e modesty which you observed here, where, amid the
consumption of so many matters necessary for so large a number of
persons, no man's field has been injured. Go to the Aventine, whence ye
set out. In that auspicious place, where ye took the first step towards
liberty, ye shall elect tribunes of the people. The chief pontiff will
be at hand to hold the elections." Great was their assent and joy, as
evinced in their approbation of every measure. They then hastily raise
their standards, and having set out for Rome, vie in exultation with all
they met. There, the chief pontiff holding the meeting for the
elections, they elected as their tribunes of the people, first of all A.
Virginius, then Lucius Icilius, and Publius Numitorius the uncle of
Virginia, the advisers of the secession. Then Caius Sicinius, the
offspring of him who is recorded to have been elected first tribune of
the commons on the Sacred mount; and Marcus Duilius, who had passed
through a distinguished tribuneship before the creation of the
decemvirs, and was never wanting to the commons in their contests with
the decemvirs. Marcus Titinius, Marcus Pomponius, Caius Apronius,
Publius Villius, and Caius Oppius, were elected more from hope
(entertained of them) than from any services (performed). When he
entered on his tribuneship, Lucius Icilius proposed to the commons, and
the commons ordered, that the secession from the decemvirs which had
taken place should not prove detrimental to any individual. Immediately
after Duilius carried a proposition for electing consuls, with right of
appeal. All these things were transacted in an assembly of the commons
in the Flaminian meadows, which they now call the Flaminian circus.

55. Then through an interrex Lucius Valerius and Marcus Horatius were
elected consuls, who immediately entered on their office; whose
consulship was popular without any actual injury to the patricians,
though not without their displeasure; for whatever provision was made
for securing the liberty of the commons, that they considered to be a
diminution made in their own power. First of all, when it was as it were
a point in controversy, whether patricians were bound by regulations
enacted in an assembly of the commons, they proposed a law in the
assembly of the centuries, that whatever the commons ordered
collectively, should bind the entire people; by which law a most
keen-edged weapon was given to motions introduced by tribunes. Then
another la