§42.20.1in suspensa civitate ad expectationem novi belli, nocturna tempestate columna rostrata in Capitolio bello Punico priore posita ob victoriam M. Aemili consulis, cui collega Ser. Fulvius fuit, tota ad imum fulmine discussa est.
In a state of suspense in the city due to the expectation of a new war, during a night storm, the rostrate column on the Capitol, which had been placed during the first Punic War because of the victory of the consul Marcus Aemilius, whose colleague was Servius Fulvius, was entirely shattered to its base by lightning.
ea res prodigii loco habita ad senatum relata est;
This event, regarded as a prodigy, was reported to the senate.
§42.20.2patres et ad haruspices referri et decemviros adire libros iusserunt.
The senators ordered both that the matter be referred to the haruspices, and that the decemvirs consult the books.
§42.20.3decemviri lustrandum oppidum, supplicationem obsecrationemque habendam, victimis maioribus sacrificandum et in Capitolio Romae et in Campania ad Minervae promunturium renuntiarunt; ludos per decem dies Iovi optimo maximo primo quoque die faciendos.
The decemvirs reported that the city must be purified, a supplication and prayer held, sacrifices made with larger victims both on the Capitol at Rome and in Campania at the promontory of Minerva; and that games for ten days must be celebrated for Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the very first possible day.
§42.20.4ea omnia cum cura facta.
All these things were performed with care.
haruspices in bonum versurum id prodigium, prolationemque finium et interitum perduellium portendi responderunt, quod ex hostibus spolia fuissent ea rostra, quae tempestas disiecisset.
The haruspices replied that this prodigy would turn out for the good, and that the extension of the boundaries and the destruction of the enemies were portended, because those rostra which the storm had shattered had been spoils taken from the enemy.
§42.20.5accesserunt, quae cumularent religiones animis: Saturniae nuntiatum erat sanguine per triduum in oppido pluvisse; Calatiae asinum tripedem natum, et taurum cum quinque vaccis uno ictu fulminis exanimatos; §42.20.6Auximi terra pluvisse.
To these were added events that increased religious fears in their minds: it was reported from Saturnia that it had rained blood in the town for three days; at Calatia that a three-legged donkey had been born, and a bull with five cows had been killed by a single stroke of lightning; and at Auximum that it had rained earth.
horum quoque prodigiorum causa res divinae factae et supplicatio unum diem feriaeque habitae.
On account of these prodigies also, religious ceremonies were performed, and a supplication for one day and holidays were observed.