Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Rev. Canon Roberts (Translator), 10.7

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Section

← Previous Next →

[1] Appius Claudius and P. Decius are said to have been the leaders in this controversy, the former as the opponent, the latter as the supporter of the proposed measure.

[2] The arguments they advanced were practically the same as those employed for and against the Licinian Laws when the demand was made for the consulship to be thrown open to the plebeians. After going over much of the old ground, Decius made a final appeal on behalf of the proposals.

[3] He began by recalling the scene which many of those present had witnessed, when the elder Decius, his father, vested in the Gabine cincture¹ and standing upon a spear, solemnly devoted himself on behalf of the legions and people of Rome.

[4] He proceeded, “The offering which the consul Decius made on that occasion was in the eyes of the immortal gods as pure and holy as that of his colleague, T. Manlius, would have been if he had devoted himself. Could not that Decius also have been fitly chosen to exercise priestly functions on behalf of the Roman people?

[5] And for me, are you afraid that the gods will not listen to my prayers as they do to those of Appius Claudius? Does he perform his private devotions with a purer mind or worship the gods in a more religious spirit than I do?

[6] Who has ever had occasion to regret the vows which have been made on behalf of the commonwealth by so many plebeian consuls, so many plebeian Dictators, when they were going to take command of their armies, or when they were actually engaged in battle?

[7] Count up the commanders in all the years since war was for the first time waged under the leadership and auspices of plebeians, you will find as many triumphs as commanders. The plebeians, too, have their nobility and have no cause to be dissatisfied with them.

[8] You may be quite certain that, if a war were suddenly to break out now, the senate and people of Rome would not put more confidence in a general because he was a patrician than in one who happened to be a plebeian.

[9] Now, if this is the case, who in heaven or earth could regard it as an indignity that the men whom you have honoured with curule chairs, with the toga praetexta, the tunica palmata, and the toga picta, ²with the triumphal crown and the laurel wreath, the men upon whose houses you have conferred special distinction by affixing to them the spoils taken from the enemy —that these men, I say, should have in addition to their other marks of rank the insignia of the pontiffs and

[10] the augurs? A triumphing general drives through the City in a gilded chariot, apparelled in the splendid vestments of Jupiter Optimus Maximus After this he goes up to the Capitol; is he not to be seen there with capis and lituus³? Is it to be regarded as an indignity, if he with veiled head slay a victim, or from his place on the citadel take

[11] an augury? And if in the inscription on his bust the words “consulship,” “censorship,” “triumph” are read without arousing any indignation, in what mood will the reader regard the words which you are going to add, “augurship”

[12] and “pontificate”? I do indeed hope, please heaven, that, thanks to the good will of the Roman people, we now possess sufficient dignity to be capable of conferring as much honour on the priesthood as we shall receive. For the sake of the gods as much as for ourselves let us insist that as we worship them now as private individuals so we may worship them for the future as officials of the State.”

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Rev. Canon Roberts (Translator). Medford, MA. 1997-10-28.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

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

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 10.7 focus

[1] certatum tamen suadenda dissuadendaque lege inter Ap. Claudium maxime ferunt et inter P. Decium Murem.

[2] qui cum eadem ferme de iure patrum ac plebis, quae pro lege Licinia quondam contraque ear eam dicta erant, cum plebeis consulates consulatus rogabatur, disseruissent, rettulisse dicitur Decius parentis sui speciem, qualem eum multi,

[3] qui in contione erant, viderant, incinctum Gabino cultu super telum stantem, quo se habitu pro populo ac legionibus Romanis devovisset:

[4] tum P. Decium consulem purum piumque deis inmortalibus visum, aeque ac si T. Manlius collega eius devoveretur;

[5] eundem P. Decium, qui sacra publica populi Romani faceret, legi rite non potuisse? id esse periculum, ne suas preces minus audirent di quam Ap. Claudi? castius eum sacra privata facere et religiosius deos colere quam se?

[6] quem paenitere votorum, quae pro re publica nuncupaverint tot consules plebei, tot dictatores, aut ad exercitus euntes aut inter ipsa bella? numerarentur duces eorum annorum,

[7] quibus plebeiorum ductu et auspicio res geri coeptae sint; numerarentur triumphi: iam ne nobilitatis quidem suae plebeios paenitere.

[8] pro certo habere, si quod repens bellum oriatur, non plus spei fore senatui populoque Romano in patriciis quam in plebeis ducibus. “ Quod quod cum ita se habeat,

[9] cui deorum hominumve indignum videri potest” inquit “eos viros, quos vos sellis curulibus, toga praetexta, tunica palmata et toga picta et corona triumphali laureaque honoraritis, quorum domos spoliis hostium adfixis insignes inter alias feceritis, pontificalia atque auguralia insignia adicere?

[10] qui Iovis optimi maximi ornatu decoratus curru aurato per urbem vectus in Capitolium ascenderit, is non conspicietur cum capide ac lituo, non capite velato victimam caedet auguriumve ex arce capiet?

[11] in cuius imaginis titulo consulatus censuraque et triumphus aequo animo legetur, si auguratum aut pontificatum adieceritis, non sustinebunt legentium oculi?

[12] equidem — pace dixerim deum — eos nos iam populi Romani beneficio esse spero, qui sacerdotiis non minus reddamus dignatione nostra honoris, quam acceperimus, et deorum magis quam nostra causa expetamus, ut, quos privatim colimus, publice colamus.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 10.7 focus

[1]

certatum tamen suadenda dissuadendaque lege inter Ap. Claudium maxime ferunt et inter P. Decium Murem.

[2] qui cum eadem ferme de iure patrum ac plebis quae pro lege Licinia quondam contraque eam dicta erant cum plebeiis consulatus rogabatur disseruissent, ¹

[3] rettulisse dicitur Decius parentis sui speciem, qualem eum multi qui in contione erant viderant, incinctum Gabino cultu super telum stantem, quo se habitu pro populo ac legionibus Romanis devovisset:

[4] tum P. Decium consulem purum piumque deis immortalibus visum ² aeque ac si T. Manlius collega eius devoveretur:

[5] eundem P. Decium qui sacra publica populi Romani faceret legi rite non potuisse? id esse periculum, ne suas preces minus audirent di quam Ap. Claudi? castius eum sacra privata facere et religiosius deos colere quam se?

[6] quem paenitere votorum quae pro re publica nuncupaverint tot consules plebeii, tot dictatores, aut ad exercitus euntes aut inter ipsa bella?

[7] numerarentur duces eorum annorum, quibus plebeiorum ductu et auspicio res geri coeptae sint; ³ numerarentur triumphi: iam ne nobilitatis quidem suae plebeios paenitere.

[8] pro certo habere, si quod repens bellum oriatur non plus spei fore senatui populoque Romano in patriciis quam in plebeiis ducibus.

[9]

quod cum ita se habeat, cui deorum hominumve indignum videri potest

inquit, "eos viros, quos vos sellis curulibus, toga praetexta, tunica palmata et toga picta et corona triumphali laureaque honoraritis, quorum domos spoliis hostium adfixis insignes inter alias feceritis, pontificalia atque auguralia insignia adicere?

[10] qui iovis lovis optimi maximi ornatu decoratus ⁴ curru aurato per urbem vectus in Capitolium ascenderit, is non ⁵ conspiciatur cum capide ac lituo, cum ⁶ capite velato victimam caedet auguriumve ex arce capiet?

[11] cuius in imaginis ⁷ titulo consulatus censuraque et triumphus aequo animo legetur, si auguratum aut pontificatum adieceritis, non sustinebunt legentium oculi?

[12] equidem —pace dixerim deum—eos nos iam populi Romani beneficio esse spero, qui sacerdotiis non minus reddamus dignatione nostra honoris ⁸ quam quain acceperimus et deorum inagis quam nostra causa expetamus ut quos privatim colimus publice colamus.

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).) — 10.7 focus

[1]

certatum tamen suadenda dissuadendaque lege inter Ap. Claudium maxime ferunt et inter P. Decium Murem.

[2] qui cum eadem ferme de iure patrum ac plebis quae pro lege Licinia quondam contraque eam dicta erant cum plebeiis consulatus rogabatur disseruissent, ¹

[4] tum P. Decium consulem purum piumque deis immortalibus visum ² aeque ac si T. Manlius collega eius devoveretur:

[6] quem paenitere votorum quae pro re publica nuncupaverint tot consules plebeii, tot dictatores, aut ad exercitus euntes aut inter ipsa bella?

[7] numerarentur duces eorum annorum, quibus plebeiorum ductu et auspicio res geri coeptae sint; ³ numerarentur triumphi: iam ne nobilitatis quidem suae plebeios paenitere.

[8] pro certo habere, si quod repens bellum oriatur non plus spei fore senatui populoque Romano in patriciis quam in plebeiis ducibus.

[9]

quod cum ita se habeat, cui deorum hominumve indignum videri potest

[11] cuius in imaginis ⁷ titulo consulatus censuraque et triumphus aequo animo legetur, si auguratum aut pontificatum adieceritis, non sustinebunt legentium oculi?

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (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)) — 10.7 focus

[2] there is said, however, to have been a vigorous discussion as to the passage or rejection of the bill, in which Appius Claudius and Publius Decius Mus were the principal speakers.

after they had brought up nearly the same arguments concerning the rights of patricians and plebeians as had formerly been employed in behalf of and against the Licinian Law, ¹ when the plebeians sought access to the consulship, it

[3] is related that Decius evoked the image of his father as he had been seen by many who were then present in the assembly, wearing his toga with the Gabine cincture, ² and standing over his weapon, as he had done when offering himself a sacrifice for the Roman People and the legions.

[4] Publius Decius the consul had on that occasion seemed to the immortal gods an ³ oblation no less pure and holy than if his colleague Titus Manlius had been offered up; could not then this same Publius Decius —he asked —have been duly chosen to solemnize the public sacrifices of the Roman People?

[5] or was it to be feared that the gods would hearken less readily to the speaker's prayers than to those of Appius Claudius? did Appius perform with more devotion the rites of domestic religion, and worship the gods more scrupulously than he did himself?

