him to announce that he was Titus Manlius, son of Lucius. Being
introduced immediately, (for he had hopes that the youth, incensed
against his father, brought either some new charge, or some advice to
accomplish the project,) after mutual greeting, he says that there were
some matters which he wished to transact with him in private. Then, all
persons being ordered to withdraw to a distance, he draws his dagger;
and standing over the couch with his dagger ready to strike, he
threatens that he would immediately stab him, unless he would swear in
the words which he would dictate, that "he never would hold a meeting of
the commons for the purpose of prosecuting his father." The tribune
alarmed, (for he saw the steel glittering before his eyes, himself alone
and unarmed; the other a young man, and very powerful, and what was no
less terrifying, savagely ferocious in his bodily strength,) swears in
the terms in which he was obliged; and afterwards acknowledged that
forced by this proceeding he gave up his undertaking. Nor though the
commons would have preferred that an opportunity was afforded them of
passing sentence on so cruel and tyrannical a culprit, they were not
much displeased that the son had dared to act so in behalf of his
father; and that was the more commendable in this, that such great
severity on the part of the father had not weaned his mind from his
filial affection. Wherefore the pleading of his cause was not only
dispensed with for the father, but the matter even became a source of
honour to the young man; and when it had been determined on that year
for the first time that tribunes of the soldiers for the legions should
be appointed by suffrage, (for before that the commanders themselves
used to appoint them, as they now do those whom they call Rufuli,) he
obtained the second place among six, without any merit of a civil or
military nature to conciliate public favour; as he had spent his youth
in the country and at a distance from all intercourse with the world.

6. On the same year the middle of the forum is said to have fallen in to
an immense depth, forming a sort of vast cave, either by reason of an
earthquake, or some other violent cause; nor could that gulf be filled
up by throwing earth into it, every one exerting himself to the utmost,
until by the admonition of the gods an inquiry began to be instituted,
as to what constituted the chief strength of the Roman people? for the
soothsayers declare that