5.36
A peaceable enough
mission, had it not contained envoys of a violent
temper, more like Gauls than Romans. After they had
delivered their instructions in the council of the
Gauls, the following reply was given: "Although we
are hearing the name of Romans for the first time,
we believe nevertheless that you are brave men,
since the Clusines are imploring your assistance in
their time of danger. Since you prefer to protect
your allies against us by negotiation rather than by
armed force, we on our side do not reject the peace
you offer, on condition that the Clusines cede to us
Gauls, who are in need of land, a portion of that
territory which they possess to a greater extent
than they can cultivate. On any other conditions
peace cannot be granted. We wish to receive their
reply in your presence, and if territory is refused
us we shall fight, whilst you are still here, that
you may report to those at home how far the Gauls
surpass all other men in courage." The Romans asked
them what right they had to demand, under threat of
war, territory from those who were its owners, and
what business the Gauls had in Etruria. The haughty
answer was returned that they carried their right in
their weapons, and that everything belonged to the
brave. Passions were kindled on both sides; they
flew to arms and joined battle. Thereupon, contrary
to the law of nations, the envoys seized their
weapons, for the Fates were already urging Rome to
its ruin. The fact of three of the noblest and
bravest Romans fighting in the front line of the
Etruscan army could not be concealed, so conspicuous
was the valour of the strangers. And what was more,
Q. Fabius rode forward at a Gaulish chieftain, who
was impetuously charging right at the Etruscan
standards, ran his spear through his side and slew
him. Whilst he was in the act of despoiling the body
the Gauls recognised him, and the word was passed
through the whole army that it was a Roman
ambassador. Forgetting their rage against the
Clusines, and breathing threats against the Romans,
they sounded the retreat.
Some were for an instant advance on Rome. The
older men thought that ambassadors should first be
sent to Rome to make a formal complaint and demand
the surrender of the Fabii as satisfaction for the
violation of the law of nations. After the
ambassadors had stated their case, the senate,
whilst disapproving of the conduct of the Fabii, and
recognising the justice of the demand which the
barbarians made, were prevented by political
interests from placing their convictions on record
in the form of a decree in the case of men of such
high rank. In order, therefore, that the blame for
any defeat which might be incurred in a war with the
Gauls might not rest on them alone, they referred
the consideration of the Gauls' demands to the
people. Here personal popularity and influence had
so much more weight that the very men whose
punishment was under discussion were elected
consular tribunes for the next year. The Gauls
regarded this procedure as it deserved to be
regarded, namely, as an act of hostility, and after
openly threatening war, returned to their people.
The other consular tribunes elected with the Fabii
were Q. Sulpicius Longus, Q. Servilius -for the
fourth time -and P. Cornelius Maluginensis.
