2.30
To many the sentiments
which Appius uttered seemed cruel and monstrous, as
they really were. On the other hand, the proposals
of Verginius and Larcius would set a dangerous
precedent, that of Larcius at all events, as it
would destroy all credit. The advice given by
Verginius was regarded as the most moderate, being a
middle course between the other two. But through the
strength of his party, and the consideration of
personal interests which always have injured and
always will injure public policy, Appius won the
day. He was very nearly being himself appointed
Dictator, an appointment which would more than
anything have alienated the plebs, and that too at a
most critical time when the Volscians, the Aequi,
and the Sabines were all in arms together. The
consuls and the older patricians, however, took care
that a magistracy clothed with such tremendous
powers should be entrusted to a man of moderate
temper. They created M. Valerius, the son of
Volesus, Dictator. Though the plebeians recognised
that it was against them that a Dictator had been
created, still, as they held their right of appeal
under a law which his brother had passed, they did
not fear any harsh or tyrannical treatment from that
family. Their hopes were confirmed by an edict
issued by the Dictator, very similar to the one made
by Servilius. That edict had been ineffective, but
they thought that more confidence could be placed in
the person and power of the Dictator, so, dropping
all opposition, they gave in their names for
enrolment. Ten legions, were formed, a larger army
than had ever before been assembled. Three of them
were assigned to each of the consuls, the Dictator
took command of four.
The war could no longer be delayed. The Aequi
had invaded the Latin territory. Envoys sent by the
Latins asked the senate either to send help or allow
them to arm for the purpose of defending their
frontier. It was thought safer to defend the unarmed
Latins than to allow them to re-arm themselves. The
consul Vetusius was despatched, and that was the end
of the raids. The Aequi withdrew from the plains,
and trusting more to the nature of the country than
to their arms, sought safety on the mountain ridges.
The other consul advanced against the Volscians, and
to avoid loss of time, he devastated their fields
with the object of forcing them to move their camp
nearer to his and so bringing on an engagement. The
two armies stood facing each other, in front of
their respective lines, on the level space between
the camps. The Volscians had considerably the
advantage in numbers, and accordingly showed their
contempt for their foe by coming on in disorder. The
Roman consul kept his army motionless, forbade their
raising an answering shout, and ordered them to
stand with their spears fixed in the ground, and
when the enemy came to close quarters, to spring
forward and make all possible use of their swords.
The Volscians, wearied with their running and
shouting, threw themselves upon the Romans as upon
men benumbed with fear, but when they felt the
strength of the counter-attack and saw the swords
flashing before them, they retreated in confusion
just as if they had been caught in an ambush, and
owing to the speed at which they had come into
action, they had not even strength to flee. The
Romans, on the other hand, who at the beginning of
the battle had remained quietly standing, were fresh
and vigorous, and easily overtook the exhausted
Volscians, rushed their camp, drove them out, and
pursued them as far as Velitrae, victors and
vanquished bursting pell-mell into the city. A
greater slaughter of all ranks took place there than
in the actual battle; a few who threw down their
arms and surrendered received quarter.