---
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: 49 of 50
url: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/49/
cite: "Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster, History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X, section 49. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/49/"
---

# 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.

## 49. Book X · chapters 29–38

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/49/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/49/#p-N

[¶0] 29.6. so, though the Gauls stood crowded together with their shields interlocked in front of them, and it looked no easy battle at close quarters, the lieutenants bade their men gather up the javelins that were scattered about on the ground between the hostile lines and cast them against the testudo of their enemies; and as many of these missiles stuck fast in the shields and now and then one penetrated a soldier's body, their phalanx was broken up —many falling, though unwounded, as if they had been stunned.

> Latin: 29.6. cum Galli structis ante se scutis conferti starent nec facilis pede conlato videretur pugna, iussu legatorum collecta humi pila quae strata inter duas acies iacebant atque in testudinem hostium coniecta;

[¶1] 29.7. were the shifts of Fortune upon the Roman left. the right, Fabius had begun, as has been said before, by holding back and delaying the decision; later, when neither the shouts of the foe, nor their assaults, nor the missiles they discharged, seemed to have any longer the same force, he ordered the praefects of the cavalry to lead their squadrons round the wing of the Samnites, that, on the signal being given, they might attack them in the flank with all possible vigour, and commanded his own men to push forward by degrees and dislodge the

> Latin: 29.7. quibus plerisque in scuta rarisque in corpora ipsa fixis sternitur cuneus ita ut magna pars integris corporibus attoniti conciderent. in sinistro cornu Romanorum fortuna variaverat. Fabius in dextro primo, ut ante dictum est, cunctando extraxerat diem; dein, postquam nec clamor hostium nec impetus nec tela missa eandem vim habere visa, praefectis equitum iussis ad latus Samnitium circumducere alas, ut signo dato in transversos quanto maximo possent impetu incurrerent, sensim suos signa inferre iussit et commovere hostem.

[¶2] 29.10. enemy. he saw that they made no resistance and there could be no question of their weariness, he gathered up all the troops which he had hitherto held in reserve, and, sending in his legions, made a signal to the cavalry to charge.

> Latin: 29.10. non resisti vidit et haud dubiam lassitudinem esse, tum collectis omnibus subsidiis, quae ad id tempus reservaverat, et legiones concitavit et signum ad invadendos hostes equitibus dedit.

[¶3] 29.11. The Samnites could not withstand their onset and fled in confusion past the Gallic line itself, abandoning their comrades in the midst of the fighting and seeking refuge in their camp. The Gauls had formed a testudo and stood there closely packed together.

> Latin: 29.11. sustinuerunt Samnites impetum praeterque aciem ipsam Gallorum relictis in dimicatione sociis ad castra effuso cursu ferebantur:

[¶4] 29.12. Fabius, who had learned of his colleague's death, commanded the squadron of Campanians, about five hundred lances, to withdraw from the line, and fetching a compass, assail the Gallic infantry in the rear; these the principes, or middle line, of the third legion were to follow, and, pushing in where they saw that the cavalry charge had disordered the enemy's formation, make havoc of them in their

> Latin: 29.12. Galli testudine facta conferti stabant. Fabius audita morte collegae Campanorum alam, quingentos fere equites, excedere acie iubet et circumvectos ab tergo Gallicam invadere aciem; tertiae deinde legionis subsequi principes, et qua turbatum agmen hostium viderent impetu equitum, instare ac territos caedere.

[¶5] 29.14. panic. himself, after vowing a temple and the enemy's spoils to Jupiter Victor, kept on to the Samnite camp, whither the whole affrighted throng was being driven.

> Latin: 29.14. aedem Iovi Victori spoliaque hostium cum vovisset, ad castra Samnitium perrexit, quo multitudo multitude omnis consternata agebatur.

[¶6] 29.15. the very rampart, since the gates could not receive so great a multitude, those who were shut out by the crowding of their fellows attempted some resistance; there Gellius Egnatius, the commander —in —chief of the Samnites, fell; in the upshot the Samnites were driven within the rampart and after a short struggle their camp was taken and the Gauls were cut off in the

> Latin: 29.15. ipso vallo, quia tantam multitudinem portae non recepere, temptata ab exclusis turba suorum pugna est; ibi Gellius Egnatius, imperator Samnitium, cecidit. deinde intra vallum Samnites parvoque certamine capta castra et Galli ab tergo circumventi.

[¶7] 29.17. rear. were slain that day five —and —twenty thousand of the enemy, and eight thousand were captured; nor was it a bloodless victory; for of the army of Publius Decius seven thousand were slain and seventeen hundred of the army of Fabius. Fabius sent out men to search for the body of his colleague, and, piling up the spoils of the enemy, burned them in sacrifice to Jupiter the Victor.

> Latin: 29.17. eo die hostium viginti quinque milia, octo capta. incruenta victoria fuit; nam ex P. Deci exercitu caesa septem milia, ex Fabi mille septingenti. Fabius dimissis ad quaerendum collegae corpus spolia hostium coniecta in acervum Iovi Victori cremavit.

[¶8] 29.19. The consul's body could not be found that day, having been buried under heaps of Gauls who had been slain above him; on the day after, it was found and brought in, amidst the lamentations of the soldiers.

> Latin: 29.19. corpus eo die, quia obrutum superstratis Gallorum cumulis erat, inveniri non potuit; postero die inventum relatumque est cum multis militum lacrimis.

[¶9] 29.20. his concern for everything else, Fabius celebrated the funeral of his colleague with every show of honour and well —merited eulogiums. Etruria too at the same time Gnaeus Fulvius the propraetor was succeeding according to his wishes, and, besides the enormous damage which his forays inflicted on the enemy, fought also a victorious battle with them. The Perusini and Clusini lost upwards of three thousand men, and some twenty military standards were captured from them.

> Latin: 29.20. inde omnium aliarum rerum cura Fabius collegae funus omni honore laudibusque meritis celebrat. in Etruria per eosdem dies ab Cn. Fulvio propraetore res ex sententia gesta et praeter ingentem inlatam populationibus agrorum hosti cladem pugnatum etiam egregie est Perusinorumque et Clusinorum caesa amplius milia tria et signa militaria ad viginti capta.

[¶10] 30.3. The Samnite army, as it fled through the Paelignian territory, was surrounded by the inhabitants, and of five thousand men about a thousand were slain.

