e shout
having reached Verrugo, when they thought that the Roman camp was
attacked, occasioned such a panic, that in spite of the entreaties of
AEmilius and his efforts to stop them, they fled to Tusculum in great
disorder. From thence a report was carried to Rome that "Postumius and
his army were cut to pieces." When the dawn of day had removed all
apprehension of an ambuscade in case of a hasty pursuit, after riding
through the ranks, by demanding [the performance of] their promises he
infused such ardour into them, that the AEquans could no longer withstand
their impetuosity. Then the slaughter of them in their flight, such as
takes place when matters are conducted more under the influence of
anger than of courage, was continued even to the total destruction of
the enemy, and the melancholy news from Tusculum, the state having been
alarmed without cause, was followed by a letter from Postumius decked
with laurel, (announcing) that "the victory belonged to the Roman
people; that the army of the AEquans was destroyed."

29. As the proceedings of the plebeian tribunes had not yet attained a
termination, both the commons exerted themselves to continue their
office for the promoters of the law, and the patricians to re-elect the
opponents of the law; but the commons were more successful in the
election of their own magistrates. Which annoyance the patricians
avenged by passing a decree of the senate that consuls should be
elected, magistrates detested by the commons. After an interval of
fifteen years, Lucius Lucretius Flavus and Servius Sulpicius Camerinus
were appointed consuls. In the beginning of this year, whilst the
tribunes of the commons united their efforts to pass the law, because
none of their college were likely to oppose them, and the consuls
resisted them with no less energy, the AEquans storm Vitellia, a Roman
colony in their territory. The chief part of the colonists made their
way in safety to Rome, because the town, having been taken by treachery
in the night, afforded an unimpeded mode of escape by the remote side of
the city. That province fell to the lot of Lucius Lucretius the consul.
He having set out with his army, vanquished the enemy in the field; and
returned victorious to Rome to a much more serious contest. A day of
trial had been appointed for Aulus Virginius and Quintus Pomponius,
plebeian tribunes of the two preceding years, in whose defence by the
combined power of the patricians, the hono