LIVY, iii. 49, 55, 56, 58 (sel.)

Context. Verginius, seeing no way of saving his daughter from disgrace and dishonour at the hands of Appius Claudius, killed her before the judgment-seat of the tyrant and before the eyes of the people.

[Linenotes: 2. per occasionem = by such a favourable opportunity. —Rawlins. 3. In contionem = to the rostra (the platform for speakers). 3-4. Horatius Valeriusque. The first Consuls after the abolition of the Decemvirate in 449 B.C. 5. pro imperio, i.e. usurping the authority of a magistrate. 9. plebesque scivit (scisco) = and the people approved (i.e. voted for)it. 11. provocatione = right of appeal. 18. prodicta = adjourned, from the first hearing. —R. 19. assertor V. = who claimed V. as his slave.]

Results of the Secession. 'The Valerian Laws, by the second of which it was ordained that in criminal trials, when the life of a citizen was at stake, the sentence of the Consul should be subject to an appeal to the people. This Valerian Law of Appeal was the Roman Habeas Corpus Act.' —Ihne.

D18

WAR WITH THE ETRUSCANS OF FIDENAE AND VEII.

Cossus wins the Spolia Opima, 437 B.C.

Erat tum inter equites tribunus militum A. Cornelius Cossus, eximia pulchritudine corporis, animo ac viribus par memorque generis, quod amplissimum acceptum maius auctiusque reliquit posteris. Is cum ad impetum Tolumni, quacumque se intendisset, {5} trepidantes Romanas videret turmas insignemque eum regio habitu volitantem tota acie cognosset, 'Hicine est' inquit 'ruptor foederis humani violatorque gentium iuris? Iam ego hanc mactatam victimam, si modo sancti quicquam in terris esse di {10} volunt, legatorum manibus dabo.' Calcaribus subditis infesta cuspide in unum fertur hostem; quem cum ictum equo deiecisset, confestim et ipse hasta innixus se in pedes excepit. Adsurgentem ibi regem umbone resupinat repetitumque saepius cuspide {15} ad terram affixit. Tum exsangui detracta spolia, caputque abscisum victor spiculo gerens terrore caesi regis hostes perfudit. Ita equitum quoque fusa acies, quae una fecerat anceps certamen. Dictator legionibus fugatis instat et ad castra compulsos {20} caedit.

LIVY, iv. 19.

[Linenotes: 3. par = equally distinguished by, equal, that is, to his beauty. —S. 5. Tolumni = Lars Tolumnius, King of the Veientos, in alliance with Fidenae (about 5 miles N.E. of Rome).] quacumque se intendisset = wherever he directed his charge. 8-11. Hicine ... manibus dabo. Fidenae had frequently been colonised by Rome, and had as frequently revolted. When the Romans sent four ambassadors to Fidenae to demand satisfaction for this last revolt, the people of Fidenae murdered them. Tolumnius is associated with their crime. 12. infesta cuspide = with couched lance. 13-14. hasta ... excepit = with the help of his spear leapt to the ground. Lit. 'resting on his spear caught himself on his feet.' —Stephenson. 15. umbone resupinat = he throws him back with the boss of his shield. repetitum = piercing him again and again. —S. 19. Dictator = Mamercus Aemilius, aman of energy and ability.]

The spolia opima (spoils of honour) were the arms taken on the field of battle by the victorious from the vanquished general. They were won on only three occasions:—

i. by Romulus, ii. by Cossus, iii. by Marcellus (the Conqueror of Syracuse), who in his first consulship, 222 B.C., slew with his own hand Viridomarus, King of the Insubrian Gauls. Cf. Prop. V.x.

D19

THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (1)

First Pay given to Citizen Soldiers, 406 B.C.

Additum deinde omnium maxime tempestivo principum in multitudinem munere, ut ante mentionem ullam plebis tribunorumve decerneret senatus, ut stipendium miles de publico acciperet, cum ante id tempus de suo quisque functus eo munere esset. {5} Nihil acceptum umquam a plebe tanto gaudio traditur. Concursum itaque ad curiam esse prensatasque exeuntium manus et patres vere appellatos, effectum esse fatentibus, ut nemo pro tam munifica patria, donec quicquam virium superesset, corpori {10} aut sanguini suo parceret. Cum commoditas iuvaret, rem familiarem saltem acquiescere eo tempore, quo corpus addictum atque operatum rei publicae esset, tum quod ultro sibi oblatum esset, non a tribunis plebis agitatum, non suis sermonibus efflagitatum, {15} id efficiebat multiplex gaudium cumulatioremque gratiam rei.... Et lege perlata de indicendo Veientibus bello exercitum magna ex parte voluntarium novi tribuni militum consulari potestate Veios duxere. {20}

LIVY, iv. 59, 60.

[Linenotes: 1. tempestivo = seasonable (timely), in view of the coming struggle with Veii, and the necessity for winter campaigns. 2. munere. Livy tells us (cap. 60) that the Senate did not provide the pay as a present, but simply paid punctually their proper share of the war-tax (tributum) in accordance with their assessment (cum senatus summa fide ex censu contulisset). 4. de publico = out of the Public Treasury. 9. fatentibus = while men admitted. —R. 11-12. Cum ... acquiescere = While the comfortable thought (commoditas = lit. advantage) pleased them (namely) that their private property at least was undisturbed— i.e. that they paid no war-tax while they were in the field. —Rawlins. 12-13. quo corpus ... esset = when they were impressed (devoted to) and actively employed in the public service. —S. addictus, properly of an insolvent debtor made over to his creditor = a bondman. 16-17. id ... gratiam rei in apposition to quod ... efflagitatum. 19. tribuni ... potestate. Military tribunes with consular power instead of Consuls were elected occasionally from 444 to 367 B.C. 20. Veios. The capture of Veii by Camillus (396 B.C.), in consequence of the introduction of military pay, was enormously important to Rome.]

Reference. Ihne, Hist. vol. i. pp. 243-4.

D20

THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (2)

A. Lament over Veii.

Heu, Veii veteres, et vos tum regna fuistis, Et vestro posita est aurea sella foro: Nunc intra muros pastoris bucina lenti Cantat, et in vestris ossibus arva metunt. 30

PROPERTIUS, IV. (V.) x. 27-30.

[Linenotes: 27. Veii (Isola Farnese) on R. Cremera, about 12 miles N.W. of Rome. 28. aurea sella, i.e. the official seat of the King. Cf. the Sella Curulis at Rome, introduced from Etruria. 29. bucina = horn. 30. et ... metunt = and reapers gather the harvests from fields (metunt arva) enriched by the bones of your buried heroes (in ossibus vestris).]

B. The Rise of the Alban Lake.

Quid, quod in annalibus habemus, Veienti {5} bello, cum lacus Albanus praeter modum crevisset, Veientem quemdam ad nos hominem nobilem profugisse, eumque dixisse, ex fatis, quae Veientes scripta haberent, Veios capi non posse, dum lacus is redundaret: et, si lacus emissus lapsu et cursu suo ad {10} mare profluxisset, perniciosum populo Romano: sin autem ita esset eductus, ut ad mare pervenire non posset, tum salutare nostris fore? Ex quo illa admirabilis a maioribus Albanae aquae facta deductio est. Cum autem Veientes bello fessi legatos ad {15} senatum misissent, tum ex his quidam dixisse dicitur, non omnia illum transfugam ausum esse senatu dicere: in iisdem enim fatis scriptum Veientes habere, 'Fore ut brevi a Gallis Roma caperetur:' quod quidem sexennio post Veios captos esse factum {20} videmus.

CICERO, de Divinatione, I. xliv. 100.

[Linenotes: 5. in annalibus, e.g. in Livy, v.15. 6. crevisset, perh. partly due to the excessive snows of the preceding winter, 397 B.C. 7. profugisse. Livy says he was treacherously made prisoner. 8-9. ex fatis ... haberent, i.e. the Etruscan Libri fatales, Books of fate, cf. the Libri Sibyllini = the Roman Books of fate. 10. lapsu et cursu suo = in its natural course and stream. 14. deductio = draining (lit. aleading off). The tunnel then cut still carries off the superfluous waters of the lake. 20. sexennio post = six years after, i.e. 390 B.C. For the 10 years' siege of Veii, cf. the Trojan War.]

Reference. Plutarch, Camillus, iii.-v. Livy, v.15.

D21

THE WAR WITH VEII, 405-396 B.C. (3)

The Conquest of Veii.

Veientes ignari se iam a suis vatibus, iam ab externis oraculis proditos, iam in partem praedae suae vocatos deos, alios votis ex urbe sua evocatos hostium templa novasque sedes spectare, seque ultimum illum diem agere, nihil minus timentes {5} quam subrutis cuniculo moenibus arcem iam plenam hostium esse, in muros pro se quisque armati discurrunt mirantes, quidnam id esset, quod, cum tot per dies nemo se ab stationibus Romanus movisset, tum velut repentino icti furore improvidi currerent ad {10} muros.... Cuniculus delectis militibus eo tempore plenus in aedem Iunonis, quae in Veientana arce erat, armatos repente edidit, et pars aversos in muris invadunt hostes, pars claustra portarum revellunt, pars, cum ex tectis saxa tegulaeque a mulieribus ac {15} servitiis iacerentur, inferunt ignes. Clamor omnia variis terrentium ac paventium vocibus mixto mulierum ac puerorum ploratu complet. Momento temporis deiectis ex muro undique armatis patefactisque portis cum alii agmine irruerent, alii {20} desertos scanderent muros, urbs hostibus impletur; omnibus locis pugnatur; deinde multa iam edita caede senescit pugna, et dictator praecones edicere iubet, ut ab inermi abstineatur.

LIVY, V. 21.

[Linenotes: 1. a suis vatibus, i.e. by the captured Etruscan soothsayer (haruspex). 1-2. ab externis oraculis, i.e. by the Delphic Oracle. 2-3. iam in partem ... (alios) deos. Camillus had vowed to give to Apollo the tenth part of the spoils of Veii. 3-4. alios ... spectare, i.e. Juno. 'It was a Roman practice to invite the patron deity of a place or country to leave it, and to promise a more honourable worship at Rome.' —Whibley. 5-6. subrutis cunculo = undermined. Camillus had a tunnel (cuniculum—rabbit-burrow, cf. cony) cut from the Roman camp under the wall to the Temple of Juno on the citadel of Veii. 7. discurrunt = run every man to his post, cf. ad arma discurritur. 15. tgulae = tiles, roof-tiles (tĕgo). 23. senescit = abates, lit. grows old, becomes exhausted.]

Results of the War. 'By the Conquest of Veii, Rome's territory, wealth, and population were largely increased. Rome was now emerging from the position of a federal capital of the Latins to become the mistress of a large country, when she was suddenly and unexpectedly overtaken by a disaster (the Invasion of the Gauls) which threatened not only her growth but her life.' —Ihne.

D22

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (1)

The Battle of the Allia.

Ibi tribuni militum non loco castris ante capto, non praemunito vallo, quo receptus esset, non deorum saltem, si non hominum, memores, nec auspicato nec litato instruunt aciem diductam in cornua, ne circumveniri multitudine hostium possent; {5} nec tamen aequari frontes poterant, cum extenuando infirmam et vix cohaerentem mediam aciem haberent. Paulum erat ab dextera editi loci, quem subsidiariis repleri placuit; eaque res ut initium pavoris ac fugae, sic una salus fugientibus fuit. Nam Brennus, regulus {10} Gallorum, in paucitate hostium artem maxime timens, ratus ad id captum superiorem locum, ut, ubi Galli cum acie legionum recta fronte concurrissent, subsidia in aversos transversosque impetum darent, ad subsidiarios signa convertit, si eos loco depulisset, {15} haud dubius facilem in aequo campi tantum superanti multitudine victoriam fore; adeo non fortuna modo sed ratio etiam cum barbaris stabat. In altera acie nihil simile Romanis, non apud duces, non apud milites erat. Pavor fugaque occupaverat animos et {20} tanta omnium oblivio, ut multo maior pars Veios, in hostium urbem, cum Tiberis arceret, quam recto itinere Romam ad coniuges ac liberos fugerent.

LIVY, V. 38.

[Linenotes: 4. nec litato = without obtaining favourable omens (= kallierein). 4-5. diductam in cornua = extended (drawn out) towards the wings. 6-7. cum ... haberent = though they made, concessive subjunctive. 8. Paulum ... editi loci = lit. alittle piece of rising ground. 10. Brennus = lit. King of the army. Cf. the Saxon Heretoga. 13. recta fronte = front to front. —Whibley. 14. in aversos transversosque = on their rear and flank. 16-17. superanti multitudine = i. (the victory) would be (easy) to him superior (superanti) in point of numbers, or ii. abl, of cause—as he was so much superior in numbers. 21-22. Veios, in hostium urbem. An exaggeration as Veii was in ruins. 22. cum T. arceret = though the Tiber stood in their way.]

