by the senate, to make no war upon the Samnites, united as they were by treaty with the Romans, Annius held forth like some conqueror who had taken the Capitol by storm, not like an envoy protected by the law of nations.
4.12. ferociter non suadenti solum sed pollicenti clamore et adsensu omnes permiserunt ut ageret diceretque quae e re publica nominis Latini fideque sua viderentur. est Romam ventum, in Capitolio eis senatus datus est. cum T. Manlius consul egisset cum eis ex auctoritate patrum, ne Samnitibus foederatis bellum inferrent, Annius, tamquam victor armis Capitolium cepisset, non legatus iure gentium tutus loqueretur,
5.3. “was high time, Titus Manlius,” he said, “and you, Conscript Fathers, that you should cease at length to deal with us as in any sort our rulers, perceiving, as you have, that Latium, by Heaven's blessing, is flourishing exceedingly in arms and men, after vanquishing the Samnites in war and receiving as allies the Sidicini and Campanians, and now even the Volsci besides, and that your own colonies as well have preferred the Latin to the Roman sway.”
5.3. erat, inquit, T. Manli vosque, patres conscripti, tandem iam vos nobiscum nihil pro imperio agere, cum florentissimum deum benignitate Latium armis virisque, Samnitibus bello victis, Sidicinis Campanisque sociis, nunc etiam Volscis adiunctis, videretis; colonias quoque vestras Latinum Romano praetulisse imperium.
5.4. “, since you cannot make up your minds to bring your impotent sovereignty to a close, we —though able by force of arms to give Latium her freedom —will ” “nevertheless concede so much to kinship as to offer terms of peace fair and equal to both sides, since the immortal gods have willed that we should be of equal strength.”
5.4. quoniam vos regno impotenti finem ut imponatis non inducitis in animum, nos, quamquam armis possumus adserere Latium in libertatem, consanguinitati tamen hoc dabimus ut condiciones pacis feramus aequas utrisque, quoniam vires quoque aequari dis immortalibus placuit. alterum Roma, alterum ex Latio creari oportet, senatus partem aequam ex utraque gente esse, unum populum, unam rem publicam fieri;
5.6. “consul should be chosen from Rome, the other from Latium, the senate should be drawn in equal proportions from both nations, there should be one people and one state; and that we may have the same seat of empire and the same name for all, by all means let this rather be our city, since one side must make concessions, —and may good come of it to both peoples!”
5.6. et ut imperii eadem sedes sit idemque omnibus nomen, quoniam ab altera utra parte concedi necesse est, quod utrisque bene vertat, sit haec sane patria potior, et Romani omnes vocemur.
5.7. “—and let us all be known as Romans.” so happened that the Romans had, in their consul Titus Manlius, a man who was a match for Annius in boldness. far was he from controlling his indignation, that he openly declared that if the Fathers were so demented as to receive terms from a Setine, he would gird on his sword, and entering the senate would slay with his own hand any Latin he might see within the Curia.
5.7. ita accidit ut parem ferociae huius et Romani consulem T. Manlium haberent, qui adeo non tenuit iram ut, si tanta dementia patres conscriptos cepisset ut ab Setino homine leges acciperent, gladio cinctum in senatum venturum se esse palam diceret, et quemcumque in curia Latinum vidisset, sua manu interempturum.
5.8. turning to the statue of the god, “, Jupiter,” he cried, “these wicked words! ye, Law and Right!” “thou behold, O Jupiter, alien consuls and an alien senate in thy consecrated temple, thyself overpowered and taken captive?”
5.8. conversus ad simulacrum Iovis,, Iuppiter, haec scelera inquit; audite, Ius Fasque. consules et peregrinum senatum in tuo, Iuppiter, augurato templo captus atque ipse oppressus visurus es! foedera Tullus, Romanus rex, cum Albanis, patribus vestris, Latini, haec L. Tarquinius vobiscum postea fecit?
5.10. “these the covenants, Latins, that Tullus, the Roman king, made with your Alban forefathers, that Lucius Tarquinius afterwards made with you? you not the battle at Lake Regillus? you so forgot your old disasters. and our goodness to you?”
