§7.9.1insequenti anno cum C. Sulpicius et C. Licinius Calvus consules in Hernicos exercitum duxissent neque inventis in agro hostibus Ferentinum urbem eorum vi cepissent, revertentibus inde eis Tiburtes portas clausere.
In the following year, when the consuls Gaius Sulpicius and Gaius Licinius Calvus had led an army against the Hernici, and, having found no enemy in the territory, had taken their city Ferentinum by force, the Tiburtes shut their gates against them as they were returning thence.
§7.9.2ea ultima fuit causa, cum multae ante querimoniae ultro citroque iactatae essent, cur per fetiales rebus repetitis bellum Tiburti populo indiceretur.
Although many complaints had previously been bandied to and fro, this was the ultimate reason why war was declared against the Tiburtine people through the fetials after demanding redress.
§7.9.3dictatorem T. Quinctium Poenum eo anno fuisse satis constat et magistrum equitum Ser. Cornelium Maluginensem.
It is well established that Titus Quinctius Poenus was dictator in that year, and Servius Cornelius Maluginensis was master of the horse.
§7.9.4Macer Licinius comitiorum habendorum causa et ab Licinio consule dictum scribit, quia collega comitia bello praeferre festinante, ut continuaret consulatum, obviam eundum pravae cupiditati fuerit.
Licinius Macer writes that he was appointed for the purpose of holding the elections, and by the consul Licinius, because, since his colleague was hastening to prefer the elections to the war in order to continue his consulship, it was necessary to oppose this improper ambition.
§7.9.5quaesita ea propriae familiae laus leviorem auctorem Licinium facit.
This praise sought for his own family makes Licinius a less reliable authority.
cum mentionem eius rei in vetustioribus annalibus nullam inveniam, magis ut belli Gallici causa dictatorem creatum arbitrer inclinat animus.
Since I find no mention of this matter in the older annals, my mind is more inclined to believe that the dictator was appointed on account of the Gallic war.
§7.9.6eo certe anno Galli ad tertium lapidem Salaria via trans pontem Anienis castra habuere.
In that year, at any rate, the Gauls had their camp beyond the bridge of the Anio on the Salarian Way, at the third milestone.
dictator cum tumultus Gallici causa iustitium edixisset, omnes iuniores sacramento adegit ingentique exercitu ab urbe profectus in citeriore ripa Anienis castra posuit.
When the dictator had proclaimed a suspension of public business on account of the Gallic tumult, he bound all the younger men by oath, and, having set out from the city with a huge army, pitched his camp on the nearer bank of the Anio.
§7.9.7pons in medio erat neutris eum rumpentibus, ne timoris indicium esset.
The bridge was in the middle, with neither side breaking it down lest it should be a sign of fear.
proelia de occupando ponte crebra erant, nec, qui poterentur, incertis viribus satis discerni poterat.
Skirmishes to occupy the bridge were frequent, nor, as the strength was uncertain, could it be clearly determined who would master it.
§7.9.8tum eximia corporis magnitudine in vacuum pontem Gallus processit et, quantum maxima voce potuit, “quem nunc” inquit “Roma virum fortissimum habet, procedat, agedum, ad pugnam, ut noster duorum eventus ostendat, utra gens bello sit melior. ”
Then a Gaul of extraordinary bodily size advanced onto the empty bridge, and, calling out as loudly as he could, said, "Let the bravest man that Rome now possesses step forward, come on, to the fight, so that the outcome of us two may show which nation is better in war."