| Plutarch's Parallel Lives | |
| The Boys' and Girls' Plutarch | |
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Camillus Among the many remarkable things that are related of Furius
Camillus, it seems singular that he, who continually was in the
highest commands, and obtained the greatest successes, was five
times chosen dictator, triumphed four times, and was styled a
second founder of Rome, yet never was so much as once consul. The
reason of which was the state and temper of the commonwealth at
that time; for the people, being at dissension with the senate,
refused to return consuls, but they instead elected other
magistrates, called military tribunes, who acted, indeed, with
full consular power, but were thought to exercise a less obnoxious
amount of authority, because it was divided among a larger number. The house of the Furii was not, at that time, of any considerable
distinction; he, by his own acts, first raised himself to honor,
serving under Postumius Tubertus, dictator, in the great battle
against the Aequians and Volscians. For, riding out from the rest
of the army, and in the charge receiving a would in his thigh, he
for all that did not quit the fight, but, letting the dart drag in
the would, and engaging with the bravest of the enemy, put them to
flight; for which action, among other rewards bestowed on him, he
was created censor, an office in those days of great repute and
authority. During his censorship one very good act of his is
recorded, that, whereas the wars had made many widows, he obliged
such as had no wives, some by fair persuasion, others by
threatening to set fines on their heads, to take them in marriage;
another necessary one, in causing orphans to be rated, who before
were exempted from taxes, the frequent wars requiring 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 in
number of arms or multitude of soldiers, insomuch that, presuming
on her wealth and luxury, and priding herself upon her refinement
and sumptuousness, she engaged in many honorable contests with the
Romans for glory and empire. But now they had abandoned their
former ambitious hopes, having been weakened by great defeats, so
that, having fortified themselves with high and strong walls, and
furnished the city with all sorts of weapons offensive and
defensive, as likewise with corn and all manner of provisions,
they cheerfully endured a siege, which, though tedious to them,
was no less troublesome and distressing to the besiegers. For the
Romans, having never been accustomed to stay away from home except
in summer, and for no great length of time, and constantly to
winter at home, were then first compelled by the tribunes to build
forts in the enemy's country, and, raising strong works about
their camp, to join winter and summer together. And now the
seventh year of the war drawing to an end, the commanders began to
be suspected as too slow and remiss in driving on the siege,
insomuch that they were discharged and others chosen for the war,
among whom was Camillus, then second time tribune. But at present
he had no hand in the siege, the duties that fell by lot to him
being to make war upon the Faliscans and Capenates, who, taking
advantage of the Romans being occupied on all hands, had carried
ravages into their country, and through all the Tuscan war, given
them much annoyance, but were now reduced by Camillus, and with
great loss shut up within their walls. And now, in the very heat of the war, a strange phenomenon in the
Alban lake, which, in the absence of any known cause and
explanation by natural reasons, seemed as great a prodigy as the
most incredible that are reported, occasioned great alarm. It was
the beginning of autumn, and the summer now ending had, to all
observation, been neither rainy nor much troubled with southern
winds; and of the many lakes, brooks, and springs of all sorts
with which Italy abounds, some were wholly dried up, others had
very little water in them; all the rivers, as is usual in summer,
ran in a very low and hollow channel. But the Alban lake, which is
fed by no other waters but its own, and is on all sides encircled
with fruitful mountains, without any cause, unless it were divine,
began visibly to rise and swell, increasing to the feet of the
mountains, and by degrees reaching the level of the very tops of
some of them, and all this without any waves or agitation. At
first it was the wonder of shepherds and herdsmen; but when the
earth, which, like a great dam, held up the lake from falling into
the lower grounds, through the quantity and weight of water was
broken down, and in a violent stream it ran through the ploughed
fields and plantations to discharge itself in the sea, it not only
struck terror into the Romans, but was thought by all the
inhabitants of Italy to portend some extraordinary event. But the
greatest talk of it was in the camp that besieged Veii, so that in
the town itself, also, the occurrence became known. As in long sieges it commonly happens that both parties on both
sides meet often and converse with one another, so it chanced that
a Roman had gained much confidence and familiarity with one of the
besieged, a man versed in ancient prophecies, and of repute for
more than ordinary skill in divination. The Roman, observing him
to be overjoyed at the story of the lake, and to mock at the
siege, told him that this was not the only prodigy that of late
had happened to the Romans; others more wonderful yet than this
had befallen them, which he was willing to communicate to him,
that he might the better provide for his private interests in
these public distempers. The man greedily embraced the proposal,
expecting to hear some wonderful secrets; but when, little by
little, he had led him on in conversation, and insensibly drawn
him a good way from the gates of the city, he snatched him up the
middle, being stronger than he, and, by the assistance of others
who came running from the camp, seized and delivered him to the
commanders. The man, reduced to this necessity, and sensible now
that destiny was not to be avoided, discovered to them the secret
oracle of Veii, that it was not possible the city should be taken
until the Alban lake, which now broke forth and had found out new
passages, was drawn back from that course, and so diverted that it
could not mingle with the sea. The senate, having heard and
satisfied themselves about the matter, decreed to send to Delphi,
to ask counsel of the god. The messengers returned with the answer
that the Alban water, if possible, they should keep from the sea,
and shut 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 lower grounds, and so dry it up; which message being
delivered, the priests performed what related to the sacrifices,
and the people went to work and turned the water. And now the senate, in the tenth year of the war, taking away all
other commands, created Camillus dictator, who chose Cornelius
Scipio for his general of horse, and, having made vows, marched
into the country of the Faliscans, and in a great battle overthrew
them and the Capenates, their confederates; afterwards he turned
to the siege of Veii, and finding that to take it by assault would
prove a difficult and hazardous attempt, proceeded to cut mines
under ground, the earth about the city being easy to break up, and
allowing such depth for the works as would prevent their being
discovered by the enemy. This design going on in a hopeful way, he
openly gave assaults to the enemy, to keep them to the walls,
until they that worked underground in the mines might, without
being perceived, arrive within the citadel, close to the temple of
