History of Rome

​Anxur in the territory of the Volscians was recovered in a short time, as the guards of the city were negligent on a festival day. This year was remarkable for a cold and snowy winter, so much so that the roads were closed and the Tiber was unnavigable. The price of corn did not change, thanks to the supply previously carried in.

​And because Publius Licinius had administered his office just as he had entered upon it, without any disturbance, to the greater joy of the plebeians than the indignation of the patricians, a desire came upon them at the next elections to elect plebeians as military tribunes. Only Marcus Veturius among the patrician candidates kept his place;

​almost all the centuries named plebeians as the other military tribunes with consular power: Marcus Pomponius, Gnaeus Duillius, Volero Publilius, Gnaeus Genucius, and Lucius Atilius.

​A severe and pestilential summer for all animals succeeded the gloomy winter, whether from the unseasonableness of the weather due to a sudden change to the opposite, or from some other cause. Since for its incurable ruin ​neither cause nor end was being found, the Sibylline books were consulted by decree of the senate.

​The commissioners for performing sacred rites, on the occasion of a Lectisternium being then celebrated for the first time in the city of Rome, pacified Apollo and Latona, Hercules and Diana, Mercury and Neptune, on three couches spread with the greatest possible magnificence of that time, for eight days.

​Privately also this rite was celebrated. They say that throughout the whole city, with doors open and the common use of all things placed in public, known and unknown strangers alike were everywhere led in for hospitality, and friendly and courteous conversations were held even with enemies, and there was an abstaining from quarrels and lawsuits;

​from the bound also their chains were removed for those days, and it was afterwards a matter of religious scruple that those to whom the gods had brought such aid should be bound again.

​Meanwhile, at Veii there was a manifold terror, with three wars combined into one. For in the same manner as before, around the fortifications, when the Capenates and Faliscans had suddenly come to help, a battle with doubtful issue was fought against three armies.

​Above all, the memory of the condemnation of Sergius and Virginius was of help. Therefore, from the larger camp, where previously there had been inactivity, forces were led round in a short space of time and attacked from behind the Capenates who had turned against the Roman rampart;

​thence the battle began and brought terror also to the Faliscans, and a timely sally from the camp routed them as they wavered. The victors then pursued them when repulsed and made a huge slaughter.

​Not long after, when they were already wandering about as if they were safe, the plunderers of the Capenate territory, happening to meet them, destroyed the remnants of the battle.

​And of the Veientes fleeing back into the city, many were slain before the gates, while from fear lest the Romans should burst in at the same time, they closed the doors and shut out the hindmost of their own men.