Among the many remarkable things that are related of Furius Camillus,it seems singular and strange above all, that he, who continuallywas in the highest commands, and obtained the greatest successes,was five times chosen dictator, triumphed four times, and was styleda second founder of Rome, yet never was so much as once consul. Thereason of which was the state and temper of the commonwealth at thattime； for the people, being at dissension with the senate, refusedto return consuls, but in their stead elected other magistrates, calledmilitary tribunes, who acted, indeed, with full consular power, butwere thought to exercise a less obnoxious amount of authority, becauseit was divided among a larger number； for to have the management ofaffairs intrusted to the hands of six persons rather than two wassome satisfaction to the opponents of oligarchy. This was the conditionof the times when Camillus was in the height of his actions and glory,and, although the government in the meantime had often proceeded toconsular elections, yet he could never persuade himself to be consulagainst the inclination of the people. In all his other administrations,which were many and various, he so behaved himself, that, when alonein authority, he exercised his power as in common, but the honourof all actions redounded entirely to himself, even when in joint commissionwith others； the reason of the former was his moderation in command；of the latter, his great judgment and wisdom, which gave him withoutcontroversy the first place.

    The house of the Furii was not, at that time, of any considerabledistinction； he, by his own acts, first raised himself to honour,serving under Postumius Tubertis, dictator, in the great battle againstthe Aequians and Volscians. For riding out from the rest of the army,and in the charge receiving a wound in his thigh, he for all thatdid not quit the fight, but, letting the dart drag in the wound, andengaging with the bravest of the enemy, put them to flight； for whichaction, among other rewards bestowed on him, he was created censor,an office in those days of great repute and authority. During hiscensorship one very good act of his is recorded, that, whereas thewars had made many widows, he obliged such as had no wives, some byfair persuasion, others by threatening to set fines on their heads,to take them in marriage； another necessary one, in causing orphansto be rated, who before were exempted from taxes, the frequent warsrequiring more than ordinary expenses to maintain them. What, however,pressed them most was the siege of Veii. Some call this people Veientani.This was the head city of Tuscany, not inferior to Rome, either innumber of arms or multitude of soldiers, insomuch that, presumingon her wealth and luxury, and priding herself upon her refinementand sumptuousness, she engaged in many honourable contests with theRomans for glory and empire. But now they abandoned their former ambitioushopes, having been weakened by great defeats, so that, having fortifiedthemselves with high and strong walls, and furnished the city withall sorts of weapons offensive and defensive, as likewise with cornand all manner of provisions, they cheerfully endured a siege, which,though tedious to them, was no less troublesome and distressing tothe besiegers. For the Romans, having never been accustomed to stayaway from home except in summer, and for no great length of time,and constantly to winter at home, were then first compelled by thetribunes to build forts in the enemy's country, and raising strongworks about their camp, to join winter and summer together. And now,the seventh year of the war drawing to an end, the commanders beganto be suspected as too slow and remiss in driving on the siege, insomuchthat they were discharged and others chosen for the war, among whomwas Camillus, then second time tribune. But at present he had no handin the siege, the duties that fell by lot to him being to make warupon the Faliscans and Capenates, who, taking advantage of the Romansbeing occupied on all hands, had carried ravages into their country,and, through all the Tuscan war, given them much annoyance, but werenow reduced by Camillus, and with great loss shut up within theirwalls.

    And now, in the very heat of the war, a strange phenomenon in theAlban lake, which, in the absence of any known cause and explanationby natural reasons, seemed as great a prodigy as the most incrediblethat are reported, occasioned great alarm. It was the beginning ofautumn, and the summer now ending had, to all observation, been neitherrainy nor much troubled with southern winds； and many of the lakes,brooks, and springs of all sorts with which Italy abounds, some werewholly dried up, others drew very little water with them； all therivers, as is usual in summer, ran in a very low and hollow channel.But the Alban lake, that is fed by no other waters but its own, andis on all sides encircled with fruitful mountains, without any cause,unless it were divine, began visibly to rise and swell, increasingto the feet of the mountains, and by degrees reaching the level ofthe very tops of them, and all this without any waves or agitation.At first it was the wonder of shepherds and herdsmen； but when theearth, which, like a great dam, held up the lake from falling intothe lower grounds, through the quantity and weight of water was brokendown, and in a violent stream it ran through the ploughed fields andplantations to discharge itself in the sea, it not only struck terrorinto the Romans, but was thought by all the inhabitants of Italy toportend some extraordinary event. But the greatest talk of it wasin the camp that besieged Veii, so that in the town itself, also,the occurrence became known.