5.10. venit in mentem pugna apud Regillum lacum? et cladium veterum vestrarum et beneficiorum nostrorum erga vos obliti estis? consulis vocem subsecuta patrum indignatio esset, proditur memoriae memorial adversus crebram implorationem deum, quos testes foederum saepius invocabant consules, vocem Anni spernentis numina iovis lovis Romani auditam.
6.2. The consul's speech having been warmly seconded by the indignant senators, it is recorded that in answer to the numerous supplications of the gods, whom the consuls repeatedly invoked as the witnesses of treaties, the voice of Annius was heard spurning the power of the Roman Jupiter. all events, as he hurried, beside himself with rage, from the entrance of the temple, he slipped on the stairs, and struck his head so hard on the lowest stone that he lost consciousness. he was killed is not asserted by all writers, wherefore I, too, may leave the question undecided, as also the tradition that while men were calling on the gods to witness the breaking of the treaty, there was a loud crash in the heavens, and a hurricane burst forth; for these things may be true, or they may be apt inventions to express in a lively manner the wrath of Heaven.
6.2. , cum commotus ira se a vestibulo templi citato gradu proriperet, lapsus per gradus capite graviter offenso impactus imo ita est saxo ut sopiretur. auctores quoniam non omnes sunt, mihi quoque qaoque in incerto relictum sit, sicut inter foederum ruptorum testationem ingenti fragore caeli procellam effusam; nam et vera esse et apte ad repraesentandam iram deum ficta possunt.
6.4. Torquatus, who had been sent by the senate to dismiss the envoys, saw Annius lying there, and exclaimed in a voice that was heard alike by the people and the senators: “is well; the gods have begun a righteous war.”
6.4. Torquatus missus ab senatu ad dimittendos legatos cum iacentem Annium vidisset, exclamat, ita ut populo patribusque audita vox pariter sit: habet;
6.5. “is a heavenly power; thou dost exist, great Jupiter; not in vain have we established thee in this holy seat, the Father of gods and men.”
6.5. di pium movere bellum. caeleste numen; es, magne Iuppiter; haud frustra te patrem deum hominumque hac sede sacravimus.
6.6. “do you hesitate to arm, Quirites, and you Conscript Fathers, with the gods to lead you? you behold their ambassador brought low, even so will I cast down the Latin legions.”
6.6. cessatis, Quirites, vosque patres conscripti, arma capere deis ducibus? stratas legiones Latinorum dabo, quemadmodum legatum iacentem videtis.
6.7. The consul's words were received with approval by the people, and so enraged them, that the envoys, at their setting out, owed their protection from men's wrath and fury more to the care of the magistrates —who attended them at the consul's bidding —than to the law of nations.
6.7. populi excepta vox consulis tantum ardoris animis fecit, ut legatos proficiscentes cura magistratuum magis, qui iussu consulis prosequebantur, quam ius gentium ab ira impetuque hominum tegeret.
6.8. The senate also agreed on war; and the consuls, enrolling two armies, marched out through the country of the Marsi and Paeligni, and having added to their forces the army of the Samnites, went into camp near Capua, where the Latins and their allies had already assembled.
6.8. et senatus bellum; consulesque duobus scriptis exercitibus per Marsos Paelignosque profecti adiuncto Samnitium exercitu ad Capuam, quo iam Latini sociique convenerant, castra locant.
6.9. in the stillness of the night both consuls are said to have been visited by the same apparition, a man of greater than human stature and more majestic, who declared that the commander of one side, and the army of the other, must be offered up to the Manes and to Mother Earth; and that in whichever host the general should devote to death the enemy's legions, and himself with them, that nation and that side would have the victory.
6.9. in quiete utrique consuli eadem dicitur visa species viri maioris quam pro humano habitu augustiorisque, dicentis ex una acie imperatorem, ex altera exercitum Deis Manibus Matrique Terrae deberi; utrius exercitus imperator legiones hostium superque eas se devovisset, eius populi partisque victoriam fore.
