s efforts than
ever before, and a considerable number of the Roman youth had been
carried off by sickness. Above all, the perverseness of the consuls, and
the disagreement between them, and their contentions in all the
councils, terrified them. There are some who state that an unsuccessful
battle was fought by these consuls at Algidum, and that such was the
cause of appointing a dictator. This much is certain, that, though
differing in other points, they perfectly agreed in one against the
wishes of the patricians, not to nominate a dictator; until when
accounts were brought, one more alarming than another, and the consuls
would not be swayed by the authority of the senate, Quintus Servilius
Priscus, who had passed through the highest honours with singular
honour, says, "Tribunes of the people, since we are come to
extremities, the senate calls on you, that you would, by virtue of your
authority, compel the consuls to nominate a dictator in so critical a
conjuncture of the state." On hearing this, the tribunes, conceiving
that an opportunity was presented to them of extending their power,
retire together, and declare for their college, that "it was their wish
that the consuls should be obedient to the instruction of the senate; if
they persisted further against the consent of that most illustrious
order, that they would order them to be taken to prison." The consuls
were better pleased to be overcome by the tribunes than by the senate,
alleging that the prerogatives of the highest magistracy were betrayed
by the patricians and the consulship subjugated to tribunitian power,
inasmuch as the consuls were liable to be overruled by a tribune in any
particular by virtue of his power, and (what greater hardship could a
private man have to dread?) even to be carried off to prison. The lot to
nominate the dictator (for the colleagues had not even agreed on that)
fell on Titus Quintius. He appointed a dictator, Aulus Postumius
Tubertus, his own father-in-law, a man of the utmost strictness in
command: by him Lucius Julius was appointed master of the horse: a
suspension of civil business is also proclaimed; and, that nothing else
should be attended to throughout the city but preparations for war, the
examination of the cases of those who claimed exemption from the
military service is deferred till after the war. Thus even doubtful
persons are induced to give in their names. Soldiers were also enjoined
of the Hernicians and Latins: