5.7
Appius was already quite a
match for the tribunes even on the platform, and now
his victory over them was assured by the sudden
intelligence of a most unexpected disaster, the
effect of which was to unite all classes in an
ardent resolve to prosecute the siege of Veii more
vigorously. A raised way had been carried up to the
city, and the vineae had almost been placed in
contact with the walls, but more attention had been
devoted to their construction by day than to their
protection by night. Suddenly the gates were flung
open and an enormous multitude, armed mostly with
torches, flung the flaming missiles on to the works,
and in one short hour the flames consumed both the
raised way and the vineae, the work of so many days.
Many poor fellows who vainly tried to render
assistance perished either in the flames or by the
sword. When the news of this reached Rome there was
universal mourning, and the senate were filled with
apprehension lest disturbances should break out in
the City and the camp beyond their power to repress,
and the tribunes of the plebs exult over the
vanquished republic. Suddenly, however, a number of
men who, though assessed as knights, had not been
provided with horses, after concerting a common plan
of action, went to the Senate-house, and on
permission being given to address the senate, they
engaged to serve as cavalry on their own horses. The
senate thanked them in the most complimentary terms.
When the news of this incident had circulated
through the Forum and the City, the plebeians
hastily assembled at the Senate-house and declared
that they were now part of the infantry force, and
though it was not their turn to serve, they promised
to give their services to the republic to march to
Veii or wherever else they were led. If, they said,
they were led to Veii they would not return till the
city was taken.
On hearing this it was with difficulty that
the senate restrained their delight. They did not,
as in the case of the knights, pass a resolution of
thanks to be conveyed through the presiding
magistrates, nor were any summoned into the House to
receive their reply, nor did they themselves remain
within the precincts of their House. They came out
on the raised space in front and each independently
signified by voice and gesture to the people
standing in the comitium the joy they all felt, and
expressed their confidence that this unanimity of
feeling would make Rome a blessed City, invincible
and eternal. They applauded the knights, they
applauded the commons, they showered encomiums on
the very day itself, and frankly admitted that the
senate had been outdone in courtesy and kindness.
Senators and plebeians alike shed tears of joy. At
last the sitting was resumed, and a resolution was
carried that the consular tribunes should convene a
public meeting and return thanks to the infantry and
the knights, and say that the senate would never
forget this proof of their affection for their
country. They further decided that pay should be
reckoned from that day for those who, though not
called out, had volunteered to serve. A fixed sum
was assigned to each knight; this was the first
occasion on which the knights received military pay.
The army of volunteers marched to Veii, and not only
reconstructed the works that had been lost, but
constructed new ones. More care was taken in
bringing up supplies from the City, that nothing
might be wanting for the use of an army that had
behaved so well.