    As in long sieges it commonly happens that parties on both sides meetoften and converse with one another, so it chanced that a Roman hadgained much confidence and familiarity with one of the besieged, aman versed in ancient prophecies, and of repute for more than ordinaryskill in divination. The Roman, observing, him to be overjoyed atthe story of the lake, and to mock at the siege, told him that thiswas not the only prodigy that of late had happened to the Romans；others more wonderful yet than this had befallen them, which he waswilling to communicate to him, that he might the better provide forhis private interests in these public distempers. The man greedilyembraced the proposal, expecting to hear some wonderful secrets； butwhen, by little and little, he had led him on in conversation andinsensibly drawn him a good way from the gates of the city, he snatchedhim up by the middle, being stronger than he, and, by the assistanceof others that came running from the camp, seized and delivered himto the commanders. The man, reduced to this necessity, and sensiblenow that destiny was not to be avoided, discovered to them the secretoracles of Veii； that it was not possible the city should be taken,until the Alban lake, which now broke forth and had found out newpassages, was drawn back from that course, and so diverted that itcould not mingle with the sea. The senate, having heard and satisfiedthemselves about the matter, decreed to send to Delphi, to ask counselof the god. The messengers were persons of the highest repute, LiciniusCossus, Valerius Potitus, and Fabius Ambustus； who, having made theirvoyage by sea and consulted the god, returned with other answers,particularly that there had been a neglect of some of their nationalrites relating to the Latin feasts； but the Alban water the oraclecommanded, if it were possible, they should keep from the sea, andshut it up in its ancient bounds； but if that was not to be done,then they should carry it off by ditches and trenches into the lowergrounds, and so dry it up； which message being delivered, the priestsperformed what related to the sacrifices, and the people went to workand turned the water.

    And now the senate, in the tenth year of the war, taking away allother commands, created Camillus dictator, who chose Cornelius Scipiofor his general of horse. And in the first place he made vows untothe gods, that, if they would grant a happy conclusion of the war,he would celebrate to their honour the great games, and dedicate atemple to the goddess whom the Romans call Matuta, the Mother, though,from the ceremonies which are used, one would think she was Leucothea.For they take a servant-maid into the secret part of the temple, andthere cuff her, and drive her out again, and they embrace their brothers'children in place of their own； and, in general, the ceremonies ofthe sacrifice remind one of the nursing of Bacchus by Ino, and thecalamities occasioned by her husband's concubine. Camillus, havingmade these vows, marched into the country of the Faliscans, and ina great battle overthrew them and the Capenates, their confederates；afterwards he turned to the siege of Veii, and, finding that to takeit by assault would prove a difficult and hazardous attempt, proceededto cut mines underground, the earth about the city being easy to breakup, and allowing such depth for the works as would prevent their beingdiscovered by the enemy. This design going on in a hopeful way, heopenly gave assaults to the enemy, to keep them to the walls, whilstthey that worked underground in the mines were, without being perceived,arrived within the citadel, close to the temple of Juno, which wasthe greatest and most honoured in all the city. It is said that theprince of the Tuscans was at that very time at sacrifice, and thatthe priest, after he had looked into the entrails of the beast, criedout with a loud voice that the gods would give victory to those thatshould complete those offerings； and that the Romans who were in themines, hearing the words, immediately pulled down the floor, and,ascending with noise and clashing weapons, frightened away the enemy,and, snatching up the entrails, carried them to Camillus. But thismay look like a fable. The city, however, being taken by storm, andthe soldiers busied in pillaging and gathering an infinite quantityof riches and spoils, Camillus, from the high tower, viewing whatwas done, at first wept for pity； and when they that were by congratulatedhis success, he lifted up his hands to heaven, and broke out intothis prayer： "O most mighty Jupiter, and ye gods that are judges ofgood and evil actions ye know that not without just cause, but constrainedby necessity, we have been forced to revenge ourselves on the cityof our unrighteous and wicked enemies. But if, in the vicissitudeof things, there may be any calamity due, to counterbalance this greatfelicity, I beg that it may be diverted from the city and army ofthe Romans, and fall, with as little hurt as may be, upon my own head."Having said these words, and just turning about （as the custom ofthe Romans is to turn to the right after adoration or prayer）, hestumbled and fell, to the astonishment of all that were present. But,recovering himself presently from the fall, he told them that he hadreceived what he had prayed for, a small mischance, in compensationfor the greatest good fortune.

    Having sacked the city, he resolved, according as he had vowed, tocarry Juno's image to Rome； and, the workmen being ready for thatpurpose, he sacrificed to the goddess, and made his supplicationsthat she would be pleased to accept of their devotion toward her,and graciously vouchsafe to accept of a place among the gods thatpresided at Rome； and the statue, they say, answered in a low voicethat she was ready and willing to go. Livy writes, that, in praying,Camillus touched the goddess, and invited her, and that some of thestanders-by cried out that she was willing and would come. They whostand up for the miracle and endeavour to maintain it have one greatadvocate on their side in the wonderful fortune of the city, which,from a small and contemptible beginning, could never have attainedto that greatness and power without many signal manifestations ofthe divine presence and co-operation. Other wonders of the like nature,drops of sweat seen to stand on statues, groans heard from them, thefigures seen to turn round and to close their eyes, are recorded bymany ancient historians； and we ourselves could relate divers wonderfulthings, which we have been told by men of our own time, that are notlightly to be rejected； but to give too easy credit to such things,or wholly to disbelieve them, is equally dangerous, so incapable ishuman infirmity of keeping any bounds, or exercising command overitself, running off sometimes to superstition and dotage, at othertimes to the contempt and neglect of all that is supernatural. Butmoderation is best, and to avoid all extremes.

