5.13
The Volscian Anxur was
recaptured owing to the laxity of the guard during a
festival. The year was remarkable for such a cold
and snowy winter that the roads were blocked and the
Tiber rendered unnavigable. There was no change in
the price of corn, owing to a previous accumulation
of supplies. P. Licinius had won his position
without exciting any disturbance, more to the
delight of the people than to the annoyance of the
senate, and he discharged his office in such a way
that there was a general desire to choose the
consular tribunes out of the plebeians at the next
election. The only patrician candidate who secured a
place was M. Veturius. The rest, who were plebeians,
received the support of nearly all the centuries.
Their names were M. Pomponius, Cnaeus Duilius,
Volero Publilius, and Cnaeus Genucius. In
consequence either of the unhealthy weather
occasioned by the sudden change from cold to heat,
or from some other cause, the severe winter was
followed by a pestilential summer, which proved
fatal to man and beast. As neither a cause nor a
cure could be found for its fatal ravages, the
senate ordered the Sibylline Books to be consulted.
The priests who had charge of them appointed for the
first time in Rome a lectisternium. Apollo and
Latona, Diana and Hercules, Mercury and Neptune were
for eight days propitiated on three couches decked
with the most magnificent coverlets that could be
obtained. Solemnities were conducted also in private
houses. It is stated that throughout the City the
front gates of the houses were thrown open and all
sorts of things placed for general use in the open
courts, all comers, whether acquaintances or
strangers, being brought in to share the
hospitality. Men who had been enemies held friendly
and sociable conversations with each other and
abstained from all litigation, the manacles even
were removed from prisoners during this period, and
afterwards it seemed an act of impiety that men to
whom the gods had brought such relief should be put
in chains again. In the meanwhile, at Veii there was
increased alarm, created by the three wars being
combined in one. For the men of Capenae and Falerii
had suddenly arrived to relieve the city, and as on
the former occasion, the Romans had to fight a back
to back battle round the entrenchments against three
armies. What helped them most of all was the
recollection of the condemnation of Sergius and
Verginius. From the main camp, where on the former
occasion there had been inaction, forces were
rapidly brought round and attacked the Capenates in
the rear while their attention was concentrated on
the Roman lines. The fighting which ensued created
panic in the Faliscan ranks also, and whilst they
were wavering, a well-timed charge from the camp
routed them, and the victors, following them up,
caused immense losses amongst them. Not long
afterwards the troops who were devastating the
territory of Capenae came upon them whilst
straggling in disorder as though safe from attack,
and those whom the battle had spared were
annihilated. Of the Veientines also, many who were
fleeing to the city were killed in front of the
gates, which were closed to prevent the Romans from
breaking in, and so the hindmost of the fugitives
were shut out.