The Invasion of the Gauls. 'The most advanced tribe of the Gauls were the Senones who had settled on the Adriatic to the E. of Central Etruria. While the Romans reduced S. Etruria to a state of subjection, these Gauls suddenly crossed the Apennines, threatened Clusium, and then marched on Rome. Thus for the first time the Gallic race was brought to the knowledge of the civilised world. The two armies met on July 18 at the small R. Allia, only 15 miles from Rome.' —Ihne.

D23

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (2)

A. The Battle of the Allia (cont.)

Parumper subsidiarios tutatus est locus; in reliqua acie simul est clamor proximis ab latere, ultimis ab tergo auditus, ignotum hostem prius paene quam viderent, non modo non temptato certamine sed ne clamore quidem reddito integri intactique {5} fugerunt; nec ulla caedes pugnantium fuit; terga caesa suomet ipsorum certamine in turba impedientium fugam. Circa ripam Tiberis, quo armis abiectis totum sinistrum cornu refugit, magna strages facta est, multosque imperitos nandi aut invalidos, {10} graves loricis aliisque tegminibus, hausere gurgites. Maxima tamen pars incolumis Veios perfugit, unde non modo praesidii quicquam, sed ne nuntius quidem cladis Romam est missus. Ab dextro cornu, quod procul a flumine et magis sub monte steterat, {15} Romam omnes petiere et ne clausis quidem portis urbis in arcem confugerunt.

LIVY, v. 38.

[Linenotes: 2-3. simul (= simul ac) ... auditus = as soon as the shout was heard, by those nearest on the flank, by the most distant in the rear. 'Proximi denotes the Romans on the right wing, who were the first to be attacked; the Gauls after routing them pressed on to the rear of the Romans and attacked the centre and left wing (ultimi) from behind.' —Whibley. 7-8. suomet ... fugam = as they hindered their own flight by their struggling with one another in the crush.] 11. graves = weighed down with, equivalent to a pass. partic. hausere gurgites = the currents sucked down. —W 15. sub monte, i.e. the Colles Crustumini, which run parallel to the South bank of the Tiber.]

B. July 18th, a Dies Nefastus.

Pharsalia tanti Causa mali. Cedant feralia nomina Cannae, Et damnata diu Romanis Allia fastis.

LUCAN, Phars. vii. 407-9.

[Linenotes: 407. Pharsalia, Battle of, 48 B.C. Caesar signally defeated Pompey. 408. feralia = fatal (= funesta). 409. fastis, i.e. Fasti consulares, the registers of the higher magistrates. Cf. the Saxon Chronicle.]

The Battle. 'The defeat of the Allia was never forgotten by the Romans. The panic (due to the strange appearance of the barbarians and their unwonted method of fighting) which alone had caused the defeat, struck so deep into their minds that for centuries afterwards the name and the sight of Gauls inspired them with terror.' —Ihne.

D24

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (3)

Roman Dignity and Courage.

Romae interim satis iam omnibus ut in tali re ad tuendam arcem compositis turba seniorum domos regressi adventum hostium obstinato ad mortem animo exspectabant. Qui eorum curules gesserant magistratus, ut in fortunae pristinae honorumque ac {5} virtutis insignibus morerentur, quae augustissima vestis est tensas ducentibus triumphantibusve, ea vestiti medio aedium eburneis sellis sedere. Galli autem ingressi postero die urbem patente Collina porta in forum perveniunt; ubi eos plebis aedificiis {10} obseratis, patentibus atriis principum, maior prope cunctatio tenebat aperta quam clausa invadendi; adeo haud secus quam venerabundi intuebantur in aedium vestibulis sedentes viros, praeter ornatum habitumque humano augustiorem maiestate etiam, {15} quam vultus gravitasque oris prae se ferebat, simillimos dis. Ad eos velut ad simulacra versi cum starent, M. Papirius, unus ex eis, dicitur Gallo barbam suam, ut tum omnibus promissa erat, permulcenti scipione eburneo in caput incusso iram {20} movisse, atque ab eo initium caedis ortum, ceteros in sedibus suis trucidatos; post principum caedem nulli deinde mortalium parci, diripi tecta, exhaustis inici ignes.

LIVY, v. 41 (sel.)

[Linenotes: 1. ut in tali re = considering the circumstances. 3. obstinato ad = firmly resolved on... —Rawlins. 4-5. curules magistratus = curule magistracies, i.e. of Dictator, Censor, Consul, Praetor, Curule Aedile, who possessed the right of using sellae curules (the ivory chairs of State), originally an emblem of kingly power. 5-6. in fortunae ... insignibus = in the emblems of their old rank (fortunae) and office (honorum) and prowess (virtutis i.e. prizes for valour; e.g. phalerae = bosses, coronae = crowns). 7. tensas = state cars in which the statues of the gods were drawn in solemn procession to the Circensian games. 11. obseratis = shut up, lit. barred, ob + sera, cf. sĕro = join. 14. vestibulis = entrance-courts, only found in large houses. 14-15. praeter ornatum habitumque = not only in their garb and bearing. —Whibley. 19. ut tum ... erat = worn long (promissa) as was then the custom with all, or worn long in accordance with the fashion of the time. —R. 20. scipione eburneo = the ivory staff, one of the insignia of the triumphator. 23. exhaustis (sc. aedibus) = when completely pillaged.]

Reference. Plutarch, Camillus, xxi. xxii.

D25

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (4)

A. Manlius Capitolinus and the Sacred Geese.

In summo custos Tarpeiae Manlius arcis Stabat pro templo et Capitolia celsa tenebat, Romuleoque recens horrebat regia culmo. Atque his auratis volitans argenteus anser 655 Porticibus Gallos in limine adesse canebat; Galli per dumos aderant, arcemque tenebant, Defensi tenebris et dono noctis opacae; Aurea caesaries ollis, atque aurea vestis; Virgatis lucent sagulis; tum lactea colla 660 Auro innectuntur; duo quisque Alpina coruscant Gaesa manu, scutis protecti corpora longis.

VERGIL, Aen. viii. 652-662.

Context. Venus brings Aeneas his new armour: he gazes at the shield whereon were wrought scenes of the story of Rome tobe.

[Linenotes: 652. in summo (sc. clipeo), on the top of the shield, as held in position. 654. Romuleoque ... culmo = lit. and the palace was stiff freshly covered (recens) with the thatch of Romulus. 655-656. auratis ... porticibus = the gilded colonnades of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus of Vergil's day, restored 69 B.C. 660. virgatis sagulis = with striped cloaks—virgatus = with bands or bars like shoots (virgae)—an effect produced by inlaying.C. 661-662. Alpina gaesa = Alpine (i.e. native) javelins.]

B. The Fate of Manlius, 384 B.C.

M. Manlius, unde Gallos depulerat, inde ipse praecipitatus est, quia fortiter defensam libertatem nefarie opprimere conatus fuerat. Cuius iustae ultionis nimirum haec praefatio fuit: 'Manlius eras {15} mihi, cum praecipites agebas Senones; postquam imitari coepisti, unus factus es ex Senonibus.' Huius supplicio aeternae memoriae nota inserta est: propter illum enim lege sanciri placuit ne quis patricius in arce aut Capitolio habitaret, quia domum eo loco {20} habuerat, ubi nunc aedem Monetae videmus.

VALERIUS MAXIMUS, vi. De Severitate.

[Linenotes: 13-14. quia ... fuerat. Manlius in reality fell a victim to his sympathies with the Plebeians. Cf. the fate of Sp. Cassius 485 B.C. 18. nota = a mark (brand) of infamy. 20-21. quia ... habuerat. His house on the Capitol was razed to the ground. 21. aedem Monetae, a surname of Juno, in whose temple on the Arx money was coined. Cf. our Mint.]

'Thus ended the life of Manlius, the deliverer of Rome, the humane friend of an oppressed people, condemned by this very people to die the death of a traitor.' —Ihne.

D26

THE INVASION OF ROME BY THE GAULS, 390 B.C.(5)

Camillus, Parens Patriae.

Sed diique et homines prohibuere redemptos vivere Romanos. Nam forte quadam, priusquam infanda merces perficeretur, per altercationem nondum omni auro appenso dictator intervenit auferrique aurum de medio et Gallos submoveri iubet. Cum {5} illi renitentes pactos dicerent sese, negat eam pactionem ratam esse, quae, postquam ipse dictator creatus esset, iniussu suo ab inferioris iuris magistratu facta esset, denuntiatque Gallis, ut se ad proelium expediant ... Instruit deinde aciem, ut {10} loci natura patiebatur, in semirutae solo urbis et natura inaequali, et omnia, quae arte belli secunda suis eligi praepararive poterant, providit. Galli nova re trepidi arma capiunt, iraque magis quam consilio in Romanos incurrunt. Primo concursu haud {15} maiore momento fusi Galli sunt, quam ad Alliam vicerant. Iustiore altero deinde proelio ad octavum lapidem Gabina via, quo se ex fuga contulerant, eiusdem ductu auspicioque Camilli vincuntur. Ibi caedes omnia obtinuit; castra capiuntur, et ne {20} nuntius quidem cladis relictus. Dictator recuperata ex hostibus patria triumphans in urbem redit, interque iocos militares, quos inconditos iaciunt, Romulus ac parens patriae conditorque alter urbis haud vanis laudibus appellabatur. {25}

LIVY, v. 49 (sel.)

Context. The Romans on the Capitol, despairing of outside help, agreed with Brennus that Rome should be redeemed by a ransom of 1000 pounds of gold. Nondum omnni auro appenso, Camillus appeared at the head of his troops.

[Linenotes: 3. per altercationem = owing to the dispute. When the Consular Tribune Sulpicius complained that the Gauls used unjust weights, Brennus in derision threw his sword into the scale and said Vae victis! 13-14. nova re = at the change in their fortunes. —Whibley. 15-16. haud maiore momento = with no greater difficulty (effort). 17. Iustiore altero proelio = in a second and more regular engagement. —W. 23. incondtos = rough, unpolished. 'The Gaul shall come against thee From the land of snow and night: Thou shalt give his fair-haired armies To the raven and the kite.' —Macaulay.]

D27

THE INVASION OF THE GAULS, 390 B.C. (6)

A. The Migration to Veii abandoned.

Movisse eos Camillus cum alia oratione tum ea, quae ad religiones pertinebat, maxime dicitur; sed rem dubiam decrevit vox opportune missa, quod, cum senatus post paulo de his rebus in curia Hostilia haberetur, cohortesque ex praesidiis revertentes forte {5} agmine forum transirent, centurio in comitio exclamavit: 'Signifer, statue signum; hic manebimus optime.' Qua voce audita et senatus accipere se omen ex curia egressus conclamavit, et plebs circumfusa approbavit. Antiquata deinde lege promiscue {10} urbs aedificari coepta.

LIVY, v. 55.

[Linenotes: 1. cum alia tum = especially ea = ea parte orationis. 3. vox opportune missa = a phrase seasonably let fall. 10. Antiquata deinde lege (= rogatione) = the proposed law was then rejected, antiquare = to leave in its former state.]

B. Juno forbids the Rebuilding of Troy.

'Sed bellicosis fata Quiritibus Hac lege dico, ne nimium pii Rebusque fidentes avitae Tecta velint reparare Troiae. 60 'Troiae renascens alite lugubri Fortuna tristi clade iterabitur, Ducente victrices catervas Coniuge me Iovis et sorore.' 64

HORACE, Odes, III. iii. 57-64.

[Linenotes: 58. hac lege = on this condition, i.e. that Rome should always be the capital. nimium pii = too dutiful to their mother-city Troy. 58-60. ne ... reparare Troiae. There was a rumour, even in Caesar's time (v.Suet. Iul. Caes. 79) that he meant to migrate to Alexandria or Ilium. Horace, prob. with the sanction of Augustus, sets himself to discourage it. Cf. the Speech of Camillus, Livy, v. 51-54. 61-62. Troiae ... iterabitur = the fortunes of Troy, if with evil omen it is called to life again (renascens), shall be repeated in an overthrow as sad as before. —Wickham.]

'The Burning of Rome by the Gauls involved the destruction of all the existing records, and great loss of property. Yet in spite of all the damage done, the Romans set to work to establish the state anew, to rebuild the City, and to reassert their commanding position among their allies and neighbours.' —Ihne.

The Speech of Camillus. Its object was to show the growth of Rome under the guidance of Providence. Cf. the purpose of the Aeneid.

D28

THE LICINIAN LAWS, 376-366 B.C. (1)

First Plebeian Consul, 366 B.C.