Juno, which was the greatest and most honored in all the city. It
is said that the prince of the Tuscans was at that very time at
sacrifice, and that the priest, after he had looked into the
entrails of the beast, cried out with a loud voice that the gods
would give the victory to those that should complete those
offerings; and that the Romans who were in the mines, hearing the
words, immediately pulled down the floor, and, ascending with
noise, and clashing of weapons, frightened away the enemy, and,
snatching up the entrails, carried them to Camillus. But this may
look like a fable. The city, however, being taken by storm, and
the soldiers busied in pillaging and gathering an infinite
quantity of riches and spoil, Camillus, from the high tower
viewing what was done, at first wept for pity; and when the
bystanders congratulated him upon his success, he lifted up his
hands to heaven, and broke out into this prayer: "O most mighty
Jupiter, and ye gods that are judges of good and evil actions, ye
know that not without just cause, but constrained by necessity, we
have been forced to revenge ourselves on the city of our
unrighteous and wicked enemies. But if, the the vicissitude of
things, there by any calamity due, to counter-balance this great
felicity, I beg that it may be diverted from the city and army of
the 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 of the Romans is to turn to the right after adoration or
prayer), he stumbled and fell, to the astonishment of all that
were present. But, recovering himself presently from the fall, he
told them that he had received what he had prayed for, a small
mischance, in compensation for the greatest good fortune. Camillus, however, whether puffed up with the greatness of his
achievement in conquering a city that was the rival of Rome, and
held out a ten years' siege, or exalted with the felicitations of
those that were about him, assumed to himself more than became a
civil and legal magistrate; among other things, in the pride and
haughtiness of triumph, driving through Rome in a chariot drawn
with four white horses, which no general either before or since
ever did; for the Romans consider such a mode of conveyance to be
sacred and specially set apart to the king and father of the gods.
This alienated the hearts of his fellow-citizens, who were not
accustomed to such pomp and display. The second pique they had against him was his opposing the law by
which the city was to be divided; for the tribunes of the people
brought forward a motion that the people and senate should be
divided into two parts, one of which should remain at home, the
other, as the lot should decide, remove to the new-taken city. By
which means they should not only have much more room, but, by the
advantage of two great and magnificent cities, be better able to
maintain their territories and their fortunes in general. The
people, therefore, who were numerous and indigent, greedily
embraced it, and crowded continually to the forum, with tumultuous
demands to have it put to the vote. But the senate and the noblest
citizens, judging the proceedings of the tribunes to tend rather
to a destruction than a division of Rome, greatly averse to it,
went to Camillus for assistance, who, fearing the result if it
came to a direct contest, contrived to occupy the people with
other business, and so staved it off. He thus became unpopular. And now the tribunes of the people again resuming their motion for
the division of the city, the war against the Faliscans luckily
broke out, giving liberty to the chief citizens to choose what
magistrates they pleased, and to appoint Camillus military
tribune, with five colleagues; 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 plentifully stored with all necessaries
of war. And although he perceived it would be so small work to
take it, and no little time would be required for it, yet he was
willing to exercise the citizens and keep them abroad, that they
might have no leisure, idling at home, to follow the tribunes in
factions and seditions: a very common remedy, indeed, with the
Romans, who thus carried off, like good physicians, the ill humors
of their commonwealth. The Falerians (The Falerians, in this
narrative, are the people of the town; the Faliscans, the nation
in general.), trusting in the strength of their city, which was
well fortified on all sides, made so little account of the siege,
that all, with the exception of those that guarded the walls, as
in times of peace, walked about the streets in their common dress;
the boys went to school, and were led by their master to play and
exercise about the town walls; for the Falerians, like the Greeks,
used to have a single teacher for many pupils, wishing their
children to live and be brought up from the beginning in each
others company. This schoolmaster, designing to betray the Falerians by their
children, led them out every day under the town wall, at first but
a little way, and, when they had exercised, brought them home
again. Afterwards by degrees he drew them farther and farther,
till by practice he had made them bold and fearless, as if no
danger was about them; and at last, having got them all together,
he brought them to the outposts of the Romans, and delivered them
up, demanding to be led to Camillus. Where being come, and
standing in the middle, he said that he was the master and teacher
of these children, but, preferring his favor before all other
obligations, he had come to deliver up his charge to him, and, in
that, the whole city. When Camillus had heard him out, he was
astounded at the treachery of the act, and, turning to the
standers-by observed that, "War, indeed, is of necessity attended
with much injustice and violence! Certain laws, however, all good
men observe even in war itself, nor is victory so great an object
as to induce us to incur for its sake obligations for base and
impious acts. A great general should rely on his own virtue, and
not other men's vices." Which said, he commanded the officers to
tear off the man's clothes, and bind his hands behind him and give
the boys rods and 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 for their calamity, men and women
of worth running in distraction about the walls and gates; when,
behold, the boys came whipping their master on, naked and bound,
calling Camillus their preserver and god and father; so that it
struck not only the parents, but the rest of the citizens, with
such admiration and love of Camillus's justice, that, immediately
meeting in assembly, they sent ambassadors to him, to resign
whatever they had to his disposal. Camillus sent them to Rome,
where, being brought into the senate, they spoke to this purpose:
that the Romans, preferring justice before victory, had taught
them rather to embrace submission than liberty; they did not so
much confess themselves to be inferior in strength as they must
acknowledge them to be superior in virtue. The senate remitted the
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
with the whole nation of 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
among their fellow-citizens, as a hater of the people, and one
that grudged all advantage to the poor. The People were
exasperated against him. Gathering, therefore, together his
friends and fellow-soldiers, and such as had borne command with
him, a considerable number in all, he besought them that they
would not suffer him to be unjustly overborne by 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 upon him. Not able to endure so great an indignity, he
resolved in his anger to leave the city and go into exile; and so,
having taken leave of his wife and son, he went silently to the
