6.32
A short
breathing space had been allowed to the debtors, but as soon as hostilities
ceased and quiet was restored large numbers of them were again being
adjudged to their creditors, and so completely had all hopes of lightening the
old load of debt vanished that new debts were being contracted to meet a tax
imposed for the construction of a stone wall for which the censors had made
a contract. The plebs were compelled to submit to this burden because there
was no enrolment which their tribunes could obstruct. They were even
forced by the influence of the nobility to elect only patricians as consular
tribunes; their names were: L. Aemilius, P. Valerius (for the fourth time), C.
Veturius, Ser. Sulpicius, L. and C. Quinctius Cincinnatus. The patricians
were also strong enough to effect the enrolment of three armies to act
against the Latins and Volscians, who had united their forces and were
encamped at Satricum. All those who were liable for active service were
made to take the military oath; none ventured to obstruct. One of these
armies was to protect the City; another was to be in readiness to be
despatched wherever any sudden hostile movement might be attempted; the
third, and by far the strongest, was led by P. Valerius and L. Aemilius to
Satricum. Here they found the enemy drawn up for battle on favourable
ground and immediately engaged him. The action, though so far not
decisive, was going in favour of the Romans when it was stopped by violent
storms of wind and rain. The next day it was resumed and was kept up for
some time on the part of the enemy with a courage and success equal to that
of the Romans, mainly by the Latin legions who through their long alliance
were familiar with Roman tactics. A cavalry charge disordered their ranks,
and before they could recover, the infantry made a fresh attack and the
further they pressed forward the more decided the retreat of the enemy
became, and once the battle turned, the Roman attack became irresistible.
The rout of the enemy was complete, and as they did not make for their
camp but tried to reach Satricum, which was two miles distant, they were
mostly cut down by the cavalry. The camp was taken and plundered. The
following night they evacuated Satricum, and in a march which was much
more like a flight made their way to Antium, and though the Romans
followed almost on their heels, the state of panic they were in enabled them
to outstrip their pursuers. The enemy entered the city before the Romans
could delay or harass their rear. Some days were spent in harrying the
country as the Romans were not sufficiently provided with military engines
for attacking the walls, nor were the enemy disposed to run the risk of a
battle.