ther so as to
prevent them from following out their own views. The Latins by departing
redeemed themselves from a share in what they deemed a dishonourable
peace. The Antians, on the removal of those who by their presence
impeded their salutary counsels, surrender their city and lands to the
Romans. The resentment and rage of the Latins, because they were neither
able to damage the Romans in war, nor to retain the Volscians in arms,
vented itself in setting fire to the city of Satricum, which had been
their first place of retreat after their defeat; nor did any other
building in that city remain, since they cast firebrands
indiscriminately into those sacred and profane, except the temple of
Mother Matuta. From that neither the sanctity of the building itself,
nor respect for the gods, is said to have restrained them, but an awful
voice, emitted from the temple with threats of dismal vengeance, unless
they removed their abominable fires to a distance from the temples.
Fired with this rage, their impetuosity carried them on to Tusculum,
under the influence of resentment, because, having abandoned the general
association of the Latins, they joined themselves not only in alliance
with the Romans, but also as members of their state. As they
unexpectedly rushed in at the gates, which were lying open, the town,
except the citadel, was taken at the first shout. The townsmen with
their wives and children took refuge in the citadel, and sent messengers
to Rome, to inform the senate of their situation. An army was led to
Tusculum with no less expedition than was worthy of the honour of the
Roman people. Lucius Quinctius and Servius Sulpicius, military tribunes,
commanded it. They beheld the gates of Tusculum shut, and the Latins,
with the feelings of besiegers and besieged, on the one side defending
the walls of Tusculum, on the other hand attacking the citadel; they
struck terror and felt it at the same time. The arrival of the Romans
produced a change in the minds of both parties: it turned the Tusculans
from great alarm into the utmost alacrity, and the Latins from almost
assured confidence of soon taking the citadel, as they were masters of
the town, to very slender hope of even their own safety. A shout is
raised by the Tusculans from the citadel; it is answered by a much
louder one from the Roman army. The Latins are hard pressed on both
sides: they neither withstand the force of the Tusculans pouring down on
them from the hi