---
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: 43 of 50
url: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/43/
cite: "Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster, History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X, section 43. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/43/"
---

# 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.

## 43. Book IX · chapters 19–29

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/43/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/43/#p-N

[¶0] 19.11. , many a time —however prosperous the outset of his enterprise might have been —would he have wished for Indians and Persians and unwarlike Asiatics, and would have owned that he had before made war upon women, as Alexander, King of Epirus, is reported to have said, when mortally wounded, contrasting the type of war waged by this very youth in Asia, with that which had fallen to his own share.

> Latin: 19.11. cum per annos quattuor et viginti primo Punico bello classibus certatum cum Poenis recordor, vix aetatem Alexandri suffecturam fuisse reor ad unum bellum; et forsitan, cum et foederibus vetustis iuncta res Punica Romanae esset et timor par adversus communem hostem duas potentissimas armis virisque urbes armaret, simul Punico Romanoque obrutus bello esset. quidem Alexandro duce nec integris Macedonum rebus sed experti tamen sunt Romani Macedonem hostem adversus Antiochum Philippum Persen non modo cum clade ulla sed ne cum periculo quidem suo.

[¶1] 19.13. when I remember that we contended against the Carthaginians on the seas for four —andtwenty years, I think that the whole life of Alexander would hardly have sufficed for this single war; and perchance, inasmuch as the Punic State had been by ancient treaties leagued with the Roman, and the two cities most powerful in men and arms might well have made common cause against the foe whom both dreaded, he had been crushed beneath the simultaneous attacks of Rome and Carthage. The Romans have been at war with the Macedonians —not, to be sure, when Alexander led them or their prosperity was unimpaired, but against Antiochus, Philippus, and Perses —and not only without ever suffering defeat, but even without incurring any danger. word I would not speak, but never —and may civil wars be silent! — never have we been beaten by infantry, never in open battle, never on even, or at all events on favourable ground: cavalry and arrows, impassable defiles, regions that afford no road to convoys, may well occasion fear in heavy —armed troops. thousand battle —arrays more formidable than those of Alexander and the Macedonians have the Romans beaten off —and shall do —if only our present love of domestic peace endure and our concern to maintain concord.

> Latin: 19.13. invidia verbo et civilia bella sileant: nunquam a pedite, nunquam aperta acie, nunquam aequis, utique nunquam nostris locis laboravimus; equitem sagittas, saltus impeditos, avia commeatibus loca gravis armis miles timere potest. acies graviores quam Macedonum atque Alexandri avertit avertetque, modo sit perpetuus huius qua vivimus pacis amor et civilis cura concordiae.— M. Folius Flaccina inde et L. Plautius Venox consules facti.

[¶2] 20.2. Marcus Polius Flaccina and Lucius Plautius Venox were the next consuls. that year came ambassadors from many Samnite states to seek a renewal of the treaty. themselves before the senate, they aroused the pity of that order, but on being referred to the people found their prayers by no means so efficacious.

> Latin: 20.2. anno ab frequentibus Samnitium populis de foedere renovando legati cum senatum humi strati movissent, reiecti ad populum haudquaquam tam efficaces habebant preces.

[¶3] 20.3. they were refused the treaty, but after some days spent in importuning individual citizens, they succeeded in obtaining a two years' truce.

> Latin: 20.3. de foedere negatum; indutiae biennii, cum per aliquot dies fatigassent singulos precibus, impetratae.

[¶4] 20.4. Apulia, likewise, the Teanenses and Canusini, exhausted by the devastation of their lands, gave hostages to Lucius Plautius the consul and made submission.

> Latin: 20.4. ex Apulia Teanenses Canusinique populationibus fessi obsidibus L. Plautio consuli datis in deditionem venerunt.

[¶5] 20.5. the same year praefects began to be elected and sent out to Capua, after Lucius Furius, the praetor, had given them laws —both steps being taken at the instance of the Capuans themselves, as a remedy for the distress occasioned by internal discord.

> Latin: 20.5. anno primum praefecti Capuam creari coepti legibus ab L. Furio praetore datis, cum utrumque ipsi pro remedio aegris rebus discordia intestina petissent;

[¶6] 20.6. Rome two tribes were added, the Ufentina and the Falerna. affairs had once taken a tum in Apulia, the Apulian Teates also came to the new consuls, Gaius Junius Bubulcus and Quintus Aemilius Barbula, to sue for a treaty, engaging to insure the Roman People peace throughout Apulia. this bold pledge they prevailed so far as to obtain a treaty —not, however, on equal terms, but such as made them subject to the Romans.

> Latin: 20.6. et duae Romae additae tribus, Ufentina ac Falerna. semel in Apulia rebus Teates quoque Apuli ad novos consules, C. Iunium Bubulcum Q. Aemilium Barbulam, foedus petitum venerunt, pacis per omnem Apuliam praestandae populo Romano auctores.

[¶7] 20.8. Apulia had been thoroughly subdued —for Forentum, a strong town, had also fallen into the hands of Junius —the campaign was extended to the Lucanians, from whom, on the sudden arrival of Aemilius the consul, Nerulum was taken by assault.

> Latin: 20.8. audacter spondendo impetravere, ut foedus daretur neque ut aequo tamen foedere sed ut in dicione populi Romani essent.

[¶8] 20.9. once it had been noised abroad amongst the allies how the affairs of Capua were firmly established by Roman discipline, the Antiates, too, complained that they were living without fixed statutes and without magistrates, and the senate designated the colony's own patrons to draw up laws for it. Roman arms alone but also Roman law began to exert a widespread influence. The consuls Gaius Junius Bubulcus and Quintus Aemilius Barbula gave over their legions, at the conclusion of the year, not to Spurius Nautius and Marcus Popilius, the consuls at whose election they had presided, but to a dictator —Lucius Aemilius. The latter, with Lucius Fulvius, his master of the horse, laid siege to Saticula, and by so doing afforded the Samnites a pretext for renewing the war.

> Latin: 20.9. Apulia perdomita —nam Forento quoque, valido oppido, Iunius potitus erat—in Lucanos perrectum; inde repentino adventu Aemili consulis Nerulum vi captum. postquam res Capuae stabilitas Romana disciplina fama per socios volgavit, Antiatibus quoque, qui se sine legibus certis, sine magistratibus agere querebantur, dati ab senatu ad iura statuenda ipsius coloniae patroni; nec arma modo sed iura etiam Romana late pollebant. C. Iunius Bubulcus et Q. Aemilius Barbula consules exitu anni non consulibus ab se creatis, Sp. Nautio et M. Popilio, ceterum dictatori L. Aemilio legiones tradiderant. cum L. Fulvio magistro equitum Saticulam oppugnare adortus rebellandi causam Samnitibus dedit.

