The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty Six - Titus Livius
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42. Of these transactions the consul was for some time ignorant; and
was busily employed in calling home his troops, for the sun was now
hastening to set, and the approach of night rendered every place
suspicious and dangerous, even to victorious troops. Having rode
forward a considerable way, he saw on the right the camp taken, and
heard on the left a shouting in the city, with a confused noise of
fighting, and cries of terror. This happened while the fight was going
on at the gate. When, on riding up nearer, he saw his own men on the
walls, and so much progress already made in the business, pleased at
having gained, through the precipitate conduct of a few, an
opportunity of striking an important blow, he ordered the troops, whom
he had sent back to the camp, to be called out, and to march to the
attack of the city: these, having made good their entrance on the
nearest side, proceeded no farther, because night approached. Before
morning, however, the town was abandoned by the enemy. There were
slain of the Samnites on that day, at Aquilonia, thirty thousand three
hundred and forty; taken, three thousand eight hundred and seventy,
with ninety-seven military standards. One circumstance, respecting
Papirius, is particularly mentioned by historians: that, hardly ever
was any general seen in the field with a more cheerful countenance;
whether this was owing to his natural temper or to his confidence of
success. From the same firmness of mind it proceeded, that he did not
suffer himself to be diverted from the war by the dispute about the
auspices; and that, in the heat of the battle, when it was customary
to vow temples to the immortal gods, he vowed to Jupiter the
victorious, that if he should defeat the legions of the enemy, he
would, before he tasted of any generous liquor, make a libation to him
of a cup of wine and honey. This kind of vow proved acceptable to the
gods, and they conducted the auspices to a fortunate issue.
43. Matters were conducted with the same success by the other consul
at Cominium: leading up his forces to the walls, at the first dawn, he
invested the city on every side, and posted strong guards opposite to
the gates to prevent any sally being made. Just as he was giving the
signal, the alarming message from his colleague, touching the march of
the twenty Samnite cohorts, not only caused him to delay the assault,
but obliged him to call off a part of his troops, when they were
formed and ready to begin the attack. He ordered Decius Brutus Scaeva,
a lieutenant-general, with the first legion, ten auxiliary cohorts,
and the cavalry, to go and oppose the said detachment; and in whatever
place he should meet the foe, there to stop and detain them, and even
to engage in battle, should opportunity offer for it; at all events
not to suffer those troops to approach Cominium. He then commanded the
scaling ladders to be brought up to the walls, on every side of the
city; and, under a fence of closed shields, advanced to the gates.
Thus, at the same moment, the gates were broken open, and the assault
made on every part of the walls. Though the Samnites, before they saw
the assailants on the works, had possessed courage enough to oppose
their approaches to the city, yet now, when the action was no longer
carried on at a distance, nor with missile weapons, but in close
fight; and when those, who had with difficulty gained the walls,
having overcome the disadvantage of ground, which, they principally
dreaded, fought with ease on equal ground, against an enemy inferior
in strength, they all forsook the towers and walls, and being driven
to the forum, they tried there for a short time, as a last effort, to
retrieve the fortune of the fight; but soon throwing down their arms,
surrendered to the consul, to the number of eleven thousand four
hundred; four thousand three hundred and eighty were slain. Such was
the course of events at Cominium, such at Aquilonia. In the middle
space between the two cities, where a third battle had been expected,
the enemy were not found; for, when they were within seven miles of
Cominium, they were recalled by their countrymen, and had no part in
either battle. At night-fall, when they were now within sight of their
camp, and also of Aquilonia, shouts from both places reaching them
with equal force induced them to halt; then, on the side of the camp,
which had been set on fire by the Romans, the wide-spreading flames
indicating with more certainty the disaster [which had happened],
prevented their proceeding any farther. In that same spot, stretched
on the ground at random under their arms, they passed the whole night
in great inquietude, at one time wishing for, at another dreading the
light. At the first dawn, while they were still undetermined to what
quarter they should direct their march, they were obliged to betake
themselves hastily to flight, being descried by the cavalry; who
having gone in pursuit of the Samnites, that left the town in the
night, saw the multitude unprotected either by a rampart or advanced
guard. This party had likewise been perceived from the walls of
Aquilonia, and the legionary cohorts now joined in the pursuit. The
foot were unable to overtake them, but about two hundred and eighty of
their rear guard were cut off by the cavalry. In their consternation
they left behind them a great quantity of arms and eighteen military
standards: they reached Bovianum with the rest of their party in
safety, as far as could be expected after so disorderly a rout.
