Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

Chap. 63.
ROMAN HISTORY.
197
stop to his design. What increased their wonder, was
the sudden calm and serenity that ensued, the moment
he sounded the retreat: For they imagined, some deity
had interposed to save the camp, and their religious
scruples prevented them from making a second attempt;
wherefore, all their fury was discharged upon the coun¬
try, which they plundered without opposition. The
other consul iEmilius, conducted the war against the Sa¬
bines, who confined themselves within their walls : for
that reason, he laid waste their country, burning not only
the farm-houses, but also large and populous villages.
This forced the Sabines out of their strong-holds, who,
meeting with a foraging party, had an engagement with
them; but victory declaring for neither party; when
they retired from the field, they marched off next day to
a place of greater security. This the consul considered
as a sufficient victory in his favour; and upon their re¬
treat, returned home, leaving the war unfinished.
chap: lxiii.
War with the Volsci and Mipd.
During these wars abroad, and civil commotions
at home, T. Numicius Priscus and A. Virginius were
chosen consuls. The commons seemed now resolved to
admit of no evasions with respect to the Agrarian law',
and were accordingly preparing to set every engine to
work, when the flight of the country people, and the
smoke of the houses, all in flames, informed them, that
the Volsci were at hand. This invasion suppressed the
sediiion, which was now ripe, and on the point of break¬
ing out.
The senate obliged the consuls to march immediately
against the enemy ; and when the youth had once quit¬
ted.the city, the rest of the people made no more noise.
But the Volsci contented themselves with the pleasure of
having put the Romans in a needless fright, and without
attempting any thing further, made all the haste they
could out of their territories. Numicius pursued them
> to Antium, and Virginius marched against the ZLqui.
T There the army fell into an ambush, and narrowly escap-
9 ad being cut to pieces.