1.27
But the peace with Alba
was not a lasting one. The Alban dictator had
incurred general odium through having entrusted the
fortunes of the State to three soldiers, and this
had an evil effect upon his weak character. As
straightforward counsels had turned out so
unfortunate, he tried to recover the popular favour
by resorting to crooked ones, and as he had
previously made peace his aim in war, so now he
sought the occasion of war in peace. He recognised
that his State possessed more courage than strength,
he therefore incited other nations to declare war
openly and formally, whilst he kept for his own
people an opening for treachery under the mask of an
alliance. The people of Fidenae, where a Roman
colony existed, were induced to go to war by a
compact on the part of the Albans to desert to them;
the Veientines were taken into the plot. When
Fidenae had broken out into open revolt, Tullus
summoned Mettius and his army from Alba and marched
against the enemy. After crossing the Anio he
encamped at the junction of that river with the
Tiber. The army of the Veientines had crossed the
Tiber at a spot between his camp and Fidenae. In the
battle they formed the right wing near the river,
the Fidenates were on the left nearer the mountains.
Tullus formed his troops in front of the Veientines,
and stationed the Albans against the legion of the
Fidenates. The Alban general showed as little
courage as fidelity; afraid either to keep his
ground or to openly desert, he drew away gradually
towards the mountains. When he thought he had
retired far enough, he halted his entire army, and
still irresolute, he began to form his men for
attack, by way of gaining time, intending to throw
his strength on the winning side. Those Romans who
had been stationed next to the Albans were astounded
to find that their allies had withdrawn and left
their flank exposed, when a horseman rode up at full
speed and reported to the king that the Albans were
leaving the field. In this critical situation,
Tullus vowed to found a college of twelve Salii and
to build temples to Pallor and Pavor. Then,
reprimanding the horseman loud enough for the enemy
to hear, he ordered him to rejoin the fighting line,
adding that there was no occasion for alarm, as it
was by his orders that the Alban army was making a
circuit that they might fall on the unprotected rear
of the Fidenates. At the same time he ordered the
cavalry to raise their spears; this action hid the
retreating Alban army from a large part of the Roman
infantry. Those who had seen them, thinking that
what the king had said was actually the case, fought
all the more keenly. It was now the enemies' turn to
be alarmed; they had heard clearly the words of the
king, and, moreover, a large part of the Fidenates
who had formerly joined the Roman colonists
understood Latin. Fearing to be cut off from their
town by a sudden charge of the Albans from the
hills, they retreated. Tullus pressed the attack,
and after routing the Fidenates, returned to attack
the Veientines with greater confidence, as they were
already demoralised by the panic of their allies.
They did not wait for the charge, but their flight
was checked by the river in their rear. When they
reached it, some, flinging away their arms, rushed
blindly into the water, others, hesitating whether
to fight or fly, were overtaken and slain. Never had
the Romans fought in a bloodier battle.