[¶9] 21.3. The Romans were thus threatened in two quarters: on the one side the Samnites, with a large army which they had mustered to relieve their besieged allies, were encamped at no great distance from the Roman camp; on the other side the Saticulani suddenly threw their gates wide open and charged pell —mell against the outposts of the Romans.

> Latin: 21.3. inde terror inlatus Romanis: hinc Samnis magno exercitu coacto ad eximendos obsidione socios haud procul castris Romanorum Rornanorum castra posuit; hinc Saticulani magno cum tumultu patefactis repente portis in stationes hostium incurrerunt.

[¶10] 21.4. hostile armies —each relying rather on the other's help than on any strength of its own —then pressed home their attack, in what soon developed into a general engagement. the dictator, despite the twofold struggle, was protected on both fronts, since he had chosen a position that was difficult to tum, and made his maniples face opposite ways.

> Latin: 21.4. pars utraque, spe alieni magis auxilii quam viribus freta suis, iusto mox proelio inito Romanos urgent, et quamquam anceps dimicatio erat, tamen utrimque tutam aciem dictator habuit, quia et locum haud facilem ad circumveniendum cepit et diversa statuit signa.

[¶11] 21.5. , he attacked the sallying party with the greater fury, and, encountering no very sharp resistance, drove them back into the town. then directed his entire line against the Samnites.

> Latin: 21.5. tamen in erumpentes incessit nec magno certamine intra moenia compulit, tum totam aciem in Samnites obvertit.

[¶12] 21.6. was more resistance here, but though the victory was slow in coming yet it was neither dubious nor partial. The Samnites fled in disorder to their camp, and in the night, putting out their fires, they silently stole away, and relinquishing all hope of saving Saticula, themselves laid siege to Plistica, an ally of Rome, that they might pay the enemy out in their own coin.

> Latin: 21.6. plus certaminis fuit; victoria sicut sera ita nec dubia nec varia fuit. in castra Samnites exstinctis nocte ignibus tacito agmine abeunt et spe abiecta Saticulae tuendae Plisticam ipsi, socios Romanorum, ut parem dolorem hosti redderent, circumsidunt. circumacto bellum deinceps ab dictatore Q. Fabio gestum est; consules novi, sicut superiores, Romae manserunt; Fabius ad accipiendum ab Aemilio exercitum ad Saticulam cum supplemento supplement venit.

[¶13] 22.2. the year had come round, the conduct of the war passed without a break into the hands of the dictator Quintus Fabius. The new consuls, as their predecessors had done, remained in Rome; Fabius took new forces to replace the old, and proceeded to Saticula, to receive the army from Aemilius. the Samnites had not continued before Plistica, but, summoning fresh troops from home and confiding in their numbers, had pitched their camp on the same spot as before, and were trying to provoke the Romans into giving battle, in the endeavour to divert them from the siege.

> Latin: 22.2. enim Samnites ad Plisticam manserant sed accitis ab domo novis militibus multitudine freti castra eodem quo antea loco posuerunt lacessentesque proelio Romanos avertere ab obsidione conabantur.

[¶14] 22.3. but intensified the dictator's concentration on the enemy's walls, for he deemed the war to consist solely in the attack upon the city, and treated the Samnites with much indifference, save only that he posted out —guards to prevent their making any inroad upon his camp.

> Latin: 22.3. intentius dictator in moenia hostium versus id bellum tantum ducere quod urbem oppugnabat, securior ab Samnitibus agere stationibus modo oppositis ne qua in castra vis fieret.

[¶15] 22.4. this only made the Samnites the more audacious, and riding again and again up to the rampart, they gave no respite to the Romans. now the enemy were almost in the gateway of the camp, when Quintus Aulius Cerretanus, the master of the horse, without consulting the dictator, sallied out with all his squadrons in a furious charge and drove them off.

> Latin: 22.4. ferocius adequitare Samnites vallo neque otium pati. cum iam prope in portis castrorum esset hostis, nihil consulto dictatore magister equitum Q. Aulius Cerretanus magno tumultu cum omnibus turmis equitum evectus summovit hostem.

[¶16] 22.5. this juncture —though in a type of battle by no means marked by obstinacy — Fortune so used her powers as to bring extraordinary losses on both sides, and on the commanders themselves distinguished deaths.

> Latin: 22.5. in minime pertinaci genere pugnae sic fortuna exercuit opes ut insignes utrimque clades et clara ipsorum ducum ederet funera.

[¶17] 22.6. The Samnite general first, indignant at being routed and put to flight from a position he had so boldly occupied, prevailed with his troopers by entreaties and encouragement to renew the conflict;

> Latin: 22.6. Samnitium imperator, aegre patiens quo tam ferociter adequitasset inde se fundi fugarique, orando hortandoque equites proelium iteravit;

[¶18] 22.7. against whom, conspicuous amongst his followers as he urged them into battle, the Roman master of the horse rode such a tilt with levelled lance as at one lunge unhorsed and killed him. the rank and file were not more dismayed by their leader's death —though it often happens so —than they were angered; and as Aulius rode recklessly on through the enemy's squadrons, all those about him darted their javelins at him.

> Latin: 22.7. in quem insignem inter suos cientem pugnam magister equitum Romanus infesta cuspide ita permisit equum ut uno ictu exanimem equo praecipitaret., ut fit, ad ducis casum perculsa magis quam inritata est multitudo multitude; omnes qui circa erant in Aulium temere invectum per hostium turmas tela coniecerunt; fratri praecipuum decus ulti Samnitium imperatoris di dederunt. victorem detractum ex equo magistrum equitum plenus maeroris atque irae trucidavit, nec multum afuit quin corpore etiam, quia inter hostilis ceciderat turmas, Samnites potirentur.

[¶19] 22.9. the glory of avenging the Samnite general was given by Heaven in largest measure to his brother, who, wild with grief and rage, dragged down the victorious Roman from his seat and slew him. the Samnites almost got possession of the body, which had fallen in the midst of their troops.

> Latin: 22.9. extemplo ad pedes descensum ab Romanis est coactique idem Samnites facere; et repentina acies circa corpora ducum pedestre proelium iniit, quo haud dubie superat Romanus, reciperatumque Auli corpus mixta cum dolore laetitia victores in castra referunt.

