enatian and Veientian
enemies, and other neighbouring states, had recourse to aid even from
the most extreme quarters, and had appointed a dictator on many trying
occasions, that same state now, when an enemy, never before seen or
heard of, from the ocean and remotest regions of the earth, was
advancing in arms against them, looked not for any extraordinary command
or aid. Tribunes, by whose temerity the war had been brought on them,
were appointed to the chief direction of affairs, and even making less
of the war than fame had represented it, held the levy with no greater
diligence than used to be exercised for ordinary wars. In the mean while
the Gauls, on hearing that honour was even conferred on the violators of
human law, and that their embassy was slighted, inflamed with
resentment, over which that nation has no control, immediately snatched
up their standards, and enter on their march with the utmost expedition.
When the cities, alarmed at the tumult occasioned by them as they passed
precipitately along, began to run to arms, and the peasants took to
flight, they indicated by a loud shout that they were proceeding to
Rome, taking up an immense space of ground, wherever they passed, with
their horses and men, their troops spreading widely in every direction.
But fame and the messengers of the Clusians, and then of the other
states one after another, preceding them, the rapid advance of the enemy
brought the greatest consternation to Rome; for, with their tumultuary
troops hastily led on, they met them within the distance of the eleventh
mile-stone, where the river Allia, descending from the Crustuminian
mountains in a very deep channel, joins the river Tiber not far below
the road. Already all places in front and on each side were crowded with
the enemy, and this nation, which has a natural turn for causeless
confusion, by their harsh music and discordant clamours, filled all
places with a horrible din.

38. There the military tribunes, without having previously selected a
place for their camp, without having previously raised a rampart to
which they might have a retreat, unmindful of their duty to the gods, to
say nothing of that to man, without taking auspices or offering
sacrifices, draw up their line, which was extended towards the flanks,
lest they should be surrounded by the great numbers of the enemy. Still
their front could not be made equal to that of the enemy, though by
thinning their line they rendered