r
the present contest, "that no plebeian could have the auspices, and for
this reason the decemvirs had prohibited the intermarriage, lest from
uncertainty of descent the auspices might be vitiated." The commons were
fired with indignation at this above all, because, as if hateful to the
immortal gods, they were denied to be qualified to take auspices. And
now (as the commons both had a most energetic supporter in the tribune,
and they themselves vied with him in perseverance) there was no end of
the contentions, until the patricians, being at length overpowered,
agreed that the law regarding intermarriage should be passed, judging
that by these means most probably the tribunes would either give up
altogether or postpone till after the war the question concerning the
plebeian consuls; and that in the mean time the commons, content with
the intermarriage-law (being passed,) would be ready to enlist. When
Canuleius was now in high repute by his victory over the patricians and
by the favour of the commons, the other tribunes being excited to
contend for their bill, set to work with all their might, and, the
accounts regarding the war augmenting daily, obstruct the levy. The
consuls, when nothing could be transacted through the senate in
consequence of the opposition of the tribunes, held meetings of the
leading men at their own houses. It was becoming evident that they must
concede the victory either to the enemies or to their countrymen.
Valerius and Horatius alone of the consulars did not attend the
meetings. The opinion of Caius Claudius was for arming the consuls
against the tribunes. The sentiments of the Quintii, both Cincinnatus
and Capitolinus, were averse to bloodshed, and to violating (persons)
whom by the treaty concluded with the commons they had admitted to be
sacred and inviolable. Through these meetings the matter was brought to
this, that they suffered tribunes of the soldiers with consular
authority to be elected from the patricians and commons without
distinction; that with respect to the election of consuls no change
should be made; and with this the tribunes were content, as were also
the commons. An assembly is now proclaimed for electing three tribunes
with consular power. This being proclaimed, forthwith whoever had
contributed to promote sedition by word or deed, more particularly men
who had been tribunes, began to solicit support and to bustle about the
forum as candidates; so that despair, in the