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), 3.54

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[1]

When the people all consented that they should do as they saw fit, the envoys assured them that they would settle matters and presently return.

[2] So they departed and explained to the Fathers the demands of the plebs.

[3] The other decemvirs, when they found that, contrary to their expectation, no mention was made of any punishment of themselves, made no objection to anything: Appius, hard-hearted, ¹ knowing himself peculiarly unpopular, and measuring other men's hatred of himself by his own of them, exclaimed,

I am not unaware of the lot which threatens me.

[4]

I perceive that the attack upon us is only being postponed till arms are handed over to our adversaries. Hatred must have its offering of blood.

[5]

I too am willing to relinquish the decemvirate.

A decree was passed by the senate that the decemvirs should abdicate the magistracy at the earliest possible moment; that Quintus Furius, the Pontifex Maximus, ² should hold an election of plebeian tribunes; and that no one should be made to suffer for the secession of the soldiers and the plebs.

[6] Having so decreed the senate adjourned and the decemvirs went before the people and laid down their office, to the great delight of all.

[7] These events were reported to the plebs, the envoys being accompanied by all the people left in the City. The multitude was met by another joyful throng from the camp, and they exchanged congratulations on the restoration of freedom and harmony to the state.

[8] The commissioners addressed the people as follows:

Prosperity, favour, and good fortune to you and the Republic! Return to your native City, to your homes, to your wives, and your children; but let the self-restraint you have shown here, where no man's farm has been violated, though so many things were useful and necessary to so great a multitude, be preserved when you return to the City.

[9]

Go to the Aventine, whence you set out. There in the auspicious place where you first laid the foundations of your liberty, you shall choose tribunes of the plebs. The Pontifex Maximus will be at hand to hold the ³ election.

[10] With loud applause and great alacrity the people showed their approval of all that had been said. They pulled up their standards from the place and set out for Rome, vying with those whom they met in joyful demonstrations.

[11] Armed, they proceeded in silence through the City to the Aventine. There the Pontifex Maximus at once held the comitia, and they elected tribunes of the plebs;

[12] first of all Lucius Verginius; then Lucius Icilius and Publius Numitorius, Verginia's great-uncle, ⁴ the instigators of the secession; then Gaius Sicinius, son of the man who is related to have been the first plebeian tribune chosen on the Sacred Mount; and Marcus Duillius, who had filled the tribuneship with distinction before the decemvirs were appointed, and had not failed the plebs in their contentions with the decemvirs.

[13] Then, more by reason of their promise than for any deserts of theirs, they elected Marcus Titinius, Marcus Pomponius, Gaius Apronius, Appius Villius, and Gaius Oppius.

[14] As soon as they had taken office, Lucius Icilius proposed to the people, and they so voted, that no man should suffer for the secession from the decemvirs.

[15] Immediately a bill that consuls should be elected subject to appeal was offered by Marcus Duillius and was carried. These matters were all transacted by the council of the plebs, in the Flaminian Meadows, which men now call the Flaminian Circus.

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.) — 3.54 focus

[1] facerent ut vellent permittentibus cunctis mox redituros se legati rebus perfectis adfirmant.

[2] profecti cum mandata plebis patribus exposuissent, alii decemviri, quando quidem praeter spem ipsorum supplicii sui nulla mentio fieret, baud haud quicquam abnuere;

[3] Appius, truci ingenio et invidia praecipua, odium in se alioruin aliorum suo in eos metiens odio “haud ignaro” inquit “imminet fortuna.

[4] video, donec arma adversariis tradantur, differri adversus nos certamen. dandus invidiae est sanguis. nihil ne ego quidem moror, quo minus decemviratu abeam.”

[5] factum senatus consultum, ut decemviri se primo quoque tempore magistratu abdicarent, Q. Furius pontifex maximus tribunos plebis crearet, et ne cui fraudi esset secessio militum plebisque.

[6] his senatus consultis perfectis dimisso senatu decemviri prodeunt in contionem abdicantque se magistratu ingenti hominum laetitia. nuntiantur haec plebi.

[7] legatos quidquid in urbe hominum supererat prosequitur. huic multitudini laeta alia turba ex castris occurrit. congratulantur libertatem concordiamque civitati restitutam.