6.11. the consuls had compared these visions of the night, they resolved that victims should be slain to tum away the wrath of Heaven; and, at the same time, that if the warning of the entrails should coincide with what thay had seen in their dream, one or other of the consuls should fulfil the decrees of fate.
6.11. ubi nocturnos visus inter se consules contulerunt, placuit averruncandae deum irae victimas caedi; simul ut, si extis eadem quae in somnio visa fuerant portenderentur, alter uter consulum fata impleret.
6.12. The report of the soothsayers agreed with the secret conviction which had already found lodgment in their breasts; whereupon they sent for their lieutenants and the tribunes, and having openly declared the pleasure of the gods, that so the consul's voluntary death might not terrify the soldiers in the fray, they agreed with one another that on whichever flank the Roman army should begin to yield, there the consul should devote himself in behalf of the Roman People and Quirites.
6.12. responsa haruspicum insidenti iam animo tacitae religioni congruerunt, tum adhibitis legatis tribunisque et imperiis deum propalam expositis, ne mors voluntaria consulis exercitum in acie terreret, comparant inter se ut ab utra parte cedere Romanus exercitus coepisset, inde se consul devoveret pro populo Romano Quiritibusque.
6.14. was also urged in the council that if ever any war had been conducted with stern authority, now was the occasion of all others for recalling military descipline to its ancient courses.
6.14. etiam in consilio est ut, si quando unquam severo ullum imperio bellum administratum esset, tunc tune utique disciplina militaris ad priscos redigeretur mores.
6.15. anxiety was sharpened by the fact that they must fight against the Latins, who were like themselves in language, customs, fashion of arms, and above all in military institutions; soldiers had mingled with soldiers, centurions with centurions, tribunes with tribunes, as equals and colleagues in the same garrisons and often in the same maniples. this might betray the soldiers into some blunder, the consuls proclaimed that no man should quit his place to attack the foe.
6.15. acuebat quod adversus Latinos bellandum erat, lingua, moribus, armorum genere, institutis ante omnia militaribus, congruentes; milites militibus, centurionibus centuriones, tribuni tribunis compares collegaeque iisdem in praesidiis, saepe iisdem manipulis permixti fuerant. haec ne quo errore milites caperentur, edicunt consoles, ne quis extra ordinem in hostem pugnaret. inter ceteros turmarum praefectos, qui exploratum in omnes partes dimissi erant, T. Manlius consulis filius super castra hostium cum suis turmalibus evasit, ita ut vix teli iactu ab statione proxima abesset.
7.2. chanced that amongst the other squadron —leaders who had been sent off in all directions to reconnoitre, Titus Manlius the consul's son had ridden out with his troopers beyond the enemy's camp, till he was hardly the cast of a spear from their nearest outpost. the Tusculan horse were stationed, under the command of Geminus Maecius, who enjoyed a reputation amongst his fellows for his achievements no less than for his noble birth. man recognized the Roman cavalry, and, conspicuous in their van, the consul's son —for they were all known to one another, particularly the men of mark.
7.2. Tusculani erant equites; praeerat Geminus Maecius, vir cum genere inter suos tum factis clarus. ubi Romanos equites insignemque inter eos praecedentem consulis filium —nam omnes inter se, utique illustres viri, noti erant—cognovit, , ait, turma, Romani, cum Latinis sociisque bellum gesturi estis?
7.4. “now,” he cried, “will you Romans wage war on the Latins and their allies with a single squadron? will the consuls, what will two consular armies be doing in the meantime?” “will be here soon enough,” said Manlius, “and with them will be Jupiter himself, the witness of those covenants which you have violated, who is mightier and more powerful than they.”
7.4. interea consules, quid duo exercitus consulares agent? in tempore, Manlius inquit, et cum illis aderit Iuppiter ipse, foederum a vobis violatorum testis, qui plus potest polletque.
7.6. “at Lake Regillus we gave you your fill of fighting, here likewise we shall certainly see to it that you have no great joy of meeting us in the serried ranks of battle.”
7.6. ad Regillum lacum ad satietatem vestram pugnavimus, hic quoque efficiemus profecto ne nimis acies vobis et conlata signa nobiscum cordi sint.