    Camillus, however, whether puffed up with the greatness of his achievementin conquering a city that was the rival of Rome, and had held outa ten years' siege, or exalted with the felicitations of those thatwere about him, assumed to himself more than became a civil and legalmagistrate； among other things, in the pride and haughtiness of histriumph, driving through Rome in a chariot drawn with four white horses,which no general either before or since ever did； for the Romans considersuch a mode of conveyance to be sacred and specially set apart tothe king, and father of the gods. This alienated the hearts of hisfellow-citizens, who were not accustomed to such pomp and display.

    The second pique they had against him was his opposing the law bywhich the city was to be divided； for the tribunes of the people broughtforward a motion that the people and senate should be divided intotwo parts, one of which should remain at home, the other as the lotshould decide, remove to the new-taken city. By which means they shouldnot only have much more room, but, by the advantage of two great andmagnificent cities, be better able to maintain their territories andtheir fortunes in general. The people, therefore, who were numerousand indigent, greedily embraced it, and crowded continually to theforum, with tumultuous demands to have it put to the vote. But thesenate and the noblest citizens, judging the proceedings of the tribunesto tend rather to a destruction than a division of Rome, greatly averseto it, went to Camillus for assistance, who, fearing the result ifit came to a direct contest, contrived to occupy the people with otherbusiness, and so staved it off. He thus became unpopular. But thegreatest and most apparent cause of their dislike against him arosefrom the tenths of the spoil； the multitude having here, if not ajust, yet a plausible case against him. For it seems, as he went tothe siege of Veii, he had vowed to Apollo that if he took the cityhe would dedicate to him the tenth of the spoil. The city being takenand sacked, whether he was loth to trouble the soldiers at that time,or that through the multitude of business he had forgotten his vow,he suffered them to enjoy that part of the spoils also. Some timeafterwards, when his authority was laid down, he brought the matterbefore the senate, and the priests, at the same time, reported, outof the sacrifices, that there were intimations of divine anger, requiringpropitiations and offerings. The senate decreed the obligations tobe in force.

    But seeing it was difficult for every one to produce the very samethings they had taken, to be divided anew, they ordained that everyone upon oath should bring into the public the tenth part of his gains.This occasioned many annoyances and hardships to the soldiers, whowere poor men, and had endured much in the war, and now were forced,out of what they had gained and spent, to bring in so great a proportion.Camillus, being assaulted by their clamour and tumults, for want ofa better excuse, betook himself to the poorest of defences, confessinghe had forgotten his vow； they in turn complained that he had vowedthe tenth of the enemy's goods, and now levied it out of the tenthof the citizens'. Nevertheless, every one having brought in his dueproportion, it was decreed that out of it a bowl of massy gold shouldbe made, and sent to Delphi. And when there was great scarcity ofgold in the city, and the magistrates were considering where to getit, the Roman ladies, meeting together and consulting among themselves,out of the golden ornaments they wore contributed as much as wentto the making of the offering, which in weight came to eight talentsof gold. The senate, to give them the honour they had deserved, ordainedthat funeral orations should be used at the obsequies of women aswell as men, it having never before been a custom that any women afterdeath should receive any public eulogy. Choosing out, therefore, threeof the noblest citizens as a deputation, they sent them in a vesselof war, well manned and sumptuously adorned. Storm and calm at seamay both, they say, alike be dangerous； as they at this time experienced,being brought almost to the very brink of destruction, and, beyondall expectation, escaping. For near the isles of Aeolus the wind slacking,galleys of the Lipareans came upon them, taking them for pirates；and, when they held up their hands as suppliants, forbore indeed fromviolence, but took their ship in tow, and carried her into the harbour,where they exposed to sale their goods and persons as lawful prize,they being pirates； and scarcely, at last, by the virtue and interestof one man, Timasitheus by name, who was in office as general, andused his utmost persuasion, they were, with much ado, dismissed. He,however, himself sent out some of his own vessels with them, to accompanythem in their voyage and assist them at the dedication； for whichhe received honours at Rome, as he had deserved.

    And now the tribunes of the people again resuming their motion forthe division of the city, the war against the Faliscans luckily brokeout, giving liberty to the chief citizens to choose what magistratesthey pleased, and to appoint Camillus military tribune, with fivecolleagues； affairs then requiring a commander of authority and reputation,as well as experience. And when the people had ratified the election,he marched with his forces into the territories of the Faliscans,and laid siege to Falerii, a well-fortified city, and plentifullystored with all necessaries of war. And although he perceived it wouldbe no small work to take it, and no little time would be requiredfor it, yet he was willing to exercise the citizens and keep themabroad, that they might have no leisure, idling at home, to followthe tribunes in factions and seditions； a very common remedy, indeed,with the Romans, who thus carried off, like good physicians, the illhumours of their commonwealth. The Falerians, trusting in the strengthof their city, which was well fortified on all sides, made so littleaccount of the siege, that all, with the exception of those that guardedthe walls, as in times of peace, walked about the streets in theircommon dress； the boys went to school, and were led by their masterto play and exercise about the town walls； for the Falerians, likethe Greeks, used to have a single teacher for many pupils, wishingtheir children to live and be brought up from the beginning in eachother's company.

    This schoolmaster, designing to betray the Falerians by their children,led them out every day under the town wall, at first but a littleway, and, when they had exercised, brought them home again. Afterwardsby degrees he drew them farther and farther, till by practice he hadmade them bold and fearless, as if no danger was about them； and atlast, having got them all together, he brought them to the outpostsof the Romans, and delivered them up, demanding to be led to Camillus.Where being come, and standing in the middle, he said that he wasthe master and teacher of these children, but preferring his favourbefore all other obligations, he was come to deliver up his chargeto him, and, in that, the whole city. When Camillus had heard himout, he was astounded at the treachery of the act, and, turning tothe standers-by, observed that "war, indeed, is of necessity attendedwith much injustice and violence！ Certain laws, however, all goodmen observe even in war itself, nor is victory so great an objectas to induce us to incur for its sake obligations for base and impiousacts. A great general should rely on his own virtue, and not on othermen's vices." Which said, he commanded the officers to tear off theman's clothes, and bind his hands behind him, and give the boys rodsand scourges, to punish the traitor and drive him back to the city.By this time the Falerians had discovered the treachery of the schoolmaster,and the city, as was likely, was full of lamentations and cries fortheir calamity, men and women of worth running in distraction aboutthe walls and gates； when, behold, the boys came whipping their masteron naked and bound, calling Camillus their preserver and god and father.Insomuch that it struck not only into the parents, but the rest ofthe citizens that saw what was done, such admiration and love of Camillus'sjustice, that, immediately meeting in assembly, they sent ambassadorsto him, to resign whatever they had to his disposal. Camillus sentthem to Rome, where, being brought into the senate, they spoke tothis purpose： that the Romans, preferring justice before victory,had taught them rather to embrace submission than liberty； they didnot so much confess themselves to be inferior in strength, as theymust acknowledge them to be superior in virtue. The senate remittedthe whole matter to Camillus, to judge and order as he thought fit；who, taking a sum of money of the Falerians, and, making a peace withthe whole nation of the Faliscans, returned home.

    But the soldiers, who had expected to have the pillage of the city,when they came to Rome empty-handed, railed against Camillus amongtheir fellow-citizens, as a hater of the people, and one that grudgedall advantage to the poor. Afterwards, when the tribunes of the peopleagain brought their motion for dividing the city to the vote, Camillusappeared openly against it, shrinking from no unpopularity, and inveighingboldly against the promoters of it, and so urging and constrainingthe multitude that contrary to their inclinations they rejected theproposal but yet hated Camillus. Insomuch that though a great misfortunebefell him in his family （one of his two sons dying of a disease）,commiseration for this could not in the least make them abate theirmalice. And indeed he took this loss with immoderate sorrow beinga man naturally of a mild and tender disposition and when the accusationwas preferred against him, kept his house, and mourned amongst thewomen of his family.

    His accuser was Lucius Apuleius； the charge, appropriation of theTuscan spoils； certain brass gates, part of those spoils, were saidto be in his possession. The people were exasperated against him,and it was plain they would take hold of any occasion to condemn him.Gathering, therefore, together his friends and fellow-soldiers, andsuch as had borne command with him, a considerable number in all,he besought them that they would not suffer him to be unjustly overborneby shameful accusations, and left the mock and scorn of his enemies.His friends, having advised and consulted among themselves, made answer,that, as to the sentence, they did not see how they could help him,but that they would contribute to whatsoever fine should be set uponhim. Not able to endure so great an indignity, he resolved, in hisanger, to leave the city, and go into exile； and so, having takenleave of his wife and his son, he went silently to the gate of thecity, and there stopping and turning round, stretched out his handsto the Capitol, and prayed to the gods, that if, without any faultof his own, but merely through the malice and violence of the people,he was driven out into banishment, the Romans might quickly repentof it； and that all mankind might witness their need for the assistance,and desire for the return of Camillus.

    Thus, like Achilles, having left his imprecations on the citizens,he went into banishment； so that, neither appearing nor making defence,he was condemned in the sum of fifteen thousand ases, which, reducedto silver, make one thousand five hundred drachmas； for the as wasthe money of the time, ten of such copper pieces making the denarius,or piece of ten. And there is not a Roman but believes that immediatelyupon the prayers of Camillus, a sudden judgment followed, and thathe received a revenge for the injustice done unto him； which thoughwe cannot think was pleasant, but rather grievous and bitter to him,yet was very remarkable, and noised over the whole world； such a punishmentvisited the city of Rome, an era of such loss and danger and disgraceso quickly succeeded； whether it thus fell out by fortune, or it bethe office of some god not to see injured virtue go unavenged.

