rom thence an evasive answer, from which it became
evident that neither war was intended there, nor would peace be of long
continuance, instructions were given to the Tusculans, that they should
observe attentively, lest any new commotion should arise at Lavici. To
the military tribunes, with consular power, of the following year,
Lucius Sergius Fidenas, Marcus Papirius Mugillanus, Caius Servilius the
son of Priscus, in whose dictatorship Fidenae had been taken, ambassadors
came from Tusculum, just as they entered on their office. The
ambassadors brought word that the Lavicanians had taken arms, and having
ravaged the Tusculan territory in conjunction with the army of the
AEquans, that they had pitched their camp at Algidum. Then war was
proclaimed against the Lavicanians; and a decree of the senate having
been passed, that two of the tribunes should proceed to the war, and
that one should manage affairs at Rome, a contest suddenly sprung up
among the tribunes. Each represented himself as a fitter person to take
the lead in the war, and scorned the management of the city as
disagreeable and inglorious. When the senate beheld with surprise the
indecent contention between the colleagues, Quintus Servilius says,
"Since there is no respect either for this house, or for the
commonwealth, parental authority shall set aside this altercation of
yours. My son, without having recourse to lots, shall take charge of the
city. I wish that those who are so desirous of managing the war, may
conduct it with more consideration and harmony than they covet it."

46. It was determined that the levy should not be made out of the entire
body of the people indiscriminately. Ten tribes were drawn by lot; the
two tribunes enlisted the younger men out of these, and led them to the
war. The contentions which commenced between them in the city, were,
through the same eager ambition for command, carried to a much greater
height in the camp: on no one point did they think alike; they contended
strenuously for their own opinion; they desired their own plans, their
own commands only to be ratified; they mutually despised each other, and
were despised, until, on the remonstrances of the lieutenant-generals,
it was at length so arranged, that they should hold the supreme command
on alternate days. When an account of these proceedings was brought to
Rome, Quintus Servilius, taught by years and experience, is said to
have prayed to the immortal gods, that