7.7. this, Geminus rode out a little in front of his men, and asked, “you like then, while waiting for that great day to come, when with a mighty effort you are to set your hosts in motion —would you like meanwhile, I say, to do battle with me, yourself, that from the outcome of our duel men may see at once how far the Latin horse surpass the Roman?”
7.7. ea Geminus paulum ab suis equo provectus: igitur, dum dies ista venit, qua magno conatu exercitus moveatis, interea tu ipse congredi mecum, ut nostro duorum iam hinc eventu cernatur, quantum eques Latinus Romano praestet?
7.8. The youth's bold heart was stirred, whether by anger, or by shame at the thought of refusing the combat, or by the irresistible force of destiny. so, forgetting the commands of his father and the edict of the consuls, he allowed himself to be swept headlong into an encounter where it would make little difference to him whether he won or lost.
7.8. ferocem animum iuvenis seu ira seu detractandi certaminis pudor seu inexsuperabilis vis fati. itaque imperii patrii consulumque edicti, praeceps ad id certamen agitur, quo vinceret an vinceretur haud multum interesset.
7.9. caused the rest of the horsemen to stand back, as though it had been a spectacle, and spurred their steeds against one another across the vacant space between.
7.9. ceteris velut ad spectaculum submotis, spatio quod vacui interiacebat campi adversos concitant equos; et cum infestis cuspidibus concurrissent, Manli cuspis super galeam hostis, Maeci trans cervicem equi elapsa est.
7.10. lances levelled they rushed together; but the lance of Manlius glanced off the helmet of his enemy, and that of Maecius passed over the neck of the other's horse., as they pulled their horses round, Manlius, who was the first to gather himself up for a second thrust, pricked his enemy's charger between the ears. The smart of this wound made the horse rear and toss his head so violently that he threw off his rider, who, raising himself with spear and shield, was struggling to his feet after the heavy fall, when Manlius plunged his lance into his throat so that it came out between the ribs and pinned him to the ground.
7.10. deinde equis cum prior ad iterandum ictum Manlius consurrexisset, spiculum inter aures equi fixit. cuius volneris sensum cum equus prioribus pedibus erectis magna vi caput quateret, excussit equitem, quem cuspide parmaque innixum attollentem se ab gravi casu Manlius ab iugulo, ita ut per costas ferrum emineret, terrae adfixit; spoliisque lectis ad suos revectus, cum ovante gaudio turma in castra atque inde ad praetorium ad patrem tendit, ignarus ignaru fati futurique, laus an poena merita esset.
7.13. then gathered up the spoils and rode back to his troopers, who attended him with shouts of triumph to the camp, where he sought at once the headquarters of his father, knowing not what doom the future held for him, or whether praise or punishment were his appointed guerdon.
7.13. me omnes, inquit, pater, tuo sanguine ortum vere ferrent, provocatus equestria haec spolia capta ex hoste caeso porto.
7.14. “Father,” he said, “that all men might truly report me to be your son, I bring these equestrian spoils, stripped from the body of an enemy who challenged me.”
7.14. ubi audivit consul, extemplo filium aversatus contionem classico advocari iussit.
7.15. hearing this, the consul straightway turned from his son and commanded a trumpet to sound the assembly. the men had gathered in full numbers, the consul said, “, Titus Manlius, as you ” “have held in reverence neither consular authority nor a father's dignity, and despite our edict have quitted your place to fight the enemy, and so far as in you lay, have broken military discipline, whereby the Roman state has stood until this day unshaken, thus compelling me to forget either the republic or myself, we will sooner endure the punishment of our wrong —doing ”
7.15. ubi frequens convenit,, inquit, tu, T. Manli, neque imperium consulare neque maiestatem patriam veritus adversus edictum nostrum extra ordinem in hostem pugnasti, et quantum in te fuit, disciplinam militarem, qua stetit ad hanc diem Romana res, solvisti, meque in eam necessitatem adduxisti, ut aut rei publicae mihi aut mei obliviscendum sit,
7.17. “than suffer the republic to expiate our sins at a cost so heavy to herself; we will set a stern example, but a salutary one, for the young men of the future.”