Occasio videbatur rerum novandarum propter ingentem vim aeris alieni, cuius levamen mali plebes nisi suis in summo imperio locatis, nullum speraret: accingendum ad eam cogitationem esse; conando agendoque iam eo gradum fecisse plebeios, unde, {5} si porro annitantur, pervenire ad summa et patribus aequari tam honore quam virtute possent. In praesentia tribunes plebis fieri placuit, quo in magistratu sibimet ipsi viam ad ceteros honores aperirent. Creatique tribuni C. Licinius et L. Sextius promulgavere {10} leges omnes adversus opes patriciorum et pro commodis plebis, unam de aere alieno, ut deducto eo de capite, quod usuris pernumeratum esset, id, quod superesset, triennio aequis pensionibus persolveretur; alteram de modo agrorum, ne quis plus quingenta {15} iugera agri possideret; tertiam, ne tribunorum militum comitia fierent, consulumque utique alter ex plebe crearetur; cuncta ingentia et quae sine certamine maximo obtineri non possent.... Ita ab diutina ira tandem in concordiam redacti sunt ordines. {20}

LIVY, vi. 35.

[Linenotes: 1. Occasio. This, so Livy tells us, was the jealousy between the Fabian sisters, the one married to the patrician Sulpicius, the other to the plebeian Licinius Stolo. 1-2. propter ... alieni. The old Roman law of debt was very harsh and severe. 3. in summo imperio, i.e. the Consulate. 4. accingendum ... esse = they must brace themselves to the execution of that idea. —R. accingendum, reflexive here. 5. iam eo, i.e. to the office of Consular Tribune, created 444 B.C. 6. si porro annitantur = if they now make a further effort. This use of Pres. Subj. in Or. Obl. frequent in Livy. 7. tam honore quam virtute = in official rank as (they were already) in merit. —Rawlins. 12-14. ut deducto ... persolveretur = 'after deducting from the amount of the loan (capite = principal) what had been paid in interest, the balance should be paid in three equal instalments.' —Cluer and Matheson. 15. de modo agrorum = relating to the limitation of land-holding. 16-17. tribunorum militum (sc. cum consulari potestate) created 444 B.C., but no plebeian obtained that honour till 400 B.C., and only two after that date. 17. utique = one at any rate.]

Result. 'The principle was established that Patricians and Plebeians were both citizens of the State, and equally eligible to the honours and dignities of the Republic.' —Ihne.

D29

THE LICINIAN LAWS, 376-366 B.C. (2)

The Origin of the Floralia, 238 B.C.

'Dic, dea,' respondi, 'ludorum quae sit origo.' Vix bene desieram; rettulit illa mihi: 'Cetera luxuriae nondum instrumenta vigebant: Aut pecus, aut latam dives habebat humum; 4 Hinc etiam locuples, hinc ipsa pecunia dicta est. Sed iam de vetito quisque parabat opes. Venerat in morem populi depascere saltus; Idque diu licuit, poenaque nulla fuit. 8 Vindice servabat nullo sua publica vulgus; Iamque in privato pascere inertis erat. Plebis ad aediles perducta licentia talis Publicios: animus defuit ante viris. 12 Rem populus recipit: multam subiere nocentes: Vindicibus laudi publica cura fuit. Multa data est ex parte mihi, magnoque favore Victores ludos instituere novos. 16 Parte locant Clivum, qui tunc erat ardua rupes: Utile nunc iter est. Publiciumque vocant.'

OVID, Fasti, v. 237-254, H. [V. 277-294]

[Linenotes: 2. illa, i.e. Flora, the Roman goddess of Flowers and Spring. 3. luxuriae instrumenta = appliance of luxury. 5. locuples (locus + plenus) = rich in lands. pecunia from pecus, cattle being in olden time the chief form of wealth and the chief medium of exchange. For pecus, cf. fee, fief, feudal. 7. Venerat ... saltus = it had grown into a custom to feed (cattle) on the public forest-pastures. (Cf. the ager publicus.) —H. 9. sua publica = their common property, i.e. their interest in the public land. vulgus here = the commons, not the plebs as opposed to the populus. 10. inertis erat = it was the mark of a man wanting in spirit. 12. Publicios. L. and M. Publicius Malleolus,[21] plebeian aediles, B.C. 241. animus ... viris, i.e. information had before been given but no aedile dared to act uponit. 13. recipit = takes up the charge at the Comitia. multam = a fine. Cf. to mulct = to fine. 14. publica cura = their public spirit. —H. 15. multa ... mihi, i.e. anew Temple was built to Flora near the Circus Maximus. ludos novos = the Floralia. 16. Parte locant (sc. muniendum) Clivum = with the (other) part they contract for (the making of) the Clivus, a sloping road, called the Clivus Publicius, which led up to the Aventine.]

[Footnote 21: For Malleolus, cf. Charles Martel of France, 'The Hammer' circ. 689-741 A.D.]



THE CONQUEST OF ITALY, 366-266 B.C.

D30

SECOND INVASION OF THE GAULS, 361 B.C.

Manlius and his son Torquatus.

L. Manlio, cum dictator fuisset, M. Pomponius tribunus plebis diem dixit, quod is paucos sibi dies ad dictaturam gerendam addidisset; criminabatur etiam, quod Titum filium, qui postea est Torquatus appellatus, ab hominibus relegasset et ruri habitare {5} iussisset. Quod cum audivisset adulescens filius negotium exhiberi patri, accurrisse Romam et cum prima luce Pomponii domum venisse dicitur. Cui cum esset nuntiatum, qui illum iratum allaturum ad se aliquid contra patrem arbitraretur, surrexit e {10} lectulo remotisque arbitris ad se adulescentem iussit venire. At ille, ut ingressus est, confestim gladium destrinxit iuravitque se illum statim interfecturum, nisi ius iurandum sibi dedisset se patrem missum esse facturum. Iuravit hoc terrore coactus Pomponius; {15} rem ad populum detulit, docuit cur sibi causa desistere necesse esset, Manlium missum fecit. Tantum temporibus illis ius iurandum valebat. Atque hic T. Manlius is est, qui ad Anienem Galli, quem ab eo provocatus occiderat, torque detracto cognomen {20} invenit, cuius tertio consulatu Latini ad Veserim fusi et fugati.

CICERO, de Officiis, iii. 112.

[Linenotes: 1. L. Manlio, i.e. L. Manlius Capitolinus Imperiosus, appointed Dictator 363 B.C. 'to drive in a nail (clavi figendi causa) on the right side of the Temple of Jupiter, to mark the number of the year, because written documents were rare in those times.' 2. diem dixit = named a day (for his trial before the Comitia). 4-6. quod Titum filium ... iussisset. Livy, vii. 4, says 'And for what offence? Because he was a little slow of speech and not ready with his tongue.' 4. Torquatus, Dictator 353 and 349 B.C., and three times Consul. 6. negotium exhiberi patri = lit. that trouble was being brought upon his father, i.e. that his father was in trouble. 9-10. qui arbitraretur = inasmuch as he thought. Adject. causal clause. —Holden. 11. remotis arbitris = when he had put out of the room all witnesses. —H. arbiter[22] = (ar = ad + bito = eo) = spectator, umpire. 14-15. missum facturum = would set at liberty. 19. ad Anienem Galli. On this, their second invasion, the Gauls advanced as far as the Anio. Livy tells us that after the death of their champion the Gauls fled under cover of night. 21-22. cuius ... fugati, i.e. the great battle of Vesuvius fought 340 B.C. by the Veseris, a R. in Campania near Mount Vesuvius, which established for ever the supremacy of Rome over Latium.]

[Footnote 22: Cf. arbiter pugnae, bibendi, Horace.]

Parallel Passage. Livy, vii. 4, 5, 9,10.

D31

FIRST SAMNITE WAR, 343-341 B.C. (1)

An Important Epoch in Roman History.

Maiora iam hinc bella et viribus hostium et longinquitate vel regionum vel temporum, quibus bellatum est, dicentur. Namque eo anno adversus Samnites, gentem opibus armisque validam, mota arma; Samnitium bellum ancipiti Marte gestum {5} Pyrrhus hostis, Pyrrhum Poeni secuti. Quanta rerum moles! quoties in extrema periculoram ventum, ut in hanc magnitudinem, quae vix sustinetur, erigi imperium posset! Belli autem causa cum Samnitibus Romanis, cum societate amicitiaque iuncti essent, {10} extrinsecus venit, non orta inter ipsos est. Samnites Sidicinis iniusta arma, quia viribus plus poterant, cum intulissent, coacti inopes ad opulentiorum auxilium confugere Campanis sese coniungunt. Campani magis nomen ad praesidium sociorum quam {15} vires cum attulissent, fluentes luxu ab duratis usu armorum in Sidicino pulsi agro, in se deinde molem omnem belli verterunt. Namque Samnites, omissis Sidicinis ipsam arcem finitimorum Campanos adorti, unde aeque facilis victoria, praedae atque gloriae {20} plus esset, Tifata, imminentes Capuae colles, cum praesidio firmo occupassent, descendunt inde quadrato agmine in planitiem, quae Capuam Tifataque interiacet. Ibi rursus acie dimicatum; adversoque proelio Campani intra moenia compulsi, cum robore iuventutis {25} suae acciso nulla propinqua spes esset, coacti sunt ab Romanis petere auxilium.

LIVY, vii. 29.

[Linenotes: 1. iam hinc, i.e. 343-266 B.C. 2. longinquitate ... temporum = the distance of the theatre of war (regionum) and the length of the campaign (temporum).—Rawlins. 6-7. quanta rerum moles = What stupendous exertions!—R. 8. in hanc magnitudinem, i.e. in the reign of Augustus. 10. cum societate, i.e. from 354 B.C. 12. Sidicinis, a Sabellian people N.W. of Campania, on the Samnite border. 16. fluentes (luxu) = enervated (lit. relaxed) by luxury. 21. Tifta (neut. Plur.), amountain range N.E. of Capua. 22-23. quadrato agmine = in regular order of battle, so that the whole army formed a parallelogram.]

The Cause of the War. 'The interference of Rome was a breach of the Treaty with the Samnites. Livy admits this, but asserts that Capua had formally surrendered to Rome, and as a subject state claimed her protection. The story is confessedly false, for Capua remained, what it had always been, an independent town.' —R.

D32

FIRST SAMNITE WAR, 343-341 B.C. (2)

Battle of Mt. Gaurus. M. Valerius Corvus.

Non alias militi familiarior dux fuit, omnia inter infimos militum haud gravate munia obeundo. In ludo praeterea militari, cum velocitatis viriumque inter se aequales certamina ineunt, comiter facilis; vincere ac vinci vultu eodem, nec quemquam aspernari {5} parem, qui se offerret; factis benignus pro re, dictis haud minus libertatis alienae quam suae dignitatis memor, et, quo nihil popularius est, quibus artibus petierat magistratus, iisdem gerebat. Itaque universus exercitus incredibili alacritate adhortationem {10} prosecutus ducis castris egreditur.... Primus omnium consul invadit hostem et, cum quo forte contulit gradum, obtruncat. Hoc spectaculo accensi dextra laevaque ante se quisque memorandum proelium ciet; stant obnixi Samnites, quamquam {15} plura accipiunt quam inferunt vulnera. Aliquamdiu iam pugnatum erat, atrox caedes circa signa Samnitium, fuga ab nulladum parte erat; adeo morte sola vinci destinaverant animis. Itaque Romani, cum et fluere iam lassitudine vires sentirent et diei {20} haud multum superesse, accensi ira concitant se in hostem. Tum primum referri pedem atque inclinari rem in fugam apparuit; tum capi, occidi Samnis; nec superfuissent multi, ni nox victoriam magis quam proelium diremisset. {25}

LIVY, vii. 33.

[Linenotes: 1. familiarior = on better terms with. —Cluer and Matheson. 2. haud gravate = without reluctance (ungrudgingly). Compare Sallust's description of Marius and Sulla. 4. aequales = competitors, lit. well-matched. comiter facilis = he was courteously good-natured. 6-7. pro re = to suit the occasion. 9. artibus iisdem = in the same spirit. —Weissenborn. 11. prosecutus = welcoming, lit. attending. 12-13. cum ... gradum = with whom he happened to engage. Cf. collato pede = fighting foot to foot. 15. stant obnixi = stand their ground firmly. obnixus (ob + nitor, strive + against), resolute. 23. Samnis, nom. sing. capi, occidi, Historic Infinitives. 25. diremisset = had broken off. dirimo (dis + emo) = take apart.]

The Battle of Mt. Gaurus. The battle was fought on the volcanic range of mountains between Cumae and Neapolis. The Consul in command, M. Valerius, obtained the surname of Corvus (Raven), because when serving as a military Tribune under Camillus in 349 B.C., he defeated the Gallic champion by the aid of a raven. See next page, A. l.4. [[line 66]]

D33

THE LATIN WAR, 340-338 B.C. (1)

Self-Sacrifice of Decius Mus, 340 B.C.

A. Rome's Empire safe in the keeping of Augustus.

Curtius expletis statuit monimenta lacunis; At Decius misso proelia rupit equo; 64 Coclitis abscissos testatur semita pontes: Est cui cognomen corvus habere dedit. Haec di condiderunt, haec di quoque moenia servant: Vix timeat, salvo Caesare, Roma Iovem. 68

PROPERTIUS, III. (IV.) xi. (x.) 63-68.