> Latin: 30.3. Samnitium agmen cum per Paelignum agrum fugeret, circumventum a Paelignis est; ex milibus quinque ad mille caesi.

[¶11] 30.4. Great is the glory of that day on which the battle was fought in the district of Sentinum, even if a man hold fast to truth;

> Latin: 30.4. Magna eius diei quo in Sentinati agro bellatum fama est, etiam vero stanti;

[¶12] 30.5. but some writers have so exaggerated as to over —shoot the credible, and have written that in the army of the enemy —including, of course, the Umbrians and Tuscans, for these, too, were present in the battle —there were six hundred thousand infantry, forty —six thousand horse, and a thousand cars;

> Latin: 30.5. sed superiecere quidam augendo fidem, qui in hostium exercitu peditum sexiens centena milia, equitum sex et quadraginta milia, mille carpentorum scripsere fuisse, scilicet cum Umbris Tuscisque, quos et ipsos pugnae adfuisse;

[¶13] 30.6. and, to enlarge in like manner the forces of the Romans, they add to the consuls as a general Lucius Volumnius the proconsul, and his army to their legions.

> Latin: 30.6. et ut Romanorum quoque augerent copias, L. Volumnium pro consule ducem consulibus exercitumque eius legionibus consulum adiciunt.

[¶14] 30.7. the majority of histories this victory is reserved to the two consuls, and Volumnius is waging war at the same time in Samnium, where, having driven the Samnite army up Mount Tifernus, he routs and scatters them, undeterred by the difficulties of the ground.

> Latin: 30.7. pluribus annalibus duorum ea consulum propria victoria est, Volumnius in Samnio interim res gerit Samnitiumque exercitum in Tifernum montem compulsum, non deterritus iniquitate loci, fundit fugatque.

[¶15] 30.8. Quintus Fabius, leaving the Decian army on guard over Etruria, led down his own legions to Rome and triumphed over the Gauls, the Etruscans, and the Samnites.

> Latin: 30.8. Q. Fabius, Deciano exercitu relicto in Etruriae praesidio, suis legionibus deductis ad urbem de Gallis Etruscisque ac Samnitibus triumphavit. triumphantem secuti sunt.

[¶16] 30.9. The soldiers followed his triumphal chariot and in their rude verses celebrated no less the glorious death of Publius Decius than the victory of Fabius, reviving by their praise of the son the memory of the father, whose death (and its service to the commonwealth) had now been matched.

> Latin: 30.9. inconditis militaribus non magis victoria Q. Fabi quam mors praeclara P. Deci est, excitataque memoria parentis, aequata eventu publico privatoque, filii laudibus.

[¶17] 30.10. soldier received from the spoils a present of eighty —two asses of bronze, with a cloak and tunic, a reward for military service in those days far from contemptible. these victories, there was not yet peace either with the Samnites or in Etruria; for war had broken out afresh at the instigation of the Perusini, after the consul had withdrawn his army, and the Samnites were raiding the lands of Vescini and of Formiae on the one hand, and on the other the territory of Aesernia and the region adjacent to the Volturnus river.

> Latin: 30.10. ex praeda militibus aeris octogeni bini sagaque et tunicae, praemia illa tempestate militiae haudquaquam spernenda. ita rebus gestis nec in Samnitibus adhuc nec in Etruria pax erat; nam et Perusinis auctoribus post deductum ab consule exercitum rebellatum fuerat et Samnites praedatum in agrum Vescinum Formianumque et parte alia in Aeserninum quaeque Volturno adiacent flumini descendere.

[¶18] 31.3. these the praetor Appius Claudius was dispatched with the army that Decius had commanded. Fabius dealt with the new outbreak in Etruria, where he slew four thousand five hundred of the Perusini and took one thousand seven hundred and forty prisoners, who were ransomed at three hundred and ten asses each, the rest of the booty being made over to the soldiers.

> Latin: 31.3. eos Ap. Claudius praetor cum exercitu Deciano missus. Fabius in Etruria rebellante denuo quattuor milia et quingentos Perusinorum occidit, cepit ad mille septingentos quadraginta, qui redempti singuli aeris trecentis decem; praeda alia omnis militibus concessa.

[¶19] 31.5. The Samnite levies, of whom a part were being pursued by Appius Claudius the praetor and a part by Lucius Volumnius the pro —consul, effected a junction in the Stellate district, where they all took up a position near Caiatia. Appius and Volumnius also combined their forces.

> Latin: 31.5. Samnitium legiones, cum partem Ap. Claudius praetor partem L. Volumnius pro consule sequeretur, in agrum Stellatem convenerunt. ad Caiatiam omnes considunt et Appius Volumniusque castra coniungunt.

[¶20] 31.6. The ensuing battle was very bitterly contested, the Romans being incited by resentment against a people who had so often rebelled, while those on the other side were staking their last hopes on the conflict.

> Latin: 31.6. infestissimis animis, hinc ira stimulante adversus rebellantes totiens, illinc ad ultimam iam dimicantibus spem.

[¶21] 31.7. The Samnites accordingly lost sixteen thousand three hundred slain and two thousand seven hundred captured; in the Roman army two thousand seven hundred fell.

> Latin: 31.7. ergo Samnitium sedecim milia trecenti, capta duo milia septingenti; ex Romano exercitu cecidere duo milia septingenti.

[¶22] 31.8. The year, though one of success in war, was saddened by a pestilence and vexed with prodigies. of earth were reported to have fallen in many places, and it was said that in the army of Appius Claudius many had been struck by lightning.

> Latin: 31.8. annus bellicis rebus, pestilentia gravis prodigiisque sollicitus; nam et terra multifariam pluvisse et in exercitu Ap. Claudi plerosque fulminibus ictos nuntiatum est, librique ob haec aditi.

[¶23] 31.9. account of these signs the Sibylline books were consulted. this year Quintus Fabius Gurges, the consul's son, assessed a fine of money against a number of married women who were convicted before the people of adultery, and with this money erected the temple of Venus which is near the Circus.

> Latin: 31.9. anno Q. Fabius Gurges, consulis filius, aliquot matronas ad populum stupri damnatas pecunia multavit; ex quo multaticio aere Veneris aedem quae prope circum est faciendam curavit.