    The first token that seemed to threaten some mischief to ensue wasthe death of the censor Julius； for the Romans have a religious reverencefor the office of a censor, and esteem it sacred. The second was that,just before Camillus went into exile, Marcus Caedicius, a person ofno great distinction, nor of the rank of senator, but esteemed a goodand respectable man, reported to the military tribunes a thing worthytheir consideration； that, going along the night before in the streetcalled the New Way, and being called by somebody in a loud voice,he turned about, but could see no one, but heard a voice greater thanhuman, which said these words, "Go, Marcus Caedicius, and early inthe morning tell the military tribunes that they are shortly to expectthe Gauls." But the tribunes made a mock and sport with the story,and a little after came Camillus's banishment.

    The Gauls are of the Celtic race, and are reported to have been compelledby their numbers to leave their country, which was insufficient tosustain them all, and to have gone in search of other homes. And being,many thousands of them, young men and able to bear arms, and carryingwith them a still greater number of women and young children, someof them, passing the Riphaean mountains, fell upon the Northern Ocean,and possessed themselves of the farthest parts of Europe； others,seating themselves between the Pyrenean mountains and the Alps, livedthere a considerable time, nearer to the Senones and Celtorii； but,afterwards tasting wine which was then first brought them out of Italy,they were all so much taken with the liquor, and transported withthe hitherto unknown delight, that, snatching up their arms and takingtheir families along with them, they marched directly to the Alps,to find out the country which yielded such fruit, pronouncing allothers barren and useless. He that first brought wine among them andwas the chief instigator of their coming into Italy is said to havebeen one Aruns, a Tuscan, a man of noble extraction, and not of badnatural character, but involved in the following misfortune. He wasguardian to an orphan, one of the richest of the country, and muchadmired for his beauty, whose name was Lucumo. From his childhoodhe had been bred up with Aruns in his family, and when now grown updid not leave his house, professing to wish for the enjoyment of hissociety. And thus for a great while he secretly enjoyed Aruns's wife,corrupting her, and himself corrupted by her. But when they were bothso far gone in their passion that they could neither refrain theirlust nor conceal it, the young man seized the woman and openly soughtto carry her away. The husband, going to law, and finding himselfoverpowered by the interest and money of his opponent, left his countryand, hearing of the state of the Gauls, went to them, and was theconductor of their expedition into Italy.

    At their first coming they at once possessed themselves of all thatcountry which anciently the Tuscans inhabited, reaching from the Alpsto both the seas, as the names themselves testify； for the North orAdriatic Sea is named from the Tuscan city Adria, and that to thesouth the Tuscan Sea simply. The whole country is rich in fruit-trees,has excellent pasture, and is well watered with rivers. It had eighteenlarge and beautiful cities, well provided with all the means for industryand wealth, and all the enjoyments and pleasures of life. The Gaulscast out the Tuscans, and seated themselves in them. But this waslong before.

    The Gauls at this time were besieging Clusium, a Tuscan city. TheClusinians sent to the Romans for succour, desiring them to interposewith the barbarians by letters and ambassadors. There were sent threeof the family of the Fabii, persons of high rank and distinction inthe city. The Gauls received them courteously, from respect to thename of Rome, and, giving over the assault which was then making uponthe walls, came to conference with them； when the ambassadors askingwhat injury they had received of the Clusinians that they thus invadedtheir city, Brennus, King of the Gauls, laughed and made answer： "TheClusinians do us injury, in that, being able only to till a smallparcel of ground, they must needs possess a great territory, and willnot yield any part to us who are strangers, many in number, and poor.In the same nature, O Romans, formerly the Albans, Fidenates, andArdeates, and now lately the Veientines and Capenates, and many ofthe Faliscans and Volscians, did you injury； upon whom ye make warif they do not yield you part of what they possess, make slaves ofthem, waste and spoil their country, and ruin their cities； neitherin so doing are cruel or unjust, but follow that most ancient of alllaws, which gives the possessions of the feeble to the strong； whichbegins with God and ends in the beasts； since all these, by nature,seek the stronger to have advantage over the weaker. Cease, therefore,to pity the Clusinians whom we besiege, lest ye teach the Gauls tobe kind and compassionate to those that are oppressed by you." Bythis answer the Romans, perceiving that Brennus was not to be treatedwith, went into Clusium, and encouraged and stirred up the inhabitantsto make a sally with them upon the barbarians, which they did eitherto try their strength or to show their own. The sally being made,and the fight growing hot about the walls, one of the Fabii, QuintusAmbustus, being well mounted, and setting spurs to his horse, madefull against a Gaul, a man of huge bulk and stature, whom he saw ridingout at a distance from the rest. At the first he was not recognized,through the quickness of the conflict and the glittering of his armour,that precluded any view of him； but when he had overthrown the Gaul,and was going to gather the spoils, Brennus knew him； and, invokingthe gods to be witness, that, contrary to the known and common lawof nations, which is holily observed by all mankind, he who had comeas an ambassador had now engaged in hostility against him, he drewoff his men, and bidding Clusium farewell, led his army directly toRome. But not wishing that it should look as if they took advantageof that injury, and were ready to embrace any occasion of quarrel,he sent a herald to demand the man in punishment, and in the meantimemarched leisurely on.