[Linenotes: 63. Curtius ... lacunis, in allusion to the spot called Lacus Curtius (marked by a circular pavement) in the Forum which served as a memorial (monimenta) of his heroic sacrifice. Livy, vii.6. lacuna (cf. lacus) = a hole, pool, chasm. 65. semita (sed + meo = go + aside) = a path, road. Cocles, apparently, gave his name to the street running up from the bridge which he 'kept so well.' —Ramsay. 66. cui, i.e. M. Valerius Corvus, the hero of Mt. Gaurus. See p.91. [[previous selection]] 67-68. i.e. with Caesar (Augustus) safe, Rome has none to fear, nay, scarce Jove himself. Flattery can go no further than this!]

B. The Dream of the Consuls on the Eve of Battle.

Illud etiam somnium et magnae admirationis et clari exitus, quod eadem nocte duo consules P. Decius Mus et T. Manlius Torquatus Latino bello gravi ac periculoso non procul a Vesuvi montis radicibus {10} positis castris viderunt. Utrique enim quaedam per quietem species praedixit ex altera acie imperatorem, ex altera exercitum dis Manibus matrique Terrae deberi; utrius autem dux copias hostium superque eas sese ipsum devovisset, victricem abituram. Id {15} luce proxima consulibus sacrificio vel expiaturis, si posset averti, vel, si certum deorum etiam monitu visum foret, exsecuturis, hostiarum exta somnio congruerunt, convenitque inter eos, cuius cornu prius laborare coepisset, ut is capite suo fata patriae lueret. {20} Quae neutro reformidante Decium depoposcerunt.

VALERIUS MAXIMUS, i. De Somniis.

[Linenotes: 13. Dis Manibus = the deified souls of the dead, usually looked upon as beneficent spirits. 15. victricem, sc. aciem. 17. deorum etiam monitu = by the warning of the gods also, i.e. by the auspices as well as by the dream. 19-20. cuius cornu ... coepisset. The left wing led by Decius was repulsed by the Latins, and Decius accordingly devoted himself to death.]

Parallel Passage. Livy, viii. 6.9.

D34

THE LATIN WAR, 340-338 B.C. (2)

The Battle of Mt. Vesuvius, 340 B.C.

Procedente deinde certamine cum aliis partibus multitudo superaret Latinorum, Manlius consul audito eventu collegae paulisper addubitavit, an consurgendi iam triariis tempus esset; deinde melius ratus integros eos ad ultimum discrimen servari, {5} Accensos ab novissima acie ante signa procedere iubet. Qui ubi subiere, extemplo Latini, tamquam idem adversarii fecissent, triarios suos excitaverunt; qui aliquamdiu pugna atroci cum et semet ipsi fatigassent et hastas aut praefregissent aut hebetassent, {10} pellerent vi tamen hostem, debellatum iam rati perventumque ad extremam aciem, tum consul triariis 'Consurgite nunc' inquit 'integri adversus fessos, memores patriae parentumque et coniugum ac liberorum, memores consulis pro vestra victoria {15} morte occubantis.' Ubi triarii consurrexerunt, integri, refulgentibus armis, nova ex improviso exorta acies, receptis in intervalla ordinum antepilanis, clamore sublato principia Latinorum perturbant hastisque ora fodientes primo robore virorum caeso per alios manipulos {20} velut inermes prope intacti evasere tantaque caede perrupere cuneos, ut vix quartam partem relinquerent hostium.

LIVY, viii. 10.

[Linenotes: 3-4. an consurgendi ... esset. Livy says 'The Triarii were posted crouching by the standards, their left leg extended forwards, holding their shields resting on their shoulders, and their spears fixed in the ground with the points erect, so that their line bristled as if enclosed by a rampart.' 6. Accensos. The Accensi (ad + censeo), originally supernumeraries to take the place of those who fell in battle, = levis armatura. ante signa, i.e. of the Hastati and Principes. 8. excitaverunt = surgere iusserunt. —Weissenborn. 10. hebetassent = had blunted. 18. antepilanis = prop. both the Hastati and Principes who were drawn up before the Pilani or Triarii who formed the third line. 19. principia = the front line, now the Triarii of the Latins. 22. cuneos = columns (lit. wedges), i.e. abody of soldiers drawn up in the shape of a wedge. Livy uses it of the phalanx.]

The Cause of the War. The war was almost a civil one. The dispute was chiefly about a right to share in the privileges of the full Roman citizenship (espec. the right to vote and to hold office).

Result of the War. Rome broke up the Latin Confederation by making separate treaties with the Latin towns, and by prohibiting commercial intercourse between them.

D35

SECOND SAMNITE WAR, 326-304 B.C. (1)

The Dictator and his Master of the Horse.

Ea fortuna pugnae fuit, ut nihil relictum sit, quo, si adfuisset Dictator, res melius geri potuerit; non dux militi, non miles duci defuit. Eques etiam, auctore L. Cominio tribuno militum, qui aliquotiens impetu capto perrumpere non poterat hostium agmen, {5} detraxit frenos equis atque ita concitatos calcaribus permisit, ut sustinere eos nulla vis posset; per arma, per viros late stragem dedere; secutus pedes impetum equitum turbatis hostibus intulit signa. Viginti milia hostium caesa eo die traduntur. Magister equitum, {10} ut ex tanta caede, multis potitus spoliis congesta in ingentem acervum hostilia arma subdito igne concremavit, seu votum id deorum cuiquam fuit, seu credere libet Fabio auctori eo factum, ne suae gloriae fructum Dictator caperet nomenque ibi scriberet aut {15} spolia in triumpho ferret. Litterae quoque de re prospere gesta ad senatum, non ad Dictatorem missae argumentum fuere minima cum eo communicantis laudes. Ita certe Dictator id factum accepit, ut laetis aliis victoria parta prae se ferret iram tristitiamque. {20}

LIVY, viii, 30.

[Linenotes: 2. Dictator = L. Papirius Cursor, noted for the strictness of his military discipline. At this time he had gone to Rome to take the auspices anew (ad auspicium repetendum) and had given strict orders to his Master of the Horse, Q. Fabius Rullianus, to avoid all collision with the enemy during his absence. 7. permisit = gave them their heads. Cf. immittere habenas. 9. turbatis ... signa = attacked the enemy (dative) when in confusion. 11. spoliis, i.e. the arms taken from the fallen. 13-14. seu credere ... factum = lit. or whether one prefer to credit the authority of Fabius that it was done on this account (eo) ... Fabius Pictor, the earliest Roman historian, wrote in Greek and served in the 2nd Punic War. 15. ibi (sc. hostilia arma) = on them. These, set up as a trophy with the victor's name inscribed, would have been borne in the triumphal procession. 19. Ita certe ... accepit = so (ita) no doubt the Dictator interpreted his (Fabius') action.]

The Cause of the War. The actual casus belli was a dispute between Rome and the Samnites for the possession of Palaeopolis (= old city) near Neapolis (= new city). Cf. the First Punic War, 241 B.C., due to the struggle for the possession of Messana, and the war with Pyrrhus, 281 B.C., for the possession of Tarentum.

Historic Parallel. Fabius Cunctator and Minucius. —Livy, xxii. 24-30.

D36

SECOND SAMNITE WAR, 326-304 B.C. (2)

The Caudine Forks, 321 B.C.

Duae ad Luceriam ferebant viae, altera praeter oram superi maris, patens apertaque, sed quanto tutior, tanto fere longior, altera per Furculas Caudinas, brevior; sed ita natus locus est. Saltus duo alti, angusti silvosique sunt, montibus circa perpetuis {5} inter se iuncti. Iacet inter eos satis patens, clausus in medio, campus herbidus aquosusque, per quem medium iter est; sed antequam venias ad eum, intrandae primae angustiae sunt, et aut eadem, qua te insinuaveris, retro via repetenda, aut, si ire {10} porro pergas, per alium saltum, artiorem impeditioremque, evadendum. In eum campum via alia per cavam rupem Romani demisso agmine cum ad alias angustias protinus pergerent, saeptas deiectu arborum saxorumque ingentium obiacente mole {15} invenere. Cum fraus hostilis apparuisset, praesidium etiam in summo saltu conspicitur. Citati inde retro, qua venerant, pergunt repetere viam; eam quoque clausam sua obice armisque inveniunt. Sistunt inde gradum sine ullius imperio, intuentesque alii alios {20} diu immobiles silent.

LIVY, ix. 2.

[Linenotes: 1. ad Luceriam = in the direction of Luceria, a town in Apulia on the borders of Samnium, and now threatened by the Samnites. 1-2. praeter ... maris = along the coast of the upper sea, i.e. the Adriatic. Taking this route, they would go N. of Samnium, through the Peligni, and S. through the Frentani into Apulia. 3. fere = just. 3-4. Furculas Caudinas, two fork-shaped defiles near Caudium, the capital of the Caudine Samnites, between Beneventum and Capua on what was afterwards the Via Appia. 5-6. montibus ... iuncti = united by a continuous ring (perpetuis circa) of mountains. 10. insinuaveris = lit. have wound your way. 11-12. artiorem impeditioremque = more narrow and more difficult (i.e. steeper). 13. per cavam rupem = through an overhanging rocky defile. demisso agmine = with their troops led down (the descent). 14. protinus = straightforward. 14-15. deiectu ... mole = lit. 'abarrier lying in the way (formed) by the throwing down of trees and large pieces of rock.' mole = an abattis (a knocking down, felling).—Rawlins. 16. cum fraus ... = no sooner had ... when ... 17. citati = hurriedly (in hot haste). Partic. used adverbially. —Stephenson. 19. sua obice = with a barrier of its own (i.e. specially prepared).]

D37

SECOND SAMNITE WAR, 326-304 B.C. (3)

The Caudine Forks. The Yoke.

Alii alios intueri, contemplari arma mox tradenda et inermes futuras dextras obnoxiaque corpora hosti; proponere sibimet ipsi ante oculos iugum hostile et ludibria victoris et vultus superbos et per armatos inermium iter, inde foedi agminis miserabilem viam {5} per sociorum urbes, reditum in patriam ad parentes, quo saepe ipsi maioresque eorum triumphantes venissent: se solos sine vulnere, sine ferro, sine acie victos: sibi non stringere licuisse gladios, non manum cum hoste conferre; sibi nequicquam animos datos. {10} Haec frementibus hora fatalis ignominiae advenit, omnia tristiora experiundo factura, quam quae praeceperant animis. Iam primum cum singulis vestimentis inermes extra vallum exire iussi, et primi traditi obsides atque in custodiam abducti. Primi {15} consules prope seminudi sub iugum missi; tum ut quisque gradu proximus erat, ita ignominiae obiectus; tum deinceps singulae legiones. Ita traducti sub iugum et, quod paene gravius erat, per hostium oculos, cum e saltu evasissent, etsi velut ab inferis {20} extracti tum primum lucem aspicere visi sunt, tamen ipsa lux ita deforme intuentibus agmen omni morte tristior fuit.

LIVY, ix. 5, 6.

[Linenotes: 1-10. intueri; contemplari ... = There they are looking one on another.... By a string of infinitives the picture of a series of actions is put before the reader without the actions being thought of singly. —Lee Warner. 2. obnoxia = at the mercy of ...—Rawlins. 6. per sociorum urbes, e.g. Capua. 11. fatalis ignominiae = destined for their disgrace. 12. experiundo = by experience; praeceperant = they had anticipated. 16. seminudi = with only their tunicson. 17. gradu = in rank. 18. traducti, 'always used in this sense of disgraceful exhibition or parade.' —Stephenson. 22-23. ipsa lux ... fuit = the very light was to them as they gazed on so hideous a line of march more gloomy than any form of death.]

The Caudine Forks. Other writers state that the Romans were entrapped only after a severe defeat.

'By the side of those names (the Allia and Cannae) there was yet a third in the list of evil days—the name of the Caudine Pass.' —Ihne. Cf. p.82,B. [[Selection D23 B]]

Historic Parallels. Livy's account of Trasimene. The Kyber Pass, 1842. The Capitulation of Metz, 1870.

D38

SECOND SAMNITE WAR, 326-304 B.C. (4)

Rome repudiates the Treaty.

At vero T. Veturius et Sp. Postumius, cum iterum consules assent, quia, cum male pugnatum apud Caudium esset, legionibus nostris sub iugum missis pacem cum Samnitibus fecerant, dediti sunt eis; iniussu enim populi senatusque fecerant. Eodemque {5} tempore Ti. Numicius, Q. Maelius, qui tum tribuni plebis erant, quod eorum auctoritate pax erat facta, dediti sunt, ut pax Samnitium repudiaretur. Atque huius deditionis ipse Postumius, qui dedebatur, suasor et auctor fuit. Quod idem multis annis post {10} C. Mancinus, qui ut Numantinis, quibuscum sine senatus auctoritate foedus fecerat, dederetur, rogationem suasit eam, quam L. Furius, Sex. Atilius ex senatus consulto ferebant: qua accepta est hostibus deditus. Honestius hic quam Q. Pompeius, quo, {15} cum in eadem causa esset, deprecante accepta lex non est. Hic ea, quae videbatur utilitas, plus valuit quam honestas, apud superiores utilitatis species falsa ab honestatis auctoritate superata est.