[8] legati pro contione: “quod bonum, faustum felixque sit vobis reique publicae, redite in patriam ad penates, coniuges liberosque vestros; sed, qua hic modestia fuistis, ubi nullius ager in tot rerum usu necessario tantae multitudini est violatus, eam modestiam ferte in urbem! in Aventinum ite, unde profecti estis!

[9] ibi felici loco, ubi prima initia inchoastis libertatis vestrae, tribunos plebi creabitis. praesto erit pontifex maximus, qui comitia habeat.”

[10] ingens adsensus alacritasque cuncta adprobantium fuit. convellunt inde signa profectique Romam certant cum obviis gaudio. armati per urbem silentio in Aventinum perveniunt.

[11] ibi extemplo pontifice maximo comitia habente tribunos plebis creaverunt, omnium primum L. Verginium, inde L. Icilium et P. Numitorium, avunculum Vergini,

[12] auctores secessionis, tur tum C. Sicinium, progeniem eius, quem primum tribunum plebis creatum in Sacro monte proditum memoriae est, et M. Duillium, qui tribunatum insignem ante decemviros creatos gesserat nec in decemviralibus certaminibus plebi defuerat. spe deinde magis quam meritis electi M. Titinius,

[13] M. Pomponius, C. Apronius, Ap. P. Villius, C. Oppius.

[14] tribunatu inito L. [cilius Icilius extemplo plebem rogavit, et plebs scivit, ne cui fraudi esset secessio ab decemviris facta.

[15] confestim de consulibus creandis cum provocatione M. Duillius rogationem pertulit. ea omnia in pratis Flaminiis concilio plebis acta, quem nunc circum Flaminium appellant.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 3.54 focus

[1]

facerent ut vellent permittentibus cunctis mox redituros se legati rebus perfectis adfirmant.

[2] profecti cum mandata plebis patribus exposuissent, alii decemviri, quando quidem praeter spem ipsorum supplicii sui nulla mentio fieret, haud quicquam abnuere:

[3] Appius truci ingenio et invidia praecipua ¹ odium in se aliorum suo in eos metiens odio,

haud ignaro

inquit

imminet fortuna.

[4]

video donec arma adversariis tradantur differri adversus nos certamen. dandus invidiae est sanguis. nihil ne ego quidem moror quo minus decemviratu abeam.

[5] factum senatus consultum ut decemviri se primo quoque tempore magistratu abdicarent, Q. Furius pontifex maximus tribunos plebis crearet, et ne cui fraudi esset secessio militum plebisque.

[6] his senatus consultis perfectis dimisso senatu decemviri prodeunt in contionem abdicantque se magistratu ingenti hominum laetitia. nuntiantur haec plebi.

[7] legatos quidquid in urbe hominum supererat prosequitur. huic multitudini laeta alia turba ex castris occurrit. congratulantur libertatem concordiamque civitati restitutam.

[8] legati pro contione:

quod bonum faustum felixque sit vobis reique publicae, redite in patriam ad penates, coniuges liberosque vestros; sed qua hic modestia fuistis, ubi nullius ager in tot rerum usu necessario tantae multitudini est violatus, eam modestiam ferte in urbem. in Aventinum ite, unde profecti estis.

[9]

ibi felici loco, ubi prima initia incohastis libertatis vestrae, tribunos plebi creabitis. praesto erit pontifex maximus qui comitia habeat.

[10] ingens adsensus ² alacritasque cuncta adprobantium fuit. convellunt inde signa profectique Romam certant cum obviis gaudio. armati per urbem silentio in Aventinum perveniunt.

[11] ibi extemplo pontifice maximo comitia habente tribunos plebis creaverunt, omnium primum L. Verginium, ³ inde L. Icilium et P. Numitorium, avunculum Verginiae, ⁴ auctores secessionis, tum C. Sicinium, progeniem eius,

[12] quem primum tribunum plebis creatum in Sacro monte proditum memoriae est, et M. Duillium, qui tribunatum insignem ante decemviros creatos gesserat nec in decemviralibus certaminibus plebi defuerat.

[13] spe deinde magis quam meritis electi M. Titinius M. Pomponius C. Apronius P Ap . Villius C. Oppius.

[14] tribunatu inito L. Icilius extemplo plebem rogavit et plebs scivit ne cui fraudi esset secessio ab decemviris facta.