[¶20] 22.10. the Romans at once dismounted, and the Samnites were forced to do the same; and hurriedly forming up their lines, they began a battle on foot around the bodies of their generals, in which the Romans had easily the better. they rescued the body of Aulius, which they bore back victoriously to their camp, with mingled feelings of sorrow and satisfaction. The Samnites, having lost their commander, and having tried what they could do in a cavalry engagement, gave up Saticula, which they felt was holding out in vain, and returned to the siege of Plistica. a few days' time Saticula had surrendered to the Romans and the Samnites had carried Plistica by assault.

> Latin: 22.10. Samnites duce amisso et per equestre certamen temptatis viribus omissa Saticula, quam nequiquam defendi rebantur, ad Plisticae obsidionem redeunt, intraque paucos dies Saticula Romanus per deditionem, Plistica per vim Samnis potitur. inde belli sedes est; ad Soram ex Samnio Apuliaque traductae legiones.

[¶21] 23.2. The seat of war was now shifted, and the legions were transferred from Samnium and Apulia to Sora, which had gone over to the Samnites, after putting to death the Roman colonists. The Roman army, by a series of forced marches, undertaken to avenge their slaughtered fellow —citizens and regain the colony, came first upon the ground. the scouts who had scattered out along the roads reported one after the other that the Samnite legions were following and were already close at hand.

> Latin: 23.2. Sora ad Samnites defecerat interfectis colonis Romanorum. cum prior Romanus exercitus ad ulciscendam civium necem reciperandamque coloniam magnis itineribus pervenisset et sparsi per vias speculatores sequi legiones Samnitium nec iam procul abesse alii super alios nuntiarent,

[¶22] 23.4. the Romans marched to meet the enemy, and an indecisive battle was fought near Lautulae. was not the losses nor the rout of either army that put a stop to the engagement, but darkness, which left them uncertain if they had lost or won.

> Latin: 23.4. obviam itum hosti atque ad Lautulas ancipiti proelio dimicatum est. caedes non fuga alterius partis sed nox incertos victi victoresne essent diremit. apud quosdam adversam eam pugnam Romanis fuisse atque in ea cecidisse Q. Aulium magistrum equitum.

[¶23] 23.6. find in some authorities that the Romans were defeated in this battle, and that it was here that the master of the horse, Quintus Aulius, lost his life. fill out the term of Aulius they appointed Gaius Fabius, who marched from Rome with a fresh army. messengers on ahead to the dictator, he consulted him as to where he should halt, and when, and from what quarter, attack the enemy.

> Latin: 23.6. in locum Auli C. Fabius magister equitum cum exercitu novo ab Roma advenit et per praemissos nuntios consulto dictatore ubi subsisteret quove tempore et qua ex parte hostem adgrederetur, substitit occultus ad omnia satis exploratis consiliis.

[¶24] 23.7. being accurately informed regarding every detail of the dictator's plans, he halted where his army could lie concealed. some days after the battle the dictator had kept his soldiers within their works, more like one besieged than a besieger., suddenly, he displayed the battle —signal, and thinking it more efficacious for quickening the courage of brave men to leave none of them any hope but in himself, he concealed from his troops the arrival of the master of the horse and his new army, and, as though their only salvation lay in cutting their way through, “,” he said, “we are trapped and have no way of escape save such as victory shall open to us.”

> Latin: 23.7. cum per aliquot dies post pugnam continuisset suos intra vallum obsessi magis quam obsidentis modo, signum repente pugnae proposuit et efficacius ratus ad accendendos virorum fortium animos nullam alibi quam in semet ipso cuiquam relictam spem de magistro equitum novoque exercitu militem celavit, et tamquam nulla nisi in eruptione spes esset, inquit angustis, milites, deprehensi, nisi quam victoria patefecerimus viam nullam habemus.

[¶25] 23.10. “standing camp is sufficiently protected by its rampart, but for lack of provisions is untenable; for every place round about us from which supplies could be brought up has revolted, and even if men wished to help us, the character of the country is against it.”

> Latin: 23.10. nostra munimento satis tuta sunt, sed inopia eadem infesta; nam et circa omnia defecerunt unde subvehi commeatus poterant, et si homines iuvare velint, iniqua loca sunt.

[¶26] 23.11. “will therefore not beguile you by leaving the camp standing here for you to make a refuge, if you fail of victory, as on the former occasion. should be secured by arms, not arms by entrenchments.”

> Latin: 23.11. non frustrabor ego vos castra hic relinquendo, in quae infecta victoria sicut pristino die vos recipiatis. munimenta, non munimentis arma tuta esse debent.

[¶27] 23.12. “those have a camp, and retire to it, who have time to prolong the war: as for us, let us shut out all regard for everything but victory.”

> Latin: 23.12. habeant repetantque quibus operae est trahere bellum: nos omnium rerum respectum praeterquam victoriae nobis abscidamus.

[¶28] 23.13. “against the enemy! the column is outside the rampart, let those who have been ordered to do so fire the camp! losses, men, shall be made good with the spoils of all the revolted peoples round about!”

> Latin: 23.13. signa in hostem; ubi extra vallum agmen excesserit, castra quibus imperatum est incendant. vestra, milites, omnium circa qui defecerunt populorum praeda sarcientur.

[¶29] 23.14. by the dictator's speech, which pointed to the direst necessity, the soldiers advanced upon the foe; and the mere sight of their blazing camp as they glanced back, though only the nearest tents were set afire — for so the dictator had commanded —was no small whet to their resentment.

> Latin: 23.14. oratione dictatoris, quae necessitatis ultimae index erat, milites accensi vadunt in hostem, et respectus ipse ardentium castrorum, quamquam proximis tantum—ita enim iusserat dictator—ignis est subditus, haud baud parvum fuit inritamentum.

[¶30] 23.15. so, charging like madmen, they threw the enemy's ranks into confusion at the first assault; and in the nick of time the master of the horse, who had seen far away the burning camp —which was the signal they had agreed upon —assaulted the enemy from behind.

> Latin: 23.15. velut vecordes inlati signa primo impetu hostium turbant; et in tempore, postquam ardentia procul vidit castra, magister equitum—id convenerat signum—hostium terga invadit. circumventi Samnites, qua potest quisque, fugam per diversa petunt;

[¶31] 23.16. thus hemmed in, the Samnites fled, as each best might, in different directions; a vast throng huddled up together, in their terror, and blocking each other's way in the confusion, were cut down where they stood.