[¶24] 31.10. are more Samnite wars still to come, though we have dealt with them continuously throughout four books, covering a period of forty —six years, from the consulship of Marcus Valerius and Aulus Cornelius, who were the first that made war on Samnium; and —not to go over now the disasters sustained in so many years on either side and the toils endured, by which nevertheless those sturdy hearts could not be daunted —in the year just past the Samnites had fought in the territory of Sentinum, in the Pelignian country, at Tifernus, and in the Stellate plains, now by themselves, with their own levies, now in company with troops from other nations, and had been cut to pieces by four armies under four Roman generals; they had lost their nation's most distinguished commander;

> Latin: 31.10. etiam nunc Samnitium bella, quae continua per quartum iam volumen annumque sextum et quadragesimum quadragensimum a M. Valerio A. Cornelio consulibus, qui primi Samnio arma intulerunt, agimus. ne tot annorum clades utriusque gentis laboresque actos nunc referam, quibus nequiverint tamen dura illa pectora vinci, proximo anno Samnites in Sentinati agro, in Paelignis, ad Tifernum, Stellatibus campis, suis ipsi legionibus mixti alienis, ab quattuor exercitibus, quattuor ducibus Romanis caesi fuerant;

[¶25] 31.13. they beheld their comrades in war, the Etruscans, Umbrians, and Gauls, in the same plight as their own; nor could they longer maintain themselves, either by their own resources or by those of outside nations; yet would they not abstain from war;

> Latin: 31.13. imperatorem clarissimum gentis suae amiserant; socios belli, Etruscos Umbros Gallos, in eadem fortuna videbant qua ipsi erant;

[¶26] 31.14. —so far were they from wearying of a liberty which they had unsuccessfully defended, preferring rather to be conquered than not to try for victory.

> Latin: 31.14. nec suis nec externis viribus iam stare poterant; tamen bello non abstinebant. ne infeliciter quidem defensae libertatis taedebat et vinci quam non temptare victoriam malebant.

[¶27] 31.15. , pray, could grudge the time for writing or reading of these wars, when they could not exhaust the men who fought them?

> Latin: 31.15. sit ille, quem pigeat longinquitatis bellorum scribendo legendoque, quae gerentes non fatigaverunt? Q. Fabium P. Decium L. Postumius Megellus et M. Atilius Regulus consules secuti sunt.

[¶28] 32.2. Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were succeeded in the consulship by Lucius Postumius Megellus and Marcus Atilius Regulus. Samnium was assigned them both for their province, in consequence of a report that the enemy had raised three armies, with one of which they meant to return into Etruria, with another to resume the devastation of Campania, while the third was making ready for the defence of their frontiers.

> Latin: 32.2. Samnium ambobus decreta provincia est, quia tres scriptos hostium exercitus, uno Etruriam, altero populationes Campaniae repeti, tertium tuendis parari finibus, fama erat.

[¶29] 32.3. Postumius was detained in Rome by ill health: Atilius marched out at once, that he might put down the enemy in Samnium —for such was the senate's plan —ere they could cross the border.

> Latin: 32.3. Postumium valetudo adversa Romae Romnae tenuit; Atilius extemplo profectus, ut in Samnio hostes—ita enim placuerat patribus— nondum egressos opprimeret.

[¶30] 32.4. though it had been prearranged, they encountered the foe in a place where they themselves were prevented from laying waste the territory of their enemies, while they prevented the Samnites from coming out into the district which had been pacified and the territory of the allies of the Roman People.

> Latin: 32.4. ex composite ibi obvium habuere hostem ubi et vastare ipsi Samnitium agrum prohiberentur et egredi inde in pacata sociorumque populi Romani fines Samnitem prohiberent.

[¶31] 32.5. the camps being established over against each other, what the Romans would hardly have dared to do, victorious as they had so often been, the Samnites ventured —such temerity does utter hopelessness beget, —that is, to assault the enemy's camp; and although their desperate enterprise did not fully succeed, still, it was not altogether futile.

> Latin: 32.5. castra castris conlata essent, quod vix Romanus totiens victor auderet ausi Samnites sunt—tantum desperatio ultima temeritatis facit—castra Romana oppugnare; et quamquam non venit ad finem tam audax inceptum, tamen haud omnino vanum fuit.

[¶32] 32.6. was a fog which lasted well on into the day, so dense as to shut out the light and render it impossible to see, not only beyond the rampart, but even at a little way off, when people approached each other.

> Latin: 32.6. erat ad multum diei densa adeo ut lucis usum eriperet non prospectu modo extra vallum adempto sed propinquo etiam congredientium inter se conspectu.

[¶33] 32.7. on this, as on a screen for their operations, the Samnites came up, when day had scarcely dawned, and even so was hidden behind the murk, to the Roman outpost that was negligently standing guard before the gate.

> Latin: 32.7. velut latebra insidiarum freti Samnites vixdum satis certa luce et eam ipsam premente caligine ad stationem Romanam in porta segniter agentem vigilias perveniunt.

[¶34] 32.8. upon them unawares they encountered neither courage nor strength sufficient to hold them in check.

> Latin: 32.8. oppressis nec animi satis ad resistendum nec virium fuit. tergo castrorum decumana porta impetus factus;

[¶35] 32.9. charged in by the decuman gate in the rear of the camp, captured the quaestor's tent, and slew the quaestor, Lucius Opimius Pansa; whereupon a general alarm was cried. The consul, aroused by the din, commanded the two allied cohorts which happened to be nearest —those from Lucania and Suessa —to guard headquarters, and put himself at the head of the legionary maniples in the via principalis. The men fell in ere they had fairly fitted on their armour, and, knowing the enemy more by their shouting than by the sight of them, were unable to form any estimate of their numbers. first they gave ground, uncertain how fortune stood with them, and admitted the foe into the middle of the camp; then, on the consul's asking them whether they meant to be driven without the wall and afterwards make an assault on their own camp, they gave a cheer, and, exerting themselves, first made a successful stand, and afterwards pushed forward and forced their enemies back, and, having once repulsed them, left them no time to recover their first dismay, but thrust them out of gate and

> Latin: 32.9. itaque captum quaestorium quaestorque ibi L. Opimius Pansa occisus. inde ad arma. Consul tumultu excitus cohortes duas sociorum, Lucanam Suessanamque, quae proximae forte erant, tueri praetorium iubet; manipulos legionum principali via inducit. satis aptatis armis in ordines eunt et clamore magis quam oculis hostem noscunt nec quantus numerus sit aestimari potest. primo incerti fortunae suae et hostem introrsum in media castra accipiunt; inde, cum consul vociferaretur, expulsine extra vallum castra deinde sua oppugnaturi essent, clamore sublato conixi primo resistunt, deinde inferunt pedem urgentque et impulsos semel terrore eodem quo coeperunt expellunt extra portam vallumque.

