t
endeavoured to take Pometia by storm, and afterwards by raising vineae
and other works. But the Auruncians, prompted more by an irreconcilable
hatred against them, than induced by hopes of success, or by a
favourable opportunity, sallied out of the town, and though more of them
were armed with lighted torches than swords, filled all places with fire
and slaughter. After they had burnt down the vineae, slain and wounded
many of the enemy, they were near killing one of the consuls, who had
been thrown from his horse and severely wounded (which of them authors
do not mention). Upon this they returned to Rome, foiled in their
object; the consul was left among many more who were wounded with very
uncertain hopes of his recovery. After a short time, sufficient for
curing their wounds and recruiting their army, they marched against
Pometia with redoubled fury and augmented strength. When, the vineae
having been repaired and the other apparatus of war, the soldiers were
on the point of scaling the walls, the town surrendered. Yet though the
town had surrendered, the leading men of the Auruncians, with no less
cruelty than if it had been taken by assault, were beheaded
indiscriminately; the others who were colonists were sold by auction,
the town was razed, and the land sold. The consuls obtained a triumph
more from having severely gratified their revenge, than in consequence
of the importance of the war thus brought to a close.

18. The following year had Postumus Cominius and T. Lartius for consuls.
On this year, during the celebration of the games at Rome, as some of
the courtesans were being carried off by some of the Sabine youth in a
frolic, a mob having assembled, a scuffle ensued, and almost a battle;
and from this inconsiderable affair the whole nation seemed inclined to
a renewal of hostilities. Besides the dread of the Latin war, this
accession was further made to their fears; certain intelligence was
received that thirty different states had entered into a confederacy
against them, at the instigation of Octavius Mamilius. While the city
was perplexed amid this expectation of such important events, mention
was made for the first time of nominating a dictator. But in what year
or who the consuls[80] were in whom confidence was not reposed, because
they were of the Tarquinian faction, (for that also is recorded,) or who
was elected dictator for the first time, is not satisfactorily
established. Among the oldest writer