In addition to these measures I find the following re-
corded by various authorities. L. Genucius, a tribune of the
plebs, brought before them a measure declaring usury illegal,
whilst other resolutions were adopted forbidding any one to
accept re-election to the same office in less than ten years or
fill two offices in the same year, and also that both consuls might
legally be elected from the plebs If all these concessions were
really made it is quite clear that the revolt possessed consider-
able strength. In other annalists it is stated that Valerius was
not nominated Dictator, but the matter was entirely arranged
by the consuls; also that it was not before they came to Rome
but in Rome itself that the body of conspirators broke out into
armed revolt; also that it was not to T. Quinctius' farm but to
the house of C. Manlius that the nocturnal visit was paid, and
that it was Manlius who was seized by the conspirators and
made their leader, after which they marched out to a distance
of four miles and entrenched themselves; also that it was not
their leaders who made the first suggestions of concord, but
what happened was that as the two armies advanced towards
each other prepared for action the soldiers exchanged mutual
greetings, and as they drew nearer grasped each other's hands
and embraced one another, and the consuls, seeing how
averse the soldiers were from fighting, yielded to circumstances
and made proposals to the senate for reconciliation and concord.
Thus the ancient authorities agree in nothing but the simple
fact that there was a mutiny and that it was suppressed.
The report of this disturbance and the seriousness of the war
which had been commenced with the Samnites made many
nationalities averse from an alliance with Rome. The Latins had
long been faithless to their treaty, and in addition to that the
Privernates made a sudden incursion and devastated the neigh-
bouring Roman colonies of Norba and Setia.
Book 8
BOOK VIII
B.C. 341-321
FIRST SAMNITE WAR AND SETTLEMENT OF LATIUM
Ch. 1