> Latin: 23.16. ingens multitudo multitude in unum metu conglobata ac semet ipsam turba impediens in medio caesa.

[¶32] 23.17. The enemy's camp was seized and plundered, and the soldiers, laden with the spoils, were led back by the dictator to the Roman camp, rejoicing not so greatly in their victory as because, contrary to their expectation, they found all safe there, except for a trifling part that had been damaged by the flames.

> Latin: 23.17. hostium capta direptaque, quorum praeda onustum militem in Romana castra dictator reducit, haudquaquam tam victoria laetum, quam quod praeter exiguam deformatam incendio partem cetera contra spem salva invenit. Soram inde reditum; novique consules M. Poetelius C. Sulpicius exercitum ab dictatore Fabio accipiunt magna parte veterum militum dimissa novisque cohortibus in supplementum adductis.

[¶33] 24.2. The Romans then returned to Sora; and new consuls, Marcus Poetelius and Gaius Sulpicius, took over the army from Fabius the dictator, dismissing a great part of the veteran troops and bringing in new cohorts to replace them. the city lay in a troublesome position, where the Romans could devise no very certain way of getting at it, and it seemed that victory would either be long in coming, or fraught with fearful risks; when a Soran deserter stole out of the town, and picking his way to the Roman sentinels, bade them bring him immediately to the consuls. in their presence, he offered to betray the city.

> Latin: 24.2. cum propter difficilem urbis situm nec oppugnandi satis certa ratio iniretur et aut tempore longinqua aut praeceps periculo victoria esset, transfuga clam ex oppido profectus, cum ad vigiles Romanos penetrasset, duci se extemplo ad consules iubet deductusque traditurum urbem promittit.

[¶34] 24.4. being questioned how he could accomplish it, he satisfied his interrogators that his plan was not unfeasible, and induced them to withdraw the Roman camp —which was almost in contact with the city walls —to a distance of six miles from the town; for so, he said, the sentinels would be less vigilant in guarding the place, whether by night or day.

> Latin: 24.4. inde, cum quonam modo id praestaturus esset percontantes doceret, haud vana adferre, perpulit prope adiuncta moenibus Romana castra ut sex milia ab oppido removerentur:

[¶35] 24.5. himself on the following night, having directed certain cohorts to seek cover in the woods below the town, took with him ten picked men, whom he conducted over steep and almost impassable ground up to the citadel.

> Latin: 24.5. fore ut minus intentae in custodiam urbis diurnae stationes ac nocturnae vigiliae essent. insequenti nocte sub oppido silvestribus locis cohortibus insidere iussis decem milites delectos secum per ardua ac prope invia in arcem ducit, pluribus quam pro numero virorum missilibus telis eo conlatis;

[¶36] 24.6. he had brought together a quantity of missiles out of all proportion to the number of men, besides which there were stones —both those which happened to be lying there, as is usual in rough country, and those which the townsmen had piled up on purpose, for the better protection of the place.

> Latin: 24.6. ad hoc saxa erant et temere iacentia, ut fit in aspretis, et de industria etiam, quo locus tutior esset, ab oppidanis congesta.

[¶37] 24.7. this height he posted the Romans, and, indicating to them a steep and narrow path which led up from the town to the citadel, lie said, “an ascent like this three men would be enough to keep back a multitude, however numerous: you are not only ten, but Romans, and of Romans the very bravest.”

> Latin: 24.7. cum constituisset Romanos semitamque angustam et arduam erectam ex oppido in arcem ostendisset, quidem ascensu inquit vel tres armati quamlibet multitudinem arcuerint:

[¶38] 24.8. “will have the advantage of position and of night, which makes everything loom greater in the eyes of frightened men, because of the obscurity. for me, I will presently strike terror into every heart: do you hold the citadel and watch.”

> Latin: 24.8. vos et decem numero, et quod plus est, Romani Romanorumque fortissimi viri estis. locus pro vobis et nox erit, quae omnia ex incerto maiora territis ostentat. iam terrore omnia implebo: vos arcem intenti tenete.

[¶39] 24.9. then ran down, making all the noise he could, as he cried “arms!” and “, help, my countrymen! The citadel has been taken by the enemy! us!”

> Latin: 24.9. inde, quanto maxime poterat cum tumultu, arma! et vestram fidem, cives! clamitans; arx ab hostibus capta est;

[¶40] 24.10. These words he shouted as he knocked at the doors of the great, the same to all he met, the same to those who rushed out terrified into the streets. The panic begun by one man was spread by numbers through all the city.

> Latin: 24.10. defendite! Haec incidens principum foribus, haec obviis, haec excurrentibus in publicum pavidis increpat. ab uno pavorem plures per urbem ferunt.

[¶41] 24.11. with fear, the magistrates dispatched scouts to investigate, and on hearing that armed men, in exaggerated numbers, held the citadel, relinquished all hope of regaining it.

> Latin: 24.11. magistratus missis ad arcem exploratoribus cum tela et armatos tenere arcem multiplicato numero audirent, avertunt animos a spe reciperandae arcis;

[¶42] 24.12. The city was thronged with fugitives, and men who were hardly yet awake and most of them unarmed, began battering down the gates. one of them rushed in the band of Romans, who had started up on hearing the outcry, and now running through the streets, cut down the frightened townsfolk.

> Latin: 24.12. fuga cuncta complentur portaeque ab semisomnis ac maxima parte inermibus refringuntur, quarum per unam praesidium Romanum clamore excitatum inrumpit et concursantes per vias pavidos caedit.

[¶43] 24.13. Sora was already taken, when the consuls arrived at early dawn, and received the surrender of such as Fortune had spared in the rout and slaughter of the night.

> Latin: 24.13. Sora capta erat, cum consules prima luce advenere et quos reliquos fortuna ex nocturna caede ac fuga fecerat in deditionem accipiunt.

[¶44] 24.14. these, two hundred and twenty —five, who were designated on all hands as the authors of the revolt and the hideous massacre of the colonists, they sent to Rome in chains; the rest they left unharmed in Sora, only setting a garrison over them.

> Latin: 24.14. his ducentos viginti quinque, qui omnium consensu destinabantur et infandae colonorum caedis et defectionis auctores, vinctos Romam deducunt; ceteram multitudinem incolumem praesidio imposito Sorae relinquunt.

