ould be a determination suitable
to so great a power." Whilst all approved, Quintius at first refused;
and asked them what they meant, in exposing him in the extremity of age
to such a contest. Then when they all said that in that aged mind there
was not only more wisdom, but more energy also, than in all the rest,
and went on loading him with deserved praises, whilst the consul relaxed
not in his original determination; Cincinnatus at length having prayed
to the immortal gods, that his old age might not prove a detriment or
disgrace to the republic at so dangerous a juncture, is appointed
dictator by the consul: he himself then appoints Caius Servilius Ahala
his master of the horse.

14. On the next day, having stationed proper guards, when he had gone
down to the forum, and the attention of the commons was attracted to him
by the strangeness and extraordinary nature of the thing, and Maelius's
friends and himself their leader perceived that the power of such high
authority was directly aimed at them; when, moreover, those who were not
aware of the designs on regal power, went on asking, "what tumult, what
sudden war, had called for either the dictatorial authority, or
Quintius, after his eightieth year, administrator of affairs,"
Servilius, master of the horse, being sent by the dictator to Maelius,
says, "The dictator summons you." When he, being alarmed, asked what he
meant, and Servilius stated that "he must stand a trial," and answer the
charge brought against him before the senate by Minucius, Maelius drew
back into the band of his adherents, and at first, looking around him,
he began to skulk off: at length when the beadle, by order of the master
of the horse, was bringing him off, being rescued by those present, and
running away, he implored the protection of the Roman people, and
alleged that he was persecuted by a conspiracy of the patricians because
he had acted kindly towards the people: he besought them that they would
assist him in this critical emergency, and not suffer him to be
butchered before their eyes. Ahala Servilius overtook and slew him
whilst exclaiming in this manner; and smeared with the blood of the
person so slain, and surrounded by a body of young nobles, he carries
back word to the dictator that Maelius having been summoned to him, and
commencing to excite the multitude after he had repulsed the beadle, had
received condign punishment. "Thou hast acted nobly, Caius Servilius,"
said the di