it over, or of
taking it up; lest, on the one hand, impunity might stir up the
neighbouring states with wantonness and arrogance; and, on the other,
punishment inflicted on them by force of arms, and dread of immediate
danger, might produce the same effect by exciting resentment. And the
whole body, too, was in every way equal in strength to the Samnites,
being composed of the Marsians, the Pelignians, and the Marrusinians;
all of whom would have to be encountered as enemies, if the Vestinians
were to be interfered with. However, that side prevailed which might, at
the time, seem to have more spirit than prudence; but the event proved
that fortune assists the brave. The people, in pursuance of the
direction of the senate, ordered war against the Vestinians; that
province fell by lot to Junius, Samnium to Camillus. Armies were led to
both places, and by carefully guarding the frontiers, the enemy were
prevented from joining their forces. But the other consul, Lucius
Furius, on whom the principal weight of the business rested, was
withdrawn by chance from the war, being seized with a severe sickness.
Being therefore ordered to nominate a dictator to conduct the business,
he nominated Lucius Papirius Cursor, the most celebrated general, by
far, of any in that age, who appointed Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus
master of the horse: a pair of commanders distinguished for their
exploits in war; more so, however, for a quarrel between themselves, and
which proceeded almost to violence. The other consul, in the territory
of the Vestinians, carried on operations of various kinds; and, in all,
was uniformly successful. For he both utterly laid waste their lands,
and, by spoiling and burning their houses and corn, compelled them to
come to an engagement; and, in one battle, he reduced the strength of
the Vestinians to such a degree, though not without loss on his own
side, that the enemy not only fled to their camp, but, fearing even to
trust to the rampart and trench, dispersed from thence into the several
towns, in hopes of finding security in the situation and fortifications
of their cities. At last, having undertaken to reduce their towns by
force, amid the great ardour of the soldiers, and their resentment for
the wounds which they had received, (hardly one of them having come out
of the battle unhurt,) he took Cutina by scalade, and afterwards
Cingilia. The spoil of both cities he gave to the soldiers, in
consideration of th