The Roman History: Concerning Italy (Vb-IX)

Marcius did not think proper to gainsay either of these [demands].

[*](The Fabii) were as much to be pitied for their misfortunes [*] as they were worthy of praise for their bravery. For it was a great misfortune to the Romans, on account of their number, the dignity of a noble house, and its total destruction. The day on which it happened was ever after considered unlucky.[*]

[*]The army was incensed against the general (Appius Claudius) [*] from remembrance of old wrongs, and refused to obey him. They fought badly on purpose, and took to flight, putting bandages on their bodies as though they were wounded. They broke up camp and tried to retreat, putting the blame on the unskilfulness of their commander.

1

Bad omens from Jupiter were observed after the capture of Veii. The soothsayers said that some religious duty had [*] been neglected, and Camillus remembered that it had been [*] forgotten to appropriate a tenth of the plunder to the god that had given the oracle concerning the lake. Accordingly the Senate decreed that those who had taken anything from Veii should make an estimate, each one for himself, and bring in a tenth of it under oath. Their religious feeling was such that they did not hesitate to add to the votive offering a tenth of the produce of the land that had already been sold, as well as of the spoils. With the money thus obtained they sent to the temple of Delphi a golden cup which stood on a pedestal of brass in the treasury of Rome and Massiliat[*] until Onomarchus melted the cup during the Phocaean war. The pedestal is still standing.[*]

2

Camillus was afterwards accused before the people of [*] being himself the author of those bad omens and portents. The people, who had been for some time set against him, fined him heavily, having no pity for him although he had recently lost a son. His friends contributed the money in order that the person of Camillus might not be disgraced. In deep grief he went into exile in the city of Ardea, praying the prayer of Achilles that the time might come when the Romans would long for Camillus. And in fact this came [*] to pass very soon, for when the Gauls captured the city, the [*] people fled for succor to Camillus and again chose him Dictator, as has been told in my Gallic history.[*]

When Marcus Manlius, the patrician, saved the city of Rome from a Gallic invasion, he received the highest honors. [*] At a later period when he saw an old man, who had often [*] fought for his country, reduced to servitude by a money lender, he paid the debt for him. Being highly commended for this act, he released all his own debtors from their obligations. His glory being much increased thereby, he paid the debts of many others. Being much elated by his popularity, he even proposed that all debts should be cancelled, or that the people should sell the lands that had not yet been distributed and apply the proceeds for the relief of debtors.