despise, and dread for themselves and their posterity, so great a
power growing up in the midst of them. They were dismissed by the
greater part with the repeated question, "Whether they had opened any
asylum for women also, for that such a plan only could obtain them
suitable matches?" The Roman youth resented this conduct bitterly, and
the matter unquestionably began to point towards violence. Romulus, in
order that he might afford a favourable time and place for this,
dissembling his resentment, purposely prepares games in honour of
Neptunus Equestris; he calls them Consualia. He then orders the
spectacle to be proclaimed among their neighbours; and they prepare for
the celebration with all the magnificence they were then acquainted
with, or were capable of doing, that they might render the matter
famous, and an object of expectation. Great numbers assembled, from a
desire also of seeing the new city; especially their nearest neighbours,
the Caeninenses, Crustumini, and Antemnates. Moreover the whole multitude
of the Sabines came, with their wives and children. Having been
hospitably invited to the different houses, when they had seen the
situation, and fortifications, and the city crowded with houses, they
became astonished that the Roman power had increased so rapidly. When
the time of the spectacle came on, and while their minds and eyes were
intent upon it, according to concert a tumult began, and upon a signal
given the Roman youth ran different ways to carry off the virgins by
force. A great number were carried off at hap-hazard, according as they
fell into their hands. Persons from the common people, who had been
charged with the task, conveyed to their houses some women of surpassing
beauty, destined for the leading senators. They say that one, far
distinguished beyond the others for stature and beauty, was carried off
by the party of one Thalassius, and whilst many inquired to whom they
were carrying her, they cried out every now and then, in order that no
one might molest her, that she was being taken to Thalassius; that from
this circumstance this term became a nuptial one. The festival being
disturbed by this alarm, the parents of the young women retire in grief,
appealing to the compact of violated hospitality, and invoking the god,
to whose festival and games they had come, deceived by the pretence of
religion and good faith. Neither had the ravished virgins better hopes
of their condition, or less indign