ce, being at that time
wearied by intestine war, was now in dread of the power of the
Macedonians.

27. The armies being disbanded, whilst there was both peace abroad, and
tranquillity at home by reason of the concord of the different orders,
lest matters might be too happy, a pestilence having attacked the state,
compelled the senate to order the decemvirs to inspect the Sibylline
books, and by their suggestion a lectisternium took place. The same year
a colony was led to Satricum by the Antians, and the city, which the
Latins had demolished, was rebuilt. And a treaty was concluded at Rome
with the Carthaginian ambassadors, they having come to request
friendship and an alliance. The same tranquillity continued at home and
abroad, during the consulate of Titus Manlius Torquatus and Caius
Plautius. Only the interest of money from twelve was reduced to six per
cent; and the payment of the debts was adjusted into equal portions of
three years, on condition that the fourth payment should be made at the
present time. And then also, though a portion of the commons were
distressed, still public credit engrossed the attention of the senate in
preference to the difficulties of private individuals. Their
circumstances were relieved most effectually, because a cessation was
introduced of the taxes and levy. On the third year after Satricum was
rebuilt by the Volscians, Marcus Valerius Corvus having been elected
consul for the second time with Caius Poetelius, when news had been
brought from Latium, that ambassadors from Antium were going round the
states of the Latins to excite a war, being ordered to attack the
Volscians, before greater numbers of the enemy should be assembled,
proceeds to Satricum with his army ready for action. And when the
Antians and other Volscians met him, their forces being previously
prepared, in case any movement should be made on the part of Rome, no
delay of engaging took place between the two parties incensed with long
pent-up hate. The Volscians, a nation more spirited to renew hostilities
than to carry on war, being defeated in the fight, make for the walls of
Satricum in a precipitate flight; and their reliance in their walls not
being sufficiently strong, when the city, encompassed by a continuous
line of troops, was now on the point of being taken by scalade, they
surrendered to the number of four thousand soldiers, besides the unarmed
multitude. The town was demolished and burnt; only they kept