§5.46.1Romae interim plerumque obsidio segnis et utrimque silentium esse ad id tantum intentis Gallis, ne quis hostium evadere inter stationes posset, cum repente iuvenis Romanus admiratione in se civis hostesque convertit. §5.46.2sacrificium erat statum in Quirinali colle genti Fabiae.
Meanwhile at Rome, for the most part, the siege was slack and there was silence on both sides, the Gauls being intent only on this, that none of the enemy should be able to escape between their pickets, when suddenly a young Roman turned the admiration of both his fellow citizens and the enemy upon himself. There was a customary sacrifice of the Fabian clan on the Quirinal hill.
ad id faciendum C. Fabius Dorsuo Gabino cinctu, sacra manibus gerens, cum de Capitolio descendisset, per medias hostium stationes egressus, nihil ad vocem cuiusquam terroremve motus, §5.46.3in Quirinalem collem pervenit ibique omnibus sollemniter peractis eadem revertens similiter constanti vultu graduque, satis sperans propitios esse deos, quorum cultum ne mortis quidem metu prohibitus deseruisset, in Capitolium ad suos rediit seu attonitis Gallis miraculo audaciae seu religione etiam motis, cuius haudquaquam neglegens gens est. §5.46.4Veis interim non animi tantum in dies, sed etiam vires crescebant.
To perform this, C. Fabius Dorsuo, in the Gabine cincture, carrying the sacred vessels in his hands, having descended from the Capitol, passed through the midst of the enemy's pickets, not in the least moved by anyone's voice or threat, and reached the Quirinal hill. There, having performed all the rites solemnly, he returned by the same way with the same steady countenance and step, fully trusting that the gods were propitious, whose worship he had not abandoned even when forbidden by the fear of death; and so he returned to his people on the Capitol, whether because the Gauls were astounded by the miracle of his audacity, or because they were moved by religious awe, a nation by no means negligent of such matters. Meanwhile at Veii, not only courage but also strength was growing day by day.
nec Romanis solum eo convenientibus ex agris, qui aut proelio adverso aut clade captae urbis palati fuerant, sed etiam ex Latio voluntariis confluentibus, §5.46.5ut in parte praedae essent, maturum iam videbatur repeti patriam eripique ex hostium manibus; §5.46.6sed corpori valido caput deerat.
Not only were the Romans gathering there from the fields, who had been scattered either by the adverse battle or by the disaster of the captured city, but volunteers were also flowing in from Latium, in order to have a share of the booty; and it now seemed that the time was ripe to recover their country and rescue it from the hands of the enemy. But a head was lacking to this strong body.
locus ipse admonebat Camilli, et magna pars militum erat, qui ductu auspicioque eius res prospere gesserant; et Caedicius negare se commissurum, cur sibi aut deorum aut hominum quisquam imperium finiret potius, quam ipse memor ordinis sui posceret imperatorem. §5.46.7consensu omnium placuit ab Ardea Camillum acciri, sed antea consulto senatu, qui Romae esset; adeo regebat omnia pudor, discriminaque rerum prope perditis rebus servabant. §5.46.8ingenti periculo transeundum per hostium custodias erat.
The place itself reminded them of Camillus, and a great part of the soldiers consisted of those who had fought successfully under his leadership and auspices; and Caedicius declared that he would not allow any god or man to put an end to his command, but that he himself, mindful of his rank, would demand a general. By the consensus of all, it was resolved that Camillus should be summoned from Ardea, but not before consulting the senate that was at Rome; so much did a sense of shame and respect for order rule everything, and they maintained the distinctions of things in almost ruined circumstances. It was a task of immense danger to pass through the enemy's guards.
ad eam rem Pontius Cominius, inpiger iuvenis, operam pollicitus incubans cortici secundo Tiberi ad urbem defertur. §5.46.9inde, qua proximum fuit a ripa, per praeruptum eoque neglectum hostium custodia saxum in Capitolium evadit et ad magistratus ductus mandata exercitus edit. §5.46.10accepto inde senatus consulto, uti comitiis curiatis revocatus de exilio iussu populi Camillus dictator extemplo diceretur militesque haberent imperatorem, quem vellent, eadem degressus nuntius Veios contendit; §5.46.11missique Ardeam legati ad Camillum Veios eum perduxere, seu magis credere libet non prius profectum ab Ardea, quam conpererit legem latam, quod nec iniussu populi mutari finibus posset nec nisi dictator dictus auspicia in exercitu habere.
For this service, Pontius Cominius, an active young man, having promised his help, was carried down to the city on cork, floating down the Tiber. Thence, where it was nearest to the bank, he climbed up into the Capitol by a steep cliff, which was therefore neglected by the enemy's guard, and being led to the magistrates, delivered the message of the army. Having then received the decree of the senate, that Camillus, recalled from exile by the Curiate Assembly by order of the people, should immediately be appointed dictator, and that the soldiers should have the general they wished, the messenger returned by the same way and hastened to Veii. And envoys were sent to Ardea to bring Camillus to Veii; or, if it is more pleasing to believe, he did not set out from Ardea until he learned that the law had been passed, because he could neither change his place of exile without the order of the people, nor have auspices in the army unless named dictator.
lex curiata lata est dictatorque absens dictus.
The Curiate law was passed, and he was named dictator in his absence.