Aemilius Besieges Saticula and Repels the Samnites — Livy, History of Rome Book 9 (9.21.1–9.21.6), Latin & English

§9.21.1

C. Iunius Bubulcus et Q. Aemilius Barbula consules exitu anni non consulibus ab se creatis, Sp. Nautio et M. Popilio, ceterum dictatori¹ L. Aemilio legiones tradiderunt.

At the end of the year, the consuls C. Iunius Bubulcus and Q. Aemilius Barbula delivered the legions, not to the consuls elected by them, Sp. Nautius and M. Popilius, but to the dictator L. Aemilius.

§9.21.2

is cum L. Fulvio magistro equitum Saticulam oppugnare adortus rebellandi causam Samnitibus dedit.

He, having set about besieging Saticula with L. Fulvius, the master of the horse, gave the Samnites a pretext for renewing the war.

§9.21.3

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

A double terror was then brought upon the Romans: on one side, the Samnites, having assembled a large army, pitched their camp not far from that of the Romans in order to rescue their allies from the siege; on the other side, the Saticulans, with great tumult, having suddenly opened their gates, rushed upon the enemy’s outposts.

§9.21.4

inde pars utraque, spe alieni magis auxilii quam viribus freta suis,² iusto mox proelio inito Romanos urgent, et quamquam anceps dimicatio erat, tamen utrimque tutam aciem dictator habuit, quia et locum haud facilem ad circumveniendum cepit et diversa statuit signa. infestior tamen in erumpentes incessit nec magno certamine intra moenia conpulit, tum totam aciem in Samnites obvertit.

Then both parties, relying more on the hope of each other’s help than on their own strength, soon engaged in a regular battle and pressed the Romans; and although the struggle was doubtful, yet the dictator kept his line secure on both sides, because he both took a position not easy to be surrounded and drew up his standards facing in opposite directions. He proceeded, however, more fiercely against those who were sallying out, and with no great struggle drove them back within their walls; then he turned his entire line against the Samnites.

§9.21.6

ibi plus certaminis fuit; victoria sicut sera, ita nec dubia nec varia fuit. fusi in castra Samnites extinctis nocte ignibus tacito agmine abeunt et spe abiecta Saticulae tuendae³ Plisticam ipsi, socios Romanorum, ut parem dolorem hosti redderent, circumsidunt.

There was more of a struggle there; the victory, though late, was neither doubtful nor fluctuating. The Samnites, routed into their camp, extinguished their fires at night and departed in a silent march; and abandoning the hope of protecting Saticula, they themselves blockaded Plistica, an ally of the Romans, in order to return an equal vexation to the enemy.

Syntax notes3 items

9.21.1non consulibus ab se creatis ... ceterum dictatori
In the contrasting structure non ... ceterum, the word ceterum functions similarly to sed (but rather). It emphasizes the unusual procedure where the outgoing consuls delivered their legions to the dictator rather than to their newly elected successors.
9.21.4spe alieni magis auxilii quam viribus freta suis
The adjective fretus (relying on) governs the ablative case. Here, freta (nominative feminine singular, agreeing with the subject pars utraque) governs both spe (ablative singular) and viribus (ablative plural).
9.21.6spe abiecta Saticulae tuendae
A gerundive construction in the genitive case modifying the noun spe (ablative singular), meaning "the hope of defending Saticula."

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25) · Revision history (2, latest 2026-09-21)

2026-09-21 AI review — note 1
2026-09-21 AI review — source 1

urn:cts:latinLit:phi0914.phi001.humanitext-lat2:9.21.1-9.21.6