gate of the city, and, there stopping and turning round, stretched
out his hands to the Capitol, and prayed to the gods, that if,
without any fault of his own, but merely through the malice and
violence of the people, he was driven out into banishment, the
Romans might quickly repent of it; and that all mankind might
witness their need for the assistance, and desire for the return,
of Camillus. And there is not a Roman but believes that immediately upon the
prayers of Camillus a sudden judgment followed, and that he
received a revenge for the injustice done unto him, which was very
remarkable, and noised over the whole world: such a punishment
visited the city of Rome, an era of such loss and danger and
disgrace so quickly succeeded; whether it thus fell out by
fortune, or it be the office of god not to see injured virtue go
unavenged. The first token that seemed to threaten some mischief to ensure
was the death of the censor Julius; for the Romans have a
religious reverence for the office of a censor, and esteem it
sacred. The second was, that, just before Camillus went into
exile, Marcus Caedicius, a person of no great distinction, nor of
the rank of senator, but esteemed a good and respectable man,
reported to the military tribunes a thing worthy their
consideration: that, going along the night before in the street
called 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
than human, which said these words, "Go, Marcus Caedicius, and
early in the morning tell the military tribunes that they are
shortly to expect the 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
compelled by their numbers to leave their country, which was
insufficient to sustain them all, and to have gone in search of
other homes. And being, many thousands of them, young men able to
bear arms, and carrying with them a still greater number of women
and young children, some of 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, lived there a considerable time,
near 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 with the hitherto
unknown delight, that, snatching up their arms and taking their
families along with them, they marched directly to the Alps, to
find out the country which yielded such fruit, pronouncing all
others barren and useless. He that first brought wine among them
and was the chief instigator of their coming into Italy is said to
have been one Aruns, A Tuscan, a man of noble extraction. At their first coming they at once possessed themselves of all
that country which anciently the Tuscans inhabited, reaching from
the Alps to both the seas, as the names themselves testify; for
the North of Adriatic Sea is named from the Tuscan city Adria, and
that to the south the Tuscan Sea simply. The whole country is rich
in fruit trees, has excellent pasture, and is well watered with
river. It had eighteen large and beautiful cities, well provided
with all the means for industry and wealth, and all the enjoyments
and pleasures of life. The Gauls cast out the Tuscans, and seated
themselves in them. The Gauls at this time were besieging Clusium, a Tuscan city. The
Clusinians sent to the Romans for succor, desiring them to
interpose with the barbarians by letters and ambassadors. The
Romans, perceiving that Brennus, the leader of the Gauls, was not
to be treated with, went into Clusium and encouraged the
inhabitants to make a sally with them upon the barbarians, which
they did either to try their strength or to show their own. The
sally being made, and the fight growing hot about the walls, one
of the Fabii, Quintus Ambustus, who had come as an ambassador,
being well mounted, and setting spurs to his horse, made full
against a Gaul, a man of huge bulk and stature, whom he saw riding
out at a distance from the rest. At the first he was not
recognized, through the quickness of the conflict and the
glittering of the armor, that precluded any view of him; but when
he had overthrown the Gaul, and was going to gather the spoils,
Brennus knew him; and invoking the gods to be witnesses that,
contrary to the known and common law of nations, which is holily
observed by all mankind, he who had come as an ambassador had now
engaged in hostility against him, he drew off his men, and,
bidding Clusium farewell, led his army directly against Rome. Whilst the barbarians were hastening with all speed, the military
tribunes 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 than forty thousand foot), but most of them raw soldiers, and
such as had never handled a weapon before. Besides, they had
wholly neglected all religious usages, had not obtained favorable
sacrifices, nor made inquiries of the prophets, natural in danger
and before battle. No less did the multitude of 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 importance it is in
critical times to have the solders united under one general with
the entire and absolute control placed in his hands. Add to all,
the remembrance of Camillus's treatment, which made it now seem a
dangerous thing for officers to command without humoring their
solders. 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 falls into the Tiber; and here the Gauls came upon them,
and, after a disgraceful resistance, 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 low ground
getting to the tops of the hills, from whence most of them
afterwards dropped into the city; the rest, as many as escaped,
the enemy being weary of the slaughter, stole by night to Veii,
giving up Rome and all that was in it for lost. This battle was fought about the summer solstice, the moon being
at full, the very same day in which the sad disaster of the Fabii
had happened, when three hundred of that name were at one time cut
off by the Tuscans. And now, after the battle, had the Gauls immediately pursued those
that fled, there had been no remedy but Rome must have wholly been
ruined, and all those who remained in it utterly destroyed; such
was the terror that those who escaped the battle brought with them
into the city, and with such distraction and confusion were they
themselves in turn infected. But the Gauls, not imagining their
victory to be so considerable, and overtaken with the present joy,
fell to feasting and dividing the spoil, by which means they gave
leisure to those who were for leaving the city to make their
escape, and to those that remained, to anticipate and prepare for
their coming. On the third day after the battle, Brennus appeared with his army
at the city, and, finding the gates wide open and no guards upon
the walls, first began to suspect it was some design or stratagem,
never dreaming that the Romans were in so desperate a condition.
But when he found it to be so indeed, he entered at the Colline
gate, and took Rome, in the three hundred and sixtieth year, or a
little more, after it was built. Brennus having taken possession of Rome, set a strong guard about
the Capitol, and, going himself down into the forum, was there
struck with amazement at the sight of so many men sitting in such
order and silence, observing that they neither rose at his coming,
nor so much as changed color or countenance, but remained without
fear or concern, leaning upon their staves, and sitting quietly,
looking at each other. The Gauls, for a great while, stood
wondering at the strangeness of the sight, not daring to approach
or touch them, taking them for an assembly of superior beings. But
when one, bolder than the rest, drew near to Marcus Papirius, and,
putting forth his hand, gently touched his chin and stroked his
long beard, Papirius with his staff struck him a severe blow on
the head; upon which the barbarian drew his sword and slew him.