CICERO, De Officiis, iii. 109.

[Linenotes: 4. pacem ... fecerant, i.e. amilitary convention, by which Rome and Samnium were to acknowledge each other as free peoples with equal rights and privileges, and Rome was to give up her conquests and colonies on Samnite territory. 5. iniussu ... senatusque. 'The Senate considered it in the light of a sponsio, a convention made on personal responsibility, rather than a pactio or foedus, a public treaty.' —Holden. 6. tribuni plebis, prob. only tribunes-elect (= designati), for the tribunes could not leave Rome even for one night. 11. C. Mancinus commanded against Numantia in Spain, 137 B.C. 15. Q. Pompeius commanded against Numantia, 140 B.C. 16. cum in eadem causa esset = though he was in the same case, as Mancinus, i.e. had made a degrading peace with the Numantines. —H. 15-17. quo ... deprecante ... non est = through his begging to be let off, the law (i.e. for delivering him up to the enemy) was not passed. 17. Hic = in this case, i.e. that of Pompeius. 18. apud superiores, i.e. Veturius, Postumius, and Mancinus. 18-19. utilitatis species falsa = the false semblance of expediency.]

The Repudiation of the Treaty. 'It is clear that Postumius and his brother officers could not bind the Roman Senate and people by the promise they had made in Caudium; but it is equally clear that they were bound by their promise to do what was in their power to cause the treaty to be ratified.' —Ihne.

D39

SECOND SAMNITE WAR, 326-304 B.C. (5)

Battle of Bovianum, 305 B.C. Peace made, 304 B.C.

Eodem anno in campum Stellatem agri Campani Samnitium incursiones factae. Itaque ambo consules in Samnium missi cum diversas regiones, Tifernum Postumius, Bovianum Minucius petisset, Postumii prius ductu ad Tifernum pugnatum. Alii {5} haud dubie Samnites victos ac viginti milia hominum capta tradunt, alii Marte aequo discessum, et Postumium, metum simulantem, nocturno itinere clam in montes copias abduxisse, hostes secutos duo milia inde locis munitis et ipsos consedisse. Consul ut {10} stativa tuta copiosaque petisse videretur, postquam et munimentis castra firmavit et omni apparatu rerum utilium instruxit, relicto firmo praesidio de vigilia tertia, qua[23] proxime potest, expeditas legiones ad collegam, et ipsum adversus alios sedentem, ducit. {15} Ibi auctore Postumio Minucius cum hostibus signa confert, et, cum anceps proelium in multum diei processisset, tum Postumius integris legionibus defessam iam aciem hostium improviso invadit. Itaque cum lassitudo ac vulnera fugam quoque praepedissent, {20} occidione occisi hostes, signa unum et viginti capta.

LIVY, ix. 44.

[Footnote 23: qua duci proxime potest. —W. andM.]

[Linenotes: 1. In campum Stellatem. Stellas, apart of the Campanian plain, N. of Mt. Tifata (E.of Capua). 4. Tifernum, E. of Bovianum on the R. Tifernus. Postumius ... Minucius, Consuls 305 B.C. Bovianum, in Samnium, W. of Luceria (in Apulia). 11. stativa tuta = safe quarters. Cf. stativa castra = a stationary camp. 15. et ipsum ... sedentem = also lying encamped (sedentem) in the face of another army. —Stephenson. 20. praepedissent = hampered, lit. to entangle the feet (prae + pes). 21. occidione occisi. This has the force of a superlative by the repetition, a common idiom in Oriental[24] languages. —S.]

[Footnote 24: E.g. in Hebrew, Delivering I will deliver = I will surely deliver.]

Results of the Second Samnite War. Roman influence became supreme in Campania and Apulia, and the Samnites were confined to their own mountains. In 304 B.C. the Romans renewed their ancient Treaty with the Samnites (as Livy tells us) by which they were left in possession of their independence.

Why the Romans conquered. (1) Their conduct of the war was more systematic. (2) By their plan of fortified colonies (e.g. Cales, Fregellae, Luceria) they retained their hold on the conquered territory. (3) The diplomatic skill of the Senate secured the friendship of the neighbours of the Samnites (e.g. the Apulians and Lucanians).

D40

THIRD SAMNITE WAR, 298-290 B.C.

Battle of Sentinum, 295 B.C. 'Novum pugnae genus.'

Ferocior Decius et aetate et vigore animi quantumcunque virium habuit certamine primo effudit. Et quia lentior videbatur pedestris pugna, equitatum in pugnam concitat et ipse fortissimae iuvenum turmae immixtus orat proceres iuventutis, in hostem {5} ut secum impetum faciant: duplicem illorum gloriam fore, si ab laevo cornu et ab equite victoria incipiat. Bis avertere Gallicum equitatum; iterum longius evectos et iam inter media peditum agmina proelium cientes novum pugnae conterruit genus: essedis {10} carrisque superstans armatus hostis ingenti sonitu equorum rotarumque advenit et insolitos eius tumultus Romanorum conterruit eqnos. Ita victorem equitatum velut lymphaticus pavor dissipat; sternit inde ruentes equos virosque improvida fuga, {15} turbata hinc etiam signa legionum multique impetu equorum ac vehiculorum raptorum per agmen obtriti antesignani; et insecuta, simul territos hostes vidit, Gallica acies nullum spatium respirandi recipiendique se dedit. {20}

LIVY, x. 28.

[Linenotes: 1. Decius. P. Decius Mus, Consul with Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianus, commanded the left wing at the Battle of Sentinum, where he was opposed to the Gauls, and when his troops began to give way before the Gaulish chariots (essedae) he, like his father at the Battle of Vesuvius, 340 B.C., devoted[25] himself with the hostile army 'to the gods of earth and of the grave.' 5. proceres iuventutis = the flower of the young men. 8. avertere (= se avertere) = to retire (lit. turn away). 10. essedis = war-chariots, on two wheels, open in front, but closed behind, and drawn by two horses; used also by the Britons. 14. lymphaticus = mad, frenzied. 16. turbata ... signa legionum = the ranks of the legions were thrown into disorder. Signa is frequently used of military movement, as the most noticeable feature in an army.]

[Footnote 25: Cf. pp. 92, 93.]

The Cause of the Third Samnite War. The democratic party among the Lucanians made overtures to the Samnites. The Romans peremptorily ordered the Samnites not to interfere in Lucania, an arrogant command which the Samnites declined to obey, and war broke out anew.

Results of the War. After an obstinate struggle peace was concluded in 290 B.C., the Samnites retaining their independence.

D41

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS, 281-275 B.C.(1)

The Aims of Pyrrhus. Battle of Heraclea, 280 B.C.

Pyrrhus rex Epiri cum iterata Tarentinorum legatione additis Samnitium et Lucanorum precibus, fatigaretur, non tam supplicum precibus quam spe invadendi Italiae imperii inductus venturum se cum exercitu pollicetur. In quam rem inclinatum semel {5} animum praecipitem agere coeperant exempla maiorum, ne aut inferior patruo suo Alexandro videretur, quo defensore idem Tarentini adversus Bruttios usi fuerant, aut minores animos magno Alexandro habuisse, qui tam longa a domo militia Orientem subegerat. {10} Igitur relicto custode regni Ptolemaeo filio annos xv nato exercitum in portu Tarentino exponit. Cuius audito adventu consul Romanus Valerius Laevinus festinans, ut prius cum eo congrederetur, quam auxilia sociorum convenirent, exercitum in {15} aciem educit. Nec rex, tametsi numero militum inferior esset, certamini moram fecit. Sed Romanos vincentes iam inusitata ante elephantorum forma stupere primo, mox cedere proelio coegit, victoresque iam nova Macedonum repente monstra vicerunt. {20} Nec hostibus incruenta victoria fuit. Nam et Pyrrhus ipse graviter vulneratus est, et magna pars militum eius caesa, maioremque gloriam eius victoriae quam laetitiam habuit.

JUSTINUS, xviii. 1.

[Linenotes: 1. iterata legatione = by a second embassy. 3. fatigaretur = was importuned. 3-4. non tam ... inductus. Pyrrhus aimed at founding a western Grecian Empire in Italy and Sicily. 7-9. patruo suo Alexandro ... fuerant. Alexander of Epirus had almost succeeded in uniting the whole of Magna Graecia (332-326 B.C.) when he was cut off by the hand of an assassin. 9. magno Alexandro. Pyrrhus was acknowledged to be the first general of the school of Alexander, and Hannibal (so Plutarch tells us) considered him the greatest military genius. 18. inusitata ante ... forma = the unfamiliar appearanceof. 22-23. magna pars militum. Pyrrhus is said to have lost 4000 men, 'aserious matter to him in a foreign country, where he could not easily replace the loss of his tried old warriors.' —Ihne.]

Cause of the War. By 282 B.C. Rome had taken possession of Magna Graecia, with the exception of Tarentum. In 282 B.C. (in defiance of the treaty of 301 B.C.) a Roman fleet appeared before the Harbour of Tarentum. Anaval battle ensued in which the Tarentines were victorious, and the war began.

D42

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS. (2)

Fabricius the Just. Honesty before Expediency.

Cum rex Pyrrhus populo Romano bellum ultro intulisset, cumque de imperio certamen esset cum rege generoso ac potenti, perfuga ab eo venit in castra Fabricii eique est pollicitus, si praemium sibi proposuisset, se, ut clam venisset, sic clam in Pyrrhi {5} castra rediturum et eum veneno necaturum. Hunc Fabricius reducendum curavit ad Pyrrhum idque eius factum laudatum a senatu est. Atqui, si speciem utilitatis opinionemque quaerimus, magnum illud bellum perfuga unus et gravem adversarium imperi {10} sustulisset, sed magnum dedecus et flagitium, quicum laudis certamen fuisset, eum non virtute sed scelere superatum. Utrum igitur utilius vel Fabricio, qui talis in hac urbe qualis Aristides Athenis fuit, vel senatui nostro, qui numquam utilitatem a dignitate {15} seiunxit, armis cum hoste certare an venenis? Si gloriae causa imperium expetendum est, scelus absit, in quo non potest esse gloria: sin ipsae opes expetuntur quoquo modo, non poterunt utiles esse cum infamia. {20}

CICERO, De Officiis, iii. 86,87.

[Linenotes: 1-2. bellum ultro intulisset = had begun an aggressive (ultro) war. ultro = lit. to a place beyond, hence = beyond expectation, unprovoked. 2. de imperio = uter imperaret. —Holden. 3. perfuga = a deserter. Aulus Gellius says the traitor was Nicias, afriend of Pyrrhus; Florus and Eutropius, aphysician of Pyrrhus. 8. atqui = and yet, a more emphatic at. 8-9. speciem utilitatis opinionemque (sc. utilitatis) = the semblance and (popular) opinion of expediency. —H. 11-13. sed magnum ... superatum = but it would have been a lasting disgrace and scandal for a general, with whom the struggle lay for glory, to have been overcome by an act of wickedness and not by valour. —H. 14. Aristides Athenis. Aristides the Just. 'Sans Peur et sans Reproche.' 19. quoquo modo = in any way. Cf. quacumque ratione. —H.]

Parallel Passage. Eutropius ii. 7. 8. 14: Tum Pyrrhus admiratus eum dixisse fertur: 'Ille est Fabricius, qui difficilius ab honestate quam sol a cursu suo averti potest.'

Fabricius, like Cincinnatus and M'. Curius Dentatus, is the representative of the purity and honesty of the good old times.

D43

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS. (3)

Appius the Blind, 280 B.C.

Ad Appi Claudi senectutem accedebat etiam ut caecus esset; tamen is, cum sententia senatus inclinaret ad pacem cum Pyrrho foedusque faciendum, non dubitavit dicere illa, quae versibus persecutus est Ennius: {5}

Quo vobis mentes, rectae quae stare solebant Antehac, dementis sese flexere viai?

ceteraque gravissime, notum enim vobis carmen est, et tamen ipsius Appi exstat oratio. Atque haec ille egit septemdecim annis post alterum consulatum, {10} cum inter duos consulatus anni decem interfuissent censorque ante superiorem consulatum fuisset, ex quo intelligitur Pyrrhi bello grandem sane fuisse.... Quattuor robustos filios, quinque filias, tantam domum, tantas clientelas Appius regebat et caecus {15} et senex; intentum enim animum tamquam arcum habebat nec languescens succumbebat senectuti. Tenebat non modo auctoritatem, sed etiam imperium in suos: metuebant servi, verebantur liberi, carum omnes habebant; vigebat in illo animus {20} patrius et disciplina.

CICERO, De Senectute, 16,37.

[Linenotes: 1. Appi Claudi. This was the Appius Claudius whose Censorship, 312 B.C., was famous for his great public works, the Via Appia, the great South road of Rome, and the Aqua Appia, an aqueduct which brought water to Rome a distance of eight miles; and also for his measure (corresponding to a Parliamentary Reform Bill) admitting freedmen as full citizens by enrolling them in Tribes. 2-9. tamen is ... exstat oratio. When the Senate was about to yield to the persuasive eloquence of Cineas, the envoy of Pyrrhus, he had himself led into the Senate-house to make the speech which turned the scale against the invader. 4. versibus persecutus est = has followed out in the lines. J. S.R. 7. viai (= viae old genit.) = i. quo viae, cf. ubi terrarum, or ii. sese flexere viae, a Greek genitive. 9-10. haec ille egit = he made this speech. 14-15. tantam ... clientelas = a large household, a large number of dependents; clientelas = clientes. 16. intentum (in + tendo) = on the stretch. Cf. opposite remissus. 19-21. metuebant ... disciplina = his slaves feared him, his children stood in awe of him, yet all held him dear; in him ancestral spirit and principles (disciplina) were strong. —J.S. Reid.]

The Speech of Appius Claudius. For the substance of the Speech, see Plutarch, Pyrrhus,xi.

D44

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS. (4)

A. The Battle of Asculum, 279 B.C.

In Apulia deinde apud Asculum melius dimicatum est Curio Fabricioque consulibus. Iam quippe terror[26] beluarum exoleverat, et Gaius Numicius quartae legionis hastatus unius proboscide abscisa mori posse beluas ostenderat. Itaque in ipsas pila congesta sunt {5} et in turres vibratae faces tota hostium agmina ardentibus ruinis operuerunt. Nec alius cladi finis fuit quam nox dirimeret, postremusque fugientium rex ipse a satellitibus umero saucius in armis suis referretur. {10}

[Footnote 26: Cf. p. 100, ll. 17-20.] [[Selection D41: "inusitata ... elephantorum forma"]

[Linenotes: 1. Asculum, a town in Apulia on the borders of Samnium, between Beneventum and Canusium. 3. exoleverat = had grown less (lit. had grown out of use). 6. in turres vibratae faces = firebrands hurled against their towers. 8. dirimeret = separated (the combatants).]

B. The Battle near Beneventum, 275 B.C.

Lucaniae suprema pugna sub Arusinis, quos vocant, campis ducibus isdem quibus superius; sed tum tota victoria. Exitum, quem datura virtus fuit, casus dedit. Nam provectis in primam aciem rursus elephantis unum ex his pullum adacti in caput teli {15} gravis ictus avertit; qui cum per stragem suorum recurrens stridore quereretur, mater agnovit et quasi vindicaret exsiluit, tum omnia circa quasi hostilia gravi mole permiscuit. Ac sic eaedem ferae, quae primam victoriam abstulerunt, secundam parem {20} fecerunt, tertiam sine controversia tradiderunt.

FLORUS, I. xviii. 9-13.

[Linenotes: 11-12. Lucaniae ... campis. The Battle was fought near Beneventum (orig. Male-ventum, perhaps from male + ventus on account of its unwholesome air) in Samnium on the Via Appia, E. of Capua. 15-16. unum ex his ... avertit = the heavy stroke of a weapon driven home (adacti) into the head of a young elephant (pullum) made it turn aside. 19. gravi mole = with her unwieldy bulk.]

The Battle of Asculum. It is clear that Pyrrhus was again victorious, but the Romans were able to retire into their fortified camp, and so lost fewer men than at Heraclea.

The Battle of Beneventum. Pyrrhus, in his attempt to storm the entrenched camp of Curius Dentatus, was obliged to fight on unfavourable ground. The result was a total defeat, and no choice was left him but to give up the unequal contest.

D45

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS. (5)

Death of Pyrrhus, 272 B.C.

In praise of a great General.

Repulsus ab Spartanis Pyrrhus Argos petit: ibi, dum Antigonum in urbe clausum expugnare conatur, inter confertissimos violentissime dimicans, saxo de muris ictus occiditur. Caput eius Antigono refertur, qui victoria mitius usus filium eius Helenum {5} cum Epirotis sibi deditum in regnum remisit, eique insepulti patris ossa in patriam referenda tradidit.

Satis constans inter omnes auctores fama est, nullum nec eius nec superioris aetatis regem comparandum Pyrrho fuisse, raroque non inter reges {10} tantum, verum etiam inter illustres viros, aut vitae sanctioris aut iustitiae probatioris visum fuisse: scientiam certe rei militaris in illo viro tantam fuisse, ut cum adversus Lysimachum, Demetrium, Antigonum, tantos reges, bella gesserit, invictus {15} semper fuerit: Illyriorum quoque, Siculorum Romanorumque et Carthaginiensium bellis numquam inferior, plerumque etiam victor exstiterit; qui patriam certe suam angustam ignobilemque fama rerum gestarum et claritate nominis sui toto orbe {20} illustrem reddiderit.

JUSTINUS, xxv. 5.

[Linenotes: 1-4. Repulsus ab Spartanis ... occiditur. At the invitation of Cleonymus, who had been excluded from the throne of Sparta, Pyrrhus undertook and failed in a desperate attack on the city. He then turned against Argos, to wrest it from Antigonus Gonatas of Macedonia, and was hit by a tile thrown from a roof by a woman.[27] As he lay helpless on the ground he was recognised and murdered. 8. Satis constans fama = a tolerably unanimous opinion. 12. iustitiae probatioris = of more eminent (lit. tested) justice. 14. Lysimachum, one of Alexander's generals. About 286 B.C. King of Macedonia and Asia Minor. Demetrium, surnamed Poliorcetes (stormer of cities), son of Antigonus, King of Asia (one of Alexander's generals). 16-17. Siculorum bellis. During the years 280-276 B.C. Pyrrhus made himself master of all Sicily with the exception of the Carthaginian stronghold of Lilybaeum.]

[Footnote 27: Cf. the death of Abimelech before Thebez, Judges ix.53.]

Character of Pyrrhus. 'He was not only one of the ablest generals and princes, but amiable also as a man, and worthy of our sympathy and respect.' —Ihne.

Why he failed. 'From lack of accurate information he wholly underestimated the power of Rome. Here was the great error in his calculation, an error for which he can hardly be held responsible.' —Ihne.

Reference. Plutarch, Pyrrhus.

D46

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS. (6)

Manius Curius Dentatus, an old-time Roman.

A. Possum persequi permulta oblectamenta rerum rusticarum, sed ea ipsa quae dixi sentio fuisse longiora. Ignoscetis autem, nam et studio rerum rusticarum provectus sum, et senectus est natura loquacior, ne ab omnibus eam vitiis videar vindicare. {5} Ergo in hac vita M'. Curius, cum de Samnitibus, de Sabinis, de Pyrrho triumphavisset, consumpsit extremum tempus aetatis; cuius quidem ego villam contemplans, abest enim non longe a me, admirari satis non possum vel hominis ipsius continentiam {10} vel temporum disciplinam. Curio ad focum sedenti magnum auri pondus Samnites cum attulissent, repudiati sunt: non enim aurum habere praeclarum sibi videri dixit, sed eis qui haberent aurum imperare.

CICERO, De Senectute, 55-56.

Context. The speaker is Cato the Censor, 184 B.C., the founder of Latin Prose, whose manual of Agriculture, de Re Rustica, is still extant.

[Linenotes: 1. Possum persequi = I might follow out. oblectamenta = amusements (cf. de-lecto, delight). 4. provectus sum = I have been carried away. —J. S. Reid. 8. extremum tempus aetatis = the closing season of his life. 9. a me (= a mea villa) = from my country-house. 11. disciplinam = morals (lit. teaching). 11-13. After the close of the war Curius had become patronus of the Samnites, and they were bringing the customary offering of clientes.—J. S.R.]

B.

Curius parvo quae legerat horto Ipse focis brevibus ponebat holuscula.

JUVENAL, xi. 78-79.

[Linenotes: 78-79. Plutarch, Cato 2, tells the story. Curius was one of Milton's 'Men so poor who could do mighty things.' Duff. 79. holuscula (dimin. of hŏlus) = small herbs or vegetables.]

C.

Hunc et incomptis Curium capillis Utilem bello tulit et Camillum Saeva paupertas et avitus apto Cum lare fundus. 44

HORACE, Odes, I. xii. 41-44.

[Linenotes: 41. Hunc = Fabricius. 43. paupertas = frugality, not poverty (= egestas). 43-44. apto cum lare = with its cottage home to match (apto). —W. 'Hurrah! for Manius Curius The bravest son of Rome, Thrice in utmost need sent forth, Thrice drawn in triumph home.' —Macaulay.]

D47

THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS. (7)

In Praise of Tarentum.

Unde si Parcae prohibent iniquae, Dulce pelltis ovibus Galaesi Flumen et regnata petam Laconi Rura Phalantho. 12 Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes Angulus ridt, ubi non Hymetto Mella decedunt viridique certat Baca Venafro, 16 Ver ubi longum tepidasque praebet Iuppiter brumas et amicus Aulon Fertili Baccho minimum Falernis Invidet uvis. 20 Ille te mecum locus et beatae Postulant arces, ibi tu calentem Debita sparges lacrima favillam Vatis amici. 24

HORACE, Odes, II. vi. 9-end.

Subject. 'Septimius, my dear friend who would accompany me to the ends of the earth, let me spend the close of my life at Tibur (Tivoli), or if not there, then at Tarentum. Let us go there together, and live there till I die.' —Wickham.

[Linenotes: 9. unde = from this place, i.e. from Tibur. 10. dulce pellitis ovibus = dear to the skin-clad (pellitis) sheep, so clad to keep their fleeces clean. —Gow. 10-11. Galaesi flumen, flows into the Gulf of Tarentum, near the city. 12. Phalantho, an exile from Sparta, founded Tarentum, 708 B.C. 13, 21, 22. Ille (13) ... ille (21) ... ibi (22) = Tarentum, emphatic guiding words. Cf. te mecum (21) ... tu amici (22, 24) = Septimius and Horace. 14-15. ubi non ... decedunt = where the honey does not give way to (is not inferior to) that of Hymettus. 15-16. viridi Venafro = with the green (olive-groves of) Venafrum (N.of Campania). 16. Baca = the olive, the noblest of berries. —Gow. 18. Aulon = (the grapes of) Aulon, a hill and valley near Tarentum. 19. Fertili = who makes the vines fertile. 22-24. ibi tu ... vatis amici. 'There when life shall end, Your tear shall dew my yet warm pyre, Your bard and friend.' —Conington.]

Reference. Polybius, x. 1. In 272 B.C. Milo with his garrison of Epirots marched out of Tarentum with all the honours of war.

Rome now ruled supreme over the whole of Italy from Ariminum in the North to the Sicilian Straits.

D48

THE PRAISE OF ITALY.

'Salve, magna parens frugum, Saturnia tellus, Magna virum.'

Adde tot egregias urbes operumque laborem, 155 Tot congesta manu praeruptis oppida saxis, Fluminaque antiquos subterlabentia muros. An mare, quod supra, memorem, quodque alluit infra? Anne lacus tantos? Te, Lari maxime, teque, Fluctibus et fremitu adsurgens Benace marino? 160 . . . . . . . Haec eadem argenti rivos aerisque metalla 165 Ostendit venis atque auro plurima fluxit. Haec genus acre virum, Marsos pubemque Sabellam, Adsuetumque malo Ligurem, Volscosque verutos Extulit: haec Decios, Marios, magnosque Camillos, Scipiadas duros bello, et te, maxime Caesar, 170 Qui nunc extremis Asiae iam victor in oris Imbellem avertis Romanis arcibus Indum. Salve, magna parens frugum, Saturnia tellus, Magna virum: tibi res antiquae laudis et artis Ingredior, sanctos ausus recludere fontes, 175 Ascraeumque cano Romana per oppida carmen.

VERGIL, Georg. ii. 155-176.

[Linenotes: 158. mare quod supra alluit = the mare superum = the Adriatic. mare quod infra alluit = the mare inferum = the Tuscan or Tyrrhenian (Turrhnos = Tuscan) sea. 159. Lari = Lake Larius (= Como), N. of Milan. 160. Benace = Lake Benacus (= Garda), W. of Verona. fremitu marino = with roar as of the sea. 168. adsuetum malo = trained in hardship. —Mackail. Volscosque verutos = and the Volscian spearmen (light infantry). verutos = armed with the verutum (or veru = lit. aspit), a javelin. 170. Scipiadas, Greek patronymic form = Lat. Scpĭns. maxime Caesar = Augustus. 172-173. After Actium, 31 B.C., Augustus spent more than a year in reducing and settling the East (imbellem Indum) whose forces had been wielded by Antony. —Sidgwick. 173. Saturnia tellus, in allusion to Saturn's reign in Latium in the age of gold. 174-175. tibi res ... fontes = for thee I enter on themes of ancient glory and skill (i.e. in agriculture) and dare to unseal (recludere) the sacred springs; res laudis, the theme of the Aeneid, res artis, of the Georgics. 176. Ascraeum carmen = the song of Ascra, i.e. the Georgics, because Hesiod (author of Works and Days to which Vergil is much indebted) was born at Ascra, near Helicon, in Boeotia. —S.]



CONTEST WITH CARTHAGE, 264-202 B.C.

C1

The Vision of Anchises.—Rome's Heroes.

'Ille triumphata Capitolia ad alta Corintho Victor aget currum, caesis insignis Achivis. Eruet ille Argos Agamemnoniasque Mycenas, Ipsumque Aeaciden, genus armipotentis Achilli, Ultus avos Troiae, templa et temerata Minervae. 840 Quis te, magne Cato, tacitum, aut te, Cosse, relinquat? Quis Gracchi genus, aut geminos, duo fulmina belli, Scipiadas, cladem Libyae, parvoque potentem Fabricium, vel te sulco, Serrane, serentem? Quo fessum rapitis, Fabii? Tu Maximus ille es, 845 Unus qui nobis cunctando restituis rem.' . . . . . . . 'Aspice, ut insignis spoliis Marcellus opimis 855 Ingreditur, victorque viros supereminet omnes! Hic rem Romanam, magno turbante tumultu, Sistet, eques sternet Poenos Gallumque rebellem, Tertiaque arma patri suspendet capta Quirino.'

VERGIL, Aen. vi. 836-846, 855-859.

[Linenotes: 836. Ille = L. Mummius Achaicus, destroyed Corinth, 146 B.C. 838. Ille = L. Aemilius Paullus, crushed Perseus (= Aeaciden l.839) at Pydna, 168 B.C. 841. Cosse = Cornelius Cossus, won Spolia Opima a second time, 428 B.C. 842. Gracchi genus, e.g. (i.) Tib. Sempronius Gracchus, twice Consul 215, 212 B.C., in 2nd Punic War; (ii.) T. S. G. distinguished in Spain; (iii.) the two great Tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius. 843. Scipiadas = (i.) Scipio Africanus Maior, victor at Zama, 202 B.C.; (ii.) Scipio Africanus Minor, destroyed Carthage, 146 B.C. 844. Fabricium, Consul 282 and 278 B.C. in war with Pyrrhus. Proof against bribes. Serrane = Regulus, victor at Ecnomus, 256 B.C., a prisoner, 255 B.C. True to his word. 845. Maximus = Q. Fabius M. Cunctator, Dictator after Cannae. The Shield of Rome. 846. From the Annals of Ennius (239-169 B.C.), often quoted. 855. Marcellus, five times Consul. Took Syracuse 212 B.C. The Sword of Rome. 857. magno ... tumultu = when a great upheaving shakes it. —Page. Tumultus (as Cic. tells us) is specially used of a rising in Italy or in Gaul, as it was close to Italy. (Elsewhere = bellum.) 858. Sistet, ... sternet. Notice the antithesis and alliteration (assonance).]

The Vision of Anchises is the imperishable record of the national life, where the poet 'sums up in lines like bars of gold the hero-roll of the Eternal City.' —Myers.

C2

FIRST PUNIC WAR, 264-241 B.C.

The Foundation of Carthage, 878 B.C.

Pygmalion, cognita sororis fuga, cum impio bello fugientem persequi pararet, aegre precibus matris deorumque minis victus quievit.... Itaque Elissa delata in Africae sinum incolas eius loci adventu peregrinorum mutuarumque rerum commercio {5} gaudentes in amicitiam sollicitat. Dein empto loco, qui corio bovis tegi posset, in quo fessos longa navigatione socios, quoad proficisceretur, reficere posset, corium in tenuissimas partes secari iubet atque ita maius loci spatium, quam petierat, occupat: unde {10} postea ei loco Byrsae nomen fuit. Confluentibus deinde vicinis locorum, qui spe lucri multa hospitibus venalia inferebant, sedesque ibi statuentibus ex frequentia hominum velut instar civitatis effectum. est.... Itaque consentientibus omnibus Carthago {15} conditur, statuto annuo vectigali pro solo urbis. In primis fundamentis caput bubulum inventum est, quod auspicium fructuosae quidem, sed laboriosae perpetuoque servae urbis fuit; propter quod in alium locum urbs translata. Ibi quoque equi caput repertum, {20} bellicosum potentemque populum futurum significans, urbi auspicatam sedem dedit. Tunc ad opinionem novae urbis concurrentibus gentibus brevi et populus et civitas magna facta.

JUSTINUS, xviii. 5.

[Linenotes: 1. Pygmalion, King of Tyre, murdered Sychaeus, husband of Elissa (Dido). 4. sinum = Gulf of Tunis. (See Murray's Classical Atlas.) 5. peregrinorum = of strangers. per + ager. Cf. pilgrim. Fr. plerin. mutuarum rerum commercio = barter. 11. Byrsae, i.e., later, the Citadel quarter, as if from bursa = a hide, prob. corrupted from Phoen. Bozra (= a fort). So Carthage = Kirjath (city); cp. Kirjath-Arba (Hebron), and Hannibal (= Hanniel) = the grace of Baal. 14. velut instar c. = as if the semblance of a state; cf. 'instar montis equus,' Verg. —Post. 17. bubulum = of an ox, adj. from bos. 22. auspicatam = auspicious, in active sense.]

Parallel Passages. Verg. Aen. i. 336-368, 418-438, and Aen. iv. 21-22.

References. Bosworth Smith, Carthage and the Carthaginians. —Ihne, Hist. of Rome, vol. ii. pp. 3-21.

C3

FIRST PUNIC WAR, 264-241 B.C.

Aeneas views the Building of Carthage, circ. 878 B.C.

Iamque ascendebant collem, qui plurimus urbi Imminet adversasque aspectat desuper arces. 420 Miratur molem Aeneas, magalia quondam, Miratur portas strepitumque et strata viarum. Instant ardentes Tyrii pars ducere muros Molirique arcem et manibus subvolvere saxa, Pars optare locum tecto et concludere sulco; 425 Iura magistratusque legunt sanctumque senatum; Hic portus alii effodiunt; hinc lata theatris Fundamenta locant alii, immanesque columnas Rupibus excidunt, scaenis decora alta futuris. Qualis apes aestate nova per florea rura 430 Exercet sub sole labor, cum gentis adultos Educunt fetus, aut cum lquentia mella Stipant et dulci distendunt nectare cellas, Aut onera accipiunt venientum, aut agmine facto Ignavum fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent: 435 Fervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella. 'O fortunati, quorum iam moenia surgunt!' Aeneas ait, et fastigia suspicit urbis.

VERGIL, Aen. i. 419-438.

[Linenotes: 419. plurimus = in huge mass, with the predicate imminet. 421. magalia = huts, a Carthaginian (Phoenician) word. Cf. megaron. 422. strata viarum = stratas vias = the paved roads. —Sidgwick. 423, 424, 425. ducere ... moliri ... subvolvere ... optare ... concludere, dependent on the idea of eagerness or striving in instant.—S. 426. Vergil is thinking, as often, of Roman institutions, and not of what was appropriate to heroic times. Cf. Aen. i. 507-8. 430-436. This simile is a reproduction of Georg. iv. 162-169. Cf. Milton, Par. Lost, i. 768: 'As bees In springtime, when the sun with Taurus rides, Pour forth their populous youth about the hive.' 432. lquentia = liquid, from lquor, dep. Elsewhere Vergil uses lĭquens from lĭqueo. 433. Stipant = pack, the notion of pushing and tightness being given in the very sound of the heavy overhanging spondees in this line. —S. 435. Ignavum ... arcent = drive the drones, aslothful herd, from the enclosure. Notice the order. —Page. 437. 'The want of a city is the key-note of the Aeneid.' —Conington.]

C4

FIRST PUNIC WAR, 264-241 B.C.

A Roman Martyr. Country before Expediency.

M. Atilius Regulus, cum consul iterum in Africa ex insidiis captus esset duce Xanthippo Lacedaemonio, iuratus missus est ad senatum, ut, nisi redditi essent Poenis captivi nobiles quidam, rediret ipse Carthaginem. Is cum Romam venisset, utilitatis {5} speciem videbat, sed eam, ut res declarat, falsam iudicavit: quae erat talis: manere in patria, esse domui suae cum uxore, cum liberis, quam calamitatem accepisset in bello, communem fortunae bellicae iudicantem tenere consularis dignitatis {10} gradum.... Itaque quid fecit? In senatum venit, mandata exposuit, sententiam ne diceret recusavit: quam diu iure iurando hostium teneretur, non esse se senatorem.... Cuius cum valuisset auctoritas, captivi retenti sunt, ipse Carthaginem {15} rediit neque eum caritas patriae retinuit nec suorum,... 'At stulte, qui non modo non censuerit captivos remittendos, verum etiam dissuaserit.' Quo modo stulte? etiamne, si reipublicae conducebat? potest autem, quod inutile reipublicae sit, id cuiquam {20} civi utile esse?

CICERO, De Officiis, iii. 99, 100.

[Linenotes: 1. consul. Regulus was Consul 261 and 256 B.C., and Proconsul in Africa 255 B.C., when he was defeated and taken prisoner by Xanthippus. 6. speciem = the specious (plausible) appearance (semblance). 12, 13. sententiam ... recusavit = declined to give his own opinion on the case. 13. iure iurando (sc. dato) = by the oath sworn to his enemies. 17. 'At stulte' (sc. fecit) = 'But, it may he said, he acted like a fool.' 19. etiamne (sc. stulte fecit) = What, how did he act like a fool, if ...—Holden.] 20, 21. potest autem ... utile esse. Cf. Ho t polei ouk esti blaberon oude ton politn blaptei = that which is not harmful (blaberon = inutile) to the State is not harmful to the citizen.]

Parallel Passages. Polybius, i. 31-36 (he makes no mention of the embassy of Regulus); Pliny, Ep. vii. 2(interesting letter on the death of Regulus); and espec. Hor. Od. III. v. 13-end.

'With counsel thus, ne'er else aread [advised], He nerved the Fathers' weak intent, And, girt by friends that mourn'd him, sped Into illustrious banishment.' —C.

C5

FIRST PUNIC WAR, 264-241 B.C.

A. First Roman Naval Victory near Mylae, 260 B.C.

C. Duilius, primo Punico bello a Romanis dux contra Carthaginienses missus, cum videret eos multum mari valere, classem magis validam quam decoram aedificavit, et manus ferreas, quas corvos vocabant, instituit. His, quas ante pugnam hostes {5} valde deriserant, in pugna ipsa ad Liparas insulas commissa naves hostium comprehendit, easque partim cepit, partim demersit. Dux classis Punicae Carthaginem fugit, et ex senatu quaesivit quid faceret. Omnibus ut pugnaret succlamantibus: {10} 'Feci,' inquit, 'et victus sum.' Sic poenam crucis effugit, nam hac poena dux, re male gesta, apud Poenos afficiebatur. Duilius autem victor primum triumphum maritimum Romae egit, et ad memoriam victoriae columna rostrata in foro posita est. {15}

(Adapted) Cf. FLORUS, I. xviii. 7-10.

[Linenotes: 4. corvos = crows (the korakes of Polybius), boarding-bridges. Abroad movable ladder, fastened to the foremast, and held in position by a rope. When the rope was let go, the iron hook at the upper end of the ladder penetrated the deck of an enemy's ship. 6. ad Liparas insulas = Aeoliae Insulae (Lipari Islands), N.E. of Sicily. Mylae was on a promontory S.E. of these Islands. 8. Dux, i.e. Hannibal, the defender of Agrigentum 262 B.C.]

B. Unique honour conferred on Duilius.

C. Duilium, qui Poenos classe primus devicerat, redeuntem a cena senem saepe videbam puer; delectabatur cereo funali et tibicine, quae sibi nullo exemplo privatus sumpserat: tantum licentiae dabat gloria. {20}

CICERO, De Senectute, xiii. 44.

[Linenotes: 18. cereo funali,[28] i.e. torchlight. nullo exemplo = without any precedent. 18-19. sibi ... sumpserat. Cicero is wrong: more probably the honour was conferred on Duilius by a vote of the Comitia Tributa. 19. dabat = excused; lit. granted, allowed. — J. S. Reid.]

[Footnote 28: The funale was a torch composed of twigs twisted into a rope (funis) and dipped in pitch or oil. —J. S.R.]

References. Polybius, i. 22, for a description of the corvi, korakes. Sir Andrew Barton (Percy's Reliques). Lord Howard says:—

'Were twenty shippes, and he but one, I swear by kirke and bower and hall, He would overcome them every one If once his beames they do down fall.'

C6

FIRST PUNIC WAR, 264-241 B.C.

Carthaginian Victory off Drepana, 249 B.C.

Rashness of Claudius.