7.17. nos potius nostro delicto plectemur quam res publica tanto suo damno nostra peccata luat. exemplum sed in posterum salubre iuventuti erimus.
7.18. “my own part, I am moved, not only by a man's instinctive love of his children, but by this instance you have given of your bravery, perverted though it was by an idle show of honour.”
7.18. quidem cum ingenita caritas liberum tum specimen istud virtutis deceptum vana imagine decoris in te movet;
7.19. “since the authority of the consuls must either be established by your death, or by your impunity be forever abrogated, and since I think that you yourself, if you have a drop of my blood in you, would not refuse to raise up by your punishment the military discipline which through your misdemeanour has slipped and fallen, —go, lictor, bind him to the stake.”
7.19. sed cum aut morte tua sancienda sint consulum imperia aut impunitate in perpetuum abroganda, nec te quidem, si quid in te nostri sanguinis est, recusare censeam quin disciplinam militarem culpa tua prolapsam poena restituas—i, lictor, deliga ad palum.
7.20. were astounded at so shocking a command; every man looked upon the axe as lifted against himself, and they were hushed with fear more than with reverence.
7.20. omnes tam atroci imperio nec aliter quam in se quisque destrictam cernentes securem, metu magis quam modestia quievere.
7.21. so, after standing, as if lost in wonder, rooted to the spot, suddenly, when the blood gushed forth from the severed neck, their voices burst out in such unrestrained upbraiding that they spared neither laments nor curses; and covering the young man's body with his spoils, they built a pyre outside the rampart, where they burned it with all the honours that can possibly attend a soldier's funeral; and the “orders of Manlius” not only caused men to shudder at the time, but became a type of severity with succeeding ages.
7.21. velut demerso ab admiratione animo cum silentio defixi stetissent, repente, postquam cervice caesa fusus est cruor, tam libero conquestu coortae voces sunt ut neque lamentis neque exsecrationibus parceretur, spoliisque contectum iuvenis corpus, quantum militaribus studiis funus ullum concelebrari potest, structo extra vallum rogo cremaretur, Manlianaque imperia non in praesentia modo horrenda sed exempli etiam tristis in posterum essent. tamen atrocitas poenae oboedientiorem duci militem, et praeterquam quod custodiae vigiliaeque et ordo stationum intentioris ubique curae erant, in ultimo etiam certamine, cum descensum in aciem est, ea severitas profuit.
8.2. the brutality of the punishment made the soldiers more obedient to their general; and not only were guard —duties, watches, and the ordering of outposts, everywhere more carefully observed, but in the final struggle, as well, when the troops had gone down into battle, that stern act did much good. the battle was exceedingly like the battles in a civil war, so little did the Latins differ from the Romans in anything but courage. The Romans had formerly used small round shields; then, after they began to serve for pay, they made oblong shields instead of round ones;
8.2. autem civili maxime bello pugna similis; adeo nihil apud Latinos dissonum ab Romana re praeter animos erat. antea Romani usi sunt; dein, postquam stipendiarii facti sunt, scuta pro clipeis fecere; et quod antea phalanx similis Macedonicis, hoc postea manipulatim structa acies coepit esse:
8.4. and what had before been a phalanx, like the Macedonian phalanxes, came afterwards to be a line of battle formed by maniples, with the rearmost troops drawn up in a number of companies. The first line, or hastati, comprised fifteen maniples, stationed a short distance apart; the maniple had twenty light —armed soldiers, the rest of their number carried oblong shields; moreover those were called “light —armed” who carried only a spear and javelins.
8.4. postremi in plures ordines instruebantur. acies hastati erant, manipuli quindecim, distantes inter se modicum spatium; manipulus leves vicenos milites, aliam turbam scutatorum habebat; leves autem qui hastam tantum gaesaque gererent vocabantur.
8.6. front line in the battle contained the flower of the young men who were growing ripe for service. These came a line of the same number of maniples, made up of men of a more stalwart age; these were called the principes; they carried oblong shields and were the most showily armed of all.