This was the introduction to the slaughter; for the rest,
following his example, set upon them all and killed them, and
dispatched all others that came in their way; and so went on to
the sacking and pillaging of the houses, which they continued for
many days ensuing. Camillus then sojourned in the city of Ardea, having, ever since
his leaving Rome, sequestered himself from all business, and taken
to a private life; but now he began to rouse up himself, and
consider not how to avoid or escape the enemy, but to find out an
opportunity to be revenged upon them. And perceiving that the
Ardeatians wanted not men, but rather enterprise, through the
inexperience and timidity of their officers, he began to speak
with the young men, first to the effect that they ought not to
ascribe the misfortune of the Romans to the courage of their
enemy, nor attribute the losses they sustained by rash counsel to
the conduct of men who had no title to victory: the event had been
only an evidence of the power of fortune. When he found the young
men embraced the thing, he went to the magistrates and council of
the city, and, having persuaded them also, he mustered all that
could bear arms, and drew them up within the the walls, that they
might not be perceived by the enemy, who was near; who, having
scoured the country, and now returned heavy laden with booty, lay
encamped in the plains in a careless and negligent posture, so
that, with the night ensuing upon debauch and drunkenness, silence
prevailed through all the camp. When Camillus learned this from
his scouts, he drew out the Ardeatians, and in the dead of the
night, passing in silence over the ground that lay between, came
up to their works, and, commanding his trumpets to sound and his
men to shout and halloo, he struck terror into them from all
quarters; while drunkenness impeded and sleep retarded their
movements. A few whom fear had sobered, getting into some order,
for awhile resisted; and so died with their weapons in their
hands. But the greatest part of them, buried in wine and sleep,
were surprised without their arms, and dispatched; and as many of
them as by the advantage of the night got out of the camp were 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 flew through the neighboring cities,
and stirred up the young men from various quarters to come and
join themselves with him. But none were so much concerned as those
Romans who escaped in the battle of Allia, and were now at Veii,
thus lamenting with themselves, "O heavens, what a commander has
Providence bereaved Rome of, to honor Ardea with his actions! And
that city, which brought forth and nursed so great a man, is lost
and gone, and we, destitute of a leader and shut up within strange
walls, sit idle, and see Italy ruined before our eyes. Come, let
us send to the Ardeatians to have back our general, or else, with
weapons in our hands, let us go thither to him." To this they all
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
Capitol should legally appoint him. When this answer was returned,
they admired the modesty and tempter of Camillus; but they could
not tell how to find a messenger to carry the intelligence to the
Capitol, or rather, indeed, it seemed altogether impossible for
any one to get to the citadel whilst the enemy was in full
possession of the city. But among the young men there was one
Pontius Cominius, of ordinary birth, but ambitious of honor, who
proffered himself to run the hazard, and took no letters with him
to those in the Capitol, lest, if he were intercepted, the enemy
might learn the intentions of Camillus; but, putting on a poor
dress and carrying corks under, he boldly traveled the greatest
part of the way by day, and came to the city when it was dark; the
bridge he could not pass, as it was guarded by the barbarians; so
that taking his clothes, which were neither many nor heavy, and
binding them about his head, he laid his body upon the corks, and,
swimming with them, got over to the city. And avoiding those
quarters where he perceived the enemy was awake, which he guessed
at by the lights and noise, he went to the Carmental gate, where
there was greatest silence, and where the hill of the Capitol is
steepest, and rises with craggy and broken rock. By this way he
got up, though with much difficulty, by the hollow of the cliff,
and presented himself to the guards, saluting them, and telling
them his name; he was taken in, and carried to the commanders. And
a senate being immediately called, he related to them in order the
victory of Camillus, which they had not heard of before, and the
proceedings of the soldiers, urging them to confirm Camillus in
the command, as on him alone all their fellow-countrymen outside
the city would rely. Having heard and consulted of the matter, the
senate declared Camillus dictator, and sent back Pontius the same
way that he came, who, with the same success as before, got
through the enemy without being discovered, and delivered to the
Romans outside the decision of the senate, who joyfully received
it. Camillus, on his arrival, found twenty thousand of them ready
in arms; with which forces, and those confederates he brought
along with him, he prepared to set upon the enemy. But at Rome some of the barbarians passing by chance near the
place at which Pontius by night had got into the Capitol, spied in
several places marks of feet and hands, where he had laid hold and
clambered, and places where the plants that grew to the rock had
been rubbed off, and the earth had slipped, and went accordingly
and reported it to the king, who, coming in person, and viewing
it, for the present said nothing, but in the evening, picking out
such of the Gauls as were nimblest of body, and by living in the
mountains were accustomed to climb, he said to them, "The enemy
themselves have shown us a way how to come at them; where it was
easy for one man to get up, it will not be hard for many, one
after another; nay, when many shall undertake it, they will be aid
and strength to each other. Rewards and honors shall be bestowed
on every man as he shall acquit himself." When the king had thus spoken, the Gauls cheerfully undertook to
perform it, and in the dead of night a good party of them
together, with great silence, began to climb the rock, clinging to
the precipitous and difficult ascent, which yet upon trial offered
a way to them, and proved less difficult than they had expected.