[¶45] 24.15. those who were taken to Rome were scourged and beheaded in the Forum, to the great joy of the commons, whom it most nearly concerned that the people who were sent out here and there to colonies should in every case be protected.

> Latin: 24.15. qui Romam deducti erant virgis in foro caesi ac securi percussi, summo gaudio plebis, cuius maxime intererat tutam ubique quae passim in colonias mitteretur multitudinem esse. ab Sora profecti in agros atque urbes Ausonum bellum intulerunt.

[¶46] 25.2. The consuls on leaving Sora conducted a campaign against the lands and cities of the Ausones. everything had been disturbed by the coming of the Samnites, when the battle was fought at Lautulae, and conspiracies had been formed all about Campania. Capua itself did not escape accusation; nay, the investigation actually led to Rome and to some of the prominent men there.

> Latin: 25.2. namque omnia adventu Samnitium cum apud Lautulas dimicatum est fuerant, coniurationesque circa Campaniam passim factae;

[¶47] 25.3. the Ausones were brought into subjection by the betrayal of their cities, as had happened in the case of Sora.

> Latin: 25.3. nec Capua ipsa crimine caruit; quin Romam quoque et ad principum quosdam inquirendo ventum est. Ausonum gens proditione urbium sicut Sora in potestatem venit.

[¶48] 25.4. Ausona, from Minturnae, and from Vescia, twelve young nobles, having conspired to betray their cities, came to the consuls, and explained to them that their countrymen, after long looking forward to the coming of the Samnites, had no sooner heard of the battle at Lautulae than they had concluded the Romans vanquished and had aided the Samnites with men and arms;

> Latin: 25.4. Ausona et Minturnae et Vescia urbes erant ex quibus principes iuventutis duodecim numero in proditionem urbium suarum coniurati ad consules veniunt. suos iam pridem exoptantes Samnitium adventum, simul ad Lautulas pugnatum audierint, pro victis Romanos habuisse, iuventute armis Samnitem iuvisse:

[¶49] 25.6. that since the expulsion of the Samnites from that region, they had been living in an uncertain kind of peace, not closing their gates upon the Romans, lest to do so should invite attack, but determined none the less to close them in case an army should approach; and that in that wavering state of mind they could be surprised and overcome.

> Latin: 25.6. fugatis inde Samnitibus incerta pace agere nec claudentes portas Romanis, ne arcessant bellum, et obstinatos claudere, si exercitus admoveatur; in ea fluctuatione animorum opprimi incautos posse.

[¶50] 25.7. their advice the camp was moved up nearer and soldiers were simultaneously sent round to the three towns. of these, in armour, were to lie in ambush in places near the walls, while others, wearing the toga and concealing swords under their dress, were to enter the cities, a little before day, by the open gates.

> Latin: 25.7. auctoribus mota propius castra missique eodem tempore circa tria oppida milites, partim armati, qui occulti propinqua moenibus insiderent loca, partim togati tectis veste gladiis qui sub lucem apertis portis urbes ingrederentur.

[¶51] 25.8. These latter fell upon the watchmen, at the same time making a signal to their fellows in armour to rush in from their ambuscade. the gates were captured, and three towns were taken in one hour and by one device. because the leaders were not present when the attack was made, there was no limit to the slaughter, and the Ausonian nation was wiped out —though it was not quite clear that it was guilty of defection —exactly as if it had contended in an internecine war.

> Latin: 25.8. his simul custodes trucidari coepti, simul datum signum armatis ut ex insidiis concurrerent. portae occupatae triaque oppida eadem hora eodemque consilio capta; sed quia absentibus ducibus impetus est factus, nullus modus caedibus fuit, deletaque Ausonum gens vix certo defectionis crimine perinde ac si internecivo bello certasset. anno prodito hostibus Romano praesidio Luceria Samnitium facta.

[¶52] 26.2. the same year Luceria, betraying its Roman garrison to the enemy, passed into the possession of the Samnites; but the traitors did not long go unpunished for their deed. far away there was a Roman army, which captured the city —situated as it was in a plain —at the first attack.

> Latin: 26.2. diu proditoribus impunita res fuit: haud procul inde exercitus Romanos erat, cuius primo impetu urbs sita in plano piano capitur. Lucerini ac Samnites ad internecionem caesi;

[¶53] 26.3. The Lucerini and Samnites were shown no quarter, and resentment ran so high that even in Rome, when the senate was debating the dispatch of colonists to Luceria, there were many who voted to destroy the town.

> Latin: 26.3. eoque ira processit ut Romae quoque, cum de colonis mittendis Luceriam consuleretur senatus, multi delendam urbem censerent.

[¶54] 26.4. men's hate, which was very bitter against those whom they had twice subdued, there was also the remoteness of the place, which made them shrink from condemning fellow —citizens to an exile so far from home and surrounded by such hostile tribes.

> Latin: 26.4. odium, quod exsecrabile in bis captos erat, longinquitas quoque abhorrere a relegandis tam procul ab domo civibus inter tam infestas gentes cogebat.

[¶55] 26.5. , the proposal to send colonists prevailed, and twenty —five hundred were sent. that year also of general disloyalty to the Romans, there were secret conspiracies of the nobles, even at Capua.

> Latin: 26.5. tamen sententia ut mitterentur coloni. milia et quingenti missi. anno, cum omnia infida Romanis essent, Capuae quoque occultae principum coniurationes factae.

[¶56] 26.6. their being reported to the senate, the danger was by no means minimized, but tribunals of enquiry were voted and it was determined to appoint a dictator to conduct the investigations. Gaius Maenius was nominated, and named Marcus Folius master of the horse. Great was the terror inspired by that magistracy; and so, whether from fear or a guilty conscience, the Calavii, Ovius and Novius, who had headed the conspiracy, before informations could be lodged against them with the dictator, avoided trial by a death which was undoubtedly self —inflicted.

> Latin: 26.6. quibus cum ad senatum relatum esset, haudquaquam neglecta res: quaestiones decretae dictatoremque quaestionibus exercendis dici placuit. C. Maenius dictus; is M. Folium magistrum equitum dixit. erat magistratus eius terror., sive is timor seu conscientia fuit, Calavios Ovium Noviumque—ea capita coniurationis fuerant—priusquam nominarentur apud dictatorem, mors haud dubie ab ipsis conscita iudicio subtraxit. ut quaestioni Campanae materia decessit, versa Romam interpretando res: non nominatim qui Capuae sed in universum qui usquam coissent coniurassentve adversus rem publicam quaeri senatum iussisse;

[¶57] 26.8. that, the field of enquiry at Capua having been exhausted, the proceedings were transferred to Rome, on the theory that the senate had ordered an investigation, not of specified individuals in Capua, but, in general, of all who had anywhere combined or conspired against the State; and that cabals for obtaining magistracies had been made against the common weal.