[¶36] 33.5. rampart. venturing then to go on and pursue them, since the dim light made them fear an ambush, they retired —content to have cleared their camp —within the palisade, having slain about three hundred of the enemy.

> Latin: 33.5. pergere ac persequi, quia turbida lux metum circa insidiarum faciebat, non ausi, liberatis castris contenti receperunt se intra vallum trecentis ferme hostium occisis.

[¶37] 33.6. The Roman loss, at the outpost and amongst those who were taken by surprise at the quaestor's tent, was some seven hundred and thirty.

> Latin: 33.6. Romanorum stationis primae et eorum qui circa quaestorium oppressi periere ad septingentos triginta.

[¶38] 33.7. bold and not unsuccessful venture of the Samnites raised their spirits; and not only would they not permit the Romans to go forward, but they would not even permit them to forage in their fields; the foragers fell back on the peaceful territory about Sora.

> Latin: 33.7. inde Samnitibus non infelix audacia auxit et non modo proferre inde castra Romanum sed ne pabulari quidem per agros suos patiebantur; retro in pacatum Soranum agrum pabulatores ibant.

[¶39] 33.8. The rumour of these events —more startling even than the events themselves — being brought to Rome compelled the consul Lucius Postumius, though barely recovered, to take the field.

> Latin: 33.8. rerum fama, tumultuosior etiam quam res erant, perlata Romam coegit L. Postumium consulem vixdum validum proficisci ex urbe.

[¶40] 33.9. after issuing a proclamation calling upon his soldiers to assemble at Sora, he himself, before leaving the City, dedicated a shrine to Victory, which he had built, as curule aedile, with money received from fines.

> Latin: 33.9. tamen quam exiret, militibus edicto Soram iussis convenire ipse aedem Victoriae, quam aedilis curulis ex multaticia pecunia faciendam curaverat, dedicavit.

[¶41] 33.10. then set out to join the army, he led it from Sora to his colleague's camp in Samnium. The Samnites then retreated, having no confidence in their ability to resist two armies, and the consuls separated and marched in different directions to waste their fields and attack their cities.

> Latin: 33.10. ad exercitum profectus, ab Sora in Samnium ad castra collegae perrexit. postquam Samnites diffisi duobus exercitibus resisti posse recesserunt, diversi consules ad vastandos agros urbesque oppugnandas discedunt. Postumius Milioniam oppugnare adortus vi primo atque impetu, dein, postquam ea parum procedebant, opere ac vineis demum iniunctis muro cepit.

[¶42] 34.2. Postumius essayed to capture Milionia. in his first attempt to storm the place, he proceeded against it by regular approaches, and, having brought his pent —houses into contact with the walls, effected an entrance., though the city was already taken, there ensued in every quarter without interruption, from the fourth hour till about the eighth, a desperate struggle, the result of which was long in doubt. last the Romans made themselves masters of the place. The Samnites lost three thousand two hundred slain and four thousand seven hundred captured, besides other booty.

> Latin: 34.2. capta iam urbe ab hora quarta usque ad octavam fere horam omnibus partibus urbis diu incerto eventu pugnatum est; postremo potitur oppido Romanus. Samnitium caesi tria milia ducenti, capti quattuor milia septingenti praeter praedam aliam.

[¶43] 34.4. there the legions were led to Feritrum, which the townspeople, with all their possessions which they could carry or drive away, evacuated in the silence of the night, by the opposite gate.

> Latin: 34.4. Feritrum ductae legiones, unde oppidani omnibus rebus suis quae ferri agique potuerunt nocte per aversam portam silentio excesserunt.

[¶44] 34.5. , then, the consul was no sooner come than he advanced up to the walls with all the order and circumspection of one who looked for the same resistance that he had met with at Milionia;

> Latin: 34.5. , simul advenit consul, prino ita compositus instructusque moenibus successit, tamquam idem quod ad Milioniam fuerat certaminis foret;

[¶45] 34.6. but afterwards, finding the city as silent as a desert and neither arms nor men upon the battlements and towers, he restrained his soldiers, who were eager to scale the abandoned walls, lest they should rush improvidently into some hidden trap. ordered two squadrons of Latin allies to make a circuit of the fortifications and effect a thorough reconnaissance.

> Latin: 34.6. deinde, ut silentium vastum in urbe nec arma nec viros in turribus ac muris vidit, avidum invadendi deserta moenia militem detinet, ne quam occultam in fraudem incautus rueret;

[¶46] 34.7. The troopers discovered a wide —open gate, and near it in the same quarter another one, and saw in the roads leading out of them the traces of the enemy's nocturnal flight.

> Latin: 34.7. duas turmas sociorum Latini nominis circumequitare moenia atque explorare omnia iubet. portam unam alteramque eadem regione in propinquo patentes conspiciunt itineribusque iis vestigia nocturnae hostium fugae.

[¶47] 34.8. up then slowly and cautiously to the gates, they saw that the city could be safely traversed by streets that led straight through it, and reported to the consul that it had been abandoned. was evident, they said, from the unmistakable solitude and the fresh signs of flight and the objects that lay scattered about where they had been discarded in the confusion of the darkness.

> Latin: 34.8. deinde sensim portis urbemque ex tuto rectis itineribus perviam conspiciunt et consuli referunt excessum urbe; solitudine haud dubia id perspicuum esse et recentibus vestigiis fugae ac strage rerum in trepidatione nocturna relictarum passim.

[¶48] 34.9. receiving this account, the consul led his army round to that side of the city which the horsemen had approached. the troops not far from the gate, he commanded five horsemen to enter and advance for a short distance; then, if all seemed safe, three of these were to remain there together, and the other two were to report to him what they had found.

> Latin: 34.9. auditis consul ad eam earn partem urbis quam adierant equites circumducit agmen. haud procul porta signis quinque equites iubet intrare urbem et modicum spatium progressos progresses tres manere eodem loco, si tuta videantur, duos explorata ad se referre.

