situation] to make trial now of some
other, when, though your own valour may be removed elsewhere, the
fortune of this place certainly cannot be transferred? Here is the
Capitol, where, a human head being found, it was foretold that in that
place would be the head of the world, and the chief seat of empire.
Here, when the Capitol was to be freed by the rites of augury, Juventas
and Terminus, to the very great joy of our fathers, suffered not
themselves to be moved. Here is the fire of Vesta, here the Ancilia sent
down from heaven, here are all the gods propitious to you if you stay."

55. Camillus is said to have moved them as well by other parts of his
speech, but chiefly by that which related to religious matters. But an
expression seasonably uttered determined the matter whilst still
undecided; for when a meeting of the senate, a little after this, was
being held in the Curia Hostilia regarding these questions, and some
troops returning from relieving guard passed through the forum in their
march, a centurion in the comitium cried out, "Standard-bearer, fix your
standard! it is best for us to remain here." Which expression being
heard, both the senate came out from the senate-house, and all cried out
that "they embraced the omen," and the commons, who were collected
around, joined their approbation. The law [under discussion] being
rejected, the building of the city commenced in several parts at once.
Tiles were supplied at the public expense. The privilege of hewing stone
and felling timber wherever each person wished was granted, security
being taken that they would finish the buildings on that year. Their
haste took away all attention to the regulating the course of the
streets, whilst, setting aside all distinction of property, they build
on any part that was vacant. That is the reason why the ancient sewers,
at first conducted through the public streets, now in many places pass
under private houses, and why the form of the city appears more like one
taken up by individuals, than regularly portioned out [by
commissioners].

BOOK VI.

_Successful operations against the Volscians, and AEquans, and
Praenestines. Four tribes were added. Marcus Manlius, who had
defended the Capitol from the Gauls, being condemned for aspiring
to regal power, is thrown from the Tarpeian rock; in commemoration
of which circumstance a decree of the senate was passed, that none
of the Manlian fami