any military aggressions; but the Fidenatians, who at first had shut
themselves up either within their town, or mountains, or fortifications,
now descended without provocation to commit depredations on the Roman
territory. Then the army of the Veientians being called in to their aid,
(for the Faliscians could be induced to renew the war neither by the
distresses of the Romans, nor by the remonstrances of their allies,) the
two states crossed the Anio; and displayed their ensigns at no great
distance from the Colline gate. Great consternation arose therefore, not
more in the country than in the city. Julius the consul draws up his
troops on the rampart and walls; the senate is consulted by Virginius in
the temple of Quirinus. It is determined that Aulus Servilius be
appointed dictator, who some say had the cognomen of Priscus, others
that of Structus. Virginius having delayed whilst he consulted his
colleague, with his permission, named the dictator at night. He appoints
Postumus AEbutius Elva his master of the horse.

[Footnote 153: In the performance of such rites, the slightest mistake
of a word or syllable was deemed highly inauspicious; to prevent which,
the regular form of words was pronounced by a priest, and repeated after
him by the persons officiating.]

22. The dictator orders all to attend at break of day outside the
Colline gate. All whosoever had sufficient strength to bear arms,
attended; the standards were quickly brought forth from the treasury and
conveyed to the dictator. Whilst these matters were going on, the
enemies retired to the higher grounds; thither the dictator follows them
with a determined army; and having come to a general engagement not far
from Nomentum, he routed the Etrurian legions; he then drove them into
the city of Fidenae, and surrounded it with a rampart. But neither could
the city be taken by storm as being high and well fortified, nor was
there any effect in a blockade, because corn was supplied to them in
abundance not only for necessary consumption, but for plenty also, in
consequence of that previously laid up. Thus all hope being lost of
taking it by assault, or of forcing it to a surrender, the dictator
determined on carrying a sap into the citadel in places which were well
known to him on account of their near situation on the remote side of
the city, as being most neglected because it was best protected by
reason of its own nature; he himself by advancing up to the walls