Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

Chap. i(5.
ROMAN HISTORY.
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tated with fear, ran precipitately into the forum, where
“ to arms,—the enemy is in the city,” was the univer¬
sal cry.
The consuls, at a loss to determine, whether this sud¬
den blow was struck by foreigner domestic foes, whether
it originated in the discontent ami enmity of the com¬
mons, or in a plot of the slaves, were equally afraid to
arm the Plebeians, and to leave them unarmed. They
endeavoured to settle the confusion, but their endeavours
sometimes only increased it. The multitude, struck with
consternation and affright, could not be brought under
any government whatever. They however gave out
arms, but not to all indiscriminately, only to such as they
could confide in most; and of these only, such a number
as were sufficient to guard every place against the at¬
tacks of an enemy, of whom they had as yet no idea.
Therefore, being totally ignorant, what enemy, or what
number they had to oppose, they passed the remainder
of the night in great perplexity, posting guards wherever
, they were thought necessary.
At last day-light made the wished-for discovery,
whence the war proceeded, and by whom it was conduct¬
ed. Appins Herdonios from the capitol proclaimed
liberty to the slaves, declaring. “ That he had under-
“ taken the cause of the miserable, to restore exiles, un-
" justly banished, to their country; and to deliver slaves
“ from the oppressive yoke. That he had rather the
“ Roman people would do this uncompelled; but if he
“ saw no hopes of relief from that quarter, he would
" have recourse to the iEqui and Volsci, and leave no-
“ thing unattempted to effectuate his purpose.”
CHAP. XVI.
Obstructions of ike Tribunes.
THE mystery being now somewhat cleared up, the
consuls and senators, besides what was publicly threaten¬
ed, became very uneasy with the apprehension, that
this enterprise had been concerted with the Vejentes and
Sabines; and whilst they had so many of the enemy
already in the city, the Sabine and Etrurian legions