had been cantoned throughout the
cities of Campania, and their plots had spread from Capua to the entire
army. This abatement being given to the eagerness of their projects, the
mutiny was set at rest for the present.

39. The consul, having led out his army to the summer campaign,
determined, whilst he had the Samnites quiet, to purge the army by
sending away the turbulent men; by telling some that their regular time
had been served; that others were weighed down by years and debilitated
in bodily vigour. Some were sent away on furloughs, at first
individuals, then some cohorts also, on the plea that they had wintered
far from their home and domestic affairs. When different individuals
were sent to different places under pretence of the business of the
service, a considerable number were put out of the way; which multitude
the other consul detained in Rome under different pretences. And first
indeed, not suspecting the artifice, they returned to their homes by no
means with reluctance. After they saw that neither those first sent
returned to their standards, and that scarcely any others, except those
who had wintered in Campania, and chiefly the fomenters of the mutiny,
were sent away; at first wonder, and then certain fear entered their
minds, that their schemes had been divulged; "that now they would have
to suffer trials, discoveries, the secret punishments of individuals,
and the tyrannical and cruel despotism of the consuls and the senate.
Those who were in the camp, discuss these things in secret conferences,
seeing that the sinews of the conspiracy had been got rid of by the
artifice of the consul." One cohort, when they were at no great distance
from Anxur, posted itself at Lautulae, in a narrow woody pass between the
sea and the mountains, to intercept those whom the consul was dismissing
under various pretences (as has been already mentioned). Their body was
now becoming strong in numbers; nor was any thing wanting to complete
the form of a regular army, except a leader. Without order, therefore,
they come into the Alban territory committing depredations, and under
the hill of Alba Longa, they encompass their camp with a rampart. The
work here being completed, during the remainder of the day they discuss
their different opinions regarding the choice of a commander, not having
sufficient confidence in any of those present. Whom could they invite
out from Rome? What individuals of the patricians or of the commo