[¶49] 34.10. they came back and reported that they had advanced to a place from which a view could be had in all directions, and that silence and solitude reigned far and wide, the consul at once led some light —armed cohorts into the city and ordered the rest to construct a camp in the meanwhile.

> Latin: 34.10. ubi redierunt rettuleruntque eo se progressos progresses unde in omnes partes circumspectus esset longe lateque silentium ac solitudinem vidisse, extemplo consul cohortes expeditas in urbem induxit, ceteros interim castra communire iussit.

[¶50] 34.12. entered the place and broken in the house —doors, the soldiers discovered some few decrepit or bed —ridden people and certain things abandoned as too difficult to remove. These things were seized.

> Latin: 34.12. milites refractis foribus paucos graves aetate aut invalidos inveniunt relictaque quae migratu difficilia essent.

[¶51] 34.13. was learned from the prisoners that a number of communities in the vicinity had agreed together in planning flight; their own people had left in the first watch; they believed that the Romans would find the same solitude in the other cities.

> Latin: 34.13. direpta; et cognitum ex captivis est communi consilio aliquot circa urbes conscisse fugam; suos prima vigilia profectos; credere eandem in aliis urbibus solitudinem inventuros.

[¶52] 34.14. The statements of the prisoners turned out to be true, and the consul took possession of the deserted towns. The other consul, Marcus Atilius, had by no means so easy a war. was marching, at the head of his legions, towards Luceria, which he had heard was being besieged by the Samnites, when the enemy met him at the Lucerine frontier. this occasion rage made their strength as great as his, and the battle was one of shifting fortunes and doubtful issue. its outcome was more discouraging to the Romans, both as having been unaccustomed to defeat, and because, as they were retiring from the field, they could see, even better than during the actual engagement, how much their side had got the worst of it in killed and wounded.

> Latin: 34.14. captivorum fides exstitit, desertis oppidis consul potitur. consuli M. Atilio nequaquam tam facile bellum fuit. ad Luceriam duceret legiones, quam oppugnari ab Samnitibus audierat, ad finem Lucerinum ei hostis obvius fuit. ira vires aequavit; proelium varium et anceps fuit, tristius tamen eventu Romanis, et quia insueti erant vinci et quia digredientes magis quam in ipso certamine senserunt quantum in sua parte plus volnerum ac caedis fuisset.

[¶53] 35.3. The consequence of this was such a panic in the camp as, had it come over them whilst they were fighting, must have led to a signal overthrow.

> Latin: 35.3. is terror in castris ortus, qui si pugnantes cepisset, insignis accepta clades foret; tum quoque sollicita nox fuit iam invasurum castra Samnitem credentibus aut prima luce cum victoribus victorious conserendas manus.

[¶54] 35.4. so the night was an anxious one, for they thought that the Samnites would soon be attacking the camp, or else that they would have to fight their victorious enemy at break of day. The enemy had suffered less, but was not less faint —hearted. soon as it grew light they wished to retire without giving battle. there was only one road, and this led past their enemies, and when they had started to go that way, they looked as if marching straight to attack the camp.

> Latin: 35.4. cladis ceterum non plus animorum ad hostes erat. primum inluxit, abire sine certamine cupiunt; sed via una et ea ipsa praeter hostes erat, qua ingressi praebuere speciem recta tendentium ad castra oppugnanda.

[¶55] 35.5. The consul ordered the soldiers to arm and follow him outside the rampart. the lieutenants, tribunes, and prefects of the allies he explained what part it was needful for their several commands to play. all assured him that, as for themselves, they were ready for anything, but that the soldiers were dispirited;

> Latin: 35.5. Consul arma capere milites iubet et sequi se extra vallum; legatis tribunis praefectis sociorum imperat quod apud quemque facto opus est. adfirmant se quidem omnia facturos, sed militum iacere animos; tota nocte inter volnera et gemitus morientium vigilatum esse;

[¶56] 35.7. all night long they had been kept awake by the groans of the wounded and the dying; had the enemy attacked the camp before daylight, their fear would have been so great as to cause them to desert their ranks;

> Latin: 35.7. si ante lucem ad castra ventum foret, tantum pavoris fuisse ut relicturi signa fuerint; nunc pudore a fuga contineri, alioqui pro victis esse.

[¶57] 35.8. as it was, they were withheld by shame from running away, but were otherwise as good as beaten.

> Latin: 35.8. ubi consul accepit, sibimet ipsi circumeundos adloquendosque milites ratus, ut ad quosque venerat, cunctantes arma capere increpabat:

[¶58] 35.9. hearing this, the consul thought he had best go about himself among the men and talk to them. he went he scolded those who were hesitating to arm themselves: Why did they linger and hold back?

> Latin: 35.9. quid cessarent tergiversarenturque? in castra venturum nisi illi extra castra exissent, et pro tentoriis suis pugnaturos si pro vallo nollent. ac dimicantibus dubiam victoriam esse;

[¶59] 35.10. The enemy would come into the camp, unless they went out; and they would be fighting before their tents, if they were not willing to fight before the palisade.

> Latin: 35.10. qui nudus atque inermis hostem maneat, ei aut mortem aut servitutem patiendam.

[¶60] 35.11. men armed themselves and fought, it was a question whose the victory would be; but a man who waited for the enemy, unarmed and helpless, must put up with either death or slavery.

> Latin: 35.11. iurganti increpantique respondebant confectos se pugna hesterna esse, nec virium quicquam nec sanguinis superesse; maiorem multitudinem hostium apparere quam pridie fuerit. haec appropinquabat agmen;

[¶61] 35.12. these objurgations and reproaches they replied that they were exhausted with the battle of the previous day and had no strength left nor blood to shed; while the enemy appeared to be in greater numbers than on the day before.

> Latin: 35.12. et iam breviore intervallo certiora intuentes, vallum secum portare Samnitem adfirmant nec dubium esse quin castra circumvallaturi sint.

[¶62] 35.13. the column was approaching; and presently, as the soldiers obtained a closer view of them, they declared that the Samnites were carrying stakes and were doubtless going to fence in the camp.

> Latin: 35.13. enimvero consul indignum facinus esse vociferari tantam contumeliam ignominiamque ab ignavissimo accipi hoste.

