Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 10.18

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Section

← Previous Next →

[2] whilst these operations were being carried out in Samnium —whoever had the command and auspices —a mighty war was preparing against the Romans in Etruria, on the part of many nations, at the instigation of a Samnite named Gellius Egnatius.

The Tuscans had almost all voted for war; the nearest Umbrian tribes had caught the contagion; and Gallic auxiliaries were being solicited for pay.

[3] all this multitude was assembling at the camp of the Samnites. when news of this sudden rising was brought to Rome, Lucius Volumnius the consul, ¹ with the second and third legions and fifteen thousand of the allies, had already set out for Samnium, and it was resolved to send Appius Claudius into Etruria at the earliest possible moment.

[4] two Roman legions followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve thousand of the allies.

[5] they encamped not far from the enemy. ²

but the consul's prompt arrival accomplished more, by checking, through dread of the Roman name, certain peoples of Etruria that were already meditating war, than he gained by his generalship, which was characterized neither by much ability nor by good fortune.

[6] he repeatedly joined battle at untoward times and places, and the enemy grew every day more hopeful and more formidable, until now the soldiers were near losing confidence in their commander and he in them.

[7] i find it recorded by three annalists that he dispatched a letter sending for his colleague out of Samnium; yet am I loath to set it down for certain, since the consuls of the Roman People, now holding that office for the second time, disputed about that very point-Appius denying that he had sent a letter, Volumnius affirming that a letter from Appius had summoned him.

[8] Volumnius had already captured three fortresses in Samnium, in which some three thousand of the enemy had been slain and about half as many taken prisoners; and dispatching Quintus Fabius as proconsul with a seasoned army into Lucania, he had suppressed —with the hearty approval of the optimates —certain insurrections which had broken out there at the instigation of necessitous plebeian agitators.

[9] leaving to Decius the devastation of the fields, Volumnius himself with his own troops ³ marched to join his colleague in Etruria, where he was welcomed on his arrival with general rejoicings.

[10] but what Appius was feeling his conscience alone could tell! —indeed he was justly angered if he had sent no word, but illiberal and ungracious if he had needed help and now sought to dissemble —for

[11] coming forth to meet his colleague, before they had fairly greeted one another, he demanded,

is all well, Lucius Volumnius? how stand affairs in Samnium? what has moved you to come out of your own province?

[12] Volumnius replied that affairs were prospering in Samnium, and that he was come being sent for by Appius' own letter; but if this were a forgery and he were not needed in Etruria, he would immediately face about and march back.

[13]

by all means go!

cried Appius.

no one hinders you! for truly it is no way fitting that when, perhaps, you are hardly equal to your own war, you should boast of coming hither to help others.

[14] Volumnius prayed that Hercules might direct all for the best; he had rather, he said, his trouble should go for naught than that anything should have befallen to make one consular army insufficient for Etruria.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor). Medford, MA. .

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

History of Rome (English) (Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Sage, Evan T.; Schlesinger, Alfred C., translators. Cambridge, Mass.; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959. (Loeb Classical Library))

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 10.18 focus

[1] dum ea in Samnio, cuiuscumque ductu auspicioque, gererentur, Romanis in Etruria interim bellum ingens multis ex gentibus concitur, cuius auctor Gellius Egnatius ex Samnitibus erat.

[2] Tusci fere omnes consciverant bellum; traxerat contagio proximos Vmbriae Umbriae populos, et Gallica auxilia mercede sollicitabantur; omnis ea multitudo ad castra Samnitium conveniebat.

[3] qui tumultus repens postquam est Romam perlatus, cum iam L. Volumnius consul cum legione secunda ac tertia sociorumque milibus quindecim profectus in Samnium esset, Ap. Claudium primo quoque tempore in Etruriam ire placuit.

[4] duae Romanae legiones secutae, prima et quarta, et sociorum duodecim milia; castra haud procul ab hoste posita.

[5] ceterum magis eo profectum est, quod mature ventum erat, ut quosdam spectantes iam arma Etruriae populos metus Romani nominis conprimeret, quam quod ductu consulis quicquam ibi satis scite aut fortunate gestum sit.

[6] multa proelia locis et temporibus iniquis commissa, spesque in dies graviorem hostem faciebat, et iam prope erat, ut nec duci milites nec militibus dux satis fideret.