8.6. prima frons in acie florem iuvenum pubescentium ad militiam habebat. inde aetas totidem manipulorum,quibus principibus est nomen, hos sequebantur, scutati omnes, insignibus maxime armis.
8.7. body of thirty maniples they called antepilani, because behind the standards there were again stationed other fifteen companies, each of which had three sections, the first section in every company being known as pilus.
8.7. triginta manipulorum agmen antepilanos appellabant, quia sub signis iam alii quindecim ordines locabantur, ex quibus ordo unusquisque tres partes habebat—earum unam quamque primam pilum vocabant;
8.8. The company consisted of three vexilla or “banners”; a single vexillum had sixty soldiers, two centurions, one vexillarius, or colourbearer; the company numbered a hundred and eighty —six men. The first banner led the triarii, veteran soldiers of proven valour; the second banner the rorarii, younger and less distinguished men; the third banner the accensi, who were the least dependable, and were, for that reason, assigned to the rear most line.
8.8. tribus ex vexillis constabat ordo; sexagenos milites, duos centuriones, vexillarium unum habebat vexillum; centum octoginta sex homines erant; primum vexillum triarios ducebat, veteranum militem spectatae virtutis, secundum rorarios, minus roboris aetate factisque, tertium accensos, minimae fiduciae manum; eo et in postremam aciem reiciebantur.
8.9. an army had been marshalled in this fashion, the hastati were the first of all to engage. the hastati were unable to defeat the enemy, they retreated slowly and were received into the intervals between the companies of the principes. The principes then took up the fighting and the hastati followed them.
8.9. his ordinibus exercitus instructus esset, hastati omnium primi pugnam inibant. hastati profligare hostem non possent, pede presso eos retro cedentes in intervalla ordinum principes recipiebant. principum pugna erat; hastati sequebantur.
8.10. The triarii knelt beneath their banners, with the left leg advanced, having their shields leaning against their shoulders and their spears thrust into the ground and pointing obliquely upwards, as if their battle—line were fortified with a bristling palisade.
8.10. sub vexillis considebant sinistro crure porrecto,scuta innixa umeris, hastas suberecta cuspide in terra fixas, haud baud secus quam vallo saepta inhorreret acies, tenentes.
8.11. the principes, too, were unsuccessful in their fight, they fell back slowly from the battle—line on the triariifriarii. (From this arose the adage, “to have come to the triarii,” when things are going badly.)
8.11. apud principes quoque haud satis prospere esset pugnatum, a prima acie ad triarios se sensim referebant. (Inde rem ad triarios redisse,cum laboratur,proverbio increbruit.
8.12. The triariifriarii, rising up after they had received the principes and hastati into the intervals between their companies, would at once draw their companies together and close the lanes, as it were; then, with no more reserves behind to count on, they would charge the enemy in one compact array.
8.12. ) Triarii consurgentes, ubi in intervalla ordinum suorum principes et hastatos recepissent, extemplo compressis ordinibus velut claudebant vias, unoque continenti agmine iam nulla spe post relicta in hostem incidebant;
8.13. was a thing exeedingly disheartening to the enemy, who, pursuing those whom they supposed they had conquered, all at once beheld a new line rising up, with augmented numbers.
8.13. id erat formidolosissimum hosti, cum velut victos insecuti novam repente aciem exsurgentem, auctam numero, cernebant.
8.14. were customarily four legions raised of five thousand foot each, with three hundred horse to every legion. An equivalent contingent used to be added from the levy of the Latins, who were now the enemies of the Romans and had drawn up their battle —line in the same formation; and they knew that not only must section meet in battle with section, hastati with hastati, principes with principles, but even —if the companies were not disordered —centurion with centurion.
8.14. autem quattuor fere legiones quinis milibus peditum, equitibus in singulas legiones trecenis. tantum ex Latino dilectu adiciebatur qui ea tempestate hostes erant Romanis eodemque ordine instruxerant aciem; nec vexilla cum vexillis tantum, universi hastati cum hastatis, principes cum principibus, sed centurio quoque cum centurione, si ordines turbati non essent, concurrendum sibi esse sciebat.