[¶63] 35.14. this the consul lost all patience, and shouted out that it was a shameful thing to suffer such disgrace and humiliation at the hands of the most cowardly of foes. “we even be pent up within our camp,” he cried, “to die shamefully of hunger, rather than, if need be, by the sword, like gallant men?”

> Latin: 35.14. circumsedebimur inquit in castris, ut fame potius per ignominiam quam ferro, si necesse est, per virtutem moriamur? Di bene verterent; facerent quod se dignum quisque ducerent:

[¶64] 35.15. Heaven prosper them! must act as each thought worthy of himself; but the consul, Marcus Atilius —alone if there were none to follow him —would charge the enemy, and sooner fall amongst the standards of the Samnites than see a Roman camp beleaguered.

> Latin: 35.15. consulem M. Atilium vel solum, si nemo alius sequatur, iturum adversus hostes casurumque inter signa Samnitium potius quam circumvallari castra Romana videat. consulis legati tribunique et omnes turmae equitum et centuriones primorum ordinum approbavere.

[¶65] 35.17. The consul's words were approved by the lieutenants and the tribunes and by all the squadrons of horse and the centurions of highest rank. the soldiers began, for very shame, to arm, and slowly emerged from the stockade; in a long and straggling column, discouraged and almost beaten, they advanced towards the enemy, who were no better off for hopefulness or courage.

> Latin: 35.17. pudore victus miles segniter arma capit, segniter e castris egreditur longo agmine nec continenti; maesti ac prope victi procedunt adversus hostem nec spe nec animo certiorem.

[¶66] 35.18. , no sooner had they beheld the Roman standards than a murmur ran through the column of the Samnites, from the foremost to the hindmost, that the Romans —just as they had feared —were coming out to dispute their passing; there was no way open even for flight; they must fall where they stood, or else cut down their foes and escape over their bodies.

> Latin: 35.18. simul conspecta sunt Romana signa, extemplo a primo Samnitium agmine ad novissimum fremitus perfertur, exire, id quod timuerint, ad impediendum iter Romanos; nullam inde ne fugae quidem patere viam; illo loco aut cadendum esse aut stratis hostibus per corpora eorum evadendum. medium sarcinas coniciunt; armati suis quisque ordinibus instruunt aciem.

[¶67] 36.2. heaped up their baggage together, and, being armed, went every man to his own place in the ranks, and the battle —line was formed. now there was but a little space between the armies, and they halted, each waiting for the other to be first to attack and first to raise a cheer.

> Latin: 36.2. exiguum inter duas acies erat spatium, et stabant exspectantes dum ab hostibus prius impetus prius clamor inciperet.

[¶68] 36.3. side had any stomach for fighting, and they would have gone off in opposite directions, scatheless and unhurt, had they not been afraid that, if they retired, their enemies would advance.

> Latin: 36.3. animus est ad pugnandum, diversique integri atque intacti abissent, ni cedenti instaturum alterum timuissent. sponte inter invitos tergiversantesque segnis pugna clamore incerto atque impari coepit; nec vestigio quisquam movebatur.

[¶69] 36.4. signal was given, but though unwilling and reluctant, they began to fight, in a half —hearted manner, with an uncertain and unequal shout; nor would any man stir from his place. the Roman consul, to put some life into the work, detached a few troops of cavalry and sent them in. these the most part were unhorsed, and, the rest being thrown into confusion, there was a rush on the part of the Samnites to dispatch the fallen and on that of the Romans to save their comrades.

> Latin: 36.4. consul Romanus, ut rem excitaret, equitum paucas turmas extra ordinem immisit; quorum cum plerique delapsi ex equis essent et alii turbati, et a Samnitium acie ad opprimendos eos qui ceciderant et ad suos tuendos ab Romanis procursum est.

[¶70] 36.5. infused a little spirit into the fighting; but the Samnites had charged somewhat more briskly and in greater numbers, and the disordered cavalry, their horses becoming terrified, rode down their own supports, who began a flight that spread to the whole Roman army.

> Latin: 36.5. paulum inritata pugna est; sed aliquanto et impigre magis et plures procurrerant Samnites et turbatus eques sua ipse subsidia territis equis proculcavit.

[¶71] 36.6. now the Samnites were on the backs of the fugitives, when the consul, galloping on before to the gate of the camp, posted there a guard of horse and commanded them, whosoever should make for the rampart, be he Roman or Samnite, to treat him as a foe. likewise threatened the men himself, and stopped them as they made in disorder for the camp.

> Latin: 36.6. fuga coepta totam avertit aciem Romanam; iamque in terga fugientium Samnites pugnabant, cum consul equo praevectus ad portam castrorum ac statione equitum ibi opposita edictoque ut quicumque ad vallum tenderet, sive ille Romanus sive Samnis esset, pro hoste haberetur, haec ipse minitans obstitit profuse tendentibus tendentious suis in castra.

[¶72] 36.8. “are you going, men?” he shouted: “too you will find arms and soldiers, and while your consul lives you shall not enter the camp, except as victors., therefore, whether you would sooner fight with fellow —citizens or enemies!”

> Latin: 36.8. pergis inquit, miles? hic arma et viros invenies nec vivo consule tuo nisi victor castra intrabis; proinde elige, cum cive an hoste pugnare malis.

[¶73] 36.9. the consul spoke these words, the cavalry gathered round the infantry and levelling their spears bade them return into the battle. only the consul's bravery but Fortune also helped; for the Samnites did not press their advantage, and he had time to reverse his standards and change his front from the camp to the enemy.

> Latin: 36.9. dicente consule equites infestis cuspidibus circumfunduntur ac peditem in pugnam redire iubent. virtus solum consulis sed fors etiam adiuvit, quod non institerunt Samnites spatiumque circumagendi signa vertendique aciem a castris in hostem fuit. alii alios hortari ut repeterent pugnam;

[¶74] 36.10. then began to encourage each other to resume the fight; the centurions snatched the standards from the standard —bearers and carried them forward, pointing out to their men that the enemy were few in number and were coming on in irregular and ill —formed ranks.

> Latin: 36.10. centuriones ab signiferis rapta signa inferre et ostendere suis paucos et ordinibus inconpositis effuse venire hostes.

