in
places most remote, with his army divided into four sections, which were
to succeed each other in the action, by continuing the fight day and
night continuously he prevented the enemy from perceiving the work;
until the mountain being dug through from the camp, a passage was opened
up into the citadel; and the Etrurians being diverted from the real
danger by the idle threats, the shouting of the enemy over their heads
proved to them that their city was taken. On that year Caius Furius
Pacilus and Marcus Geganius Macerinus, censors, approved of the public
edifice[154] in the Campus Martius, and the census of the people was
there performed for the first time.

[Footnote 154: _Villa publica_. It was destined to public uses, such as
holding the _census_, or survey of the people, the reception of
ambassadors, &c.]

23. That the same consuls were re-elected on the following year, Julius
for the third time, Virginius for the second time, I find in Licinius
Macer. Valerius Antias and Quintus Tubero state that Marcus Manlius and
Quintus Sulpicius were, the consuls for that year. But in
representations so different both Tubero and Macer cite the linen books
as their authority; neither of them denies that it was said by ancient
historians that there were military tribunes on that year. Licinius
thinks that we should unhesitatingly follow the linen books; and Tubero
is uncertain as to the truth. But this also is left unsettled among
other points not ascertained from length of time. Alarm was raised in
Etruria after the capture of Fidenae, not only the Veientians being
terrified by the apprehension of similar ruin, but the Faliscians also,
from the recollection of the war having first commenced with them,
although they had not joined with those who renewed hostilities.
Accordingly when the two nations, having sent ambassadors around to the
twelve states, succeeded so far that a general meeting was proclaimed
for all Etruria at the temple of Voltumna; the senate, apprehending a
great attack threatening from that quarter, ordered Mamercus AEmilius
again to be appointed dictator. Aulus Postumius Tubertus was appointed
by him as master of the horse; and preparations for war were made with
so much the more energy than on the last occasion, in proportion as
there was more danger from the whole body of Etruria than from two of
its states.

24. That matter passed off much more quietly than any one expected.
Therefore when word was br