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), 8.20

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[2] while the two consular armies were laying ¹ siege to Privernum, the other consul was recalled to Rome to hold the elections.

chariot cells were ² built this year for the first time in the Circus. ³

The war with Privernum was not yet out of the way, when there came an alarming report of a Gallic rising, a warning which the senate almost never disregarded.

[3] accordingly , without a moment's hesitation, the new consuls, Lucius Aemilius Mamercinus and Gaius Plautius, were directed, on the very day on which they entered office —the Kalends of July ⁴ —to divide the commands between them, and Mamercinus, to whom the Gallic war had fallen, was bidden to enlist an army without granting a single exemption;

[4] indeed it is said that a rabble of craftsmen even, and sedentary mechanics, was called out —a type the least qualified of all for military service.

[5] An enormous army was brought together at Veii, which was to be the base for the campaign against the Gauls; further afield they would not go, lest the enemy, advancing upon the City, might slip by them on another road. after a few days it became quite evident that no disturbance on the part of the Gauls was to be apprehended at that time, whereupon the whole array was directed against Privernum.

[6] from this point there is a twofold tradition: some say that the city was carried by storm, and that Vitruvius was taken alive; others, that before the final assault was made, the people came out with a flag of truce ⁵ to the consul and surrendered, and that Vitruvius was betrayed by his own followers.

[7] The senate, being consulted regarding Vitruvius and the Privernates, commanded the consul Plautius to raze the walls of Privernum, and ⁶ placing a strong garrison in the town, to come to Rome and triumph.

[8] Vitruvius was to be held a prisoner till the consul should return, and then scourged and put to death; his house on the Palatine was to be pulled down, and his goods dedicated to Semo Sangus. ⁷ out of the bronze which his chattels realized were fashioned bronze disks, which were placed in the shrine of Sangus, over against the temple

[9] of Quirinus. concerning the senate of Privernum, it was decreed that any senator who had remained in Privernum after its defection from the Romans should dwell across the Tiber on the same terms as

[10] the Veliterni. ⁸ These decrees having been promulgated, no more was said about the Privernates, until Plautius had triumphed. after his triumph the consul caused Vitruvius and his associates in wrongdoing to be executed, and deeming it now safe to take up the question of the Privernates with men who were already sated with the punishment of the guilty, spoke

[11] as follows:

since the authors of rebellion have now received the reward they merited, at the hands of the immortal gods, and at your own hands, Conscript Fathers, what is your pleasure regarding the

[12]

innocent multitude? for my own part, though it becomes me rather to ask opinions than to offer one, yet when I see that the Privernates are neighbours to the Samnites, whose peaceful relations with ourselves are at this time most precarious, I could wish that as little bad feeling as possible might be left between them and us.

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.) — 8.20 focus

[1] Privernum duobus consularibus exercitibus cum obsideretur, alter consul comitiorum causa Roriam Romam revocatus.

[2] carceres eo anno in circo primum statuti.

[3] Nondum nondum perfunctos cura Privernatis belli tumultus Gallici fama atrox invasit haud ferme uinquam unquam neglecta patribus. extemplo igitur consules novi L. Aemilius Mamercinus et C. Plautius eo ipso die, kal. Quinctilibus, quo magistratum inierunt, conparare inter se provincias iussi et Mamercinus, cui Gallicum belluim bellum evenerat, scribere exercitum sine ulla vacationis venia; quin opificum quoque vulgus et sellularii,

[4] minime militiae idoneum genus, exciti dicuntur Veiosque ingens exercitus contractus, ut inde obviam Gallis iretur; longius discedi,

[5] ne alio itinere hostis falleret ad urbem incedens, non placuit. paucos deinde post dies satis explorata temporis eius quiete a Gallis Privernum omnis conversa vis. Duplex duplex inde fama est;

[6] alii vi captain captam urbem Vitruviumque vivum in potestatem venisse, alii, priusquam ultima adhiberetur vis, ipsos se in dicionem consulis caduceum praeferentes permississe permisisse auctores sunt Vitruviumque ab suis traditum.

[7] senatus de Vitruvio Privernatibusque consultus consulein consulem Plautium dirutis Priverni muris praesidioque valido inposito ad triumphum accersit; Vitruvium in carcere adservari iussit, quoad consul redisset, tum verberatum necari. aedes eius,

[8] quae essent in Palatio, diruendas, bona Semoni Sango censuerunt consecranda; quodque aeris ex eis redactum est, ex eo aenei orbes facti positi in sacello Sangus adversus aedem Quirini.

[9] de senatu Privernate ita decretum, ut, qui senator Priverni post defectionem ab Romanis mansisset, trans Tiberim lege eadem, qua Veliterni, habitaret.

[10] His ita decretis usque ad triumphum Plauti silentium de Privernatibus fuit; post triumphum consul necato Vitruvio sociisque eius noxae apud satiatos iam suppliciis nocentium tutam mentionem de Privernatibus ratus

[11] “quoniam auctores defectionis” inquit “meritas poenas et ab dis inmortalibus et a vobis habent, patres conscripti, quid placet de innoxia multitudine fieri? equidem,

[12] etsi meae partes exquirendae magis sententiae quam dandae sunt, tamen, cum videam Privernates vicinos Samnitibus esse, unde nunc nobis incertissima pax est, quam minimum irarum inter nos illosque relinqui velim.”

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 8.20 focus

[1]

Privernum¹ duobus consularibus exercitibus cum obsideretur, alter consul comitiorum causa Romam revocatus. ²

[2] carceres eo anno in circo primum statuti.

nondum perfunctos cura Privernatis belli tumultus Gallici fama atrox invasit, haud ferme unquam neglecta patribus.

[3] extemplo igitur consules novi L. Aemilius Mamercinus et C. Plautius, ³ eo ipso die, Kalendis Quinctilibus, quo magistratum inierunt, comparare inter se provincias iussi, et Mamercinus, cui Gallicum bellum evenerat, scribere exercitum sine ulla vacationis venia;

[4] quin opificum quoque volgus et sellularii, minime militiae idoneum genus, exciti dicuntur; Veiosque ingens exercitus contractus, ut inde obviam Gallis iretur;

[5] longius discedi, ne alio itinere hostis falleret ad urbem incedens, non placuit. paucos deinde post dies satis explorata temporis eius quiete a Gallis Privernum omnis conversa vis.

[6] duplex inde fama est: alii vi captam urbem Vitruviumque vivum in potestatem venisse, alii priusquam ultima adhiberetur vis, ipsos ⁴ se in deditionem consuli ⁵ caduceum praeferentes ⁶ permisisse auctores sunt Vitruviumque ab suis traditum.

[7] senatus de Vitruvio Privernatibusque consultus consulem Plautium dirutis Priverni muris praesidioque valido ⁷ imposito ad triumphum accersit: Vitruvium in carcere ⁸ adservari iussit, quoad consul redisset, tum verberatum necari.

[8] aedes eius, quae essent in Palatio, diruendas, bona Semoni Sango censuerunt consecranda; quodque aeris ex eis redactum est, ex eo aenei orbes facti positi in sacello Sangus adversus aedem Quirini.

[9] de senatu Privernate ita decretum, ut qui senator Priverni post defectionem ab Romanis mansisset trans Tiberim lege eadem qua Veliterni habitaret.

[10] his ita decretis usque ad triumphum Plauti silentium de Privernatibus fuit; post triumphum consul necato Vitruvio sociisque eius noxae apud satiatos iam suppliciis nocentium tutam mentionem de Privernatibus ratus,

[11]

quoniam auctores defectionis

inquit,

meritas poenas et ab dis immortalibus et a vobis habent, patres conscripti, quid placet de innoxia multitudine fieri?

[12]

equidem , etsi meae partes exquirendae magis sententiae quam dandae sunt, tamen, cum videam Privernates vicinos Samnitibus esse, unde nunc nobis incertissima pax est, quam minimum irarum inter nos illosque relinqui velim.

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).) — 8.20 focus

[1]

Privernum¹ duobus consularibus exercitibus cum obsideretur, alter consul comitiorum causa Romam revocatus. ²

[2] carceres eo anno in circo primum statuti.

nondum perfunctos cura Privernatis belli tumultus Gallici fama atrox invasit, haud ferme unquam neglecta patribus.

[4] quin opificum quoque volgus et sellularii, minime militiae idoneum genus, exciti dicuntur; Veiosque ingens exercitus contractus, ut inde obviam Gallis iretur;

[5] longius discedi, ne alio itinere hostis falleret ad urbem incedens, non placuit. paucos deinde post dies satis explorata temporis eius quiete a Gallis Privernum omnis conversa vis.

[9] de senatu Privernate ita decretum, ut qui senator Priverni post defectionem ab Romanis mansisset trans Tiberim lege eadem qua Veliterni habitaret.

[11]

quoniam auctores defectionis

inquit,

meritas poenas et ab dis immortalibus et a vobis habent, patres conscripti, quid placet de innoxia multitudine fieri?

[12]

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 8.20 focus

[1]

While the siege of Privernum was being conducted by the two consular armies, one of the consuls was recalled to Rome, on account of the elections.

[2] This year gaols were first erected in the circus. While the attention of the public was still occupied by the Privernian war, an alarming report of the Gauls being in arms, a matter scarcely ever slighted by the senate, suddenly came on them.

[3] The new consuls, therefore, Lucius Aemilius Mamercinus and Caius Plautius, on the calends of July, the very day on which they entered into office, received orders to settle the provinces immediately between themselves; and Mamercinus, to whom the Gallic war fell, was directed to levy troops, without admitting any plea of immunity: nay, it is said, that even the rabble of handicrafts, and those of sedentary trades, of all the worst qualified for military service, were called out;

[4] and a vast army was collected at Veii, in readiness to meet the Gauls.

[5] It was thought proper not to proceed to a greater distance, lest the enemy might by some other route arrive at the city without being observed. In the course of a few days it being ascertained, on a careful inquiry, that every thing on that side was quiet at the time; the whole force, which was to have opposed the Gauls, was then turned against Priver- num.

[6] Of the issue of the business, there are two different accounts: some say, that the city was taken by storm; and that Vitruvius fell alive into the hands [of the conquerors]: others maintain that the townsmen, to avoid the extremities of a storm, presenting the rod of peace, surrendered to the consul; and that Vitruvius was delivered up by his troops.

[7] The senate, being consulted with respect to Vitruvius and the Privernians, sent directions, that the consul Plautius should demolish the walls of Privernum, and, leaving a strong garrison there, come home to enjoy the honour of a triumph; at the same time ordering that Vitruvius should be kept in prison, until the return of the consul, and that he should then be beaten with rods, and put to death.

[8] His house, which stood on the Palatine hill, they commanded to be razed to the ground, and his effects to be devoted to Semo Sancus. With the money produced by the sale of them, brazen globes were formed, and placed in the chapel of Sancus, opposite to the temple of Quirinus.

[9] As to the senate of Privernum, it was decreed, that every person who had continued to act as a senator of Privernum, after the revolt from the Romans, should reside on the farther side of the Tiber, under the same restrictions as those of Velitrae.

[10] After the passing of these decrees, there was no further mention of the Privernians, un- til Plautius had triumphed. After the triumph, Vitruvius, with his accomplices, having been put to death, the consul thought that all being now fully gratified by the sufferings of the guilty, allusion might be safely made to the business of the Privernians, he spoke in the following manner:

[11]

Con- script fathers, since the authors of the revolt have received, both from the immortal gods and from you, the punishment so well merited, what do ye judge proper to be done with respect to the guiltless multitude?

[12]

For my part, although my duty consists rather in collecting the opinions of others than in offering my own, yet, when I reflect that the Privernians are situated in the neighbourhood of the Samnites, our peace with whom is exceedingly uncertain, I should wish, that as little ground of animosity as possible may be left between them and us.

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.) — 8.20 focus

[1] Whilst Privernum was invested by two consular armies, one of the consuls was recalled home to conduct the elections. It was in this year that the carceres¹ were erected in the Circus Maximus

[2] The trouble of the war with Privernum was not yet over when a most alarming report of a sudden movement amongst the Gauls reached the senate. Such reports were not often treated lightly. The new consuls, L. Aemilius Mamercinus and C. Plautius, were immediately ordered to arrange their respective commands on the very day they assumed office, namely July 1. The Gaulish war fell to Mamercinus, and he allowed none of those who were called up for service to claim exemption.

[3] It is even asserted that the mob of mechanics and artizans, a class utterly unfit for warfare, were called out. An immense army was concentrated at Veii to check the advance of the Gauls. It was thought better not to march any further in case the enemy took some other route to the City. After a thorough reconnaissance had been made, it was ascertained after a few days that all was quiet as far as the Gauls were concerned, and the whole force was thereupon marched to Privernum.

[4] From this point there is a twofold story. Some state that the city was stormed and Vitrubius taken alive; other authorities aver that before the final assault the townsmen came out with a caduceus ² and surrendered to the consul, whilst Vitrubius was given up by

[5] his own men. The senate, when consulted as to the fate of Vitrubius and the Privernates, instructed the consul to demolish the walls of Privernum and station a strong garrison there, and then to celebrate his triumph. Vitrubius was to be kept in prison until the consul returned and then to be scourged and beheaded; his house on the Palatine was to be razed and his goods devoted to Semo Sancus. The money realised by their sale was melted down into brazen orbs which were deposited in the chapel of Sancus opposite the

[6] temple of Quirinus. With regard to the senate of Privernum, it was decreed that every senator who had remained in that city after its revolt from Rome should be deported beyond the Tiber on the same conditions as those of Velitrae. After his triumph, when Vitrubius and his accomplices had been put to death, the consul thought that as the senate was satisfied with the punishment of the guilty, he might safely refer to the matter of the Privernates. He addressed the House in the following terms:

[7] “Since the authors of the revolt, senators, have been visited by the immortal gods and by you with the punishment they deserved, what is your pleasure with regard to the innocent population? Although it is my duty to ask for opinions rather than to give them, I should like to say that in view of the fact that the Privernates are neighbours of the Samnites, with whom peaceful relations are now upon a most uncertain footing, I am anxious that as few grounds of complaint as possible should exist between

[8] us and them.” The question was not an easy one to settle, for the senators were governed largely by their temperaments and some advised a harsh, others a gentler course. The general divergence of opinion was widened by one of the Privernate envoys who was thinking more of the state of things in which he had been born than of his present plight. One of the senators who was advocating sterner measures asked him what punishment he thought

[9] his countrymen deserved. He replied: “The punishment which those deserve who assert their liberty.” The consul saw that this spirited reply only exasperated those who were already adverse to the cause of the Privernates, and he tried to get a softer answer by a

[10] more considerate question. “Well,” he said, “if we spare you now, what sort of a peace may we hope to have with you for the time to come?” “A real and lasting one,” was the reply, “if its terms be good, but if they are bad, one that will soon be broken.” On hearing this, some of the senators exclaimed that he was using open threats, and that it was by such language that even those states which had been pacified were incited

[11] to renew hostilities. The better part of the senate, however, put a more favourable construction on his reply, and declared that it was an utterance worthy of a man and a man who loved liberty. Was it, they asked, to be supposed that any people or, for that matter, any individual would remain longer than he could help under conditions which

[12] made him discontented? Peace would only be faithfully kept where those who accepted it did so voluntarily; they could not hope that it would be faithfully kept where they sought to reduce men to servitude. The senate was brought to adopt this view mainly by the consul himself who kept repeating to the consulars —the men who had to state their opinions first —in a tone loud enough for many to hear, “Men whose first and last thought is their liberty deserve to become Romans.” Thus they gained their cause in the senate, and the proposal to confer full citizenship on the Privernates was submitted to the people.

Notes on the current edition

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

1. B.C. 329

2. B.C. 329

3. The cells were stalls, having a bar across the front which was thrown down to release the chariots at the start of the race.

4. July 1st was the normal day for beginning the official year from 391 B.C. to 153 B.C. , when it was changed to January 1st.

5. The caduceus ( khru/keion ) was actually a herald's staff.

6. B.C. 329

7. Semo Sangus —or Sancus —was another name for Dius Fidius, the god of oaths, and was identified with Hercules, who was himself closely associated with Jupiter. see Warde Fowler, Roman Festivals of the Republic, pp. 135-145.

8. See chap. xiv. § 6.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 8.20

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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