[¶75] 36.11. this juncture the consul lifted up his hands to heaven, and in a clear voice, so as to be overheard, vowed a temple to Jupiter the Stayer, if the Roman army should stay its flight, and renewing the struggle cut to pieces and overcome the legions of the Samnites.

> Latin: 36.11. haec consul manus ad caelum attollens voce clara, ita ut exaudiretur, templum Iovi Statori vovet, si constitisset a fuga Romana acies redintegratoque proelio cecidisset vicissetque legiones Samnitium.

[¶76] 36.12. , all along the line —officers, soldiers, infantry and horse —made an effort to restore the day. even seemed that the divine power of the gods was concerned for the renown of Rome, so easily was the struggle turned and the enemy repulsed from the camp, and in a short time driven back to the place where the fighting had begun.

> Latin: 36.12. undique adnisi ad restituendam pugnam, duces milites, peditum equitumque vis. etiam deorum respexisse nomen Romanum visum; adeo facile inclinata res repulsique a castris hostes, mox etiam redacti ad eum locum in quo commissa pugna erat.

[¶77] 36.13. they were held up by the heap of bundles which they had piled together, and, to keep their effects from being rifled, they formed around them a circle of armed men.

> Latin: 36.13. obiacente sarcinarum cumulo, quas coniecerant in medium, haesere impediti; deinde, ne diriperentur res, orbem armatorum sarcinis circumdant.

[¶78] 36.14. the foot —soldiers fell hotly upon them in the front, and the cavalry rode round and assailed them in the rear; and so between the two they were slaughtered or made prisoners. The number of the captives was seven thousand eight hundred, who were all stripped and sent under the yoke: the slain were reported at four thousand eight hundred.

> Latin: 36.14. vero eos a fronte urgere pedites, ab tergo circumvecti equites; ita in medio caesi captique. numerus fuit septem milium octingentorum, qui omnes nudi sub iugum missi; caesos rettulere ad quattuor milia octingentos. Romanis quidem laeta victoria fuit;

[¶79] 36.15. the Romans had no joy of their victory, for the consul found, on reckoning up the two days' casualties, that he had lost seven thousand eight hundred men.

> Latin: 36.15. recensente consule biduo acceptam cladem amissorum militum numerus relatus septem milium octingentorum.

[¶80] 36.16. these affairs were taking place in Apulia, the Samnites with a second army attempted to seize Interamna, a Roman colony on the Latin Way, but could not take it; having pillaged the farms, they were driving off a miscellaneous booty of men and beasts, together with the captured settlers, when they encountered the victorious consul returning from Luceria, and not only lost their spoils, but, marching without order in a long and encumbered column, were massacred themselves.

> Latin: 36.16. haec in Apulia gerebantur, altero exercitu Samnites Interamnam, coloniam Romanam, quae via Latina est, occupare conati urbem non tenuerunt; agros depopulati, cum praedam aliam inde mixtam hominum atque pecudum colonosque captos agerent, in victorem incidunt consulem ab Luceria redeuntem; nec praedam solum amittunt sed ipsi longo atque impedito agmine incompositi caeduntur.

[¶81] 36.18. The consul made proclamation summoning the owners back to Interamna to identify and receive again their property, and, leaving there his army, went to Rome for the purpose of conducting the elections.

> Latin: 36.18. Consul Interamnam edicto dominis ad res suas noscendas recipiendasque revocatis et exercitu ibi relicto comitiorum causa Romam est profectus.

[¶82] 36.19. he sought to obtain a triumph, the honour was denied him, on the ground that he had lost so many thousand men, and because he had sent the prisoners under the yoke, though they had made no terms.

> Latin: 36.19. de triumpho agenti negatus honos et ob amissa tot milia militum et quod captivos sine pactione sub iugum misisset. Consul alter Postumius, quia in Samnitibus materia belli deerat, in Etruriam transducto exercitu primum pervastaverat Volsiniensem agrum; dein cum egressis ad tuendos fines.

[¶83] 37.2. The other consul, Postumius, in default of enemies in Samnium, transferred his army to Etruria. he first devastated the lands of the Volsinienses, and then, when they came out to defend their territory, defeated them at no great distance from their own walls. thousand eight hundred Etruscans were slain; the rest were saved by their nearness to the city.

> Latin: 37.2. haud procul moenibus ipsorum depugnat; duo milia octingenti Etruscorum caesi; ceteros propinquitas urbis tutata est.

[¶84] 37.3. The army was then led into the territory of Rusellae. not only were the fields laid waste, but the town was captured too. than two thousand were made prisoners and somewhat fewer were killed in the fighting about the walls.

> Latin: 37.3. Rusellanum agrum exercitus traductus; ibi non agri tantum vastati sed oppidum etiam expugnatum; capta amplius duo milia hominum, minus duo milia circa muros caesa.

[¶85] 37.4. a peace was made that year in Etruria that was more glorious and of more importance than the fighting had been. very powerful cities, the chief places in that country, namely Volsinii, Perusia, and Arretium, made overtures of peace, and arranged with the consul, in return for clothing and corn for his troops, to be permitted to send ambassadors to Rome, who obtained a truce for forty years.

> Latin: 37.4. tamen clarior maiorque quam bellum in Etruria eo anno fuerat parta est. validissimae urbes, Etruriae capita, Volsinii Perusia Arretium, pacem petiere;

[¶86] 37.5. fine of five hundred thousand asses, to be paid at once, was assessed upon each state. view of these achievements, the consul asked the senate for a triumph, more as a matter of custom than with any hope of obtaining his request. he perceived that some were for denying him on the ground of his tardiness in leaving the City, and others because he had gone over without the authorization of the senate from Samnium into Etruria —a part of these critics being his personal enemies, and the rest friends of his colleague, who were minded to console the latter for his rebuff by denying a triumph to Postumius also —seeing, I say, how matters stood, he spoke as follows: “shall not be so mindful, Conscript Fathers, of your dignity as to forget that I am consul.

> Latin: 37.5. et vestimentis militum frumentoque pacti cum consule, ut mitti Romam oratores liceret, indutias in quadraginta annos impetraverunt. praesens quingentum milium aeris in singulas civitates imposita. hasce res gestas consul cum triumphum ab senatu moris magis causa quam spe impetrandi petisset videretque alios quod tardius ab urbe exisset, alios quod iniussu senatus ex Samnio in Etruriam transisset, partim suos inimicos, partim collegae amicos ad solacium aequatae repulsae sibi quoque negare triumphum,

[¶87] 37.8. virtue of the same authority with which I conducted my wars, I intend, now that those wars are happily concluded with the subjugation of Samnium and Etruria and the winning of victory and peace, to celebrate a triumph.”

> Latin: 37.8. ita inquit, patres conscripti, vestrae maiestatis meminero, ut me consulem esse obliviscar. iure imperii quo bella gessi, bellis feliciter gestis, Samnio atque Etruria subactis, victoria et pace parta triumphabo.

[¶88] 37.9. saying he left the senate. dispute then arose amongst the tribunes of the plebs; some declared that they would interpose their veto to prevent this unprecedented kind of triumph, others that they would support his claims against the opposition of their colleagues.

> Latin: 37.9. senatum reliquit. inter tribunos plebis contentio orta; pars intercessuros, ne novo exemplo triumpharet aiebat, pars auxilio se adversus collegas triumphanti futuros.

[¶89] 37.10. The question was discussed in an assembly and the consul was asked to speak. reminded them that Marcus Horatius and Lucius Valerius, the consuls, and lately Gaius Marcius Rutulus, father of him who was then censor, had triumphed not by authorization of the senate but by command of the people;

> Latin: 37.10. res ad populum est vocatusque eo consul cum M. Horatium L. Valerium consules, C. Marcium Rutulum nuper, patrem eius qui tunc censor esset, non ex auctoritate senatus sed iussu populi triumphasse diceret, adiciebat se quoque laturum fuisse ad populum, ni sciret mancipia nobilium, tribunos plebis, legem impedituros;

[¶90] 37.11. and he added that he, too, would have referred the question to the people, had he not known that there were tribunes who were owned by the nobles and would obstruct the law; but the wishes and approbation of the people when they were of one accord had all the binding force with him —and ever would have of any orders whatsoever.

> Latin: 37.11. voluntatem sibi ac favorem consentientis populi pro omnibus iussis esse ac futura. die auxilio tribunorum plebis trium adversus intercessionem septem tribunorum et consensum senatus celebrante populo diem triumphavit.

[¶91] 37.13. so, on the following day, with the support of three tribunes of the plebs, against the opposition of seven who forbade the proceedings and a unanimous senate, Postumius triumphed, with the people thronging in attendance. this year, too, the tradition is uncertain. Postumius, if we follow Claudius, after capturing several cities in Samnium, was defeated in Apulia and put to flight, and, being wounded himself, was forced to take refuge with a few followers in Luceria; while Atilius campaigned in Etruria and obtained a triumph.

> Latin: 37.13. huius anni parum constans memoria est. Postumium auctor est Claudius in Samnio captis aliquot urbibus in Apulia fusum fugatumque saucium ipsum cum paucis Luceriam compulsum: ab Atilio in Etruria res gestas eumque triumphasse.

[¶92] 37.14. Fabius writes that both consuls fought in Samnium and at Luceria; that the army was led over into Etruria —by which consul he does not state —and that at Luceria both sides suffered heavy losses; in the course of the battle a temple was vowed to Jupiter Stator, as Romulus had vowed one before; but only the fanum, or place set apart for the temple, had been consecrated;

> Latin: 37.14. Fabius ambo consules in Samnio et ad Luceriam res gessisse scribit traductumque in Etruriam exercitum—sed ab utro consule non adicit —et ad Luceriam utrimque multos occisos inque ea pugna Iovis Statoris aedem votam, ut Romulus ante voverat; sed fanum tantum, id est locus templo effatus, fuerat.

[¶93] 37.16. this year, however, their scruples demanded that the senate should order the erection of the building, since the state had now been obligated for the second time by the same vow. The following year brought with it a consul, Lucius Papirius Cursor, remarkable both for his father's glory and for his own, and a mighty war, with a victory such as no one, save Lucius Papirius, the consul's father, had until that day obtained over the Samnites. it happened that the enemy had made their preparations for the war with the same earnestness and pomp and all the magnificence of splendid arms, and had likewise invoked the assistance of the gods, initiating, as it were, their soldiers, in accordance with a certain antique form of oath. first they held a levy throughout Samnium under this new ordinance, that whosoever of military age did not report in response to the proclamation of the generals, or departed without their orders, should forfeit his life to Jupiter.

> Latin: 37.16. hoc demum anno ut aedem etiam fieri senatus iuberet bis eiusdem voti damnata re publica in religionem venit. hunc annum et consul insignis, L. Papirius Cursor, qua paterna gloria qua sua, et bellum ingens victoriaque quantam de Samnitibus nemo ad eam diem praeter L. Papirium patrem consulis pepererat. forte eodem conatu apparatuque omni opulentia insignium armorum bellum adornaverant, et deorum etiam adhibuerant opes, ritu quodam sacramenti vetusto velut initiatis militibus, dilectu per omne Samnium habito nova lege, ut qui iuniorum non convenisset ad imperatorum edictum quique iniussu abisset eius caput Iovi sacraretur.

[¶94] 38.4. done, they appointed all the army to meet at Aquilonia, where some forty thousand soldiers, the strength of Samnium, came together.

> Latin: 38.4. exercitus omnis Aquiloniam est indictus. quadraginta milia militum, quod roboris in Samnio erat, convenerunt.

[¶95] 38.5. , at about the middle of the camp, they had enclosed an area, extending approximately two hundred feet in all directions, with wicker hurdles, and roofed it over with linen.

> Latin: 38.5. mediis fere castris locus est consaeptus cratibus pluteisque et linteis contectus, patens ducentos maxime pedes in omnes pariter partis.

[¶96] 38.6. this place they offered sacrifice in accordance with directions read from an old linen roll. The celebrant was one Ovius Paccius, an aged man, who claimed to derive this ceremony from an ancient ritual of the Samnites which the forefathers of those present had formerly employed when they had gone secretly about to get Capua away from the Etruscans.

> Latin: 38.6. ex libro vetere linteo lecto sacrificatum sacerdote Ovio Paccio quodam, homine magno natu, qui se id sacrum petere adfirmabat ex vetusta Samnitium religione, qua quondam usi maiores eorum fuissent, cum adimendae Etruscis Capuae clandestinum cepissent consilium.