which this was introduced, and throughout the whole series
of disputes regarding the tribunitian and consular authority, even down
to our own memory, the pre-eminence of the dictatorship was always
decided.

39. Between the abdication of the former dictatorship and the new one
entered on by Manlius, an assembly of the commons being held by the
tribunes, as if it were an interregnum, it became evident which of the
laws proposed were more grateful to the commons, which to the proposers.
For they passed the bills regarding the interest and the land, rejected
the one regarding the plebeian consulate. And both decisions would have
been carried into effect, had not the tribunes declared that they
consulted the people on all the laws collectively. Publius Manlius,
dictator, then inclined the advantage to the side of the people, by
naming Caius Licinius from the commons, who had been military tribune,
as master of the horse. The patricians, I understand, were much
displeased at this nomination, but the dictator used to excuse himself
to the senate, alleging the near relationship between him and Licinius;
at the same time denying that the authority of master of the horse was
higher than that of consular tribune. When the elections for the
appointment of plebeian tribunes were declared, Licinius and Sextius so
conducted themselves, that by denying that they any longer desired a
continuation of the honour, they most powerfully stimulated the commons
to effectuate that which they were anxious for notwithstanding their
dissimulation. "That they were now standing the ninth year as it were in
battle-array against the patricians, with the greatest danger to their
private interests, without any benefit to the public. That the measures
published, and the entire strength of the tribunitian authority, had
grown old with them; the attack was made on their propositions, first by
the protest of their colleagues, then by banishing their youth to the
war at Velitrae; at length the dictatorial thunder was levelled against
them. That now neither colleagues, nor war, nor dictator stood in their
way; as being a man, who by nominating a plebeian as master of the
horse, has even given an omen for a plebeian consul. That the commons
retarded themselves and their interests. They could, if they liked, have
the city and forum free from creditors, their lands immediately free
from unjust possessors. Which kindnesses, when would they ever estimate
them wi