44. The joy of both Roman armies was enhanced by the success achieved
on the other side. Each consul, with the approbation of his colleague,
gave to his soldiers the plunder of the town which he had taken; and,
when the houses were cleared, set them on fire. Thus, on the same day,
Aquilonia and Cominium were both reduced to ashes. The consuls then
united their camps, where mutual congratulations took place between
them and between their soldiers. Here, in the view of the two armies,
Carvilius bestowed on his men commendations and presents according to
the desert of each; and Papirius likewise, whose troops had been
engaged in a variety of actions, in the field, in the assault of the
camp, and in that of the city, presented Spurius Nautius, Spurius
Papirius, his nephew, four centurions, and a company of the spearmen,
with bracelets and crowns of gold:--to Nautius, on account of his
behaviour at the head of his detachment, when he had terrified the
enemy with the appearance as of a numerous army; to young Papirius, on
account of his zealous exertions with the cavalry, both in the battle
and in harassing the Samnites in their flight by night, when they
withdrew privately from Aquilonia; and to the centurions and company
of soldiers, because they were the first who gained possession of the
gate and wall of that town. All the horsemen he presented with gorgets
and bracelets of silver, on account of their distinguished conduct on
many occasions. As the time was now come for withdrawing the army out
of Samnium, the expediency was considered, as to whether they should
withdraw both, or at least one. It was concluded, that the lower the
strength of the Samnites was reduced, the greater perseverance and
vigour ought to be used in prosecuting the war, so that Samnium might
be given up to the succeeding consuls perfectly subjected. As there
was now no army of the enemy which could be supposed capable of
disputing the field, there remained one mode of operations, the
besieging of the cities; by the destruction of which, they might be
enabled to enrich their soldiers with the spoil; and, at the same
time, utterly to destroy the enemy, reduced to the necessity of
fighting, their all being at stake. The consuls, therefore, after
despatching letters to the senate and people of Rome, containing
accounts of the services which they had performed, led away their
legions to different quarters; Papirius going to attack Saepioura,
Carvilius to Volana.
45. The letters of the consuls were heard with extraordinary
exultation, both in the senate-house and in the assembly of the
people; and, in a thanksgiving of four days' continuance, the public
rejoicings were celebrated with zeal by individuals. These successes
were not only important in themselves to the Roman people, but
peculiarly seasonable; for it happened, that at the same time
intelligence was brought that the Etrurians were again in arms. The
reflection naturally occurred to people's minds, how it would have
been possible, in case any misfortune had happened in Samnium, to have
withstood the power of Etruria; which, being encouraged by the
conspiracy of the Samnites, and seeing both the consuls, and the whole
force of the Romans, employed against them, had made use of that
juncture, in which the Romans had so much business on their hands, for
reviving hostilities. Ambassadors from the allies, being introduced to
the senate by the praetor Marcus Atilius, complained that their
countries were wasted with fire and sword by the neighbouring
Etrurians, because they had refused to revolt from the Romans; and
they besought the conscript fathers to protect them from the violence
and injustice of their common enemy. The ambassadors were answered,
that "the senate would take care that the allies should not repent
their fidelity." That the "Etrurians should shortly be in the same
situation with the Samnites." Notwithstanding which, the business
respecting Etruria would have been prosecuted with less vigour, had
not information been received, that the Faliscians likewise, who had
for many years lived in friendship with Rome, had united their arms
with those of the Etrurians. The consideration of the near vicinity of
that nation quickened the attention of the senate; insomuch that they
passed a decree that heralds should be sent to demand satisfaction:
which being refused, war was declared against the Faliscians by
direction of the senate, and order of the people; and the consuls were
desired to determine, by lots, which of them should lead an army from
Samnium into Etruria. Carvilius had, in the mean time, taken from the
Samnites Volana, Palumbinum, and Herculaneum; Volana after a siege of
a few days, Palumbinum the same day on which he approached the walls.
At Herculaneum, it is true, the consul had two regular engagements
without any decisive advantage on either side, and with greater loss
on his side than on that of the enemy; but afterwards, encamping on
the spot, he shut them up within their works. The town was besieged
and taken. In these three towns were taken or slain ten thousand men,
of whom the prisoners composed somewhat the greater part. On the
consuls casting lots for the provinces, Etruria fell to Carvilius, to
the great satisfaction of the soldiers, who could no longer bear the
intensity of the cold in Samnium. Papirius was opposed at Saepinum
with a more powerful force: he had to fight often in pitched battles,
often on a march, and often under the walls of the city, against the
eruptions of the enemy; and could neither besiege, nor engage them on
equal terms; for the Samnites not only protected themselves by walls,
but likewise protected their walls with numbers of men and arms. At
length, after a great deal of fighting, he forced them to submit to a
regular siege. This he carried on with vigour, and made himself master
of the city by means of his works, and by storm. The rage of the
soldiers on this occasion caused the greatest slaughter in the taking
of the town; seven thousand four hundred fell by the sword; the number
of the prisoners did not amount to three thousand. The spoil, of which
the quantity was very great, the whole substance of the Samnites being
collected in a few cities, was given up to the soldiers.
