recation: if
they should get possession of it, then an expiation must be made to Mars
by the sacrifices called the Suove-taurilia. Although the memory of
every divine and human custom has been obliterated, in consequence of
preferring what is modern and foreign to that which is ancient and
belonging to our own country, I deemed it not irrelevant to relate the
particulars even in the very terms used, as they have been handed down
and expressed.

11. I find it stated in some writers, that the Samnites, having awaited
the issue of the battle, came at length with support to the Romans after
the battle was over. Also aid from Lavinium, whilst they wasted time in
deliberating, was at length sent to the Latins after they had been
vanquished. And when the first standards and part of the army just
issued from the gates, news being brought of the defeat of the Latins,
they faced about and returned back to the city; on which occasion they
say that their praetor, Milionius, observed, that "for so very short a
journey a high price must be paid to the Romans." Such of the Latins as
survived the battle, after being scattered over many roads, collected
themselves into a body, and found refuge in the city of Vescia. There
their general, Numisius, insisted in their counsels, that "the truly
common fortune of war had prostrated both armies by equal losses, and
that only the name of victory rested with the Romans; that in other
respects they too shared the lot of defeated persons; the two pavilions
of the consuls were polluted; one by the murder committed on a son, the
other by the blood of a devoted consul; that their army was cut down in
every direction; their spearmen and principes were cut down; great havoc
was made before the standards and behind them; the Triarii at length
restored their cause. Though the forces of the Latins were cut down in
an equal proportion, yet for reinforcements, Latium or the Volscians
were nearer than Rome. Wherefore, if they thought well of it, he would
speedily call out the youth from the Latin and Volscian states, and
would return to Capua with a determined army, and by his unexpected
arrival strike dismay among the Romans, who were expecting nothing less
than battle." Deceptive letters being sent around Latium and the
Volscian nation, a tumultuary army, hastily raised from all quarters,
was assembled, for as they had not been present at the battle, they were
more disposed to believe on slight grounds. Th