ed. This fight, it is stated, was thirteen years after the
sacking of Rome; and from henceforward the Romans took courage, and
surmounted the apprehensions they had hitherto entertained of the
barbarians, whose previous defeat they had attributed rather to
pestilence and a concurrence of mischances than to their own superior
valor. And, indeed, this fear had been formerly so great, that they made
a law, that priests should be excused from service in war, unless in an
invasion from the Gauls.

This was the last military action that Camillus ever performed; for
the voluntary surrender of the city of the Velitrani was but a mere
accessory to it. But the greatest of all civil contests, and the hardest
to be managed, was still to be fought out against the people; who,
returning home full of victory and success, insisted, contrary to
established law, to have one of the consuls chosen out of their own
body. The senate strongly opposed it, and would not suffer Camillus
to lay down his dictatorship, thinking, that, under the shelter of his
great name and authority, they should be better able to contend for
the power of the aristocracy. But when Camillus was sitting upon the
tribunal, dispatching public affairs, an officer, sent by the tribunes
of the people, commanded him to rise and follow him, laying his and upon
him, as ready to seize and carry him away; upon which, such a noise and
tumult as was never heard before, filled the whole forum; some that were
about Camillus thrusting the officer from the bench, and the multitude
below calling out to him to bring Camillus down. Being at a loss what
to do in these difficulties, he yet laid not down his authority, but,
taking the senators along with him, he went to the senate-house;
but before he entered, besought the gods that they would bring these
troubles to a happy conclusion, solemnly vowing, when the tumult was
ended, to build a temple to Concord. A great conflict of opposite
opinions arose in the senate; but, at last, the most moderate and most
acceptable to the people prevailed, and consent was given, that of two
consuls, one should be chosen from the commonalty. When the dictator
proclaimed this determination of the senate to the people, at the moment
pleased and reconciled with the senate, as they could not well otherwise
be, they accompanied Camillus home with all expressions and acclamations
of joy; and the next day, assembling together, they voted a temple of
Concord to