r the purpose of regulating the
ceremonies. Publius Valerius Publicola was nominated; Quintus Fabius
Ambustus was assigned to him as master of the horse. It was determined
that not only the tribes, but the neighbouring states also should offer
supplications: and a certain order was appointed for them on what day
each should offer supplication. Severe sentences of the people are said
to have been passed on that year against usurers, for whom a day of
trial had been appointed by the aediles. Matters came to an interregnum,
there being no particular reason on record. After the interregnum, both
the consuls were elected from the patricians, Marcus Valerius Corvus a
third time, and Aulus Cornelius Cossus, so that it would seem that such
was the end aimed at.

29. Henceforward shall be recorded wars of greater importance, both by
the strength of the belligerent powers, by the distance of the
countries, or the length of time during which they were carried on. For
in that year arms were taken up against the Samnites, a nation powerful
both in wealth and in arms. Pyrrhus followed as an enemy the war of the
Samnites carried on with various success, the Carthaginians followed
Pyrrhus. How great a mass of events! How often have extreme dangers been
encountered, that the empire might be raised to its present magnitude,
which is now scarcely sustained! But the cause of the war between the
Samnites and Romans, as they had been joined in alliance and friendship,
came from without; it originated not among themselves. After the
Samnites had unjustly taken up arms, because they had the advantage in
strength, against the Sidicinians, the weaker party being obliged to
have recourse to the aid of the more powerful, unite themselves to the
Campanians. As the Campanians brought to the relief of their allies
rather a name than strength, enervated as they were by luxury, they were
beaten in the Sidicinian territory by men who were inured to the use of
arms, and then brought on themselves the entire burthen of the war. For
the Samnites, taking no further notice of the Sidicinians, having
attacked the Campanians as being the chief of the neighbouring states,
from whom the victory might be equally easy, and a greater share of
spoil and glory, after they had secured Tifata, a ridge of hills hanging
over Capua, with a strong garrison, they march down from thence with
their army formed in a square into the plain which lies between Capua
and Tifata. Th