ar.

[Footnote 157: _Fines_. The fines imposed in early times were certain
numbers of sheep or oxen; afterwards it was ordered by law that these
fines should be appraised and the value paid in money. Another law fixed
a certain rate at which the cattle should be estimated, 100 asses for an
ox, 10 for a sheep.]

31. Four military tribunes with consular authority were elected--Titus
Quintius Pennus, from the consulship, Caius Furius, Marcus Postumius,
and Aulus Cornelius Cossus. Of these Cossus held the command in the
city. The other three, after the levy was held, set out to Veii, and
were an instance how mischievous in military affairs is a plurality of
commanders. By insisting each on his own plans, whilst they severally
entertained different views, they left an opportunity open to the enemy
to take them at advantage. For the Veientians, taking an opportunity,
attacked their line whilst still uncertain as to their movements, some
ordering the signal to be given, others a retreat to be sounded: their
camp, which was nigh at hand, received them in their confusion and
turning their backs. There was more disgrace therefore than loss. The
state, unaccustomed to defeat, was become melancholy; they hated the
tribunes, they insisted on a dictator, the hopes of the state now seemed
to rest on him. When a religious scruple interfered here also, lest a
dictator could not be appointed except by a consul, the augurs on being
consulted removed that scruple. Aulus Cornelius nominated Mamercus
AEmilius, and he himself was nominated by him master of the horse. So
little did censorial animadversion avail, so as to prevent them from
seeking a regulator of their affairs from a family unmeritedly censured,
as soon as the condition of the state stood in need of genuine merit.
The Veientians elated with their success, having sent ambassadors around
the states of Etruria, boasting that three Roman generals had been
beaten by them in an engagement, though they could not effect a public
co-operation in their designs, procured volunteers from all quarters
allured by the hope of plunder. The state of the Fidenatians alone
determined on renewing hostilities; and as if it would be an impiety to
commence war unless with guilt, after staining their arms with the blood
of the new settlers there, as they had on a former occasion with that of
the ambassadors, they join the Veientians. After this the leading men of
the two states consulted whether they