not yet decided nor the danger over, Aruns the son of Porsena, being informed of it, marched up with all speed, put the enemy to flight, and rescued the Romans. When Porsena 'saw the virgins returned, he demanded which of them was she that proposed the design, and set the example. Being informed that Cloelia was the person, he treated her with great politeness; and, commanding one of his own horses to be brought with very elegant trappings, made her a present of it. Those who contend, that Cloelia was the only one that passed the river on horseback, allege this as a proof. But others affirm, that no such consequence can be drawn from it, and that it was nothing more than a mark of honour to her from the Tuscan king, for her bravery. An equestrian statue of her stands in the Via Sacra 2, where it leads to mount Palatine; which some however will have to be Valeria's, not Clœlia's statue. Porsena, thus reconciled to the Romans, gave many proofs of his greatness of mind. Among the rest, he ordered the Tuscans to carry off nothing but their arms, and to leave their camp full of provisions and many other things of value for the Romans. Hence it is that even in our times, whenever there is a sale of goods belonging to the public, they are cried first as the goods of Porsena, to eternise the memory of his generosity. A brasen statue, of rude and antique Dion. Halic. expressly informs us, that in his time (that is, in the reign of Augustus) there were no remains of that statue, it having been consumed by fire. Pliny, however (xxxiv. 6.) agrees with Plutarch. 63 This, however (according to Liv. ii. 14.) was differently interpreted; for, though he agrees with Plutarch, others it seems considered the phrase as intended to record the failure of Porsena's enterprise.* workmanship, was also erected to his honour, near the senate-house. After this, the Sabines invading the Roman territory, Marcus Valerius, the brother of Publicola, and Posthumius Tubertus were elected consuls. As every important action was still conducted by the advice and assistance of Publicola, Marcus gained two great battles; in the second of which he killed thirteen thousand of the enemy, without the loss of a single Roman. For this he was not only rewarded with a triumph, but a house was built for him at the public expence on mount Palatine 65. And whereas the doors of other houses at that time opened inward, it's street-door was made to open outward, to show by this honourable distinction, that he was always ready to receive any proposal for the public service doors in Greece, they tell us, were formerly made to open in this manner; which they prove from those passages in the comedies, where it is mentioned, that persons going out knocked loudly on the inside of the doors first, to give warning to such as were passing by or standing before them, lest the doors in opening should dash against them. All the The year following, Publicola was appointed consul the fourth time, because a confederacy between the Sabines and Latins threatened a war; and, at the same time, the city was oppressed with superstitious terrors, on account of the imperfect The senate likewise according to Dion. Halic. sent an embassy to him, with a present of a throne adorned with ivory, a sceptre, a crown of gold, and a triumphal robe. Neither he, nor Livy, mentions this brasen statue. 65 Before this house was erected a brasen bull, as an emblem that Valerius by his victories had restored agriculture and abundance to Rome. See Plin. xxxvi. 15.* 66 Posthumius had his share in the triumph, as well as in the achievements. 68 births and general abortions among the womenî, Publicola, having consulted the Sibyl's books uport it flooffered sacrifice to Pluto; and renewed certain games, which had formerly been instituted by the direction of the Delphic oracle. When he had req vived the city with the pleasing hope, that the gods were appeased, he prepared to arm against the menaces of men; for there appeared a formidable league vand strong preparation to encounter. Among the Sabines, Appius Clausus was a man of opulentor fortune, and remarkable personal strength; famed, moreover, for his virtues and the force of his eloquence. It was his fate, like all great men, to be persecuted by envyy and his opposing the war gave a handle to malignity to insinuate, that he wished to strengthen the Roman power, in order the more easily to enslave lisen country. Perceiving that the populace gave willing ear to these calumnies, and that he was be mbasqofte vadt bas abnsit An unknown woman is said to have come to Tarquin with cam baszods syft hine volumes of oracles written by the Sibyl of Cuma, for which she demanded a very considerable price. Tarquin Telusifig purchase them at her rate, she burned three of them and then asked the same price for the remaining six. Her proposal being rejected with scorn, she burned three more, and notwithstanding still insisted on her first price. The king, surprised at the novelty of the thing, put the books in the hands of the augurs to be exa mined, who advised him to purchase them at any rate, This he did, and appointed two persons of distinction, styled Duumviri, be guardians of them; who locked them up in a vault under the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, and there they were kept till that edifice was consumed by fire in the Marsian war. (Dion. Halica. 14. These officers, whose number was afterward increased to ten, consulted the Sibylline books by direction of the senate, whenever any dangerous sedition was likely to break the Roman armies had been defeated, or when any of those proout, when digies appeared which were thought fatal. They also presided Over the sacrifices and shows, which those books appointed to ap pease the wrath of heaven. 68 Called by Dion. Halic. (v. 7.) Titus Claudius,' and by Lavy. Appius Claudius,s andro edt bas „uadalu " come obnoxious to the abettors of the quarrel, he was apprehensive of an impeachment; but, being powerfully supported by his friends and relations, he excited disturbances, which delayed and sus pended the determination for war among the Sa bines. Publicola making it his business not only to get intelligence of this sedition, but also to en courage and inflame it, sent proper persons to Appius to represent to him; " That he knew he was "a man of too much goodness and integrity to avenge himself of his countrymen, though deeply injured by them: but if he chose for his security to come over to the Romans, and to get out of "the way of his enemies, he should find such a "reception, both in public and private, as was "suitable to his virtue and the dignity of Rome.”. Appius considered this proposal with much attention, and the necessity of his affairs induced him to accept it. He therefore persuaded his friends, and they influenced many others; so that five thousand men of the most peaceably disposed among the Sabines, with their families, removed with him to Rome. Publicola, who was prepared for it, received them in the most friendly and hos pitable manner, admitted them to the freedom of the city, and gave them two acres of land a piece by the river Anio. To Appius he gave twentyfive acres, and a seat in the senate. This laid the foundation of his greatness in the republic, and he used the advantage with so much prudence, as to rise to the first rank in power and authority. The Claudian family", descended from him, is as illustrious as any in Rome. 69 ས ྣ་...།་ྭརྒྱུ ་་༡༑་» This would imply, at the lowest estimate (of four persons In a family) 20,000 persons, who were provided for by the allotment of half an acre a-piece. Such was the moderation of the ancient Romans.* There were two families of the Claudii in Rome; one patrician, and the other plebeian. The first had the surname of Pulcher, and the other of Marcellus. In course of time the Though the disputes among the Sabines were decided by this migration, the demagogues would not suffer them to rest; representing it as a matter of deep disgrace that Appius, now a deserter and an enemy, should be able to obstruct their taking vengeance of the Romans, when he could not prevent it by his presence. They advanced therefore with a great army, and encamped near Fidena. Having ordered two thousand men to lie in ambush in the shrubby and hollow places before Rome, they appointed a few horse at day-break to ravage' the country up to the very gates, and then to retreat, till they drew the enemy into the ambuscade". But Publicola getting information that very day of these particulars from deserters, prepared himself accordingly, and made a suitable disposition of his forces. Posthumius Balbus his son-in-law went out with three thousand men, as it began to grow dark, and having taken possession of the summits of the hills, under which the Sabines had concealed themselves, watched his opportunity. His collegue Lucretius with the lightest and most active of the Romans was appointed to attack the Sabine cavalry, as they were driving off the cattle; while he himself with the rest of the forces made a large circuit, and enclosed the enemy's rear. The morning happened to be very foggy, when Posthumius at dawn with loud shouts fell upon the ambuscade from the heights, Lucretius charged the horse in their retreat, and Publicola attacked the enemy's camp. The Sabines were every where worsted, and put to the rout. As the Romans did patrician family produced twenty-three consuls, five dictators, and seven censors; and obtained two triumphs, and two ovations. Of this family the emperor Tiberius was descended. Out of his followers, according to Dion. Halic. and Livy, was formed the Claudian tribe. Dion. Halic. gives a different, and much less probable, ac count of this engagement.* |