ifferent directions they
began to carry off the cattle straying about, as is usual when they are
frightened, the Veientians rise up suddenly from their ambuscade, and
the enemy were in front and on every side. At first the shout that was
raised terrified them; then weapons assailed them from every side; and,
the Etrurians closing, they also were compelled, hemmed in as they now
were by a compact body of soldiers, to contract their own circle within
a narrower compass; which circumstance rendered striking both their own
paucity of numbers, and the superior numbers of the enemy, the ranks
being crowded in a narrow space. Then the plan of fighting, which they
had directed equally against every part, being now relinquished, they
all incline their forces towards one point; in that direction straining
every effort both with their bodies and arms, they forced a passage by
forming a wedge. The way led to a hill of moderate acclivity; here they
first halted: presently, as soon as the higher ground afforded them time
to gain breath, and to recover from so great a panic, they repulsed them
as they advanced up; and the small band by the advantage of the ground
was gaining the victory, had not a party of the Veientians, sent round
the ridge of the hill, made their way to the summit; thus again the
enemy obtained the higher ground; all the Fabii were killed to a man,
and the fort was taken: it is agreed on all hands that the three hundred
and six were cut off; that one[98] only, who nearly attained the age of
puberty, was left as a stock for the Fabian race; and that he was
destined to prove the greatest support in the dangerous emergencies of
the Roman people both at home and in war.

[Footnote 98: This statement is rejected by Niebuhr entirely.]

51. At the time when this disaster was received, C. Horatius and T.
Menenius were consuls. Menenius was immediately sent against the
Etrurians, elated with victory. Then too an unsuccessful battle was
fought, and the enemy took possession of the Janiculum: and the city
would have been besieged, scarcity of provisions bearing hard upon them
in addition to the war, (for the Etrurians had passed the Tiber,) had
not the consul Horatius been recalled from the Volsci; and so closely
did that war approach the very walls, that the first battle was fought
near the temple of Hope with doubtful success, and a second time at the
Colline gate. There, although the Romans had the advantage in a slight
d