n troops
from the Latin and Hernician army. He attacked the AEquans on their rear
whilst intent on the Roman camp, and insultingly displaying the head of
the lieutenant-general, and, a sally being made at the same time from
the camp on a signal given at a distance by him, he surrounded a great
number of the enemy. Of the AEquans on the Roman territory the slaughter
was less, their dispersion was more complete. On these as they straggled
in different directions, and were driving plunder before them, Postumius
made an attack in several places, where he had posted convenient
detachments; these straying about and pursuing their flight in great
disorder, fell in with the victorious Quintius as he was returning with
the wounded consul. Then did the consular army by their distinguished
bravery take ample vengeance for the consul's wound, and for the death
of the lieutenant-general and the cohorts; heavy losses were both
inflicted and received on both sides during those days. In a matter of
such antiquity it is difficult to state with certainty the exact number
of those who fought or fell: Antias Valerius, however, ventures to sum
them up; that in the Hernician territory there fell five thousand three
hundred Romans; that of the predatory parties of the AEquans, who strayed
through the Roman frontiers for the purpose of plundering, two thousand
four hundred were slain by the consul Postumius; that the rest of the
body that were driving booty before them, and which fell in with
Quintius, by no means got off with so light a loss: that of these four
thousand, and by way of stating the number exactly, two hundred and
thirty, were slain. After this they returned to Rome; the order for the
justitium was discharged. The sky seemed to be all on fire; and other
prodigies either actually presented themselves to their sight, or
exhibited imaginary appearances to their affrighted minds. To avert
these terrors, a solemn festival of three days was proclaimed, during
which, all the temples were filled with a crowd of men and women,
earnestly imploring the protection of the gods. After this the Latin and
Hernician cohorts were sent back to their respective homes, thanks
having been returned to them for their spirited military services. The
thousand soldiers from Antium were dismissed almost with disgrace,
because they had come after the battle with assistance then too late.

6. The elections were then held: Lucius AEbutius and Publius Servilius