[15] confestim de consulibus creandis cum provocatione M. Duillius rogationem pertulit. ea omnia in pratis Flaminiis concilio plebis acta, quem nunc circum Flaminium appellant.

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).) — 3.54 focus

[1]

facerent ut vellent permittentibus cunctis mox redituros se legati rebus perfectis adfirmant.

[2] profecti cum mandata plebis patribus exposuissent, alii decemviri, quando quidem praeter spem ipsorum supplicii sui nulla mentio fieret, haud quicquam abnuere:

[3] Appius truci ingenio et invidia praecipua ¹ odium in se aliorum suo in eos metiens odio,

haud ignaro

inquit

imminet fortuna.

[4]

video donec arma adversariis tradantur differri adversus nos certamen. dandus invidiae est sanguis. nihil ne ego quidem moror quo minus decemviratu abeam.

[5] factum senatus consultum ut decemviri se primo quoque tempore magistratu abdicarent, Q. Furius pontifex maximus tribunos plebis crearet, et ne cui fraudi esset secessio militum plebisque.

[6] his senatus consultis perfectis dimisso senatu decemviri prodeunt in contionem abdicantque se magistratu ingenti hominum laetitia. nuntiantur haec plebi.

[7] legatos quidquid in urbe hominum supererat prosequitur. huic multitudini laeta alia turba ex castris occurrit. congratulantur libertatem concordiamque civitati restitutam.

[8] legati pro contione:

[9]

ibi felici loco, ubi prima initia incohastis libertatis vestrae, tribunos plebi creabitis. praesto erit pontifex maximus qui comitia habeat.

[10] ingens adsensus ² alacritasque cuncta adprobantium fuit. convellunt inde signa profectique Romam certant cum obviis gaudio. armati per urbem silentio in Aventinum perveniunt.

[13] spe deinde magis quam meritis electi M. Titinius M. Pomponius C. Apronius P Ap . Villius C. Oppius.

[14] tribunatu inito L. Icilius extemplo plebem rogavit et plebs scivit ne cui fraudi esset secessio ab decemviris facta.

[15] confestim de consulibus creandis cum provocatione M. Duillius rogationem pertulit. ea omnia in pratis Flaminiis concilio plebis acta, quem nunc circum Flaminium appellant.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 3.54 focus

[1]

All permitting them to act just as they think proper, the ambassadors assure them that they would speedily return, having completed every matter.

[2] When they went and laid before the patricians the message of the commons, the other decemvirs, since, contrary to their own expectation, no mention was made of their punishment, raised no objection.

[3] Appius, being of a truculent disposition and a particular object of detestation, measuring the rancour of others towards him by his own towards them, says,

I am aware of the fate which hangs over me.

[4]

I see that the contest against us is deferred, until our arms are delivered up to our adversaries. Blood must be offered up to popular rage.

[5]

Not even do I demur to resign my decemvirate.

A decree of the senate is then passed,

that the decemvirs should without delay resign their office; that Quintus Furius, chief pontiff, should hold an election of plebeian tribunes, and that the secession of the soldiers and commons should not be visited on any one.

[6] These decrees being finished, the senate being dismissed, the decemvirs come forth into the assembly, and resign their office, to the great joy of all.

[7] News of this is carried to the commons. All the people remaining in the city escort the ambassadors. This crowd was met by another joyous body from the camp; they congratulate each other on the restoration of peace and concord to the state.

[8] The deputies address the assembly:

Be it advantageous, fortunate, and happy for you and the republic, return into your country to your household gods, your wives and children; but carry into the city the same modesty which you observed here, where, amid the consumption of so many matters necessary for so large a number of persons, no man's field has been injured.

[9]

Go to the Aventine, whence ye set out. In that auspicious place, where ye took the first step towards liberty, ye shall elect tribunes of the people. The chief pontiff will be at hand to bold the elections.

[10] Great was their assent and joy, as evinced in their approbation of every measure. They then hastily raise their standards, and having set out for Rome, vie in exultation with all they met.

[11] There, the chief pontiff holding the meeting for the elections, they elected as their tribunes of the people, first of all A. Virginius, then Lucius Icilius, and Publius Numitorius the uncle of Virginia, the advisers of the secession.