    The senate being met at Rome, among many others that spoke againstthe Fabii, the priests called fecials were the most decided, who,on the religious ground, urged the senate that they should lay thewhole guilt and penalty of the fact upon him that committed it, andso exonerate the rest. These fecials Numa Pompilius, the mildest andjustest of kings, constituted guardians of peace, and the judges anddeterminers of all causes by which war may justifiably be made. Thesenate referring the whole matter to the people, and the priests there,as well as in the senate, pleading against Fabius, the multitude,however, so little regarded their authority, that in scorn and contemptof it they chose Fabius and the rest of his brothers military tribunes.The Gauls, on hearing this, in great rage threw aside every delay,and hastened on with all the speed they could make. The places throughwhich they marched, terrified with their numbers and the splendourof their preparations for war, and in alarm at their violence andfierceness, began to give up their territories as already lost, withlittle doubt but their cities would quickly follow； contrary, however,to expectation, they did no injury as they passed, nor took anythingfrom the fields； and, as they went by any city, cried out that theywere going to Rome； that the Romans only were their enemies, and thatthey took all others for their friends.

    Whilst the barbarians were thus hastening with all speed, the militarytribunes brought the Romans into the field to be ready to engage them,being not inferior to the Gauls in number （for they were no less thanforty thousand foot）, but most of them raw soldiers, and such as hadnever handled a weapon before. Besides, they had wholly neglectedall religious usages, had not obtained favourable sacrifices, normade inquiries of the prophets, natural in danger and before battle.No less did the multitude commanders distract and confound their proceedings；frequently before, upon less occasions, they had chosen a single leader,with the title of dictator, being sensible of what great importanceit is in critical times to have the soldiers united under one generalwith the entire and absolute control placed in his hands. Add to all,the remembrance of Camillus's treatment, which made it now seem adangerous thing for officers to command without humouring their soldiers.In this condition they left the city, and encamped by the river Allia,about ten miles from Rome； and not far from the place where it fallsinto the Tiber； and here the Gauls came upon them, and, after a disgracefulresistance, devoid of order and discipline, they were miserably defeated.The left wing was immediately driven into the river, and there destroyed；the right had less damage by declining the shock, and from the lowgrounds getting to the tops of the hills, from whence most of themafterwards dropped into the city； the rest, as many as escaped, theenemy being weary of the slaughter, stole by night to Veii, givingup Rome and all that was in it for lost.

    This battle was fought about the summer solstice, the moon being atfull, the very same day in which the sad disaster of the Fabii hadhappened, when three hundred of that name were at one time cut offby the Tuscans. But from this second loss and defeat the day got thename of Alliensis from the river Allia, and still retains it. Thequestion of unlucky days, whether we should consider any to be so,and whether Heraclitus did well in upbraiding Hesiod for distinguishingthem into fortunate and unfortunate, as ignorant that the nature ofevery day is the same, I have examined in another place； but uponoccasion of the present subject, I think it will not be amiss to annexa few examples relating to this matter. On the fifth of their monthHippodromius, which corresponds to the Athenian Hecatombaeon, theBoeotians gained two signal victories, the one at Leuctra, the otherat Ceressus, about three hundred years before, when they overcameLattamyas and the Thessalians, both which asserted the liberty ofGreece. Again, on the sixth of Boedromion, the Persians were worstedby the Greeks at Marathon； on the third, at Plataea, as also at Mycale；on the twenty-fifth, at Arbela. The Athenians, about the full moonin Boedromion, gained their sea-victory at Naxos under the conductof Chabrias； on the twentieth, at Salamis, as we have shown in ourtreatise on Days. Thargelion was a very unfortunate month to the barbarians,for in it Alexander overcame Darius's generals on the Granicus； andthe Carthaginians, on the twenty-fourth, were beaten by Timoleon inSicily, on which same day and month Troy seems to have been taken,as Ephorus, Callisthenes, Damastes, and Phylarchus state. On the otherhand, the month Metagitnion, which in Boeotia is called Panemus, wasnot very lucky to the Greeks； for on its seventh day they were defeatedby Antipater, at the battle in Cranon, and utterly ruined； and before,at Chaeronea, were defeated by Philip； and on the very same day, samemonth, and same year, those that went with Archidamus into Italy werethere cut off by the barbarians. The Carthaginians also observe thetwenty-first of the same month, as bringing with it the largest numberand the severest of their losses. I am not ignorant that, about theFeast of Mysteries, Thebes was destroyed the second time by Alexander；and after that, upon the very twentieth of Boedromion, on which daythey lead forth the mystic Iacchus, the Athenians received a garrisonof the Macedonians. On the selfsame day the Romans lost their armyunder Caepio by the Cimbrians, and in a subsequent year, under theconduct of Lucullus, overcame the Armenians and Tigranes. King Attalusand Pompey died both on their birthdays. One could reckon up severalthat have had variety of fortune on the same day. This day, meantime,is one of the unfortunate ones to the Romans, and for its sake twoothers in every month； fear and superstition, as the custom of itis, more and more prevailing. But I have discussed this more accuratelyin my Roman Questions.

    And now, after the battle, had the Gauls immediately pursued thosethat fled, there had been no remedy but Rome must have wholly beenruined, and those who remained in it utterly destroyed； such was theterror that those who escaped the battle brought with them into thecity, and with such distraction and confusion were themselves in turninfected. But the Gauls, not imagining their victory to be so considerable,and overtaken with the present joy, fell to feasting and dividingthe spoil, by which means they gave leisure to those who were forleaving the city to make their escape, and to those that remainedto anticipate and prepare for their coming. For they who resolvedto stay at Rome, abandoning the rest of the city, betook themselvesto the Capitol, which they fortified with the help of missiles andnew works. One of their principal cares was of their holy things,most of which they conveyed into the Capitol. But the consecratedfire the vestal virgins took, and fled with it, as likewise theirother sacred things. Some write that they have nothing in their chargebut the ever-living fire which Numa had ordained to be worshippedas the principle of all things； for fire is the most active thingin nature, and all production is either motion, or attended with motion；all the other parts of matter, so long as they are without warmth,lie sluggish and dead, and require the accession of a sort of soulor vitality in the principle of heat； and upon that accession, inwhatever way, immediately receive a capacity either of acting or beingacted upon. And thus Numa, a man curious in such things, and whosewisdom made it thought that he conversed with the Muses, consecratedfire, and ordained it to be kept ever burning, as an image of thateternal power which orders and actuates all things. Others say thatthis fire was kept burning in front of the holy things, as in Greece,for purification, and that there were other things hid in the mostsecret part of the temple, which were kept from the view of all, exceptthose virgins whom they call vestals. The most common opinion was,that the image of Pallas, brought into Italy by Aeneas, was laid upthere； others say that the Samothracian images lay there, tellinga story how that Dardanus carried them to Troy, and when he had builtthe city, celebrated those rites, and dedicated those images there；that after Troy was taken, Aeneas stole them away, and kept them tillhis coming into Italy. But they who profess to know more of the matteraffirm that there are two barrels, not of any great size, one of whichstands open and has nothing in it, the other full and sealed up； butthat neither of them may be seen but by the most holy virgins. Othersthink that they who say this are misled by the fact that the virginsput most of their holy things into two barrels at this time of theGaulish invasion, and hid them underground in the temple of Quirinus；and that from hence that place to this day bears the name of Barrels.

    However it be, taking the most precious and important things theyhad, they fled away with them, shaping their course along the river-side,where Lucius Albinius, a simple citizen of Rome, who among otherswas making his escape, overtook them, having his wife, children, andgoods in a cart； and, seeing the virgins, dragging along in theirarms the holy things of the gods, in a helpless and weary condition,he caused his wife and children to get down, and, taking out his goods,put the virgins in the cart, that they might make their escape tosome of the Greek cities. This devout act of Albinius, and the respecthe showed thus signally to the gods at a time of such extremity, deservednot to be passed over in silence. But the priests that belonged toother gods, and the most elderly of the senators, men who had beenconsuls and had enjoyed triumphs, could not endure to leave the city；but, putting on their sacred and splendid robes, Fabius the high priestperforming the office, they made their prayers to the gods, and, devotingthemselves, as it were, for their country, sate themselves down intheir ivory chairs in the forum, and in that posture expected theevent.

    On the third day after the battle, Brennus appeared with his armyat the city, and, finding the gates wide open and no guards upon thewalls, first began to suspect it was some design or stratagem, neverdreaming that the Romans were in so desperate a condition. But whenhe found it to be so indeed, he entered at the Colline gate, and tookRome, in the three hundred and sixtieth year, or a little more, afterit was built； if, indeed, it can be supposed probable that an exactchronological statement has been preserved of events which were themselvesthe cause of chronological difficulties about things of later date；of the calamity itself, however, and of the fact of the capture, somefaint rumours seem to have passed at the time into Greece. HeraclidesPonticus, who lived not long after these times, in his hook upon theSoul, relates that a certain report came from the west, that an army,proceeding from the Hyperboreans, had taken a Greek city called Rome,seated somewhere upon the great sea. But I do not wonder that so fabulousand high-flown an author as Heraclides should embellish the truthof the story with expressions about Hyperboreans and the great sea.Aristotle the philosopher appears to have heard a correct statementof the taking of the city by the Gauls, but he calls its delivererLucius； whereas Camillus's surname was not Lucius, but Marcus. Butthis is a matter of conjecture.

    Brennus, having taken possession of Rome, set a strong guard aboutthe Capitol and, going himself down into the forum, was there struckwith amazement at the sight of so many men sitting in that order andsilence observing that they neither rose at his coming, nor so muchas changed colour or countenance, but remained without fear or concernleaning upon their staves, and sitting quietly, looking at each other.The Gauls, for a great while, stood wondering at the strangeness ofthe sight, not daring to approach or touch them, taking them for anassembly of superior beings. But when one, bolder than the rest, drewnear to Marcus Papirius, and, putting forth his hand, gently touchedhis chin and stroked his long beard, Papirius with his staff struckhim a severe blow on the head； upon which the barbarian drew his swordand slew him. This was the introduction to the slaughter； for therest, following his example, set upon them all and killed them, anddespatched all others that came in their way； and so went on to thesacking and pillaging the houses, which they continued for many daysensuing. Afterwards, they burnt them down to the ground and demolishedthem, being incensed at those who kept the Capitol, because they wouldnot yield to summons； but, on the contrary, when assailed, had repelledthem, with some loss, from their defences. This provoked them to ruinthe whole city, and to put to the sword all that came to their hands,young and old, men, women, and children.

    And now, the siege of the Capitol having lasted a good while, theGauls began to be in want of provision； and dividing their forces,part of them stayed with their king at the siege, the rest went toforage the country, ravaging the towns and villages where they came,but not all together in a body, but in different squadrons and parties；and to such a confidence had success raised them, that they carelesslyrambled about without the least fear or apprehension of danger. Butthe greatest and best ordered body of their forces went to the cityof Ardea, where Camillus then sojourned, having, ever since his leavingRome, sequestered himself from all business, and taken to a privatelife； but now he began to rouse up himself, and consider not how toavoid or escape the enemy, but to find out an opportunity to be revengedupon them. And perceiving that the Ardeatians wanted not men, butrather enterprise, through the inexperience and timidity of theirofficers, he began to speak with the young men, first to the effectthat they ought not to ascribe the misfortune of the Romans to thecourage of their enemy, nor attribute the losses they sustained byrash counsel to the conduct of men who had no title to victory； theevent had been only an evidence of the power of fortune； that it wasa brave thing even with danger to repel a foreign and barbarous invaderwhose end in conquering was, like fire, to lay waste and destroy,but if they would be courageous and resolute he was ready to put anopportunity into their hands to gain a victory, without hazard atall. When he found the young men embraced the thing, he went to themagistrates and council of the city, and, having persuaded them also,he mustered all that could bear arms, and drew them up within thewalls, that they might not be perceived by the enemy, who was near；who, having scoured the country, and returned heavy-laden with booty,lay encamped in the plains in a careless and negligent posture, sothat, with the night ensuing upon debauch and drunkenness, silenceprevailed through all the camp. When Camillus learned this from hisscouts, he drew out the Ardeatians, and in the dead of the night,passing in silence over the ground that lay between, came up to theirworks, and, commanding his trumpets to sound and his men to shoutand halloo, he struck terror into them from all, quarters； while drunkennessimpeded and sleep retarded their movements. A few, whom fear had sobered,getting into some order, for a while resisted； and so died with theirweapons in their hands. But the greatest part of them, buried in wineand sleep, were surprised without their arms, and despatched； andas many of them as by the advantage of the night got out of the campwere the next day found scattered abroad and wandering in the fields,and were picked up by the horse that pursued them.

    The fame of this action soon fled through the neighbouring cities,and stirred up the young men from various quarters to come and jointhemselves with him. But none were so much concerned as those Romanswho escaped in the battle of Allia, and were now at Veii, thus lamentingwith themselves, "O heavens, what a commander has Providence bereavedRome of, to honour Ardea with his actions！ And that city, which broughtforth and nursed so great a man, is lost and gone, and we, destituteof a leader and shut up within strange walls, sit idle, and see Italyruined before our eyes. Come, let us send to the Ardeatians to haveback our general, or else, with weapons in our hands, let us go thitherto him； for he is no longer a banished man, nor we citizens, havingno country but what is in the possession of the enemy." To this theyall agreed, and sent to Camillus to desire him to take the command；but he answered, that he would not, until they that were in the Capitolshould legally appoint him； for he esteemed them, so long as theywere in being, to be his country； that if they should command himhe would readily obey； but against their consent he would intermeddlewith nothing. When this answer was returned, they admired the modestyand temper of Camillus； but they could not tell how to find a messengerto carry the intelligence to the Capitol, or rather, indeed, it seemedaltogether impossible for any one to get to the citadel whilst theenemy was in full possession of the city. But among the young menthere was one Pontius Cominius, of ordinary birth, but ambitious ofhonour, who proffered himself to run the hazard, and took no letterswith him to those in the Capitol, lest, if he were intercepted, theenemy might learn the intentions of Camillus； but, putting on a poordress and carrying corks under it, he boldly travelled the greatestpart of the way by day, and came to the city when it was dark； thebridge he could not pass, as it was guarded by the barbarians； sothat taking his clothes, which were neither many nor heavy, and bindingthem about his head, he laid his body upon the corks, and swimmingwith them, got over to the city. And avoiding those quarters wherehe perceived the enemy was awake, which he guessed at by the lightsand noise, he wen