46. The snow had now entirely covered the face of the country, and
they could no longer dispense with the shelter of houses: the consul
therefore led home his troops from Samnium. While he was on his way to
Rome, a triumph was decreed him with universal consent; and
accordingly he triumphed while in office, and with extraordinary
splendour, considering the circumstances of those times. The cavalry
and infantry marched in the procession, adorned with presents. Great
numbers of civic, vallar, and mural crowns were seen.[Footnote:
These marks of honour were bestowed for having saved the lives of
citizens, or for having been the first to mount walls or ramparts.]
The spoils of the Samnites were inspected with much curiosity, and
compared, in respect of magnificence and beauty, with those taken by
his father, which were well known, from being frequently exhibited as
ornaments of the public places. Several prisoners of distinction,
renowned for their own exploits and those of their ancestors, were led
in the cavalcade. There were carried in the train two millions and
thirty-three thousand _asses_ in weight.[Footnote: L4940 13s.
6d.] This money was said to be produced by the sale of the prisoners.
Of silver, taken in the cities, one thousand three hundred and thirty
pounds. All the silver and brass were lodged in the treasury, no share
of this part of the spoil being given to the soldiers. The ill humour
in the commons was further exasperated, because the tax for the
payment of the army was collected by contribution; whereas, said they,
if the vain parade of conveying the produce of the spoil to the
treasury had been disregarded, donations might have been made to the
soldiers out of the spoil, and the pay of the army also supplied out
of that fund. The temple of Quirinus, vowed by his father when
dictator, (for that he himself had vowed it in the heat of battle, I
do not find in any ancient writer, nor indeed could he in so short a
time have finished the building of it,) the son, in the office of
consul, dedicated and adorned with military spoils. And of these, so
great was the abundance, that not only that temple and the forum were
decorated with them, but some were also distributed among the allies
and colonies in the neighbourhood, to serve as ornaments to their
temples and public places. Immediately after his triumph, he led his
army into winter quarters in the territory of Vescia; because that
country was harassed by the Samnites. Meanwhile, in Etruria, the
consul Carvilius having set about laying siege to Troilium, suffered
four hundred and seventy of the richest inhabitants to depart; they
had paid a large sum of money for permission to leave the place: the
town, with the remaining multitude, he took by storm. He afterwards
reduced, by force, five forts strongly situated, wherein were slain
two thousand four hundred of the enemy, and not quite two thousand
made prisoners. To the Faliscians, who sued for peace, he granted a
truce for a year, on condition of their furnishing a hundred thousand
_asses_ in weight,[Footnote: L322 18s. 4d.] and that year's pay
for his army. This business completed, he returned home to a triumph,
which, though it was less illustrious than that of his colleague, in
respect of his share in the defeat of the Samnites, was yet raised to
an equality with it, by his having put a termination to the war in
Etruria. He carried into the treasury three hundred and ninety
thousand _asses_ in weight.[Footnote: L1259 7s. 6d.] Out of the
remainder of the money accruing to the public from the spoils, he
contracted for the building of a temple to Fors Fortuna, near to that
dedicated to the same goddess by king Servius Tullius; and gave to the
soldiers, out of the spoil, one hundred and two asses[3] each, and
double that sum to the centurions and horsemen, who received this
donative the more gratefully, on account of the parsimony of his
colleague.