> Latin: 26.8. et coitiones honorum adipiscendorum causa factas adversus rem publicam esse. et re et personis quaestio fieri haud baud abnuente dictatore sine fine ulla quaestionis suae ius esse.

[¶58] 26.9. The enquiry began to take a wider range, in respect both of charges and of persons, and the dictator was nothing loath that there should be no limit to the jurisdiction of his court.

> Latin: 26.9. ergo nobiles homines appellantibusque tribunos nemo erat auxilio quin nomina reciperentur.

[¶59] 26.10. nobles were accordingly impeached, and on appealing to the tribunes found none to help them by stopping the informations.

> Latin: 26.10. nobilitas, nec ii modo in quos crimen intendebatur sed universi, simul negare nobilium id crimen esse, quibus, si nulla obstetur fraude, pateat via ad honorem, sed hominum novorum;

[¶60] 26.11. The nobles then declared —not those alone at whom the charge was levelled, but all of them conjointly —that this accusation did not lie against the nobility, to whom, unless fraudulently obstructed, the road to office lay wide open, but rather against upstart politicians;

> Latin: 26.11. ipsos adeo dictatorem magistrumque equitum reos magis quam quaesitores idoneos eius criminis esse intellecturosque ita id esse, simul magistratu abissent.

[¶61] 26.12. that in fact the dictator and the master of the horse themselves were fitter to be tried on such a charge than to act as judges, and they would find this to be so the moment they resigned their places.

> Latin: 26.12. enimvero Maenius, iam famae magis quam imperii memor, progressus in contionem ita verba fecit:

[¶62] 26.13. indeed Maenius, more mindful now of his reputation than of his authority, came forward and addressed the assembly. “are all of you,” he said, “Quirites, aware of my past life, and this very office which has been conferred upon me is witness to my innocence; for it was necessary to select as dictator for the administration of judicial investigations, not the most distinguished soldier —as has often been done at other times, when some crisis in the state required it —but the man who had lived a life most aloof from these cabals.” “since certain noblemen —for what cause it is better that you should form your own opinion than that I as magistrate should affirm anything not fully ascertained —have in the first place striven with might and main to defeat these very investigations;”

> Latin: 26.13. omnes ante actae vitae vos conscios habeo, Quirites, et hic ipse honos delatus ad me testis est innocentiae meae; neque enim, quod saepe alias, quia ita tempora postulabant rei publicae, qui bello clarissimus esset, sed qui maxime procul ab his coitionibus vitam egisset, dictator deligendus exercendis quaestionibus fuit. quoniam quidam nobiles homines—qua de causa vos existimare quam me pro magistratu quicquam incompertum dicere melius est—primum ipsas expugnare quaestiones omni ope adnisi sunt, dein postquam ad id parum potentes erant, ne causam dicerent, in praesidia adversariorum, appellationem et tribunicium auxilium, patricii confugerunt;

[¶63] 26.16. “and then, finding themselves not strong enough to escape pleading their cause in court, have sought refuge, patricians though they are, in the safeguards of their adversaries —the appeal, I mean, and the help of the tribunes; —” “and since at last, repulsed in that quarter, they have fallen upon us —so much safer does any course appear to them than to try to vindicate their innocence and have not blushed, though private citizens, to demand the impeachment of a dictator;”

> Latin: 26.16. postremo repulsi inde adeo omnia tutiora quam ut innocentiam suam purgarent visa—in nos inruerunt et privatis dictatorem poscere reum verecundiae non fuit; —ut omnes di hominesque sciant ab illis etiam quae non possint temptari ne rationem vitae reddant, me obviam ire crimini et offerre me inimicis reum, dictatura me abdico.

[¶64] 26.18. “—in order that all gods and men may know that they are attempting even impossibilities to avoid accounting for their lives, whereas I am ready to face their charge and to offer myself to my enemies to be tried, I hereby resign the dictator's authority.”

> Latin: 26.18. quaeso, consules, si vobis datum ab senatu negotium fuerit, in me primum et hunc M. Folium quaestiones exerceatis, ut appareat innocentia nostra nos non maiestate honoris tutos a criminationibus istis esse.

[¶65] 26.19. “, consuls, I beseech, if the task shall be devolved upon you by the senate, that you begin your investigations with me and with Marcus Folius here, that it may be seen that we are safe from these accusations by reason of our innocence, not by reason of the awe inspired by our office.”

> Latin: 26.19. inde se dictatura et post eum confestim Folius magisterio equitum; primique apud consules—iis enim ab senatu mandata res est—rei facti adversus nobilium testimonia egregie absolvuntur.

[¶66] 26.20. then resigned as dictator, and so at once did Folius as master of the horse. were the first to go to trial before the consuls —for to these the senate had given the matter in charge — and, against the testimony of the nobles, were gloriously acquitted.

> Latin: 26.20. Publilius etiam Philo multiplicatis summis honoribus post res tot domi belloque gestas, ceterum invisus nobilitati, causam dixit absolutusque est.

[¶67] 26.21. Publilius Philo, too, after all his famous achievements at home and in war, and after having repeatedly held the highest offices, had incurred the hate of the nobility, and was brought to trial and acquitted. the inquisition, as often happens, had the vigour to deal with illustrious defendants no longer than while its novelty lasted; after that it began to descend to the baser sort, until it was finally put down by the cabals and factions which it had been instituted to oppose. The rumour of these events, and still more the hope of a Campanian insurrection, which had been the aim of the conspirators, recalled the Samnites from Apulia, on which their attention had been fixed, to Caudium; in the hope that, being there so near, they might, if any disturbance should afford the opportunity, seize Capua from the Romans; and to Caudium came the consuls, with a powerful force.

> Latin: 26.21. diutius, ut fit, quam dum recens erat quaestio per clara nomina reorum viguit; inde labi coepit ad viliora capita, donec coitionibus factionibusque adversus quas comparata erat oppressa est. fama rerum, magis tamen spes Campanae defectionis, in quam coniuratum erat, Samnites in Apuliam versos rursus ad Caudium revocavit, ut inde ex propinquo, si qui motus occasionem aperiret, Capuam Romanis eriperent.