8.16. either army the primus pilus, or chief centurion, was with the triarii. The Roman was far from strong in body, but was an energetic man and an experienced soldier; the Latin was a man of might and a first —rate warrior; they were well acquainted with each other, because they had always commanded companies of equal rank.
8.16. primi pili ex utraque acie inter triarios erant, Romanus corpore haudquaquam satis validus, ceterum strenuus vir peritusque militiae, Latinus viribus ingens bellatorque primus, notissimi inter se, quia pares semper ordines duxerant.
8.18. The Roman, putting no confidence in his strength, had obtained permission from the consuls before leaving Rome to choose whom he liked for his deputy —centurion, to defend him from the one man marked out for his opponent. youth, encountering the Latin centurion in the battle, won the victory over him.
8.18. Romano haud satis fidenti viribus iam Romae permissum erat ab consulibus, ut subcenturionem sibi quem vellet legeret qui tutaretur eum ab uno destinato hoste; isque iuvenis in acie oblatus ex centurione Latino victoriam tulit.
8.19. The engagement came off not far from the foot of Mount Vesuvius, where the road led to Veseris. The Roman consuls before leading their troops into battle offered sacrifices. is said that the soothsayer pointed out to Decius that the head of the liver was wounded on the friendly side; but that the victim was in all other respects acceptable to the gods, and that the sacrifice of Manlius had been greatly successful. “is well enough,” said Decius, “if my colleague has received favourable tokens.” the formation already described they advanced into the field. Manlius commanded the right wing, Decius the left.
8.19. est haud procul radicibus Vesuvii montis, qua via ad Veserim ferebat. Romani consules, priusquam educerent in aciem, immolaverunt. Decio caput iocineris a familiari parte caesum haruspex dicitur ostendisse: alioqui acceptam dis hostiam esse; Manlium egregie litasse. bene habet inquit Decius, si ab collega litatum est. , sicut ante dictum est, ordinibus processere in aciem. Manlius dextro, Decius laevo cornu praeerat.
9.3. the beginning the strength of the combatants and their ardour were equal on both sides; but after a time the Roman hastati on the left, unable to withstand the pressure of the Latins, fell back upon the principes.
9.3. utrimque aequis viribus, eodem ardore animorum gerebatur res; deinde ab laevo cornu hastati Romani, non ferentes impressionem Latinorum, se ad principes recepere.
9.4. the confusion of this movement Decius the consul called out to Marcus Valerius in a loud voice: “have need of Heaven's help, Marcus Valerius. therefore, state pontiff of the Roman People, dictate the words, that I may devote myself to save the legions.”
9.4. hac trepidatione Decius consul M. Valerium magna voce inclamat: inquit ope, M. Valeri, opus est; agedum, pontifex publicus populi Romani, praei verba quibus me pro legionibus devoveam.
9.5. The pontiff bade him don the purple —bordered toga, and with veiled head and one hand thrust out from the toga and touching his chin, stand upon a spear that was laid under his feet, and say as follows:
9.5. eum togam praetextam sumere iussit et velato capite, manu subter togam ad mentum meltum exserta, super telum subiectum pedibus stantem sic dicere:
9.6. “, Jupiter, Father Mars, Quirinus, Bellona, Lares, divine Novensiles, divine Indigites, ye gods in whose power are both we and our enemies, and you, divine Manes, —I ” “invoke and worship you, I beseech and crave your favour, that you prosper the might and the victory of the Roman People of the Quirites, and visit the foes of the Roman People of the Quirites with fear, shuddering, and death.”
9.6. iane lane Iuppiter Mars pater Quirine Bellona Lares Divi Novensiles Di Indigetes Divi quorum est potestas nostrorum hostiumque Dique Manes, vos precor veneror veniam peto oroque uti populo Romano Quiritium vim victoriam prosperetis, hostesque populi Romani Quiritium terrore formidine morteque adficiatis.
9.8. “I have pronounced the words, even so in behalf of the republic of the Roman People of the Quirites, and of the army, the legions, the auxiliaries of the Roman People of the Quirites, do I devote the legions and auxiliaries of the enemy, together with myself, to the divine Manes and to Earth.”
