7.42
In
addition to these measures I find the following recorded by various
authorities. L. Genucius, a tribune of the plebs, brought before them a
measure declaring usury illegal, whilst other resolutions were adopted
forbidding any one to accept re-election to the same office in less than ten
years or fill two offices in the same year, and also that both consuls might
legally be elected from the plebs. If all these concessions were really made it
is quite clear that the revolt possessed considerable strength. In other
annalists it is stated that Valerius was not nominated Dictator, but the matter
was entirely arranged by the consuls; also that it was not before they came to
Rome but in Rome itself that the body of conspirators broke out into armed
revolt; also that it was not to T. Quinctius' farm but to the house of C.
Manlius that the nocturnal visit was paid, and that it was Manlius who was
seized by the conspirators and made their leader, after which they marched
out to a distance of four miles and entrenched themselves; also that it was
not their leaders who made the first suggestions of concord, but what
happened was that as the two armies advanced towards each other prepared
for action the soldiers exchanged mutual greetings, and as they drew nearer
grasped each other's hands and embraced one another, and the consuls,
seeing how averse the soldiers were from fighting, yielded to circumstances
and made proposals to the senate for reconciliation and concord. Thus the
ancient authorities agree in nothing but the simple fact that there was a
mutiny and that it was suppressed. The report of this disturbance and the
seriousness of the war which had been commenced with the Samnites made
many nationalities averse from an alliance with Rome. The Latins had long
been faithless to their treaty, and in addition to that the Privernates made a
sudden incursion and devastated the neighbouring Roman colonies of Norba
and Setia.
End of Book 7