er on any occasion any war had been conducted with
strict discipline, then indeed military discipline should be reduced to
the ancient standard. What excited their attention particularly was,
that they had to contend against Latins, who coincided with themselves
in language, manners, in the same kind of arms, and more especially in
military institutions; soldiers had been mixed with soldiers, centurions
with centurions, tribunes with tribunes, as comrades and colleagues, in
the same armies, and often in the same companies. Lest in consequence of
this the soldiers should be involved in any mistake, the consuls issue
orders that no one should fight against an enemy out of his post.

7. It happened that among the other prefects of the troops, who had been
sent out in all directions to reconnoitre, Titus Manlius, the consul's
son, came with his troop to the back of the enemy's camp, so near that
he was scarcely distant a dart's throw from the next post. In that place
were some Tusculan cavalry; they were commanded by Geminus Metius, a man
distinguished among his countrymen both by birth and exploits. When he
recognised the Roman cavalry, and conspicuous among them the consul's
son marching at their head, (for they were all known to each other,
especially the men of note,) "Romans, are ye going to wage war with the
Latins and allies with a single troop. What in the interim will the
consuls, what will the two consular armies be doing?" "They will be here
in good time," says Manlius, "and with them will be Jupiter himself, as
a witness of the treaties violated by you, who is stronger and more
powerful. If we fought at the lake Regillus until you had quite enough,
here also we shall so act, that a line of battle and an encounter with
us may afford you no very great gratification." In reply to this,
Geminus, advancing some distance from his own party, says, "Do you
choose then, until that day arrives on which you are to put your armies
in motion with such mighty labour, to enter the lists with me, that from
the result of a contest between us both, it may be seen how much a Latin
excels a Roman horseman?" Either resentment, or shame at declining the
contest, or the invincible power of fate, arouses the determined spirit
of the youth. Forgetful therefore of his father's command, and the
consul's edict, he is driven headlong to that contest, in which it made
not much difference whether he conquered or was conquered. The other
horsem