9.8. verbis nuncupavi, ita pro re publica populi Romani Quiritium, exercitu legionibus auxiliis populi Romani Quiritium, legiones auxiliaque hostium mecum Deis Manibus Tellurique devoveo.
9.9. uttered this prayer he bade the lictors go to Titus Manlius and lose no time in announcing to his colleague that he had devoted himself for the good of the army. then girded himself with the Gabinian cincture, and vaulting, armed, upon his horse, plunged into the thick of the enemy, a conspicuous object from either army and of an aspect more august than a man's, as though sent from heaven to expiate all anger of the gods, and to tum aside destruction from his people and bring it on their adversaries.
9.9. ita precatus lictores ire ad T. Manlium iubet matureque collegae se devotum pro exercitu nuntiare. incinctus cinctu Gabino, armatus in equum insiluit ac se in medios hostes immisit, conspectus ab utraque acie, aliquanto augustior humano visu, sicut caelo missus piaculum omnis deorum irae, qui pestem ab suis aversam in hostes ferret.
9.11. every terror and dread attended him, and throwing the Latin front into disarray, spread afterwards throughout their entire host.
9.11. omnis terror pavorque cum illo latus signa prima Latinorum turbavit, deinde in totam penitus aciem pervasit.
9.12. was most clearly seen in that, wherever he rode, men cowered as though blasted by some baleful star; but when he fell beneath a rain of missiles, from that instant there was no more doubt of the consternation of the Latin cohorts, which everywhere abandoned the field in flight.
9.12. id fuit, quod quacumque equo invectus est, ibi haud secus quam pestifero sidere icti pavebant; ubi vero corruit obrutus telis, inde iam haud dubie consternatae cohortes Latinorum fugam ac vastitatem late fecerunt.
9.13. the same time the Romans —their spirits relieved of religious fears —pressed on as though the signal had just then for the first time been given, and delivered a fresh attack;
9.13. et Romani exsolutis religione animis velut tum primum signo dato coorti pugnam integram ediderunt;
9.14. for the rorarii were running out between the antepilani and were joining their strength to that of the hastati and the principles, and the triarii, kneeling on the right knee, were waiting till the consul signed to them to rise. the struggle continued, and in some parts of the field the Latins were prevailing by reason of their numbers, the consul Manlius learned of his colleague's end, and having paid to so memorable a death —as justice and piety demanded —its well —merited meed of tears as well as praise, he was for a little while in doubt whether the moment were yet come for the triarii to rise; but afterwards deeming it better to keep them fresh for the final push, he commanded the accensi to advance from the rear before the standards.
9.14. nam et rorarii procurrebant inter antepilanos addebantque vires hastatis ac principibus, et triarii genu dextro innixi nutum consulis ad consurgendum exspectabant. deinde certamine cum aliis partibus multitudo superaret Latinorum, Manlius consul audito eventu collegae cum, ut ius fasque erat, lacrimis non minus quam laudibus debitis prosecutus tam memorabilem mortem esset, paulisper addubitavit an consurgendi iam triariis tempus esset; deinde melius ratus integros eos ad ultimum discrimen servari, accensos ab novissima acie ante signa procedere iubet.
10.3. sooner had they gone up, than the Latins, supposing their enemies had done the same, sent in their own triarii. These having fought fiercely for some time, and worn themselves out and broken or blunted their spears, yet were driving back the foe, and supposed that they had already won the field and penetrated the last line, when the consul cried out to the Roman triarii: “up now, and with fresh strength confront the weary enemy, remembering your country and your parents, your wives and your children, remembering the consul who lies dead that you may conquer.”
10.3. ubi subiere, extemplo Latini, tamquam idem adversarii fecissent, triarios suos excitaverunt; qui aliquamdiu pugna atroci cum et semet ipsi fatigassent et hastas aut praefregissent aut hebetassent, pellerent tamen hostem, debellatum iam rati perventumque ad extremam aciem, tum consul triariis nunc inquit, integri adversus fessos, memores patriae parentumque et coniugum ac liberorum, memores consulis pro vestra victoria morte occubantis.