§2.18.1insequens annus Postumum Cominium et T. Larcium consules habuit.
The following year had Postumus Cominius and Titus Larcius as consuls.
§2.18.2eo anno Romae, cum per ludos ab Sabinorum iuventute per lasciviam scorta raperentur, concursu hominum rixa ac prope proelium fuit, parvaque ex re ad rebellionem spectare res videbatur.
In that year at Rome, since during the games prostitutes were carried off by the youth of the Sabines out of wantonness, there was a brawl and almost a battle from the gathering of men, and from a small matter the situation seemed to point toward rebellion.
super belli Latini metum id quoque accesserat, §2.18.3quod triginta iam coniurasse populos concitante Octavio Mamilio satis constabat.
In addition to the fear of a Latin war, this also had been added, that it was well established that thirty peoples had already formed a conspiracy, with Octavius Mamilius inciting them.
§2.18.4in hac tantarum expectatione rerum sollicita civitate dictatoris primum creandi mentio orta.
In this state of anxiety in the city, with such great events expected, the mention of first appointing a dictator arose.
sed nec quo anno, nec quibus consulibus, quia ex factione Tarquiniana essent — id quoque enim traditur —, parum creditum sit, nec quis primum dictator creatus sit, satis constat.
But neither in which year, nor under which consuls, because they were suspected as being of the Tarquinian faction—for that also is handed down—they were little trusted, nor who was first appointed dictator, is sufficiently established.
§2.18.5apud veterrimos tamen auctores T. Larcium dictatorem primum, Sp. Cassium magistrum equitum creatos invenio.
Among the oldest authors, however, I find that Titus Larcius was appointed the first dictator, and Spurius Cassius master of the horse.
consulares legere: ita lex iubebat de dictatore creando lata.
They chose consulars; for so the law enacted concerning the appointment of a dictator commanded.
§2.18.6eo magis adducor, ut credam Larcium, qui consularis erat, potius quam M.’ Valerium M. filium Volesi nepotem, qui nondum consul fuerat, moderatorem et magistrum consulibus appositum; §2.18.7quin, si maxime ex ea familia legi dictatorem vellent, patrem multo potius M. Valerium spectatae virtutis et consularem virum legissent.
For this reason I am more led to believe that Larcius, who was a consular, rather than Manius Valerius, the son of Marcus and grandson of Volesus, who had not yet been consul, was placed over the consuls as director and master; indeed, if they had wished above all to choose a dictator from that family, they would have much rather chosen his father, Marcus Valerius, a man of approved virtue and a consular.
§2.18.8creato dictatore primum Romae, postquam praeferri secures viderunt, magnus plebem metus incessit, ut intentiores essent ad dicto parendum.
When a dictator was appointed for the first time at Rome, after they saw the axes carried in front, a great fear came upon the plebeians, so that they were more intent on obeying commands.
neque enim, ut in consulibus, qui pari potestate essent, alterius auxilium, neque provocatio erat neque ullum usquam nisi in cura parendi auxilium.
For neither, as in the case of the consuls who had equal power, was there the help of the other, nor was there the right of appeal, nor was there any help anywhere except in the care of obeying.
§2.18.9Sabinis etiam creatus Romae dictator eo magis, quod propter se creatum crediderant, metum incussit.
The appointment of a dictator at Rome also struck greater fear into the Sabines, especially because they believed that he had been appointed on their account.
itaque legatos de pace mittunt.
Therefore, they sent ambassadors concerning peace.
§2.18.10quibus orantibus dictatorem senatumque, ut veniam erroris hominibus adulescentibus darent, responsum, ignosci adulescentibus posse, senibus non posse, qui bella ex bellis sererent.
To them, praying the dictator and the senate to grant pardon for the error to the young men, it was answered that the young men could be forgiven, but the old men could not, who sowed wars after wars.
actum tamen est de pace, §2.18.11inpetrataque foret, si, quod inpensae factum in bellum erat, praestare Sabini — id enim postulatum erat — in animum induxissent.
Yet peace was treated of, and it would have been obtained, if the Sabines had brought their minds to pay what expense had been made for the war—for that had been demanded.
bellum indictum; tacitae indutiae quietum annum tenuere.
War was declared; a tacit truce kept the year quiet.