5.55
It is stated that this
speech of Camillus made a profound impression,
particularly that part of it which appealed to the
religious feelings. But whilst the issue was still
uncertain, a sentence, opportunely uttered, decided
the matter. The senate, shortly afterwards, were
discussing the question in the Curia Hostilia, and
some cohorts returning from guard happened to be
marching through the Forum. They had just entered
the Comitium, when the centurion shouted, "Halt,
standard-bearer! Plant the standard; it will be best
for us to stop here." On hearing these words, the
senators rushed out of the Senate-house, exclaiming
that they welcomed the omen, and the people crowding
round them gave an emphatic approval. The proposed
measure for migration was dropped, and they began to
rebuild the City in a haphazard way. Tiling was
provided at the public expense; every one was given
the right to cut stone and timber where he pleased,
after giving security that the building should be
completed within the year. In their haste, they took
no trouble to plan out straight streets; as all
distinctions of ownership in the soil were lost,
they built on any ground that happened to be vacant.
That is the reason why the old sewers, which
originally were carried under public ground, now run
everywhere under private houses, and why the
conformation of the City resembles one casually
built upon by settlers rather than one regularly
planned out.
End of Book 5