History of Rome

​With these spirits on both sides they came to the Allia. The Roman dictator, as soon as the enemy was in sight, drawn up and eager, said, “Do you see, Aulus Sempronius, that they have taken their stand at the Allia, relying on the fortune of the place? Nor have the immortal gods given them any more certain confidence or any greater help.

​But do you, relying on arms and courage, charge the center of their line with your horses at full gallop; I with the legions will advance the standards against them when they are thrown into confusion and panic. Be present, ye gods who witnessed the treaty, and demand the penalties due at once for the violation of yourselves and the deception of us through your divine power.” The Praenestines could withstand neither horse nor foot.

​At the first charge and shout their ranks were broken; then, since their line stood firm in no place, they turned their backs and, in their panic, carried past even their own camp, they did not stop their headlong flight until Praeneste was in sight.

​There, from their scattered flight, they took a position which they might fortify with temporary works, lest, if they withdrew within the walls, the land should be immediately burned and, everything being devastated, siege should be laid to the city.

​But when the victorious Roman, having plundered the camp at the Allia, was at hand, that fortification also was abandoned, and thinking even the walls scarcely safe, they shut themselves up in the town of Praeneste.

​There were besides eight towns under the dominion of the Praenestines. Against them the war was carried, and having captured them in succession with no great struggle, the army was led to Velitrae. That also was taken by storm. Then they came to Praeneste, the head of the war.

​This was recovered not by force, but through surrender. Titus Quinctius, victorious once in a pitched battle, ​having captured two camps of the enemy and nine towns by force, and having received Praeneste in surrender, returned to Rome, and celebrating a triumph, carried the statue of Jupiter Imperator, which had been brought from Praeneste, to the Capitol.

​It was dedicated between the shrine of Jupiter and that of Minerva, and a tablet fixed beneath it, a monument of his achievements, was inscribed with nearly these words: “Jupiter and all the gods granted this, that Titus Quinctius the dictator should capture nine towns.” On the twentieth day after he had been appointed, he resigned his dictatorship.