[7] litteras ad collegam accersendum ex Samnio missas in trinis annalibus invenio; piget tamen id certum ponere, cum ea ipsa inter consules populi Romani, iam iterum eodem honore fungentis, disceptatio fuerit, Appio abnuente missas, Volumnio adfirmante Appi se litteris accitum.

[8] iam Volumnius in Samnio tria castella ceperat, in quibus ad tria milia hostium caesa erant, dimidium fere eius captum, et Lucanorum seditiones a plebeis et egentibus ducibus ortas summa optumatium voluntate per Q. Fabium, pro consule missum eo cum vetere exercitu, conpresserat.

[9] Decio populandos hostium agros relinquit, ipse cum suis copiis in Etruriam ad collegam pergit. quem advenientem laeti omnes accepere. Appium ex conscientia sua credo animum habuisse,

[10] baud haud inmerito iratum, si nihil scripserat, inliberali et ingrato animo, si eguerat ope, dissimulantem.

[11] vix enim salute mutua reddita cum obviam egressus esset, “satin salvae” inquit “L. Volumni? ut sese in Samnio res habent?

[12] quae te causa, ut provincia tua excederes, induxit?” Volumnius in Samnio res prosperas esse ait, litteris eius accitum venisse; quae si falsae fuerint nec usus sui sit in Etruria, extemplo conversis signis abiturum.

[13] “tu vero abeas” inquit, “neque te quisquam moratur; etenim minime consentaneum est, cum bello tuo forsitan vix sufficias, hue huc te ad opem ferendam aliis gloriari venisse.”

[14] bene Hercules verteret, dicere Volumnius: malle frustra operam insumptam, quam quicquam incidisse, cur non satis esset Etruriae unus consularis exercitus.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 10.18 focus

[1]

cum¹ ea in Samnio cuiuscumque ductu auspicioque gererentur, Romanis in Etruria interim bellum ingens multis ex gentibus concitur, cuius auctor Gellius Egnatius ex Samnitibus Sannitibus erat.

[2] tusci fere omnes consciverant bellum; traxerat contagio proximos Umbriae populos, et Gallica auxilia mercede sollicitabantur; omnis ea multitudo ad castra Samnitium conveniebat.

[3] qui tumultus repens postquam est Romam perlatus, cum iam L. Volumnius consul ² cum legione secunda ac tertia sociorumque milibus quindecim profectus in Samnium esset, Ap. Claudium primo quoque tempore in Etruriam ire placuit.

[4] duae Romanae legiones secutae, prima et quarta, et sociorum duodecim milia; castra haud procul ab hoste posita.

[5] ceterum magis eo profectum est quod mature ventum erat ut quosdam spectantes iam arma Etruriae populos metus Romani nominis comprimeret quam quod ductu consulis quicquam ibi satis scite aut fortunate gestum sit:

[6] multa proelia locis et temporibus iniquis commissa, spesque in dies graviorem hostem faciebat, et iam prope erat ut nec duci milites nec militibus dux satis fideret.

[7] litteras ad collegam accersendum ex Samnio missas in trinis annalibus invenio; piget tamen in certo ³ ponere, cum ea ipsa inter consules populi Romani, iam iterum eodem honore fungentes, disceptatio ⁴ fuerit, Appio abnuente missas, Volumnio adfirmante Appi se litteris accitum.

[8] iam Volumnius in Samnio tria castella ceperat, in quibus ad tria milia hostium caesa erant, dimidium fere eius captum, et Lucanorum seditiones a plebeiis et egentibus ducibus ortas summa optimatium voluntate per Q. Fabium, pro consule missum eo cum vetere exercitu, compresserat.

[9] Decio populandos hostium agros relinquit, ipse cum suis copiis in Etruriam ⁵ ad collegam pergit. quem advenientem laeti omnes accepere.

[10] appium ex conscientia sua credo animum habuisse—haud immerito iratum si nihil scripserat, inliberali et ingrato animo, si eguerat ope, dissimulantem,

[11] —vix enim salute mutua reddita cum obviam egressus esset,

satin salvae

⁶ inquit,

L. Volumni? ut sese in Samnio res habent? quae te causa, ut provincia tua excederes induxit?

[12] Volumnius in Samnio res prosperas esse ait, litteris eius accitum venisse; quae si falsae fuerint nec usus sui sit in Etruriam, extemplo conversis signis abiturum.

