versary; and this youth being opposed to him in the battle,
obtained the victory over the Latin centurion. They came to an
engagement not far from the foot of Mount Vesuvius, where the road led
to the Veseris.

9. The Roman consuls, before they marched out their armies to the field,
offered sacrifices. The aruspex is said to have shown to Decius the head
of the liver wounded on the side relating to himself, in other respects
the victim was acceptable to the gods; whilst Manlius obtained highly
favourable omens from his sacrifice. "But all is well," says Decius, "if
my colleague has offered an acceptable sacrifice." The ranks being drawn
up in the order already described, they marched forth to battle. Manlius
commanded the right, Decius the left wing. At first the action was
conducted with equal strength on both sides, and with the same ardent
courage. Afterwards the Roman spearmen on the left wing, not sustaining
the violent assault of the Latins, betook themselves to the principes.
In this state of trepidation the consul Decius cries out with a loud
voice to Marcus Valerius, "Valerius, we have need of the aid of the
gods. Come, as public pontiff of the Roman people, dictate to me the
words in which I may devote myself for the legions." The pontiff
directed him to take the gown called praetexta, and with his head covered
and his hand thrust out under the gown to the chin, standing upon a
spear placed under his feet, to say these words: "Janus, Jupiter, father
Mars, Quirinus, Bellona, ye Lares, ye gods Novensiles,[171] ye gods
Indigetes, ye divinities, under whose power we and our enemies are, and
ye dii Manes, I pray you, I adore you, I ask your favour, that you would
prosperously grant strength and victory to the Roman people, the
Quirites; and that ye may affect the enemies of the Roman people, the
Quirites, with terror, dismay, and death. In such manner as I have
expressed in words, so do I devote the legions and auxiliaries of the
enemy, together with myself, to the dii Manes and to Earth for the
republic of the Quirites, for the army, legions, auxiliaries of the
Roman people, the Quirites." Having uttered this prayer, he orders the
lictors to go to Titus Manlius, and without delay to announce to his
colleague that he had devoted himself for the army. He, girding himself
in a Gabine cincture, and fully armed, mounted his horse, and rushed
into the midst of the enemy. He was observed by both armies to present a
more