7.20
It would
seem as though this formal declaration of war brought home to the Caerites
the horrors of a war with Rome more clearly than the action of those who
had provoked the Romans by their depredations. They realised how unequal
their strength was to such a conflict; they bitterly regretted the raid, and
cursed the Tarquinians who had instigated them to revolt. No one made any
preparation for war, but each did his utmost to urge the despatch of an
embassy to Rome to beg pardon for their offence. When the deputation came
before the senate they were referred by the senate to the people. They
besought the gods whose sacred things they had taken charge of and made
due provision for in the Gaulish war that the Romans in their day of
prosperity might feel the same pity for them that they had shown for Rome
in her hour of distress. Then turning to the temple of Vesta they invoked the
bond of hospitality which they formed in all purity and reverence with the
Flamens and the Vestals. "Could any one believe," they asked, "that men
who had rendered such services would all of a sudden, without any reason,
have become enemies, or if they had been guilty of any hostile act that they
had committed it deliberately rather than in a fit of madness? Was it possible
that they could, by inflicting fresh injuries, obliterate their old acts of
kindness, especially when they had been conferred on those who were so
grateful for them; or that they would make an enemy of the Roman people
now that it was prosperous and successful in all its wars after having sought
its friendship at a time when it was in trouble and adversity? That should not
be described as deliberate purpose which ought to be called violence and
constraint. After simply asking for a free passage, the Tarquinians traversed
their territory in hostile array and compelled some of their country-folk to
accompany them in that predatory expedition for which the city of Caere
was now held responsible. If it was decided that these men must be
surrendered, they would surrender them, if they must be punished, punished
they should be. Caere, once the sanctuary of Rome, the shelter of her sacred
things, ought to be declared innocent of any thought of war, and acquitted of
any charge of hostile intentions in return for her hospitality to the Vestals
and her devotion to the gods." Old memories rather than the actual
circumstances of the case so wrought upon the people that they thought less
of the present grievance than of the former kindness. Peace was accordingly
granted to the people of Caere, and it was agreed to leave to the senate the
question of a truce for 100 years. The Faliscans were implicated in the same
charge and the war was diverted to them, but the enemy was nowhere to be
found in the open. Their territory was ravaged from end to end, but no
attempt was made against their cities. After the return of the legions, the rest
of the year was spent in repairing the walls and towers. The temple of Apollo
was also dedicated.