[13]

tu vero abeas

inquit,

neque cneque te quisquam moratur; etenim minime consentaneum est, cum bello tuo forsitan vix sufficias, huc hue⁷ te ad opem ferendam aliis gloriari venisse.

[14] bene Hercules verteret, dicere Volumnius: malle frustra operam insumptam, quam quicquam incidisse cur non satis esset Etruriae unus consularis exercitus.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Livy in Fourteen Volumes. Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Schlesinger, Alfred C., editors. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959 (printing).) — 10.18 focus

[1]

cum¹ ea in Samnio cuiuscumque ductu auspicioque gererentur, Romanis in Etruria interim bellum ingens multis ex gentibus concitur, cuius auctor Gellius Egnatius ex Samnitibus Sannitibus erat.

[2] tusci fere omnes consciverant bellum; traxerat contagio proximos Umbriae populos, et Gallica auxilia mercede sollicitabantur; omnis ea multitudo ad castra Samnitium conveniebat.

[4] duae Romanae legiones secutae, prima et quarta, et sociorum duodecim milia; castra haud procul ab hoste posita.

[6] multa proelia locis et temporibus iniquis commissa, spesque in dies graviorem hostem faciebat, et iam prope erat ut nec duci milites nec militibus dux satis fideret.

[9] Decio populandos hostium agros relinquit, ipse cum suis copiis in Etruriam ⁵ ad collegam pergit. quem advenientem laeti omnes accepere.

[10] appium ex conscientia sua credo animum habuisse—haud immerito iratum si nihil scripserat, inliberali et ingrato animo, si eguerat ope, dissimulantem,

[11] —vix enim salute mutua reddita cum obviam egressus esset,

satin salvae

⁶ inquit,

L. Volumni? ut sese in Samnio res habent? quae te causa, ut provincia tua excederes induxit?

[12] Volumnius in Samnio res prosperas esse ait, litteris eius accitum venisse; quae si falsae fuerint nec usus sui sit in Etruriam, extemplo conversis signis abiturum.

[13]

tu vero abeas

inquit,

neque cneque te quisquam moratur; etenim minime consentaneum est, cum bello tuo forsitan vix sufficias, huc hue⁷ te ad opem ferendam aliis gloriari venisse.

[14] bene Hercules verteret, dicere Volumnius: malle frustra operam insumptam, quam quicquam incidisse cur non satis esset Etruriae unus consularis exercitus.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 10.18 focus

[1]

While things went on thus in Samnium, whoever it was that had the command and auspices, powerful combination, composed of many states, was formed in Etruria against the Romans, the chief promoter of which was Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite.

[2] Almost all the Etrurians had united in this war. The neighbouring states of Umbria were drawn in, as it were, by the contagion; and auxiliaries were procured from the Gauls for hire: all their several numbers assembled at the camp of the Samnites.

[3] When intelligence of this sudden commotion was received at Rome, after the consul, Lucius Volumnius, had already set out for Samnium, with the second and third legions, and fifteen thousand of the allies; it was, therefore, resolved, that Appius Claudius should, at the very earliest opportunity, go into Etruria.

[4] Two Roman legions followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve thousand allies; their camp was pitched at a small distance from the enemy.

[5] However, advantage was gained by his early arrival in this particular, that the awe of the Roman name kept in check some states of Etruria which were disposed to war, rather than from any judicious or successful enterprise achieved under the guidance of the consul.

[6] Several battles were fought, at times and places unfavourable, and increasing confidence rendered the enemy daily more formidable; so that matters came nearly to such a state, as that neither could the soldiers rely much on their leader, nor the leader on his soldiers. It appears in three several histories, that a letter was sent by the consul to call his colleague from Samnium.

[7] But I will not affirm what requires stronger proof, as that point was a matter of dispute between these two consuls of the Roman people, a second time associated in the same office; Appius denying that the letter was sent, and Volumnius affirming that he was called thither by a letter from Appius.

[8] Volumnius had, by this time, taken three forts in Samnium, in which three thousand of the enemy had been slain, and about half that number made prisoners; and, a sedition having been raised among the Lucanians by the plebeians and the more indigent of the people, he had, to the great satisfaction of the nobles, quelled it by sending thither Quintus Fabius, proconsul, with his own veteran army.

[9] He left to Decius the ravaging of the enemy's country; and proceeded with his troops into Etruria to his colleague; where, on his arrival, the whole army received him with joy.

[10] Appius, if he did not write the letter, being conscious of this, had, in my opinion, just ground of displeasure; but if he had actually stood in need of assistance, his disowning it, as he did, arose from an illiberal and ungrateful mind.

[11] For, on going out to receive him, when they had scarcely exchanged salutations, he said,

Is all well, Lucius Volumnius? How stand affairs in Samnium? What motive induced you to remove out of your province?

[12] Volumnius answered, that

affairs in Samnium were in a prosperous state; and that he had come thither in compliance with the request in his letter. But, if that were a forged letter, and that there was no occasion for him in Etruria, he would instantly face about, and depart.

[13]

You may depart,

replied the other;

no one detains you: for it is a perfect inconsistency, that when, perhaps, you are scarcely equal to the management of your own war, you should vaunt of coming hither to succour others.

[14] To this Volumnius rejoined,

May Hercules direct all for the best; for his part, he was better pleased that he had taken useless trouble, than that any conjuncture should have arisen which had made one consular army insufficient for Etruria.

History of Rome Perseus (Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.) — 10.18 focus

[1] Whilst¹ this campaign was going on in Samnium —whoever may have been the commander —a very serious war against Rome was being organised in Etruria, in which many nations were to take part.

[2] The chief organiser was Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite. Almost all the Tuscan cantons had decided on war, the contagion had infected the nearest cantons in Umbria, and the Gauls were being solicited to help as mercenaries.

[3] All these were concentrating at the Samnite camp. When the news of this sudden rising reached Rome, L. Volumnius had already left for Samnium with the second and third legions and 15,000 allied troops; it was therefore decided that Appius Claudius should at the earliest possible moment enter Etruria. Two Roman legions followed him, the first and fourth, and 12,000 allies.

[4] He fixed his camp not far from the enemy.

[5] The advantage gained by his prompt arrival did not, however, show itself in anywise or fortunate generalship on his part so much as the check imposed by the fear of Rome upon some of the Etrurian cantons which were meditating war. Several engage- ments took place in unfavourable positions and at unfortunate times, and the more the enemy's hopes of success, the more formidable he became.

[6] Matters almost reached the point when the soldiers distrusted their general and the general had no confidence in his soldiers. I find it stated by some annalists that he sent a letter to his colleague summoning him from Samnium, but I cannot assert this as a fact since this very circumstance became a subject of dispute between the two consuls, who were now in office together for the second time;

[7] Appius denying that he had sent any letter and Volumnius insisting that he had been summoned by a letter from Appius

[8] Volumnius had by this time taken three fortified posts in Samnium in which as many as 3000 men were killed and almost half that number made prisoners. He had also sent Q. Fabius, the proconsul, with his veteran army, much to the satisfaction of the Lucanian magnates, to repress the disturbances which had been got up in that part of the country by the plebeian and indigent classes. Leaving the ravaging of the enemy's fields to Decius he proceeded with his whole force to Etruria.

[9] On his arrival he was universally welcomed.

[10] As to the way Appius treated him, I think that if he had a clear conscience in the matter, that is, if he had written nothing, his anger was justifiable, but if he had really stood in need of help he showed a disingenuous and ungrateful spirit in concealing the fact.

[11] When he went out to meet his colleague, almost before they had had time to exchange mutual greetings, he asked: “Is all well, Volumnius? How are things going in Samnium? What induced you to leave your allotted province?”

[12] Volumnius replied that all was going on satisfactorily and that he had come because he had been asked to do so by letter. If it was a forgery and there was nothing for him to do in Etruria he would at once countermarch his troops and depart.

[13] “Well then,” said Appius, “go, let nobody keep you here for it is by no means right that whilst perhaps you are hardly able to cope with your own war you should boast of having come to the assistance of others.”

[14] “May Hercules guide all for the best,” replied Volumnius. “I would rather have taken all this trouble in vain than that anything should happen which would make one consular army insufficient for Etruria.”

Notes on the current edition

Ab Urbe Condita With An English Translation, books 1-10, 21-45, with periochae 11-20

1. B.C. 296

2. This is the first time that Livy has designated the legions by number. a consular army regularly comprised two legions (with their cavalry and auxiliaries), but in the present instance the consular armies of the previous year are still in the field.

3. B.C. 296

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 10.18

Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers