4.14
The next day, after
posting guards at different points, he came down to
the Forum. The novelty and mystery of the thing drew
the attention of the plebs towards him. Maelius and
his confederates recognised that this tremendous
power was directed against them, whilst those who
knew nothing of the plot asked what disturbance or
sudden outbreak of war called for the supreme
authority of a Dictator or required Quinctius, after
reaching his eightieth year, to assume the
government of the republic. Servilius, the Master of
the Horse, was despatched by the Dictator to Maelius
with the message: "The Dictator summons you."
Alarmed at the summons, he inquired what it meant.
Servilius explained that he had to stand his trial
and clear himself of the charge brought against him
by Minucius in the senate. On this Maelius retreated
amongst his troop of adherents, and looking round at
them began to slink away, when an officer by order
of the Master of the Horse seized him and began to
drag him away. The bystanders rescued him, and as he
fled he implored "the protection of the Roman
plebs," and said that he was the victim of a
conspiracy amongst the patricians, because he had
acted generously towards the plebs. He entreated
them to come to his help in this terrible crisis,
and not suffer him to be butchered before their
eyes. Whilst he was making these appeals, Servilius
overtook him and slew him. Besprinkled with the dead
man's blood, and surrounded by a troop of young
patricians, he returned to the Dictator and:
reported that Maelius after being summoned to appear
before him had driven away his officer and incited
the populace to riot, and had now met with the
punishment he deserved. "Well done!" said the
Dictator, "C. Servilius, you have delivered the
republic."