47. The favour of the consul saved from a trial, before the people,
Postumius; who, on a prosecution being commenced against him by Marcus
Scantius, plebeian tribune, evaded, as was said, the jurisdiction of
the people, by procuring the commission of lieutenant-general, so the
indictment against him could only be held out as a threat, and not put
in force. The The year having now elapsed, new plebeian tribunes had
come unto office; and for these, in consequence of some irregularity
on their appointments, others had been, within five days after,
substituted in their room. The lustrum was closed this year by the
censors Publius Cornelius Arvina and Caius Marcius Rutilus. The number
of citizens rated was two hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred
and twenty-two. These were the twenty-sixth pair of censors since the
first institution of that office; and this the nineteenth lustrum. In
this year, persons who had been presented with crowns, in
consideration of meritorious behaviour in war, first began to wear
them at the exhibition of the Roman games. Then, for the first time,
palms were conferred on the victors according to a custom introduced
from Greece. In the same year the paving of the road from the temple
of Mars to Bovillae was completed by the curule aediles, who exhibited
those games out of fines levied on the farmers of the pastures. Lucius
Papirius presided at the consular election, and returned consuls
Quintus Fabius Gurges, son of Maximus, and Decius Junius Brutus
Scaeva. Papirius himself was made praetor. This year, prosperous in
many particulars, was scarcely sufficient to afford consolation for
one calamity, a pestilence, which afflicted both the city and country:
the mortality was prodigious. To discover what end, or what remedy,
was appointed by the gods for that calamity, the books were consulted:
in the books it was found that Aesculapius must be brought to Rome
from Epidaurus. Nor were any steps taken that year in that matter,
because the consuls were fully occupied in the war, except that a
supplication was performed to Aesculapius for one day.
[Here ten books of the original are lost, making a chasm of
seventy-five years. The translator's object being to publish the work
of Livy only, he has not thought it his duty to attempt to supply this
deficiency, either by a compilation of his own, or by transcribing or
translating those of others. The leader, however, who may be desirous
of knowing the events which took place during this interval, will find
as complete a detail of them as can now be given, in Hooke's or
Rollin's Roman History. The contents of the lost books have been
preserved, and are as follows--]
BOOK XI.--[Y.R. 460. B.C. 292.] Fabius Gurges, consul, having fought
an unsuccessful battle with the Samnites, the senate deliberate about
dismissing him from the command of the army; are prevailed upon not to
inflict that disgrace upon him, principally by the entreaties of his
father, Fabius Maximus, and by his promising to join the army, and
serve, in quality of lieutenant-general, under his son: which promise
he performs, and the consul, aided by his counsel and co-operation,
obtains a victory over the Samnites, and a triumph in consequence. C.
Pontius, the general of the Samnites, led in triumph before the
victor's carriage, and afterwards beheaded. A plague at Rome. [Y.R.
461. B.C. 291.] Ambassadors sent to Epidaurus, to bring from thence to
Rome the statue of Aesculapius: a serpent, of itself, goes on board
their ship; supposing it to be the abode of the deity, they bring it
with them; and, upon its quitting their vessel, and swimming to the
island in the Tiber, they consecrate there a temple to Aesculapius. L.
Postumius, a man of consular rank, condemned for employing the
soldiers under his command in working upon his farm. [Y.R. 462. B.C.
290] Curius Dentatus, consul, having subdued the Samnites, and the
rebellious Sabines, triumphs twice during his year of office. [Y.R.
463. B.C. 289.] The colonies of Castrum, Sena, and Adria, established.
Three judges of capital crimes now first appointed. A census and
lustrum: the number of citizens found to be two hundred and
seventy-three thousand. After a long-continued sedition, on account of
debts, the commons secede to the Janiculum: [Y.R. 466. B.C. 286.] are
brought back by Hortensius, dictator, who dies in office. Successful
operations against the Volsinians and Lucanians, [Y.R. 468. B.C. 284.]
against whom it was thought expedient to send succour to the
Thuringians.
BOOK XII.--[Y.R. 469. B.C. 283.] The Senonian Gauls having slain the
Roman ambassadors, war is declared against them: they cut off L.
Caecilius, praetor, with the legions under his command, [Y.R. 470.
B.C. 282.] The Roman fleet plundered by the Tarentines, and the
commander slain: ambassadors, sent to complain of this outrage, are
ill-treated and sent back; whereupon war is declared against them. The
Samnites revolt; against whom, together with the Lucanians, Bruttians,
and Etruscans, several unsuccessful battles are fought by different
generals. [Y.R. 471. B.C. 281.] Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, comes into
Italy, to succour the Tarentines. A Campanian legion, sent, under the
command of Decius Jubellius, to garrison Rhegium, murder the
inhabitants, and seize the city.