[¶68] 27.3. armies at first held back, each on its own side of the pass, for either would have been at a disadvantage in advancing against the other.

> Latin: 27.3. consules cum valido exercitu venerunt. primo circa saltus, cum utrimque ad hostem iniqua via esset, cunctati sunt;

[¶69] 27.4. the Samnites made a short detour over open ground, and brought their army down to the plain, where the hostile forces were, for the first time, encamped in sight of one another. skirmishing followed, in which both sides made trial more often of their cavalry than their foot.

> Latin: 27.4. deinde Samnites per aperta loca brevi circuitu in loca plana, Campanos campos, agmen demittunt, ibique primum castra in conspectum hostibus data, deinde levibus proeliis equitum saepius quam peditum utrimque periculum factum;

[¶70] 27.5. The Romans were not dissatisfied either with the outcome of these brushes or with the delays by which the campaign was protracted.

> Latin: 27.5. nec aut eventus eorum Romanum aut morae, qua trahebant bellum, paenitebat.

[¶71] 27.6. the Samnite leaders, on the contrary, it appeared that their forces were daily diminishing with petty losses, and were wasting away with the prolongation of the war.

> Latin: 27.6. Samnitium contra ducibus et carpi parvis cottidie damnis et senescere dilatione belli vires suae videbantur.

[¶72] 27.7. accordingly made ready for a general engagement, dividing their cavalry between the wings, with orders to pay more attention to the camp, to prevent any attack upon it, than to the battle; for the infantry would sufficiently safeguard the line.

> Latin: 27.7. in aciem procedunt equitibus in cornua divisis, quibus praeceptum erat intentiores ad respectum castrorum, ne qua eo vis fieret, quam ad proelium starent:

[¶73] 27.8. the consuls, Sulpicius took up his post on the right wing, Poetelius on the left. The formation on the right was spread out over a considerable distance, and on that wing the Samnites, too, were drawn up in ranks of little depth, either meaning to tum the Romans' flank, or to keep their own from being turned. The troops on the left, besides being drawn up in closer order, had received an accession to their strength from a plan conceived on the spur of the moment by Poetelius.

> Latin: 27.8. aciem pedite tutam fore. Sulpicius in dextro, Poetelius in laevo cornu consistunt. pars, qua et Samnites raris ordinibus aut ad circumeundos hostes aut ne ipsi circumirentur constiterant, latius patefacta stetit: sinistris, praeterquam quod confertiores steterant, repentino consilio Poeteli consulis additae vires, qui subsidiarias cohortes, quae integrae ad longioris pugnae casus reservabantur, in primam aciem extemplo emisit universisque hostem hosted primo impetu viribus impulit.

[¶74] 27.10. those subsidiary cohorts which were wont to be kept fresh in reserve, to meet the chance needs of a long engagement, he sent immediately into the fighting line; and by using all his strength at once, he forced the enemy back at the first assault. the Samnite infantry wavered, their cavalry moved up to support them. while they came obliquely onward, in the interval between the armies, the Roman cavalry charged them at the gallop, confounding the ranks and the formations of horse and foot, until they had routed the entire army at that point.

> Latin: 27.10. pedestri acie Samnitium eques in pugnam succedit. hunc transverso agmine inter duas acies se inferentem Romanus equitatus concitat equos signaque et ordines peditum atque equitum confundit, donec universam ab ea parte avertit aciem.

[¶75] 27.11. that wing Sulpicius was present, as well as Poetelius, to animate the soldiers, for when the shouting arose upon the left, he had ridden over there, leaving his own men, who were not yet come to grips with the enemy.

> Latin: 27.11. eo cornu non Poetelius solus sed Sulpicius etiam hortator adfuerat, avectus ab suis nondum conserentibus manus ad clamorem a sinistra parte prius exortum.

[¶76] 27.12. perceiving his colleague's victory to be safe, he left him and rode off with twelve hundred men to his own wing. he found affairs in a different posture; the Romans had been driven out of their position, and the victorious enemy were charging their disordered ranks. all was quickly changed by the arrival of the consul. the sight of their general revived the spirits of the soldiers, and the brave men who followed him were a greater succour than their numbers indicated; and the tidings of their comrades' victory, which they soon saw for themselves, restored the battle.

> Latin: 27.12. haud dubiam victoriam cernens cum ad suum cornu tenderet cum mille ducentis viris, dissimilem ibi fortunam invenit, Romanos loco pulsos, victorem hostem signa in perculsos inferentem. omnia mutavit repente consulis adventus; nam et conspectu ducis refectus militum est animus, et maius quam pro numero auxilium advenerant fortes viri, et partis alterius victoria audita mox visa etiam proelium restituit.

[¶77] 27.14. the Romans had begun to conquer all along the line, while the Samnites, giving up the struggle, were massacred or made prisoners, except those who fled to Maleventum, the city which is now called Beneventum. avers that some thirty thousand Samnites were slain or captured.

> Latin: 27.14. deinde iam vincere acie Romanus et omisso certamine caedi capique Samnites, nisi qui Maleventum, cui nunc urbi Beneventum nomen est, perfugerunt. triginta milia caesa aut capta Samnitium proditum memoriae est. egregia victoria parta protinus inde ad Bovianum oppugnandum legiones ducunt;

[¶78] 28.2. The consuls, who had won a brilliant victory, at once marched away to lay siege to Bovianum, where they remained in winter quarters, until the new consuls, Lucius Papirius Cursor (for the fifth time) and Gaius Junius Bubulcus (for the second) appointed Gaius Poetelius dictator, who, with Marcus Folius as master of horse, took over the command.

> Latin: 28.2. ibique hiberna egerunt, donec ab novis consulibus, L. Papirio Cursore quintum C. Iunio Bubulco iterum nominatus dictator C. Poetelius cum M. Folio magistro equitum exercitum accepit.

[¶79] 28.3. Poetelius, hearing that the citadel of Fregellae was captured by the Samnites, raised the siege of Bovianum and proceeded to Fregellae. got possession of the place without a struggle —for the Samnites fled from it in the night —he installed a strong garrison there, and leaving Fregellae, marched back into Campania, for the purpose, chiefly, of winning back Nola by force of arms.

> Latin: 28.3. cum audisset arcem Fregellanam ab Samnitibus captam, omisso Boviano ad Fregellas pergit. nocturna Samnitium fuga sine certamine receptis Fregellis praesidioque valido imposito in Campaniam reditum maxime ad Nolam armis repetendam.

