it so happened that one
Timasitheus filled the office of chief magistrate, a man more like the
Romans than his own countrymen. Who, himself reverencing the name of
ambassadors, and the offering, and the god to whom it was sent, and the
cause of the offering, impressed the multitude also, who almost on all
occasions resemble their ruler, with [a sense] of religious justice; and
after having brought the ambassadors to a public entertainment, escorted
them with the protection of some ships to Delphos, and from thence
brought them back in safety to Rome. By a decree of the senate a league
of hospitality was formed with him, and presents were conferred on him
by the state. During the same year the war with the AEquans was
conducted with varying success; so that it was a matter of doubt both
among the troops themselves and at Rome, whether they had been
victorious or were vanquished. The Roman commanders were Caius AEmilius
and Spurius Postumius, two of the military tribunes. At first they acted
in conjunction; then, after the enemy were routed in the field, it was
agreed that AEmilius should take possession of Verrugo with a certain
force, and that Postumius should devastate the country. There, as the
latter proceeded rather negligently, and with his troops irregularly
drawn up, he was attacked by the AEquans, and an alarm being occasioned,
he was driven to the nearest hill; and the panic spread from thence to
Verrugo to the other detachment of the army. When Postumius, having
withdrawn his men to a place of safety, summoned an assembly and
upbraided them with their fright and flight; with having been beaten by
a most cowardly and dastardly enemy; the entire army shout aloud that
they deserved to hear all this, and admitted the disgrace they had
incurred; but [they promised] that they would make amends, and that the
enemy's joy should not be of long duration. Demanding that he would
instantly lead them from thence to the camp of the enemy, (this lay in
the plain within their view,) they submitted to any punishment, if they
did not take it before night. Having praised them, he orders them to
take refreshment, and to be in readiness at the fourth watch. And the
enemy, in order to prevent the flight of the Romans from the hill
through the road which led to Verrugo, were posted to meet them; and the
battle commenced before daylight, (but the moon was up all the night,)
and was not more confused than a battle fought by day. But th