So that the foremost of them having gained the top of all, and put
themselves into order, they all but surprised the outworks, and
mastered the watch, who were fast asleep; for neither man nor dog
perceived their coming. But there were sacred geese kept near the
temple of Juno, which at other times were plentifully fed, but
now, by reason that corn and all other provisions were grown
scarce for all, were in but a poor condition. The creature is by
nature of quick sense, and apprehensive of the least noise, so
that these, being moreover watchful through hunger, and restless,
immediately discovered the coming of the Gauls, and, running up
and down with the noise and cackling, they raised the whole camp;
while the barbarians, on the other side, perceiving themselves
discovered, no longer endeavored to conceal their attempt, but
with shouting and violence advanced to the assault. The Romans,
every one in haste snatching up the first weapon that came to
hand, did what they could on the sudden occasion. Manlius, a man
of consular dignity, of strong body and great spirit, was the
first that made head against them, and, engaging with two of the
enemy at once, with his sword cut off the right arm of one just as
he was lifting up his blade to strike, and, running his target
full in the face of the other, tumbled him headlong down the steep
rock; then mounting the rampart, and there standing with others
that came running to his assistance, drove down the rest of them,
who, indeed, to begin with, had not been many, and did nothing
worthy of so bold an attempt. The Romans, having thus escaped this
danger, early in the morning took the captain of the watch and
flung him down the rock upon the heads of their enemies, and to
Manlius for his victory voted a reward, intended more for honor
than advantage, bringing him, each man of them, as much as he
received for his daily allowance, which was half a pound of bread
and one eighth of a pint of wine. Henceforward, the affairs of the Gauls were daily in a worse and
worse condition; they wanted provisions, being withheld from
foraging through fear of Camillus, and sickness also was amongst
them, occasioned by the number of carcasses that lay in heaps
unburied. Neither, indeed, were things on that account any better
with the besieged, for famine increased upon them, and despondency
with not hearing anything of Camillus, it being impossible to send
any one to him, the city was so guarded by the barbarians. Things
being in this sad condition on both sides, a motion of treaty was
made at first by some of the outposts, as they happened to speak
with one another; which being embraced by the leading men,
Sulpicius, tribune of the Romans, came to a parley with Brennus,
in which it was agreed that the Romans laying down a thousand
weight of gold, the Gauls upon the receipt of it should
immediately quit the city and territories. The agreement being
confirmed by oath on both sides, and the gold brought forth, the
Gauls used false dealing in the weights, secretly at first, but
afterwards openly pulled back and disturbed the balance; at which
the Romans indignantly complaining, Brennus in a scoffing and
insulting manner pulled off his sword and belt, and threw them
both into the scales; and when Sulpicius asked what that meant,
"What should it mean," says he, "but woe to the conquered?" which
afterwards became a proverbial saying. Whilst this difference remained still unsettled, both amongst
themselves and with the Gauls, Camillus was at the gates with his
army; and, having learned what was going on, commanded the main
body of his forces to follow slowly after him in good order, and
himself with the choicest of his men hastening on, went at once to
the Romans; where all giving way to him, and receiving him as
their sole magistrate, with profound silence and order, he took
the gold out of the scales, and delivered it to his officers, and
commanded the Gauls to take their weights and scales and depart;
saying that is was customary with the Romans to deliver their
country with iron, not with gold. And when Brennus began to rage,
and say that he was unjustly dealt with in such a breach of
contract, Camillus answered that it was never legally made, and
the agreement of no force or obligation; for that himself being
declared dictator, and there being no other magistrate by law, the
engagement had been made with men who had no power to enter into
it; but now they might say anything they had to urge, for he had
come with full power by law to grant pardon to such as should ask
it, or inflict punishment on the guilty, if they did not repent.
At this, Brennus broke into violent anger, and an immediate
quarrel ensued; both sides drew their swords and attacked, but in
confusion, as could not otherwise be amongst houses, and in narrow
lanes and places where it was impossible to form any order. But
Brennus, presently recollecting himself, called off his men, and,
with the loss of a few only, brought them to their camp; and,
rising in the night with all his forces, left the city, and
advancing about eight miles, encamped upon the way to Gabii. As
soon as day appeared, Camillus came up with him, splendidly armed
himself, and his soldier full o courage and confidence; and there
engaging with him in a sharp conflict, which lasted a long while,
overthrew his army with great slaughter, and took their camp. Of
those that fled, some were presently cut off by the pursuers;
other, and these were the greatest number, dispersed hither and
thither, and were despatched by the people that came sallying out
from the neighboring towns and villages. Thus Rome was strangely taken, and more strangely recovered,
having been seven whole months in the possession of the
barbarians, who entered her a little after the Ides of July, and
were driven out about the Ides of February following. Camillus
triumphed, as he deserved, having saved his country that was lost,
and brought the city so to say, back again to itself. For those
that had fled abroad, together with their wives and children,
accompanied him as he rode in; and those who had been shut up in
the capitol, and were reduced almost to the point of perishing
with hunger, went out to meet him, embracing each other as they
met, and weeping for joy, and, though the excess of the present
pleasure, scarcely believing in its truth. It was a hard task, amidst so much rubbish, to discover and re-
determine the consecrated places; but by the zeal of Camillus, and
the incessant labor of the priest, it was at last accomplished.
But when it came also to rebuilding the city, which was wholly
demolished, despondency seized the multitude, and a backwardness
to engage in a work for which they had no materials. The senate,
therefore, fearing a sedition, would not suffer Camillus, though
desirous, to lay down his authority within the year, though no
other dictator had ever held it above six months. Camillus thought good to refer the matter of rebuilding to general
deliberation, and himself spoke largely and earnestly in behalf of
his country, as also may others. At last, calling to Lucius
Lucretius, whose place it was to speak first, he commanded him to
give his sentence, and the rest as they followed, in order.