BOOK XIII.--[Y.R. 472. B.C. 280.] Valerius Laevinus, consul, engages
with Pyrrhus, and is beaten, his soldiers being terrified at the
unusual appearance of elephants. After the battle, Pyrrhus, viewing
the bodies of the Romans who were slain, remarks, that they all of
them lay with their faces turned towards their enemy. He proceeds
towards Rome, ravaging the country as he goes along. C. Fabricius is
sent by the senate to treat for the redemption of the prisoners: the
king, in vain, attempts to bribe him to desert his country. The
prisoners restored without ransom. Cineas, ambassador from Pyrrhus to
the senate, demands, as a condition of peace, that the king be
admitted into the city of Rome: the consideration of which being
deferred to a fuller meeting, Appius Claudius, who, on account of a
disorder in his eyes, had not, for a long time, attended in the
senate, comes there; moves, and carries his motion, that the demand of
the king be refused. Cneius Domitius, the first plebeian censor, holds
a lustrum; the number of the citizens found to be two hundred and
seventy-eight thousand two hundred and twenty-two. A second, but
undecided battle with Pyrrhus. [Y.R. 473. B.C. 279.] The treaty with
the Carthaginians renewed a fourth time. An offer made to Fabricius,
the consul, by a traitor, to poison Pyrrhus; [Y. R. 474. B. C. 278.]
he sends him to the king, and discovers to him the treasonable offer.
Successful operations against the Etruscans, Lucanians, Bruttians, and
Samnites.
BOOK XIV.--Pyrrhus crosses over into Sicily. [Y. R. 475. B. C. 277.]
Many prodigies, among which, the statue of Jupiter in the Capitol is
struck by lightning, and thrown down. [Y. R. 476. B. C. 276.] The head
of it afterwards found by the priests. Curius Dentatus, holding a
levy, puts up to sale the goods of a person who refuses to answer to
his name when called upon. [Y. R. 477. B. C. 275.] Pyrrhus, after his
return from Sicily, is defeated, and compelled to quit Italy. The
censors hold a lustrum, and find the number of the citizens to be two
hundred and seventy-one thousand two hundred and twenty-four. [Y. R.
479. B. c. 273.] A treaty of alliance formed with Ptolemy, king of
Egypt. Sextilia, a vestal, found guilty of incest, and buried alive.
Two colonies sent forth, to Posidonium and Cossa. [Y. R. 480. B. C.
272.] A Carthaginian fleet sails, in aid of the Tarentines, by which
act the treaty is violated. Successful operations against the
Lucanians, Samnites, and Bruttians. Death of king Pyrrhus.
BOOK XV.--The Tarentines overcome: peace and freedom granted to them.
[Y. R. 481. B. C. 271.] The Campanian legion, which had forcibly taken
possession of Rhegium, besieged there; lay down their arms, and are
punished with death. Some young men, who had ill-treated the
ambassadors from the Apollonians to the senate of Rome, are delivered
up to them. Peace granted to the Picentians. [Y. R. 484. B. C. 268.]
Two colonies established; one at Ariminum in Picenum, another at
Beneventum in Samnium. Silver coin now, for the first time, used by
the Roman people. [Y. R. 485. B. C. 267.] The Umbrians and Sallentines
subdued. The number of quaestors increased to eight.
BOOK XVI.--[Y. R. 488. B. C. 264.] Origin and progress of the
Carthaginian state. After much debate, the senate resolves to succour
the Mammertines against the Carthaginians, and against Hiero, king of
Syracuse. Roman cavalry, then, for the first time, cross the sea, and
engage successfully, in battle with Hiero; who solicits and obtains
peace. [Y.R. 489. B.C. 263.] A lustrum: the number of the citizens
amounts to two hundred and ninety-two thousand two hundred and
twenty-four. D. Junius Brutus exhibits the first show of gladiators,
in honour of his deceased father. [Y.R. 490. B.C. 262.] The Aesernian
colony established. Successful operations against the Carthaginians
and Vulsinians. [Y.R. 491. B.C. 261.]
BOOK XVII.--[Y.R. 492. B.C. 260.] Cneius Cornelius, consul, surrounded
by the Carthaginian fleet; and, being drawn into a conference by a
stratagem, is taken. [Y.R. 493. B.C. 259.] C. Duilius, consul, engages
with and vanquishes the Carthaginian fleet; is the first commander to
whom a triumph was decreed for a naval victory; in honour of which, he
is allowed, when returning to his habitation at night, to be attended
with torches and music. L. Cornelius, consul, fights and subdues the
Sardinians and Corsicans, together with Hanno, the Carthaginian
general, in the island of Sardinia. [Y.R. 494. B.C. 258.] Atilius
Calatinus, consul, drawn into an ambuscade by the Carthaginians, is
rescued by the skill and valour of M. Calpurnius, a military tribune,
who making a sudden attack upon the enemy, with a body of only three
hundred men, turns their whole force against himself. [Y.R. 495. B.C.
257.] Hannibal, the commander of the Carthaginian fleet which was
beaten, is put to death by his soldiers.