Praedictiones vero et praesensiones rerum futurarum quid aliud declarant nisi hominibus ea ostendi, monstrari, portendi, praedici? Ex quo illa ostenta, monstra, portenta, prodigia dicuntur. Quod si ea ficta credimus licentia fabularum, Mopsum, Tiresiam, {5} Amphiaraum, Calchantem, Helenum, quos tamen augures ne ipsae quidem fabulae adscivissent, si res omnino repudiaret, ne domesticis quidem exemplis docti numen deorum conprobabimus? Nihil nos P. Claudi bello Punico primo temeritas movebit, qui {10} etiam per iocum deos irridens, cum cavea literati pulli non pascerentur, mergi eos in aquam iussit, ut biberent, quoniam esse nollent? Qui risus, classe devicta, multas ipsi lacrimas, magnam populo Romano cladem attulit. Quid? Collega eius Iunius {15} eodem bello nonne tempestate classem amisit, cum auspiciis non paruisset? Itaque Claudius a populo condemnatus est, Iunius necem sibi ipse conscivit.

CICERO, De Nat. Deorum, II. 3. 7-8.

[Linenotes: 3. ostenta ... dicuntur = are called in Latin 'ostenta,' 'monstra,' etc. —Walford. 4. prodigium for prodicium = pro + [Rt]dic- deik- = point out. 5. Mopsum, etc. = all those stories about Mopsus, etc., in apposition to ea: poetical construction. Mopsum, the prophet who accompanied the Argonauts. Tiresiam, the blind prophet of Thebes. 6. Amphiaraum, the seer of Argos. One of the Seven against Thebes. Helenus, son of Priam. A seer of the Iliad and the Aeneid. 10. P. Claudi temeritas. P. Cl. Pulcher (son of Appius Claudius, the blind Censor) defeated by Adherbal off Drepana (N.W. corner of Sicily, between Eryx and Lilybaeum). 15. Iunius. L. J. Pullus, consul 249 B.C. His fleet was destroyed by a storm off Pachynus (C.Passaro) the same year.]

Parallel Passage. Florus ii. 2says that 'Claudius was overthrown, not by the enemy, but by the gods themselves, whose auspices he had despised.'

The Defeat off Drepana. 'The reason of the defeat lay in the superiority of the Carthaginian admiral and seamen, and the inexperience of Claudius and of his crews, consisting mainly of landsmen who knew nothing of the sea. This disaster and the destruction of the fleet of Junius crowned the series of misfortunes which befell the Romans in the year 249 B.C., the most dismal time of the whole war.' —Ihne.

C7

FIRST PUNIC WAR, 264-241 B.C.

Victory of Lutatius off the Aegates Insulae, 241 B.C.

Peace with Carthage.

A. Interim Carthaginienses classe apud insulas Aegates a C. Lutatio, consule Romanorum, superati statuerunt belli facere finem, eamque rem arbitrio permiserunt Hamilcaris. Ille, etsi flagrabat bellandi cupiditate, tamen paci serviendum putavit, quod {5} patriam, exhaustam sumptibus, diutius calamitates belli ferre non posse intellegebat, sed ita, ut statim mente agitaret, si paulum modo res essent refectae, bellum renovare Romanosque armis persequi, donicum aut virtute vicissent aut victi manus dedissent. {10}

CORN. NEPOS, Hamilcar, i.

[Linenotes: 1. apud insulas Aegates, the Goat Islands, off the W. Coast of Sicily, between Drepana and Lilybaeum (Marsala). 3. statuerunt belli facere finem. This victory led to the close of the First Punic War. 5. paci serviendum = to devote himself to (obtaining) peace. 9. donicum (= donec), lit. 'at the time of day when ——' 10. virtute vicissent = they (the Romans) should have conquered by (superior) prowess.]

B.

Hic dum stagnosi spectat templumque domosque Literni ductor, varia splendentia cernit Pictura belli patribus monumenta prioris 655 Exhausti: nam porticibus signata manebant, Quis inerat longus rerum et spectabilis ordo. . . . . . . . Addiderant geminas medio consurgere fluctu Aegates: lacerae circum fragmenta videres 685 Classis et effusos fluitare in gurgite Poenos. Possessor pelagi pronaque Lutatius aura Captivas puppes ad litora victor agebat.

SILIUS ITALICUS, vi. 653-657, 684-688.

[Linenotes: 653-654. stagnosi Literni. Town and River on the coast of Campania, N. of Cumae. The River flows through a marsh = Literna palus. 654. ductor = Hannibal. 654-657. Silius (who closely imitates Vergil) makes Hannibal view the sculptured memorials of the First Punic War, just as Aeneas sees carved the tale of Troy. Verg. Aen. i. 445-493.]

Parallel Passage. Polybius, i. caps. 59-63.

Terms of Peace. Carthage engaged to evacuate Sicily; not to make war upon Hiero of Syracuse; to give up all Roman prisoners without ransom, and to pay 2200 talents in twenty years.

Sicily the first Roman Province.

C8

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

A. Great Importance of the Second Punic War.

In parte operis mei licet mihi praefari bellum maxime omnium memorabile, quae unquam gesta sint, me scripturum, quod Hannibale duce Carthaginienses cum populo Romano gessere. Nam neque validiores opibus ullae inter se civitates gentesque contulerunt {5} arma, neque his ipsis tantum unquam virium aut roboris fuit, et haud ignotas belli artes inter sese, sed expertas primo Punico conferebant bello, et adeo varia fortuna belli ancepsque Mars fuit, ut propius periculum fuerint, qui vicerunt. Odiis etiam prope {10} maioribus certarunt quam viribus, Romanis indignantibus quod victoribus victi ultro inferrent arma, Poenis, quod superbe avareque crederent imperitatum victis esse.

[Linenotes: 3. Hannibale duce. Polybius called the war of which Hannibal was the life and soul the 'Hannibalian War.' 6. his ipsis, sc. Romanis Poenisque, with validiores. 6-7. virium aut roboris = offensive or defensive strength. —R. 8. expertas = tested, in a passive sense. 9. ut propius ... vicerunt, e.g. after Cannae, 216 B.C. 12. ultro inferrent arma = should presume to attack. —Dimsdale. 13. Poenis, sc. indignantibus. superbe avareque. 'When the war of the mercenaries broke out in Africa (241-238 B.C.) Rome availed herself of the distress of Carthage to extort the cession of Sardinia, and raised the war indemnity by 1200 talents.' —Ihne.]

B. The Oath of the Boy Hannibal.

Fama est etiam, Hannibalem annorum ferme {15} novem, pueriliter blandientem patri Hamilcari, ut duceretur in Hispaniam, cum, perfecto Africo bello, exercitum eo traiecturus sacrificaret, altaribus admotum, tactis sacris, iure iurando adactum, se, cum primum posset, hostem fore populo Romano. {20}

LIVY, xxi. 1.

[Linenotes: 16. blandientem = coaxingly entreating. —D. 17. perfecto Africo bello, i.e. between Carthage and her mutinous mercenaries, 241-237 B.C.]

Parallel Passage. For Hannibal's Oath, Livy xxxv.19.

Importance of the War. 'It was a struggle for existence, for supremacy or destruction. It was to decide whether the Graeco-Roman civilisation of the West or the Semitic (Carthaginian) civilisation of the East was to be established in Europe, and to determine its history for all future time.' —Ihne.

C9

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

'The paths of glory lead but to the grave.'

Expende Hannibalem: quot libras in duce summo 147 Invenies? . . . . Additur imperiis Hispania, Pyrenaeum 151 Transilit. Opposuit natura Alpemque nivemque: Diducit scopulos et montem rumpit aceto. Iam tenet Italiam, tamen ultra pergere tendit: 'Actum,' inquit, 'nihil est, nisi Poeno milite portas 155 Frangimus et media vexillum pono Subura.' O qualis facies et quali digna tabella, Cum Gaetula ducem portaret belua luscum! Exitus ergo quis est? O gloria! vincitur idem Nempe et in exilium praeceps fugit, atque ibi magnus 160 Mirandusque cliens sedet ad praetoria regis, Donec Bithyno libeat vigilare tyranno. Finem animae, quae res humanas miscuit olim, Non gladii, non saxa dabunt, nec tela, sed ille Cannarum vindex et tanti sanguinis ultor, 165 Anulus. I, demens, et saevas curre per Alpes, Ut pueris placeas et declamatio fias.

JUVENAL, Sat. x. 147-167.

[Linenotes: 147-148. Expende ... invenies = if you lay (lit. 'weigh') Hannibal in the scale, how many pounds will you find in the greatest of commanders? —Duff. Cf. Ov. Met. xii. 615: Iam cinis est: et de tam magno restat Achille Nescio quid parvam quod non bene compleat urnam. 156. media Subura, i.e. in the heart of Rome. The Subura was one of the busiest and most populous quarters of Rome. 157. O qualis facies ... tabella = what a sight and how fit for caricature! lit. 'worthy of what a picture' i.e. how ridiculous a picture it would have made. —Hardy. 158. luscum = one-eyed. Hannibal lost an eye from disease, while marching through the country flooded by the Arno, 217 B.C. 160. in exilium, i.e. first to Antiochus of Syria, and then to Prusias of Bithynia. 166. anulus. Hannibal took poison which he carried about in a ring (anulus) 183 B.C., aged76. 167. ut ... fias = to suit the taste of schoolboys, and become the subject of their speeches. —Duff.]

For the thought, cf. Shak. Ham. V. i. 232:

Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away: O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw!

C10

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

Character of Hannibal.

Nunquam ingenium idem ad res diversissimas, parendum atque imperandum, habilius fuit. Itaque haud facile discerneres, utrum imperatori an exercitui carior esset; neque Hasdrubal alium quemquam praeficere malle, ubi quid fortiter ac strenue agendum {5} esset, neque milites alio duce plus confidere aut audere. Plurimum audaciae ad pericula capessenda, plurimum consilii inter ipsa pericula erat. Nullo labore aut corpus fatigari aut animus vinci poterat. Caloris ac frigoris patientia par; cibi potionisque {10} desiderio naturali, non voluptate modus finitus; vigiliarum somnique nec die nec nocte discriminata tempora: id, quod gerendis rebus superesset, quieti datum; ea neque molli strato neque silentio accersita; multi saepe militari sagulo opertum humi iacentem {15} inter custodias stationesque militum conspexerunt. Vestitus nihil inter aequales excellens; arma atque equi conspiciebantur. Equitum peditumque idem longe primus erat; princeps in proelium ibat, ultimus conserto proelio excedebat. Has tantas viri virtutes {20} ingentia vitia aequabant, inhumana crudelitas, perfidia plus quam Punica, nihil veri, nihil sancti, nullus deum metus, nullum ius iurandum, nulla religio.

LIVY, xxi. 4.

[Linenotes: 2. habilius = better adapted, lit. 'more easily handled'; cf. our handy. 7. ad pericula capessenda = in incurring peril. 12. discriminata = regulated, lit. 'divided off'; cf. dis-cerno, dis-crimen. 14. accersita (= arcessita) = wooed. 15. sagulo = in his military cloak: diminutive of sagum. 21. inhumana crudelitas. Polybius says that many of his alleged cruelties were to be set down to his namesake H. Monomachus. 21-23. perfidia plus quam Punica. 'This does not seem to have been anything worse than a consummate adroitness in laying traps for his enemies.' —Church and Brodribb. Cf. 'Perfidious Albion.' 23. nulla religio = no scruples, i.e. no force binding (re + ligare) or restraining from wrong-doing, no conscience.]

Parallel Passages. Livy xxvi. 41 of Scipio Africanus Minor—Sallust Cat. 5 of Catiline—Polybius ix. 22-26 (important).

'Bitterly as the Romans hated, reviled, and persecuted Carthage, the most deadly poison of their hatred they poured upon Hannibal; they did not hesitate to blacken his memory by the most revolting accusations.' —Ihne.

C11

SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C.

The Siege of Saguntum, 219 B.C.

Angulus muri erat in planiorem patentioremque quam cetera circa vallem vergens; adversus eum vineas agere instituit, per quas aries moenibus admoveri posset. Sed ut locus procul muro satis aequus agendis vineis fuit, ita haudquaquam prospere, {5} postquam ad effectum operis ventum est, coeptis succedebat. Et turris ingens imminebat, et murus, ut in suspecto loco, supra ceterae modum altitudinis emunitus erat, et iuventus delecta, ubi plurimum periculi ac timoris ostendebatur, ibi vi maiore obsistebant. {10} Ac primo missilibus summovere hostem nec quicquam satis tutum munientibus pati; deinde iam non pro moenibus modo atque turri tela micare, sed ad erumpendum etiam in stationes operaque hostium animus erat; quibus tumultuariis certaminibus {15} haud ferme plures Saguntini cadebant quam Poeni. Ut vero Hannibal ipse, dum murum incautius subit, adversum femur tragula graviter ictus cecidit, tanta circa fuga ac trepidatio fuit, ut non multum abesset, quin opera ac vineae desererentur. {20}