Silence being made, and Lucretius just about to begin, by chance a
centurion, passing by outside with his company of the day-guard,
called out with a loud voice to the ensign-bearer to halt and fix
his standard, for this was the best place to stay in. This voice,
coming in that moment of time, and that crisis of uncertainty and
anxiety for the future, was taken as a direction what was to be
done; so that Lucretius, assuming an attitude of devotion, gave
sentence in concurrence with the gods, as he said, as likewise did
all that followed. Even among the common people it created a
wonderful change of feeling: every one now cheered and encouraged
his neighbor, and set himself to the work, proceeding in it,
however, not by any regular lines or divisions, but every one
pitching upon that plot of ground which came next to hand, or best
pleased his fancy; by which haste and hurry in building they
constructed their city in narrow and ill-designed lanes, and with
houses huddled together one upon another; for it is said that
within the compass of the year the whole city was raised up anew,
both in its public walls and private buildings. And now they had scarcely got a breathing time from their trouble
when a new war came upon them;a and the Aequians, and the Tuscans
besieged Sutrium, their confederate city. Camillus, being the
third time chosen dictator, armed not only those under, but also
those over, the age of service; and taking a large circuit around
the mountain Maecius, undiscovered by the enemy, lodged his army
on their rear, and then by many fires gave notice of his arrival.
The besieged, encouraged by this, prepared to sally forth and join
battle; but the Latins and Volscians, fearing this exposure to any
enemy on both sides, drew themselves within their works, and
fortified their camp with a strong palisade of trees on every
side, resolving to wait for more supplies from home, and
expecting, also, the assistance of the Tuscans, their confederate.
Camillus, detecting their object, and fearing to be reduced to the
same position to which he had brought them, namely, to be besieged
himself, resolved to lose no time; and finding their rampart was
all of timber, and observing that a strong wind constantly at sun-
rising blew off from the mountains, after having prepared a
quantity of combustibles, about break of day he drew forth his
forces, commanding a part with their missiles to assault the enemy
with noise and shouting on the other quarter, whilst he, with
those that were to fling in the fire, went to that side of the
enemy's camp to which the wind usually blew, and there waited his
opportunity. When the skirmish was begun, and the sun risen, and a
strong wind set in from the mountains, he gave the signal of
onset; and, heaping in an immense quantity of fiery matter, filled
all their rampart with it, so that the flame being fed by the
close timber and wooden palisades, went on and spread into all
quarters. The Latins, having nothing ready to keep it off or
extinguish it, when the camp was now almost full of fire, were
driven back within a very small compass, and at last forced by
necessity to come into their enemy's hands, who stood before the
works ready armed and prepared to receive them; of these very few
escaped, while those that stayed in the camp were all a prey to
the fire, until the Romans, to gain the pillage, extinguished it. These things performed, Camillus, leaving his son Lucius in the
camp to guard the prisoners and secure the booty, passed into the
enemy's country, where, having taken the city of the Aequians and
reduced the Volscians to obedience, he then immediately led his
army to Sutrium, not having heard what had befallen the Sutrians,
but making haste to assist them, as if they were still in danger
and besieged by the Tuscans. They, however, had already
surrendered their city to their enemies, and destitute of all
things, with nothing left but their clothes, and bewailing their
misfortune. Camillus himself was struck with compassion, and
perceiving the soldiers weeping, and commiserating their case,
while the Sutrians hung about and clung to them, resolved not to
defer revenge, but that very day to lead his army to Sutrium;
conjecturing that the enemy, having just taken a rich and
plentiful city, without an enemy left within it, nor any from
without to be expected, would be found abandoned to enjoyment, and
unguarded. Neither did his opinion fail him: he not only passed
through their country without discovery, but came up to their very
gates and possessed himself of the walls, not a man being left to
guard them, but their whole army scattered about in the houses,
drinking and making merry. Nay, when at last they did perceive
that the enemy had seized the city, they were so overloaded with
meat and wine that few were able so much as to endeavor to
escape,but either waited shamefully for their death within
doors,or surrendered themselves to the conqueror. Thus the city of
the Sutrians was twice taken in one day; and they who were in
possession lost it, and they who had lost regained it, alike by
the means of Camillus. For all which actions he received a triumph
which brought him no less honor and reputation than the two former
ones; for those citizens who before most regarded him with an evil
eye, and ascribed his successes to a certain luck rather than real
merit, were compelled by these last acts of his to allow the whole
honor to his great abilities and energy. Of all he adversaries and enviers of his glory, Marcus Manlius was
the most distinguished, he who first drove back the Gauls when
they made their night attack upon the Capitol, and who for that
reason had been named Capitolinus. This man, affecting the first
place in the commonwealth, and not able by noble ways to outdo
Camillus's reputation, took that ordinary course toward usurpation
of absolute power, namely, to gain the multitude, those of them
especially that were in debt; defending some by pleading their
causes against their creditors, rescuing others by force, and not
suffering the law to proceed against them; insomuch that in a
short time he got great numbers of indigent people about him,
whose tumults and uproars in the forum struck terror into the
principal citizens. After that Quintius Capitolinus, who was made
dictator to suppress these disorders, had committed Manlius to
prison, the people immediately changed their apparel, a thing
never done but in great and public calamities, and the senate,
fearing some tumult, ordered him to be released. He, however,when
set at liberty, changed not his course, but was rather the more
insolent in his proceedings,filling the whole city with faction
and sedition. They chose, therefore, Camillus again military
tribune; and a day being appointed for Manlius to answer to his
charge, the prospect from the place where his trial was held
proved a great impediment to his accusers; for the very spot where
Manlius by night fought with the Gauls overlooked the forum from
the Capitol, so that, stretching forth his hands that way, and
weeping, he called to their remembrance his past actions, raising
compassion in all that beheld him. Insomuch that the judges were
at a loss what to do, and several times adjourned the trial,
unwilling to acquit him of the crime, which was sufficiently
proved, and yet unable to execute the law while his noble action
remained, as it were, before their eyes. Camillus, considering
this, transferred the court outside the gates to the Peteline
Grove, from whence there is no prospect of the Capitol Here his
accuser went on with his charge, and his judges were capable of