[6] who was there that repented him of the vows that had been uttered in the state's behalf by so many plebeian consuls and so many dictators, either on going to their armies or in the midst of their campaigns?

[7] let them enumerate the generals of those years that had elapsed since campaigns were first conducted under the leadership and auspices of plebeians; let them enumerate the triumphs; even on the score of their nobility, the plebeians had now nothing to regret.

[8] he felt quite sure that if suddenly some war should arise, the senate and the Roman People would rest their hopes no more on patrician than on plebeian generals.

[9]

since this is so,

he proceeded, "what god or man can deem it inappropriate that those heroes whom you have honoured with curule chairs, with the purple —bordered robe, with the tunic adorned with palms, and with the embroidered toga, the triumphal crown and the laurel wreath, ⁴ whose houses you have made conspicuous amongst the rest with the spoils of your enemies which you have fastened to their walls, —who, I say, can object if such men add thereto the insignia of the pontiffs and the

[10] augurs? may the man who, decked with ⁵ the robes of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, has been borne through the City in a gilded chariot and has mounted the Capitol —may that man not be seen with chalice and crook, ⁶ when, covering his head, he offers up the victim, or receives an augury from the

[11] Citadel? if men shall read with equanimity, in the inscription that accompanies his portrait, of consulship, censorship, and triumph, will their eyes be unable to endure the brightness, if you add to these the augurate or

[12] pontificate? for my own part —under Heaven's favour be it spoken —I trust that we are now, thanks to the Roman People, in a position to reflect upon the priesthoods —in consequence of our recognized fitness for office —no less credit than we shall receive from them, and to seek, more for the service of the gods than for ourselves, that those whom we worship privately we may also worship in the name of the state.

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 10.7 focus

[1]

The principal struggle, however, in supporting and opposing the bill, they say, was between Appius Claudius and Publius Decius Mus.

[2] After these had urged nearly the same topics, respecting the privileges of patricians and plebeians, which had been formerly employed for and against the Licinian law, when the proposition was brought forward of opening the consulship to plebeians, Decius is said to have drawn a lively description

[3] of his own father, such as many then present in the assembly had seen him, girt in the Gabine dress, standing on a spear, in the attitude in which he had devoted himself for the people and the legions, and to have added, that

the consul Publius Decius was

[4]

then deemed by the immortal gods an offering equally pure and pious, as if his colleague, Titus Manlius, had been devoted. And might not the same Publius Decius have been, with propriety, chosen to perform the public worship of the Roman people?

[5]

Was there any danger that the gods would give less attention to his prayers than to those of Appius Claudius? Did the latter perform his private acts of adoration with a purer mind, or worship the gods more religiously than he?

[6]

Who had any reason to complain of the vows offered in behalf of the commonwealth, by so many plebeian consuls and dictators, either when setting out to their armies, or in the heat of battle?

[7]

Were the numbers of commanders reckoned, during those years since business began to be transacted under the conduct and auspices of plebeians, the same number of triumphs might be found. The commons had now no reason to be dissatisfied with their own nobility.

[8]

On the contrary, they were fully convinced, that in case of a sudden war breaking out, the senate and people of Rome would not repose greater confidence in patrician than in plebeian commanders.

[9]

Which being the case,

said he, "what god or man can deem it an impropriety, if those whom ye have honoured with curule chairs, with the purple bordered gown, with the palm-vest and embroidered robe, with the triumphal crown and laurel, whose houses ye have rendered conspicuous above others, by affixing to them the spoils of conquered enemies, should add to these the badges of augurs or pontiffs?

[10] If a person, who has rode through the city in a gilt chariot; and, decorated with the ensigns of Jupiter, supremely good and great, has mounted the Capitol, should be seen with a chalice and wand; what impropriety, I say, that he should, with his head veiled, slay a victim, or take an augury in the citadel?

[11] When, in the inscription on a person's statue, the consulship, censorship, and triumph shall be read with patience, will the eyes of readers be unable to endure the addition of the office of augur or pontiff? In truth (with deference to the gods I say it) I trust that we are, through the kindness of the Roman people, qualified in such a manner that we should, by the dignity of our characters, reflect back, on the priesthood, not less lustre than we should receive;

[12] and may demand, rather on behalf of the gods, than for our own sakes, that those whom we worship in our private we may also worship in a public capacity.

Notes on the current edition

History of Rome, books 1-10, 21-45

1. See note II to Book V.

2. for the toga praetexta, see note 2 to Book I. The tunica palmata was an under-garment embroidered with figures of victory and palm branches. Over this was thrown the toga picta, a purple toga embroidered with gold. These were the vestments of the Capitoline Jupiter, and were lent from the Capitol to be worn by the victorious general while he celebrated his triumph. The triumphal crown —stones set in gold —was held over him by an official as he rode in the chariot drawn by four white horses which formed the centre of the procession. The laurel wreath he wore upon his brows.

3. The capis was a dish used in sacrificing, here denoting the priest. The lituus (see Vol. I. p. 22) similarly denoted the augur.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 10.7

Rev. Canon Roberts (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers