Restat, ut inveniam, quare toga libera detur
2Lucifero pueris, candide Bacche, tuo.
.......
An quia, cum colerent prisci studiosius agros,
4Et patrio faceret rure senator opus,
Et caperet fasces a curvo consul aratro,
Nec crimen duras esset habere manus,
Rusticus ad ludos populus veniebat in urbem:
8Sed dis, non studiis, ille dabatur honor.
1 toga libera (or virilis), the man’s dress of unornamented white wool. Lībera (līber), free from the restraints of boyhood.
2 lucifero = lit. morning-star. Here poet. for die.
5 consul, e.g. Cincinnatus, who was called to be Dictator.
8 sed . . . honor, i.e. in ‘the good old days’ worship, not amusement, was the chief object of the visit to Rome.
3-8 Ovid says one reason why the toga libera was assumed at the Liberalia (the Feast of Bacchus—the vintage, festival) was because it was the most crowded festival of the year.
References. Livy, iii. 26-28. Ihne, vol. i. cap. v.
THE DECEMVIRATE. THE TWELVE TABLES, 451-449 B.C.
Iam redierant legati cum Atticis legibus. Eo intentius instabant tribuni, ut tandem scribendarum legum initium fieret. Placet creari decemviros sine provocatione, et ne quis eo anno alius magistratus esset . . . Tum legibus condendis opera dabatur; 5 ingentique hominum expectatione propositis decem tabulis populum ad contionem advocaverunt et, quod bonum, faustum felixque rei publicae, ipsis liberisque eorum esset, ire et legere leges propositas iussere. Se, quantum decem hominum ingeniis provideri 10 potuerit, omnibus, summis infimisque, iura aequasse; plus pollere multorum ingenia consiliaque. Versarent in animis secum unamquamque rem, agitarent deinde sermonibus atque in medium, quid in quaque re plus minusve esset, conferrent. . . . Cum ad 15 rumores hominum de unoquoque legum capite editos satis correctae viderentur, centuriatis comitiis decem tabularum leges perlatae sunt, qui nunc quoque in hoc immenso aliarum super alias acervatarum legum cumulo, fons omnis publici privatique 20 est iuris.
1 cum Atticis legibus, i.e. with a copy of the Laws of Solon (the great Athenian Lawgiver, 594 B.C.).
1-3 Eo intentius . . . fieret, because up to this time the knowledge of law and its interpretation was confined to the Patricians (cf. the Scribes of the N.T.). This could only be remedied by writng the laws down and making them public.
3-4 sine provocatione = without appeal. Lit. ‘challenging.’
4-5 ne quis . . . esset. The Decemvirs were to supersede temporarily both Consuls and Tribunes.
14-15 quid . . . conferrent = ‘Should point out in the interest of all (lit. should contribute to the public good) any faults of excess or defect in the several articles.’—Stephenson.
15-17 ad rumores hominum = in accordance with (ad) public opinion.
17 centuriatis comitiis. Servius Tullius divided the people into five classes, according to the value of their property. The people (Patricians and Plebeians alike) voted by centuries; but as 98 centuries (and ∴ 98 votes) were allotted to the richest class and only 95 to the other four classes, the influence of wealth was decisive in the elections.
Parallel Passages. Cic. De Republica ii. 33-37, and De Legibus ii. 23.
The Twelve Tables. ‘They were essentially only a written embodiment of the existing public and private law.’—Mommsen. Cf. Magna Carta.
SECOND SECESSION OF THE PLEBS, 448 B.C.
The Death of Verginia not in vain.
Concitatur multitudo partim atrocitate sceleris, partim spe per occasionem repetendae libertatis. In contionem Appius escendit; sequuntur Horatius Valeriusque. Eos contio audit; decemviro obstrepitur. Iam pro imperio Valerius discedere a privato 5 lictores iubebat, cum fractis animis Appius vitae metuens in domum se propinquam foro insciis adversariis capite obvoluto recipit. M. Duillius deinde tribunus plebis plebem rogavit plebesque scivit, qui plebem sine tribunis reliquisset quique magistratum 10 sine provocatione creasset, tergo ac capite puniretur. Haec omnia ut invitis, ita non adversantibus patriciis transacta, quia nondum in quemquam unum saeviebatur. Fundata deinde et potestate tribunicia et plebis libertate tum tribuni aggredi singulos tutum 15 maturumque iam rati accusatorem primum Verginium et Appium reum deligunt. Spe incisa, priusquam prodicta dies adesset, Appius mortem sibi conscivit. M. Claudius assertor Verginiae, die dicta damnatus ipso remittente Verginio ultimam poenam 20 dimissus Tibur exulatum abiit; manesque Verginiae, mortuae quam vivae felicioris, per tot domos ad petendas poenas vagati nullo relicto sonte tandem quieverunt.
Context. Verginius, seeing no way of saving his daughter from disgrace and dishonour at the hands of Appius Claudius, killed her before the judgment-seat of the tyrant and before the eyes of the people.
2 per occasionem = by such a favourable opportunity.—Rawlins.
3 In contionem = to the rostra (the platform for speakers).
3-4 Horatius Valeriusque. The first Consuls after the abolition of the Decemvirate in 449 B.C.
5 pro imperio, i.e. usurping the authority of a magistrate.
9 plebesque scivit (scisco) = and the people approved (i.e. voted for) it.
11 provocatione = right of appeal.
18 prodicta = adjourned, from the first hearing.—R.
19 assertor V. = who claimed V. as his slave.
Results of the Secession. ‘The Valerian Laws, by the second of which it was ordained that in criminal trials, when the life of a citizen was at stake, the sentence of the Consul should be subject to an appeal to the people. This Valerian Law of Appeal was the Roman Habeas Corpus Act.’—Ihne.
WAR WITH THE ETRUSCANS OF FIDENAE AND VEII.
Cossus wins the Spolia Opima, 437 B.C.
Erat tum inter equites tribunus militum A. Cornelius Cossus, eximia pulchritudine corporis, animo ac viribus par memorque generis, quod amplissimum acceptum maius auctiusque reliquit posteris. Is cum ad impetum Tolumni, quacumque se intendisset, 5 trepidantes Romanas videret turmas insignemque eum regio habitu volitantem tota acie cognosset, ‘Hicine est’ inquit ‘ruptor foederis humani violatorque gentium iuris? Iam ego hanc mactatam victimam, si modo sancti quicquam in terris esse di 10 volunt, legatorum manibus dabo.’ Calcaribus subditis infesta cuspide in unum fertur hostem; quem cum ictum equo deiecisset, confestim et ipse hasta innixus se in pedes excepit. Adsurgentem ibi regem umbone resupinat repetitumque saepius cuspide 15 ad terram affixit. Tum exsangui detracta spolia, caputque abscisum victor spiculo gerens terrore caesi regis hostes perfudit. Ita equitum quoque fusa acies, quae una fecerat anceps certamen. Dictator legionibus fugatis instat et ad castra compulsos 20 caedit.
3 par = equally distinguished by, equal, that is, to his beauty.—S.
5 Tolumni = Lars Tolumnius, King of the Veientos, in alliance with Fidenae (about 5 miles N.E. of Rome).
quacumque se intendisset = wherever he directed his charge.
8-11 Hicine . . . manibus dabo. Fidenae had frequently been colonised by Rome, and had as frequently revolted. When the Romans sent four ambassadors to Fidenae to demand satisfaction for this last revolt, the people of Fidenae murdered them. Tolumnius is associated with their crime.
12 infesta cuspide = with couched lance.
13-14 hasta . . . excepit = with the help of his spear leapt to the ground. Lit. ‘resting on his spear caught himself on his feet.’—Stephenson.
15 umbone resupinat = he throws him back with the boss of his shield.
repetitum = piercing him again and again.—S.
19 Dictator = Mamercus Aemilius, a man of energy and ability.
The spolia opima (spoils of honour) were the arms taken on the field of battle by the victorious from the vanquished general. They were won on only three occasions:—
i. by Romulus, ii. by Cossus, iii. by Marcellus (the Conqueror of Syracuse), who in his first consulship, 222 B.C., slew with his own hand Viridomarus, King of the Insubrian Gauls. Cf. Prop. V. x.
THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (1)
First Pay given to Citizen Soldiers, 406 B.C.
Additum deinde omnium maxime tempestivo principum in multitudinem munere, ut ante mentionem ullam plebis tribunorumve decerneret senatus, ut stipendium miles de publico acciperet, cum ante id tempus de suo quisque functus eo munere esset. 5 Nihil acceptum umquam a plebe tanto gaudio traditur. Concursum itaque ad curiam esse prensatasque exeuntium manus et patres vere appellatos, effectum esse fatentibus, ut nemo pro tam munifica patria, donec quicquam virium superesset, corpori 10 aut sanguini suo parceret. Cum commoditas iuvaret, rem familiarem saltem acquiescere eo tempore, quo corpus addictum atque operatum rei publicae esset, tum quod ultro sibi oblatum esset, non a tribunis plebis agitatum, non suis sermonibus efflagitatum, 15 id efficiebat multiplex gaudium cumulatioremque gratiam rei. . . . Et lege perlata de indicendo Veientibus bello exercitum magna ex parte voluntarium novi tribuni militum consulari potestate Veios duxere. 20
1 tempestivo = seasonable (timely), in view of the coming struggle with Veii, and the necessity for winter campaigns.
2 munere. Livy tells us (cap. 60) that the Senate did not provide the pay as a present, but simply paid punctually their proper share of the war-tax (tributum) in accordance with their assessment (cum senatus summa fide ex censu contulisset).
4 de publico = out of the Public Treasury.
9 fatentibus = while men admitted.—R.
11-12 Cum . . . acquiescere = While the comfortable thought (commoditas = lit. advantage) pleased them (namely) that their private property at least was undisturbed— i.e. that they paid no war-tax while they were in the field.—Rawlins.
12-13 quo corpus . . . esset = when they were impressed (devoted to) and actively employed in the public service.—S. addictus, properly of an insolvent debtor made over to his creditor = a bondman.
16-17 id . . . gratiam rei in apposition to quod . . . efflagitatum.
19 tribuni . . . potestate. Military tribunes with consular power instead of Consuls were elected occasionally from 444 to 367 B.C.
20 Veios. The capture of Veii by Camillus (396 B.C.), in consequence of the introduction of military pay, was enormously important to Rome.
Reference. Ihne, Hist. vol. i. pp. 243-4.
THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (2)
A. Lament over Veii.
Heu, Veii veteres, et vos tum regna fuistis,
28Et vestro posita est aurea sella foro:
Nunc intra muros pastoris bucina lenti
Cantat, et in vestris ossibus arva metunt.
27 Veii (Isola Farnese) on R. Cremera, about 12 miles N.W. of Rome.
28 aurea sella, i.e. the official seat of the King. Cf. the Sella Curulis at Rome, introduced from Etruria.
29 bucina = horn.
30 et . . . metunt = and reapers gather the harvests from fields (metunt arva) enriched by the bones of your buried heroes (in ossibus vestris).
B. The Rise of the Alban Lake.
Quid, quod in annalibus habemus, Veienti 5 bello, cum lacus Albanus praeter modum crevisset, Veientem quemdam ad nos hominem nobilem profugisse, eumque dixisse, ex fatis, quae Veientes scripta haberent, Veios capi non posse, dum lacus is redundaret: et, si lacus emissus lapsu et cursu suo ad 10 mare profluxisset, perniciosum populo Romano: sin autem ita esset eductus, ut ad mare pervenire non posset, tum salutare nostris fore? Ex quo illa admirabilis a maioribus Albanae aquae facta deductio est. Cum autem Veientes bello fessi legatos ad 15 senatum misissent, tum ex his quidam dixisse dicitur, non omnia illum transfugam ausum esse senatu dicere: in iisdem enim fatis scriptum Veientes habere, ‘Fore ut brevi a Gallis Roma caperetur:’ quod quidem sexennio post Veios captos esse factum 20 videmus.
5 in annalibus, e.g. in Livy, v. 15.
6 crevisset, perh. partly due to the excessive snows of the preceding winter, 397 B.C.
7 profugisse. Livy says he was treacherously made prisoner.
8-9 ex fatis . . . haberent, i.e. the Etruscan Libri fatales, Books of fate, cf. the Libri Sibyllini = the Roman Books of fate.
10 lapsu et cursu suo = in its natural course and stream.
14 deductio = draining (lit. a leading off). The tunnel then cut still carries off the superfluous waters of the lake.
20 sexennio post = six years after, i.e. 390 B.C. For the 10 years’ siege of Veii, cf. the Trojan War.
Reference. Plutarch, Camillus, iii.-v. Livy, v. 15.
THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (3)
The Conquest of Veii.
Veientes ignari se iam a suis vatibus, iam ab externis oraculis proditos, iam in partem praedae suae vocatos deos, alios votis ex urbe sua evocatos hostium templa novasque sedes spectare, seque ultimum illum diem agere, nihil minus timentes 5 quam subrutis cuniculo moenibus arcem iam plenam hostium esse, in muros pro se quisque armati discurrunt mirantes, quidnam id esset, quod, cum tot per dies nemo se ab stationibus Romanus movisset, tum velut repentino icti furore improvidi currerent ad 10 muros. . . . Cuniculus delectis militibus eo tempore plenus in aedem Iunonis, quae in Veientana arce erat, armatos repente edidit, et pars aversos in muris invadunt hostes, pars claustra portarum revellunt, pars, cum ex tectis saxa tegulaeque a mulieribus ac 15 servitiis iacerentur, inferunt ignes. Clamor omnia variis terrentium ac paventium vocibus mixto mulierum ac puerorum ploratu complet. Momento temporis deiectis ex muro undique armatis patefactisque portis cum alii agmine irruerent, alii 20 desertos scanderent muros, urbs hostibus impletur; omnibus locis pugnatur; deinde multa iam edita caede senescit pugna, et dictator praecones edicere iubet, ut ab inermi abstineatur.
1 a suis vatibus, i.e. by the captured Etruscan soothsayer (haruspex).
1-2 ab externis oraculis, i.e. by the Delphic Oracle.
2-3 iam in partem . . . (alios) deos. Camillus had vowed to give to Apollo the tenth part of the spoils of Veii.
3-4 alios . . . spectare, i.e. Juno. ‘It was a Roman practice to invite the patron deity of a place or country to leave it, and to promise a more honourable worship at Rome.’—Whibley.
5-6 subrutis cunīculo = undermined. Camillus had a tunnel (cuniculum—rabbit-burrow, cf. cony) cut from the Roman camp under the wall to the Temple of Juno on the citadel of Veii.
7 discurrunt = run every man to his post, cf. ad arma discurritur.
15 tēgulae = tiles, roof-tiles (tĕgo).
23 senescit = abates, lit. grows old, becomes exhausted.
Results of the War. ‘By the Conquest of Veii, Rome’s territory, wealth, and population were largely increased. Rome was now emerging from the position of a federal capital of the Latins to become the mistress of a large country, when she was suddenly and unexpectedly overtaken by a disaster (the Invasion of the Gauls) which threatened not only her growth but her life.’—Ihne.
THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (1)
The Battle of the Allia.
Ibi tribuni militum non loco castris ante capto, non praemunito vallo, quo receptus esset, non deorum saltem, si non hominum, memores, nec auspicato nec litato instruunt aciem diductam in cornua, ne circumveniri multitudine hostium possent; 5 nec tamen aequari frontes poterant, cum extenuando infirmam et vix cohaerentem mediam aciem haberent. Paulum erat ab dextera editi loci, quem subsidiariis repleri placuit; eaque res ut initium pavoris ac fugae, sic una salus fugientibus fuit. Nam Brennus, regulus 10 Gallorum, in paucitate hostium artem maxime timens, ratus ad id captum superiorem locum, ut, ubi Galli cum acie legionum recta fronte concurrissent, subsidia in aversos transversosque impetum darent, ad subsidiarios signa convertit, si eos loco depulisset, 15 haud dubius facilem in aequo campi tantum superanti multitudine victoriam fore; adeo non fortuna modo sed ratio etiam cum barbaris stabat. In altera acie nihil simile Romanis, non apud duces, non apud milites erat. Pavor fugaque occupaverat animos et 20 tanta omnium oblivio, ut multo maior pars Veios, in hostium urbem, cum Tiberis arceret, quam recto itinere Romam ad coniuges ac liberos fugerent.
4 nec litato = without obtaining favourable omens (= καλλιερεῖν).
4-5 diductam in cornua = extended (drawn out) towards the wings.
6-7 cum . . . haberent = though they made, concessive subjunctive.
8 Paulum . . . editi loci = lit. a little piece of rising ground.
10 Brennus = lit. King of the army. Cf. the Saxon Heretoga.
13 recta fronte = front to front.—Whibley.
14 in aversos transversosque = on their rear and flank.
16-17 superanti multitudine = i. (the victory) would be (easy) to him superior (superanti) in point of numbers, or ii. abl, of cause—as he was so much superior in numbers.
21-22 Veios, in hostium urbem. An exaggeration as Veii was in ruins.
22 cum T. arceret = though the Tiber stood in their way.
The Invasion of the Gauls. ‘The most advanced tribe of the Gauls were the Senones who had settled on the Adriatic to the E. of Central Etruria. While the Romans reduced S. Etruria to a state of subjection, these Gauls suddenly crossed the Apennines, threatened Clusium, and then marched on Rome. Thus for the first time the Gallic race was brought to the knowledge of the civilised world. The two armies met on July 18 at the small R. Allia, only 15 miles from Rome.’—Ihne.
THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (2)
A. The Battle of the Allia (cont.)
Parumper subsidiarios tutatus est locus; in reliqua acie simul est clamor proximis ab latere, ultimis ab tergo auditus, ignotum hostem prius paene quam viderent, non modo non temptato certamine sed ne clamore quidem reddito integri intactique 5 fugerunt; nec ulla caedes pugnantium fuit; terga caesa suomet ipsorum certamine in turba impedientium fugam. Circa ripam Tiberis, quo armis abiectis totum sinistrum cornu refugit, magna strages facta est, multosque imperitos nandi aut invalidos, 10 graves loricis aliisque tegminibus, hausere gurgites. Maxima tamen pars incolumis Veios perfugit, unde non modo praesidii quicquam, sed ne nuntius quidem cladis Romam est missus. Ab dextro cornu, quod procul a flumine et magis sub monte steterat, 15 Romam omnes petiere et ne clausis quidem portis urbis in arcem confugerunt.
2-3 simul (= simul ac) . . . auditus = as soon as the shout was heard, by those nearest on the flank, by the most distant in the rear.
‘Proximi denotes the Romans on the right wing, who were the first to be attacked; the Gauls after routing them pressed on to the rear of the Romans and attacked the centre and left wing (ultimi) from behind.’—Whibley.
7-8 suomet . . . fugam = as they hindered their own flight by their struggling with one another in the crush.
11 graves = weighed down with, equivalent to a pass. partic.
hausere gurgites = the currents sucked down.—W
15 sub monte, i.e. the Colles Crustumini, which run parallel to the South bank of the Tiber.
B. July 18th, a Dies Nefastus.
Pharsalia tanti
Causa mali. Cedant feralia nomina Cannae,
Et damnata diu Romanis Allia fastis.
407 Pharsalia, Battle of, 48 B.C. Caesar signally defeated Pompey.
408 feralia = fatal (= funesta).
409 fastis, i.e. Fasti consulares, the registers of the higher magistrates. Cf. the Saxon Chronicle.
The Battle. ‘The defeat of the Allia was never forgotten by the Romans. The panic (due to the strange appearance of the barbarians and their unwonted method of fighting) which alone had caused the defeat, struck so deep into their minds that for centuries afterwards the name and the sight of Gauls inspired them with terror.’—Ihne.
THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (3)
Roman Dignity and Courage.
Romae interim satis iam omnibus ut in tali re ad tuendam arcem compositis turba seniorum domos regressi adventum hostium obstinato ad mortem animo exspectabant. Qui eorum curules gesserant magistratus, ut in fortunae pristinae honorumque ac 5 virtutis insignibus morerentur, quae augustissima vestis est tensas ducentibus triumphantibusve, ea vestiti medio aedium eburneis sellis sedere. Galli autem ingressi postero die urbem patente Collina porta in forum perveniunt; ubi eos plebis aedificiis 10 obseratis, patentibus atriis principum, maior prope cunctatio tenebat aperta quam clausa invadendi; adeo haud secus quam venerabundi intuebantur in aedium vestibulis sedentes viros, praeter ornatum habitumque humano augustiorem maiestate etiam, 15 quam vultus gravitasque oris prae se ferebat, simillimos dis. Ad eos velut ad simulacra versi cum starent, M. Papirius, unus ex eis, dicitur Gallo barbam suam, ut tum omnibus promissa erat, permulcenti scipione eburneo in caput incusso iram 20 movisse, atque ab eo initium caedis ortum, ceteros in sedibus suis trucidatos; post principum caedem nulli deinde mortalium parci, diripi tecta, exhaustis inici ignes.
1 ut in tali re = considering the circumstances.
3 obstinato ad = firmly resolved on. . .—Rawlins.
4-5 curules magistratus = curule magistracies, i.e. of Dictator, Censor, Consul, Praetor, Curule Aedile, who possessed the right of using sellae curules (the ivory chairs of State), originally an emblem of kingly power.
5-6 in fortunae . . . insignibus = in the emblems of their old rank (fortunae) and office (honorum) and prowess (virtutis i.e. prizes for valour; e.g. phalerae = bosses, coronae = crowns).
7 tensas = state cars in which the statues of the gods were drawn in solemn procession to the Circensian games.
11 obseratis = shut up, lit. barred, ob + sera, cf. sĕro = join.
14 vestibulis = entrance-courts, only found in large houses.
14-15 praeter ornatum habitumque = not only in their garb and bearing.—Whibley.
19 ut tum . . . erat = worn long (promissa) as was then the custom with all, or worn long in accordance with the fashion of the time.—R.
20 scipione eburneo = the ivory staff, one of the insignia of the triumphator.
23 exhaustis (sc. aedibus) = when completely pillaged.
Reference. Plutarch, Camillus, xxi. xxii.
THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (4)
A. Manlius Capitolinus and the Sacred Geese.
In summo custos Tarpeiae Manlius arcis
Stabat pro templo et Capitolia celsa tenebat,
Romuleoque recens horrebat regia culmo.
655Atque his auratis volitans argenteus anser
Porticibus Gallos in limine adesse canebat;
Galli per dumos aderant, arcemque tenebant,
Defensi tenebris et dono noctis opacae;
Aurea caesaries ollis, atque aurea vestis;
660Virgatis lucent sagulis; tum lactea colla
Auro innectuntur; duo quisque Alpina coruscant
Gaesa manu, scutis protecti corpora longis.
Context. Venus brings Aeneas his new armour: he gazes at the shield whereon were wrought scenes of the story of Rome to be.
652 in summo (sc. clipeo), on the top of the shield, as held in position.
654 Romuleoque . . . culmo = lit. and the palace was stiff freshly covered (recens) with the thatch of Romulus.
655-656 auratis . . . porticibus = the gilded colonnades of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus of Vergil’s day, restored 69 B.C.
660 virgatis sagulis = with striped cloaks—virgatus = with bands or bars like shoots (virgae)—an effect produced by inlaying. C.
661-662 Alpina gaesa = Alpine (i.e. native) javelins.
B. The Fate of Manlius, 384 B.C.
M. Manlius, unde Gallos depulerat, inde ipse praecipitatus est, quia fortiter defensam libertatem nefarie opprimere conatus fuerat. Cuius iustae ultionis nimirum haec praefatio fuit: ‘Manlius eras 15 mihi, cum praecipites agebas Senones; postquam imitari coepisti, unus factus es ex Senonibus.’ Huius supplicio aeternae memoriae nota inserta est: propter illum enim lege sanciri placuit ne quis patricius in arce aut Capitolio habitaret, quia domum eo loco 20 habuerat, ubi nunc aedem Monetae videmus.
13-14 quia . . . fuerat. Manlius in reality fell a victim to his sympathies with the Plebeians. Cf. the fate of Sp. Cassius 485 B.C.
18 nota = a mark (brand) of infamy.
20-21 quia . . . habuerat. His house on the Capitol was razed to the ground.
21 aedem Monetae, a surname of Juno, in whose temple on the Arx money was coined. Cf. our Mint.
‘Thus ended the life of Manlius, the deliverer of Rome, the humane friend of an oppressed people, condemned by this very people to die the death of a traitor.’—Ihne.
THE INVASION OF ROME BY THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (5)
Camillus, Parens Patriae.
Sed diique et homines prohibuere redemptos vivere Romanos. Nam forte quadam, priusquam infanda merces perficeretur, per altercationem nondum omni auro appenso dictator intervenit auferrique aurum de medio et Gallos submoveri iubet. Cum 5 illi renitentes pactos dicerent sese, negat eam pactionem ratam esse, quae, postquam ipse dictator creatus esset, iniussu suo ab inferioris iuris magistratu facta esset, denuntiatque Gallis, ut se ad proelium expediant . . . Instruit deinde aciem, ut 10 loci natura patiebatur, in semirutae solo urbis et natura inaequali, et omnia, quae arte belli secunda suis eligi praepararive poterant, providit. Galli nova re trepidi arma capiunt, iraque magis quam consilio in Romanos incurrunt. Primo concursu haud 15 maiore momento fusi Galli sunt, quam ad Alliam vicerant. Iustiore altero deinde proelio ad octavum lapidem Gabina via, quo se ex fuga contulerant, eiusdem ductu auspicioque Camilli vincuntur. Ibi caedes omnia obtinuit; castra capiuntur, et ne 20 nuntius quidem cladis relictus. Dictator recuperata ex hostibus patria triumphans in urbem redit, interque iocos militares, quos inconditos iaciunt, Romulus ac parens patriae conditorque alter urbis haud vanis laudibus appellabatur. 25
Context. The Romans on the Capitol, despairing of outside help, agreed with Brennus that Rome should be redeemed by a ransom of 1000 pounds of gold. Nondum omnni auro appenso, Camillus appeared at the head of his troops.
3 per altercationem = owing to the dispute. When the Consular Tribune Sulpicius complained that the Gauls used unjust weights, Brennus in derision threw his sword into the scale and said Vae victis!
13-14 nova re = at the change in their fortunes.—Whibley.
15-16 haud maiore momento = with no greater difficulty (effort).
17 Iustiore altero proelio = in a second and more regular engagement.— W.
23 incondītos = rough, unpolished.
‘The Gaul shall come against thee
From the land of snow and night:
Thou shalt give his fair-haired armies
To the raven and the kite.’—Macaulay.
THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (6)
A. The Migration to Veii abandoned.
Movisse eos Camillus cum alia oratione tum ea, quae ad religiones pertinebat, maxime dicitur; sed rem dubiam decrevit vox opportune missa, quod, cum senatus post paulo de his rebus in curia Hostilia haberetur, cohortesque ex praesidiis revertentes forte 5 agmine forum transirent, centurio in comitio exclamavit: ‘Signifer, statue signum; hic manebimus optime.’ Qua voce audita et senatus accipere se omen ex curia egressus conclamavit, et plebs circumfusa approbavit. Antiquata deinde lege promiscue 10 urbs aedificari coepta.
1 cum alia tum = especially
ea = ea parte orationis.
3 vox opportune missa = a phrase seasonably let fall.
10 Antiquata deinde lege (= rogatione) = the proposed law was then rejected, antiquare = to leave in its former state.
B. Juno forbids the Rebuilding of Troy.
‘Sed bellicosis fata Quiritibus
Hac lege dico, ne nimium pii
Rebusque fidentes avitae
60Tecta velint reparare Troiae.
‘Troiae renascens alite lugubri
Fortuna tristi clade iterabitur,
Ducente victrices catervas
64Coniuge me Iovis et sorore.’
58 hac lege = on this condition, i.e. that Rome should always be the capital.
nimium pii = too dutiful to their mother-city Troy.
58-60 ne . . . reparare Troiae. There was a rumour, even in Caesar’s time (v. Suet. Iul. Caes. 79) that he meant to migrate to Alexandria or Ilium. Horace, prob. with the sanction of Augustus, sets himself to discourage it. Cf. the Speech of Camillus, Livy, v. 51-54.
61-62 Troiae . . . iterabitur = the fortunes of Troy, if with evil omen it is called to life again (renascens), shall be repeated in an overthrow as sad as before.—Wickham.
‘The Burning of Rome by the Gauls involved the destruction of all the existing records, and great loss of property. Yet in spite of all the damage done, the Romans set to work to establish the state anew, to rebuild the City, and to reassert their commanding position among their allies and neighbours.’—Ihne.
The Speech of Camillus. Its object was to show the growth of Rome under the guidance of Providence. Cf. the purpose of the Aeneid.
THE LICINIAN LAWS, 376-366 B.C. (1)
First Plebeian Consul, 366 B.C.
Occasio videbatur rerum novandarum propter ingentem vim aeris alieni, cuius levamen mali plebes nisi suis in summo imperio locatis, nullum speraret: accingendum ad eam cogitationem esse; conando agendoque iam eo gradum fecisse plebeios, unde, 5 si porro annitantur, pervenire ad summa et patribus aequari tam honore quam virtute possent. In praesentia tribunes plebis fieri placuit, quo in magistratu sibimet ipsi viam ad ceteros honores aperirent. Creatique tribuni C. Licinius et L. Sextius promulgavere 10 leges omnes adversus opes patriciorum et pro commodis plebis, unam de aere alieno, ut deducto eo de capite, quod usuris pernumeratum esset, id, quod superesset, triennio aequis pensionibus persolveretur; alteram de modo agrorum, ne quis plus quingenta 15 iugera agri possideret; tertiam, ne tribunorum militum comitia fierent, consulumque utique alter ex plebe crearetur; cuncta ingentia et quae sine certamine maximo obtineri non possent. . . . Ita ab diutina ira tandem in concordiam redacti sunt ordines. 20
1 Occasio. This, so Livy tells us, was the jealousy between the Fabian sisters, the one married to the patrician Sulpicius, the other to the plebeian Licinius Stolo.
1-2 propter . . . alieni. The old Roman law of debt was very harsh and severe.
3 in summo imperio, i.e. the Consulate.
4 accingendum . . . esse = they must brace themselves to the execution of that idea.—R. accingendum, reflexive here.
5 iam eo, i.e. to the office of Consular Tribune, created 444 B.C.
6 si porro annitantur = if they now make a further effort. This use of Pres. Subj. in Or. Obl. frequent in Livy.
