ath; that there was no longer in his house an opportunity for Appius's
lust; that from any other violence of his he would defend his person
with the same spirit with which he vindicated that of his daughter. That
others should take care of themselves and of their children. To
Virginius, uttering these words in a loud voice, the multitude responded
with a shout, "that they would not be backward, with respect either to
his wrongs or their own liberty. And the gown-men mixing with the crowd
of soldiers, both by narrating with sorrow those same circumstances, and
by showing how much more shocking they must have appeared when seen than
when merely heard, and also by telling them that matters were now
desperate at Rome; those also who followed (the persons that accompanied
Virginius from Rome) and alleged that Appius, having with difficulty
escaped with life, had gone into exile;[152] all these individuals so
far influenced them that there was a general cry to arms, they snatched
up their standards, and set out for Rome." The decemvirs, being alarmed
at the same time both by what they now saw, as well as by those things
which they had heard had taken place at Rome, ran about to different
parts of the camp to quell the commotion. Whilst they proceeded with
mildness no answer was returned to them. If any of them attempted to
exert authority over them, the answer given was, that "they were men and
had arms." They go in a body to the city and post themselves on the
Aventine; encouraging the commons, according as each person met them, to
reassume their liberty, and elect tribunes of the people; no other
violent expression was heard. Spurius Oppius holds a meeting of the
senate; it is resolved that no harsh proceedings should be adopted, as
occasion for the sedition had been given by themselves. Three men of
consular rank, Spurius Tarpeius, Caius Julius, Publius Sulpicius, are
sent as ambassadors, to inquire, in the name of the senate, by whose
orders they had deserted the camp? or what they intended in posting
themselves on the Aventine in arms, and in turning away their arms from
the enemy and taking their own country? They were at no loss for an
answer; they wanted some one to give the answer, there being as yet no
certain leader, and individuals not being forward enough to expose
themselves to the invidious office. The multitude only called out with
one voice, that they should send Lucius Valerius and Marcus Horatius to
them: tha