[¶80] 28.4. its walls, as the dictator drew near, the whole Samnite population and the Nolani of the country —side had taken refuge. examining the position of the city, the dictator, in order to open up approaches to the walls, caused all the buildings round them —and the tract was densely inhabited —to be burnt. very long after this Nola was captured, whether by Poetelius the dictator or the consul Gaius Junius —for the story is told both ways.

> Latin: 28.4. se intra moenia sub adventum dictatoris et Samnitium omnis multitudo et Nolana agrestis contulerat. urbis situ circumspecto, quo apertior aditus ad moenia esset, omnia aedificia—et frequenter ibi habitabatur—circumiecta muris incendit; nec ita multo post, sive a Poetelio dictatore sive ab C. Iunio consule—nam utrumque traditur,—Nola est capta.

[¶81] 28.6. who ascribe the honour of capturing Nola to the consul, add that Atina and Calatia were won by the same man, but that Poetelius was made dictator on the outbreak of a pestilence, that lie might drive the nail.

> Latin: 28.6. captae decus Nolae ad consulem trahunt, adiciunt Atinam et Calatiam ab eodem captas, Poetelium autem pestilentia orta clavi figendi causa dictatorem dictum.

[¶82] 28.7. were planted in that same year at Suessa and Pontiae. Suessa had belonged to the Aurunci; Volscians had inhabited Pontiae, an island which lay within sight of their own coast.

> Latin: 28.7. Suessa et Pontiae eodem anno coloniae deductae sunt. Suessa Auruncorum fuerat; Volsci Pontias, insulam sitam in conspectu litoris sui, incoluerant.

[¶83] 28.8. The senate also passed a resolution that a colony be sent out to Interamna Sucasina, but it was left for the next consuls, Marcus Valerius and Publius Decius, to appoint the three commissioners and send out four thousand settlers.

> Latin: 28.8. Interamnam Sucasinam ut deduceretur colonia, senati consultum factum est; sed triumviros creavere ac misere colonorum quattuor milia insequentes consules M. Valerius P. Decius. fere Samnitium bello, priusquam ea cura decederet patribus Romanis, Etrusci belli fama exorta est.

[¶84] 29.2. The war with the Samnites was practically ended, but the Roman senators had not yet ceased to be concerned about it, when the rumour of an Etruscan war sprang up. those days there was no other race —setting apart the risings of the Gauls —whose arms were more dreaded, not only because their territory lay so near, but also because of their numbers., while the other consul was in Samnium, dispatching the last remnants of the war, Publius Decius, who was very sick and had stopped behind in Rome, in pursuance of a senatorial resolution named Gaius Sulpicius Longus dictator, who appointed Gaius Junius Bubulcus to be his master of the

> Latin: 29.2. erat ea tempestate gens alia cuius secundum Gallicos tumultus arma terribiliora essent cum propinquitate agri tum multitudine hominum. altero consule in Samnio reliquias belli persequente P. Decius, qui graviter aeger Romae restiterat, auctore senatu dictatorem C. Sulpicium Longum, is magistrum equitum C. iunium lunium Bubulcum dixit.

[¶85] 29.4. horse. Sulpicius, as the gravity of the circumstances required, administered the oath to all those of military age, and made ready arms and whatever else the situation called for, with the utmost assiduity. he was not so carried away with these great preparations as to plan for an offensive war, clearly intending to remain inactive, unless the Etruscans should first take the field.

> Latin: 29.4. , prout rei magnitudo magnitude postulabat, omnes iuniores sacramento adigit, arma quaeque alia res poscit summa industria parat; nec tantis apparatibus elatus de inferendo bello agitat, quieturus haud dubie, nisi ultro arma Etrusci inferrent.

[¶86] 29.5. the Etruscans followed the same policy, preparing for war but preventing it from breaking out. side went beyond their own frontiers. , too, in that year was the censorship of Appius Claudius and Gaius Plautius; but the name of Appius was of happier memory with succeeding generations, because he built a road, and conveyed a stream of water into the City. These undertakings he carried out by himself, since his colleague had resigned, overcome with shame at the disgraceful and invidious manner in which Appius revised the list of senators; and Appius, exhibiting the obstinacy which had marked his family from the earliest days, exercised the

> Latin: 29.5. in comparando cohibendoque bello consilia et apud Etruscos fuere: neutri finibus egressi. censura clara eo anno Ap. Claudi et C. Plauti fuit; memoriae memorial tamen felicioris ad posteros nomen Appi, quod viam munivit et aquam in urbem duxit; eaque unus perfecit, quia ob infamem atque invidiosam senatus lectionem verecundia victus collega magistratu se abdicaverat; Appius iam inde antiquitus insitam pertinaciam familiae gerendo solus censuram obtinuit.

[¶87] 29.9. censorship alone. was Appius, too, by whose warranty the Potitian clan, with whom the priesthood of Hercules at the Ara Maxima was hereditary, taught the ritual of that sacrifice to public slaves, in order to devolve the service upon them.

> Latin: 29.9. Appio auctore Potitia gens, cuius ad aram maximam Herculis familiare sacerdotium fuerat, servos publicos ministerii delegandi causa sollemnia eius sacri docuerat.

[¶88] 29.10. relates that after this a strange thing happened, and one that might well give men pause ere they disturb the established order of religious ceremonies. whereas at that time there were twelve families of the Potitii, and grown men to the number of thirty, within the year they had perished, every man, and the stock had become extinct; and not only did the name of the Potitii die out, but even the censor, by the unforgetting ire of the gods, was a few years later stricken blind.

> Latin: 29.10. inde, dictu mirabile et quod dimovendis statu suo sacris religionem facere posset, cum duodecim familiae ea ca tempestate Potitiorum essent, puberes ad triginta, omnes intra annum cum stirpe exstinctos; nec nomen tantum Potitiorum interisse sed censorem etiam memori deum ira post aliquot annos luminibus captum. consules qui eum annum secuti sunt, C. Iunius Bubulcus tertium et Q. Aemilius Barbula iterum, initio anni questi apud populum deformatum ordinem prava lectione senatus, qua potiores aliquot lectis praeteriti essent, negaverunt eam lectionem se, quae sine recti pravique discrimine ad gratiam ac libidinem facta esset, observaturos et senatum extemplo citaverunt eo ordine qui ante censores Ap.