7 tam honore quam virtute = in official rank as (they were already) in merit.—Rawlins.
12-14 ut deducto . . . persolveretur = ‘after deducting from the amount of the loan (capite = principal) what had been paid in interest, the balance should be paid in three equal instalments.’—Cluer and Matheson.
15 de modo agrorum = relating to the limitation of land-holding.
16-17 tribunorum militum (sc. cum consulari potestate) created 444 B.C., but no plebeian obtained that honour till 400 B.C., and only two after that date.
17 utique = one at any rate.
Result. ‘The principle was established that Patricians and Plebeians were both citizens of the State, and equally eligible to the honours and dignities of the Republic.’—Ihne.
THE LICINIAN LAWS, 376-366 B.C. (2)
The Origin of the Floralia, 238 B.C.
‘Dic, dea,’ respondi, ‘ludorum quae sit origo.’
Vix bene desieram; rettulit illa mihi:
‘Cetera luxuriae nondum instrumenta vigebant:
4Aut pecus, aut latam dives habebat humum;
Hinc etiam locuples, hinc ipsa pecunia dicta est.
Sed iam de vetito quisque parabat opes.
Venerat in morem populi depascere saltus;
8Idque diu licuit, poenaque nulla fuit.
Vindice servabat nullo sua publica vulgus;
Iamque in privato pascere inertis erat.
Plebis ad aediles perducta licentia talis
12Publicios: animus defuit ante viris.
Rem populus recipit: multam subiere nocentes:
Vindicibus laudi publica cura fuit.
Multa data est ex parte mihi, magnoque favore
16Victores ludos instituere novos.
Parte locant Clivum, qui tunc erat ardua rupes:
Utile nunc iter est. Publiciumque vocant.’
2 illa, i.e. Flora, the Roman goddess of Flowers and Spring.
3 luxuriae instrumenta = appliance of luxury.
5 locuples (locus + plenus) = rich in lands.
pecunia from pecus, cattle being in olden time the chief form of wealth and the chief medium of exchange. For pecus, cf. fee, fief, feudal.
7 Venerat . . . saltus = it had grown into a custom to feed (cattle) on the public forest-pastures. (Cf. the ager publicus.) H.
9 sua publica = their common property, i.e. their interest in the public land.
vulgus here = the commons, not the plebs as opposed to the populus.
10 inertis erat = it was the mark of a man wanting in spirit.
12 Publicios. L. and M. Publicius Malleolus,* plebeian aediles, B.C. 241.
animus . . . viris, i.e. information had before been given but no aedile dared to act upon it.
13 recipit = takes up the charge at the Comitia.
multam = a fine. Cf. to mulct = to fine.
14 publica cura = their public spirit.—H.
15 multa . . . mihi, i.e. a new Temple was built to Flora near the Circus Maximus.
16 ludos novos = the Floralia.
17 Parte locant (sc. muniendum) Clivum = with the (other) part they contract for (the making of) the Clivus, a sloping road, called the Clivus Publicius, which led up to the Aventine.
* For Malleolus, cf. Charles Martel of France, ‘The Hammer’ circ. 689-741 A.D.
THE CONQUEST OF ITALY, 366-266 B.C.
SECOND INVASION OF THE GAULS, 361 B.C.
Manlius and his son Torquatus.
L. Manlio, cum dictator fuisset, M. Pomponius tribunus plebis diem dixit, quod is paucos sibi dies ad dictaturam gerendam addidisset; criminabatur etiam, quod Titum filium, qui postea est Torquatus appellatus, ab hominibus relegasset et ruri habitare 5 iussisset. Quod cum audivisset adulescens filius negotium exhiberi patri, accurrisse Romam et cum prima luce Pomponii domum venisse dicitur. Cui cum esset nuntiatum, qui illum iratum allaturum ad se aliquid contra patrem arbitraretur, surrexit e 10 lectulo remotisque arbitris ad se adulescentem iussit venire. At ille, ut ingressus est, confestim gladium destrinxit iuravitque se illum statim interfecturum, nisi ius iurandum sibi dedisset se patrem missum esse facturum. Iuravit hoc terrore coactus Pomponius; 15 rem ad populum detulit, docuit cur sibi causa desistere necesse esset, Manlium missum fecit. Tantum temporibus illis ius iurandum valebat. Atque hic T. Manlius is est, qui ad Anienem Galli, quem ab eo provocatus occiderat, torque detracto cognomen 20 invenit, cuius tertio consulatu Latini ad Veserim fusi et fugati.