remembering the duly resenting his guilty deeds. He was convicted,
carried to the Capitol, and flung headlong from the rock; so that
one and same spot was thus the witness of his greatest glory, and
monument of his most unfortunate end. The Romans, besides, razed
his house, and built there a temple to the goddess they call
Moneta, ordaining for the future that none of the patrician order
should ever dwell on the Capitoline. And now Camillus, being called to his sixth tribuneship, desired
to be excused, as being aged, and perhaps not unfearful of the
malice of fortune, and those reverses which seem to ensue upon
great prosperity. But the most apparent pretence was the weakness
of his body, for he happened at that time to be sick; the people,
however, would admit of no excuses, but, crying that they wanted
not his strength for horse or for foot service, but only his
counsel and conduct, constrained him to undertake the command, and
with one of his fellow-tribunes to lead the army immediately
against the enemy. These were the Praenestines and Volscians, who,
with large forces, were laying waste the territory of the Roman
confederates. Having marched out with his army, he sat down and
encamped near the enemy, meaning himself to protract the war, or
if there should come any necessity or occasion of fighting, in the
meantime to regain his strength. but Lucius Furius, his colleague,
carried away with the desire of glory, was not to e held in, but,
impatient to give battle, inflamed the inferior officers of the
army with the same eagerness; so that Camillus, fearing he might
seem out of envy to be wishing to rob the young man of the glory
of a noble exploit, consented, though unwillingly, that he should
draw out the forces, whilst himself, by reason of weakness, stayed
behind with a few in the camp. Lucius, engaging rashly, was
discomfited, when Camillus, perceiving the Romans to give ground
and fly, could not contain himself, but, leaping from his bed,
with those he had about him ran to meet them at the gates of the
camp, making his way through the flyers to oppose the pursuers; so
that those who had got within the camp turned back at once and
followed him, and those that came flying from without made head
again and gathered about him, exhorting one another not to forsake
their general. Thus the enemy, for that time, was stopped in his
pursuit. The next day Camillus, drawing out his forces and joining
battle with them, overthrew them by main force, and, following
close upon them, entered pell-mell with them into their camp, and
took it, slaying the greatest part of them. Afterwards, having
heard that the city of Satricum was taken by the Tuscans, and the
inhabitants, all Romans, put to the sword, he sent home to Rome
the main body of his forces and heaviest-armed, and, taking with
him the lightest and most vigorous soldiers, set suddenly upon the
Tuscans, who were in the possession of the city, and mastered
them, slaying some and expelling the rest; and so, returning to
Rome with great spoils, gave signal evidence of their superior
wisdom, who, not mistrusting the weakness and age of a commander
endowed with courage and conduct, had rather chosen him who was
sickly and desirous to be excused, than young men who were forward
and ambitious to command. When, therefore, the revolt of the Tusculans was reported, they
gave Camillus the charge of reducing them, choosing one of his
five colleagues to go with him. And when every one was eager for
the place, contrary to the expectation of all, he passed by the
rest and chose Lucius Furius, the very same man who lately,
against the judgment of Camillus, had rashly hazarded and nearly
lost a battle; willing, at it should seem, to dissemble that
miscarriage, and free him from the shame of it. The Tusculans,
hearing of Camillus's coming against them, made a cunning attempt
at revoking their act of revolt; their fields, as in times of
highest peace, were full of ploughmen and shepherds; their gates
stood wide open, and their children were being taught in the
schools; of the people, such as were tradesmen, he found in their
workshops, busied about their several employments, and the better
sort of citizens walking in the public places in their ordinary
dress; the magistrates hurried about to provide quarters for the
Romans, as if they stood in fear of no danger and were conscious
of no fault. Which arts, though they could not dispossess Camillus
of the conviction he had of their treason, yet induced some
compassion for their repentance; he commanded them to go to the
senate and deprecate their anger, and joined himself as an
intercessor in their behalf, so that their city was acquitted of
all guilt and admitted to Roman citizenship. These were the most
memorable actions of his sixth tribuneship. After these things, Licinius Stolo raised a great sedition in the
city, and brought the people to dissension with the senate,
contending, that of two consuls one should be chosen out of the
commons, and not both out of the patricians. Tribunes of the
people were chosen, but the election of consuls was interrupted
and prevented by the people. And as this absence of any supreme
magistrate was leading to yet further confusion, Camillus was the
fourth time created dictator by the senate, sorely against the
people's will, and not altogether in accordance with his own; he
had little desire for a conflict with men whose past services
entitles them to tell him that he had achieved far greater actions
in war along with them than in politics with the patricians, who,
indeed, had only put him forward now out of envy; that, if
successful, he might crush the people, or, failing, be crushed
himself. However, to provide as good a remedy as he could for the
present, knowing the day on which the tribunes of the people
intended to prefer the law, he appointed it by proclamation for a
general muster, and called the people from the forum into the
Campus, threatening to set heavy fines upon such as should not
obey. On the other side, the tribunes of the people met his
threats by solemnly protesting they would fine him fifty thousand
drachmas of silver, if he persisted in obstructing the people from
giving their suffrages for the law. Whether it were, then, that he
feared another banishment or condemnation, which would ill become
his age and past great actions, or found himself unable to stem
the current of the multitude, which ran strong and violent, he
betook himself, for the present, to his house, and afterwards, for
some days together, professing sickness, finally laid down his
dictatorship. The senate created another dictator; who, choosing
Stolo, leader of the sedition, to be his general of horse,
suffered that law to be enacted and ratified, which was most
grievous to the patricians, namely that no person whatsoever
should possess above five hundred acres of land. Stolo was much
distinguished by the victory he had gained; but, not long after
was found himself to possess more than he had allowed to others,
and suffered the penalties of his own law. And now the contention about election of consuls coming on (which
was the main point and original cause of the dissension, and had
throughout furnished most matter of division between the senate
and the people), certain intelligence arrived, that the Gauls
again, proceeding from the Adriatic Sea, were marching in vast
number upon Rome. On the very heels of the report followed
manifest acts also of hostility; the country through which they
marched was all wasted, and such as by flight could not make their
escape to Rome were dispersing and scattering among the mountains.
The terror of this war quieted the sedition; nobles and commons,
senate and people together, unanimously chose Camillus the fifth
time dictator; who, though very aged, not wanting much of
fourscore years, yet, considering the danger and necessity of his
country, did not, as before, pretend sickness, or depreciate his
own capacity, but at once undertook the charge, and enrolled
soldiers. And, knowing that the great force of the barbarians lay
chiefly in their swords, with which they laid about them in a rude
and inartificial manner, hacking and hewing the head and
shoulders, he caused head-pieces entire of iron to be made for
most of his men, smoothing and polishing the outside, that the
enemy's swords, lighting upon them, might either slide off or be
broken; and fitted also their shields with a little rim of brass,
the wood itself not being sufficient to bear off the blows.
Besides, he taught his soldiers to use their long javelins in
close encounter, and, by bringing them under their enemy's swords,
to receive their strokes upon them. When the Gauls drew near, about the river Anio, dragging a heavy
camp after them, and loaded with infinite spoil, Camillus drew
forth his forces, and planted himself upon a hill of easy ascent,
and which had many dips in it, with the object that the greatest
part of his army might lie concealed, and those who appeared might
be thought to have betaken themselves, through fear, to those
upper grounds. And the more to increase this opinion in them, he
suffered them, without any disturbance, to spoil and pillage even
to his very trenches, keeping himself quiet within his works,
which were well fortified; till, at last, perceiving that part of
the enemy were scattered about the country foraging, and that
those that were in the camp did nothing day and night but drink
and revel, in the night time he drew up his lightest-armed men,
and sent them out before to impede the enemy while forming into
order, and to harass them when they should first issue out of the
their camp; and early in the morning brought down his main body,
and set them in battle array in the lower round, numerous and
courageous army, not, as the barbarians had supposed, an
inconsiderable and fearful division. The first thing that shook
the courage of the Gauls was, that their enemies had, contrary to
their expectation, the honor of being aggressors. In the next
place, the light-armed men, falling upon them before they could
get into their usual order or range themselves in their proper
squadrons, so disturbed and pressed upon them, that they were
obliged to fight at random, without any order at all. But at last,
when Camillus brought on his heavy-armed legions, the barbarians,
with their swords drawn, went vigorously to engage them; the
Romans, however, opposing their javelins, and receiving the force
of their blows on those parts of the defences which were well
guarded with steel, turned the edge of their weapons, beingmade of
a soft and ill-tempered metal, so that their swords bent and
doubled up in their hands; and their shields were pierced through
and through, and grew heavy with the javelins that stuck upon
them. And thus forced to quit their own weapons, they endeavored
to take advantage of those of their enemies, laid hold of the
javelins with their hands, and tried to pluck them away. But the
Romans, perceiving them now naked and defenceless, betook
themselves to their swords, which they so well used, that in a
little time great slaughter was made in the foremost ranks, while
the rest fled over all parts of the level country; the hills and
upper grounds Camillus had secured beforehand, and their camp they
knew it would not be difficult for the enemy to take, as, through
confidence of victory, they had left it unguarded. This fight, it
is stated, was thirteen years after the sacking of Rome; and from
henceforward the Romans took courage, and surmounted the
apprehensions they had hitherto entertained of the barbarians,
whose previous defeat they had attributed rather to pestilence and
a concurrence of mischances than to their own superior valor. And,
indeed, this fear had been formerly so great, that they made a
law, that priests should be excused from service in war, unless in
an invasion from the Gauls. This was the last military action that Camillus ever performed;
for the voluntary surrender of the city of the Velitrani was but a
mere accessory to it. But the greatest of all civil contests, and
the hardest to be managed, was still to be fought out against the
people; who, returning home full of victory and success, insisted,
contrary to established law, to have one of the consuls chosen out
of their own body. The senate strongly opposed it, and would not
suffer Camillus to lay down his dictatorship, thinking, that,
under the shelter of his great name and authority, they should be
better able to contend for the power of the aristocracy. But when
Camillus was sitting upon the tribunal, dispatching public
affairs, an officer, sent by the tribunes of the people, commanded
him to rise and follow him, laying his and upon him, as ready to
seize and carry him away; upon which, such a noise and tumult as
was never heard before, filled the whole forum; some that were
about Camillus thrusting the officer from the bench, and the
multitude below calling out to him to bring Camillus down. Being
at a loss what to do in these difficulties, he yet laid not down
his authority, but, taking the senators along with him, he went to
the senate-house; but before he entered, besought the gods that
they would bring these troubles to a happy conclusion, solemnly
vowing, when the tumult was ended, to build a temple to Concord. A
great conflict of opposite opinions arose in the senate; but, at
last, the most moderate and most acceptable to the people
prevailed, and consent was given, that of two consuls, one should
be chosen from the commonalty. When the dictator proclaimed this
determination of the senate to the people, at the moment pleased
and reconciled with the senate, as they could not well otherwise
be, they accompanied Camillus home with all expressions and
acclamations of joy; and the next day, assembling together, they
voted a temple of Concord to be built, according to Camillus's
vow, facing the assembly and the forum; and to the feasts, called
the Latin holidays, they added one day more, making four in all;
and ordained that, on the present occasion the whole people of
Rome should sacrifice with garlands on their heads. In the election of consuls held by Camillus, Marcus Aemilius was
chosen of the patricians, and Lucius Sextius the first of the
commonalty; and this was the last of all Camillus's actions. In
the year following, a pestilential sickness infected Rome, which,
besides an infinite number of the common people, swept away most
of the magistrates, among whom was Camillus; whose death cannot be
called premature, if we consider his great age, or greater
actions, yet was he more lamented than all the rest put together
that then died of that distemper.
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