Curiosities & wonders > Titus Livius' Roman history

Chap. 25.
ROMAN HISTORY.
23 &
CHAP. XXV.
New disturbance from, the JEqui.
TPHESE consuls gave way to L. Menucius and C,
Nautius, who took under their consideration, the two
causes, that lay over undetermined the former year. The
consuls would not hear of the law, nor the tribunes of
Volscius’s trial, but the new Quaestors were men of greater
resolution and more weight. There were in that office
Titus Quinctius Capitolinus, who had been thrice con¬
sul, and M. Valerius, the son of Valerius, and grandson
of Volscius. Quinctius, since Caeso, the pride of the Ro¬
man youth, could neither be restored to his family» nor
the state, thought it his duty to prosecute the man who
had given false evidence against him, and so deprived
him of an opportunity of pleading his innocence, as far
as law or justice would go.
When Virginius, particularly, and the other tribunes
were bustling about the law, the consuls were allowed
two months to examine it, and explain to the people the
mischief latent under it, after which they were to suffer
it to be put to the vote. The concession of this respite,
produced a general tranquillity all over the city; but it
was soon interrupted by the 'ASqui, who, having broke
the treaty they had made with the Romans the year be
fore, had put themselves under the auspices of Gracchus
-Claelius by far the most considerable man in their coun¬
try. Led on by him, they passed through the Lavicati
territories, entered the Tusculan, which they ravaged
without mercy, and laden with spoil, retired to the Algi-
dus, where they encamped.
Q. Fabius, Publius Volumnius, and A. Posthumius,
were sent thither, ambassadors from Rome, to complain
of the injuries, and demand restitution, agreeable to treaty.
The general of the iEqui, in return, ordered them, <f to
“ deliver their commission from the Roman senate to the
" oak tree; for at present, he had other business to mind/’
The oak tree, alluded to, was a large one hanging over
his tent; and by its branches forming a cool shade.
Then one of the ambassadors, as he departed, said, “ Let