[12] Then Caius Sicinius, the offspring of him who is recorded to have been elected first tribune of the commons on the Sacred mount; and Marcus Duilius, who had passed through a distinguished tribuneship before the creation of the decemvirs, and was never wanting to the commons in their contests with the decemvirs.

[13] Marcus Titinius, Marcus Pomponius, Caius Apronius, Publius Villius, and Caius

[14] Oppius, were elected more from hope (entertained of them) than from any services (performed). When he entered on his tribuneship, Lucius Icilius proposed to the commons, and the commons ordered, that the secession from the decemvirs which had taken place should not prove detrimental to an individual.

[15] Immediately after Duilius carried a proposition for electing consuls, with right of appeal. All these things were transacted in an assembly of the commons in the Flaminian meadows, which they now call the Flaminian circus.

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.) — 3.54 focus

[1] Permission having been unanimously granted them to do as they thought best, the envoys announced that they would return shortly after matters were arranged.

[2] When they laid the demands of the plebs before the senate, the other decemvirs, on finding that no mention was made of inflicting punishment on them, raised no objection whatever.

[3] The stern Appius, who was detested most of all, measuring the hatred of others towards him by his hatred towards them, said, “I am quite aware of the fate that is hanging over me.

[4] I see that the struggle against us is only postponed till our weapons are handed over to our opponents. Their rage must be appeased with blood. Still, even I do not hesitate to lay down my decemvirate.”

[5] A decree was passed for the decemvirs to resign office as soon as possible, Q. Furius, the Pontifex Maximus, to appoint tribunes of the plebs, and an amnesty to be granted for the secession of the soldiers and the plebs.

[6] After these decrees were passed, the senate broke up, and the decemvirs proceeded to the Assembly and formally laid down their office, to the immense delight of all.

[7] This was reported to the plebs on the Sacred Hill. The envoys who carried the intelligence were followed by everybody who was left in the City; this mass of people was met by another rejoicing multitude who issued from the camp.

[8] They exchanged mutual congratulations on the restoration of liberty and concord. The envoys, addressing the multitude as an Assembly, said, “Prosperity, fortune, and happiness to you and to the State! Return to your fatherland, your homes, your wives, and your children! But carry into the City the same self-control which you have exhibited here, where no man's land has been damaged, notwithstanding the need of so many things necessary for so large a multitude.

[9] Go to the Aventine , whence you came; there, on the auspicious spot where you laid the beginnings of your liberty, you will appoint your tribunes; the Pontifex Maximus will be present to hold the election.”

[10] Great was the delight and eagerness with which they applauded everything. They plucked up the standards and started for Rome , outdoing those they met in their expressions of joy. Marching under arms through the City in silence, they reached the Aventine .

[11] There the Pontifex Maximus at once proceeded to hold the election for tribunes. The first to be elected was L. Verginius; next, the organisers of the secession, L. Icilius and.

[12] P. Numitorius, the uncle of Verginius; then, C. Sicinius, the son of the man who is recorded as the first to be elected of the tribunes on the Sacred Hill, and M. Duillius, who had filled that office with distinction before the appointment of the decemvirs, and through all the struggles with them had never failed to support the plebs.

[13] After these came M. Titinius, M. Pomponius, C. Apronius, Appius Villius, and Caius Oppius, all of whom were elected rather in hope of their future usefulness than for any services actually rendered.

[14] When he had entered on his tribuneship L. Icilius at once proposed a resolution which the plebs accepted, that no one should suffer for the secession.

[15] Marcus Duillius immediately carried a measure for the election of consuls and the right to appeal from them to the people. All these measures were passed in a council of the plebs which was held in the Flaminian Meadows, now called the Circus Flaminius.

Notes on the current edition

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

1. B.C. 449

2. Asconius (ed. Clark, p. 77) commenting on Cicero's speech Pro Cornelio de Maiestate (which states that the plebs on this occasion

elected ten plebeian tribunes, through the instrumentality of the pontifex, because there was no magistrate

) gives the name of the pontifex maximus as M. Papirius. This is the first time that Livy has mentioned the pontifex maximus, thus implying the existence of a college of pontiffs. See IV. xliv.

3. B.C. 449

4. Avunculus means properly

uncle,

but sometimes

great-uncle,

as I have here translated it, taking it to refer to the P. Numitorius who in chap. xlv. § 4 is called puellae avus.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 3.54

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

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