Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 2.18

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[1]

insequens annus Postumum Cominium et ¹ T. Largium ² consules habuit.

[2] eo anno Romae, cum per ludos ab Sabinorum iuventute per lasciviam scorta raperentur, concursu hominum rixa ac prope proelium fuit, parvaque ex re ³ ad rebellionem spectare videbatur.

[3] super⁴ belli Sabini ⁵ metum id quoque accesserat, quod triginta iam coniurasse populos concitante Octavio Mamilio satis constabat.

[4] in hac tantarum exspectatione rerum sollicita civitate dictatoris primum creandi mentio orta. sed nec quo anno, nec quibus consulibus, quia ex factione Tarquiniana essent—id quoque enim traditur—parum creditum sit, nec quis primum dictator creatus sit, satis constat.

[5] apud veterrimos tamen auctores T. Largium ⁶ dictatorem primum, Sp. Cassium magistrum equitum creatos invenio. consulares legere; ⁷ ita lex iubebat de dictatore creando lata.

[6] eo magis adducor ut credam Largium, qui consularis erat, potius quam M'. Valerium ⁸ Marci filium ⁹ Volesi nepotem, qui nondum consul fuerat, moderatorem et magistrum consulibus appositum;

[7] quin, ¹⁰ si maxime ex ea familia legi dictatorem vellent, patrem multo potius M. Valerium spectatae virtutis et consularem virum legissent.

[8] creato dictatore primum Romae, postquam praeferri secures viderunt, magnus plebem metus incessit, ut intentiores essent ad dicto parendum. neque enim, ut in consulibus qui pari potestate essent, alterius auxilium, neque provocatio erat neque ullum usquam nisi in cura parendi auxilium.

[9] Sabinis etiam creatus Romae dictator, eo magis quod propter se creatum crediderant, metum incussit.

[10] itaque legatos de pace mittunt. quibus orantibus dictatorem senatumque ut veniam erroris hominibus adulescentibus darent, responsum, ignosci adulescentibus posse, senibus non posse, qui bella ex bellis sererent.

[11] actum tamen est de pace, impetrataque foret, si, quod impensae factum in bellum erat, praestare Sabini—id enim postulatum erat—in animum induxissent. bellum indictum: tacitae indutiae quietum annum tenuere.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (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

Ab urbe condita (Latin) (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).)

Editions (2)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 2.18 focus

[1] insequens annus Postumum Cominium et T. Larcium consules habuit.

[2] eo anno Romae, cum per ludos ab Sabinorum iuventute per lasciviam scorta raperentur, concursu hominum rixa ac prope proelium fuit, parvaque ex re ad rebellionem spectare res videbatur. super belli Latini metum id quoque accesserat,

[3] quod triginta iam coniurasse populos concitante Octavio Mamilio satis constabat.

[4] in hac tantarum expectatione rerum sollicita civitate dictatoris primum creandi mentio orta. sed nec quo anno, nec quibus consulibus, quia ex factione Tarquiniana essent — id quoque enim traditur — , parum creditum sit, nec quis primum dictator creatus sit, satis constat.

[5] apud veterrimos tamen auctores T. Larcium dictatorem primum, Sp. Cassium magistrum equitum creatos invenio. consulares legere: ita lex iubebat de dictatore creando lata.

[6] eo magis adducor, ut credam Larcium, qui consularis erat, potius quam M.’ Valerium M. filium Volesi nepotem, qui nondum consul fuerat, moderatorem et magistrum consulibus appositum;

[7] quin, si maxime ex ea familia legi dictatorem vellent, patrem multo potius M. Valerium spectatae virtutis et consularem virum legissent.

[8] creato dictatore primum Romae, postquam praeferri secures viderunt, magnus plebem metus incessit, ut intentiores essent ad dicto parendum. neque enim, ut in consulibus, qui pari potestate essent, alterius auxilium, neque provocatio erat neque ullum usquam nisi in cura parendi auxilium.

[9] Sabinis etiam creatus Romae dictator eo magis, quod propter se creatum crediderant, metum incussit. itaque legatos de pace mittunt.

[10] quibus orantibus dictatorem senatumque, ut veniam erroris hominibus adulescentibus darent, responsum, ignosci adulescentibus posse, senibus non posse, qui bella ex bellis sererent. actum tamen est de pace,

[11] inpetrataque foret, si, quod inpensae factum in bellum erat, praestare Sabini — id enim postulatum erat — in animum induxissent. bellum indictum; tacitae indutiae quietum annum tenuere.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 2.18 focus

[1]

insequens annus Postumum Cominium et T. Largium consules habuit.

[2] eo anno Romae, cum per ludos ab Sabinorum iuuentute per lasciuiam scorta raperentur, concursu hominum rixa ac prope proelium fuit, paruaque ex re ad rebellionem spectare [res] uidebatur.

[3] [supra belli Latini metum.] id quoque accesserat quod triginta iam coniurasse populos concitante Octauio Mamilio satis constabat.

[4] in hac tantarum expectatione rerum sollicita ciuitate, dictatoris primum creandi mentio orta. sed nec quibus consulibus quia ex factione Tarquiniana essent—id quoque enim traditur—parum creditum sit, nec quis primum dictator creatus sit, satis constat.

[5] apud ueterrimos tamen auctores T. Largium dictatorem primum, Sp. Cassium magistrum equitum creatos inuenio. consulares legere; ita lex iubebat de dictatore creando lata.

[6] eo magis adducor ut credam Largium, qui consularis erat, potius quam M'. Ualerium Marci filium Uolesi nepotem , qui nondum consul fuerat, moderatorem et magistrum consulibus appositum;

[7] quin si maxime ex ea familia legi dictatorem uellent, patrem multo potius M. Ualerium spectatae uirtutis et consularem uirum legissent.

[8] creato dictatore primum Romae, postquam praeferri secures uiderunt, magnus plebem metus incessit, ut intentiores essent ad dicto parendum; neque enim ut in consulibus qui pari potestate essent, alterius auxilium neque prouocatio erat neque ullum usquam nisi in cura parendi auxilium.

[9] Sabinis etiam creatus Romae dictator, eo magis quod propter se creatum crediderant, metum incussit. itaque legatos de pace mittunt.

[10] quibus orantibus dictatorem senatumque ut ueniam erroris hominibus adulescentibus darent, responsum ignosci adulescentibus posse, senibus non posse qui bella ex bellis sererent.

[11] actum tamen est de pace, impetrataque foret si, quod impensae factum in bellum erat, praestare Sabini— id enim postulatum erat—in animum induxissent. bellum indictum: tacitae indutiae quietum annum tenuere.

Translations (3)

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)) — 2.18 focus

[1]

The year after had as its consuls Postumius ¹ Cominius and Titus Largius.

[2] In this year, during the celebration of the games at Rome, the Sabine youths, in a spirit of wantonness, forcibly abducted certain harlots. Men gathered hastily and there was a brawl which was almost a battle, and, trifling as its origin was, it seemed to threaten a fresh outbreak of the war. ²

[3] Besides the Sabine peril, it was generally known that the thirty Latin cities had already conspired, at the instigation of Octavius Mamilius.

[4] These grave apprehensions having occasioned a general anxiety, the appointment of a dictator was suggested, for the first time. But there is no general agreement as to the year, or which consuls were distrusted as being of the Tarquinian faction —for this is included in the tradition —or who it was that was first named dictator.

[5] In the oldest writers, however, I find it said that Titus Largius was the first to be made dictator, and that Spurius Cassius was master of the horse. They chose men of consular ³ rank, for so the law prescribed which had been passed to regulate the selection of a dictator.

[6] I am therefore the more disposed to believe that Largius, a consular, rather than Manius Valerius, the son of Marcus and grandson of Volesus, a man who had not yet held the consulship, was assigned to be the director and superior of consuls;

[7] and indeed if men had been specially desirous of choosing the dictator from that family, they would much sooner have selected Marcus Valerius the father, a man of proven worth and an ex-consul.

[8] When they had named a dictator for the first time at Rome, and men saw the axes borne before him, a great fear came over the plebs and caused them to be more zealous in obeying orders. For there was no recourse in this case, as with the consuls, who shared the powers of their office equally, to the assistance of the man's colleague, nor was there any appeal nor any help anywhere but in scrupulous obedience. ⁴

[9] The Sabines, too, were inspired with fear by the appointment of the dictator, especially since they believed that it was on their account that he had been created.

[10] Accordingly they sent legates to treat for peace. When they requested the dictator and the senate to pardon an error committed by young men, the answer was given that to pardon young men was possible, but not old men who contrived one war after another.

[11] Nevertheless negotiations for peace were begun, and it would have been granted to the Sabines, could they have made up their minds to guarantee, as the Romans demanded, the sum which had been expended for the war. Hostilities were declared, but a tacit truce preserved a state of peace through the year.

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 2.18 focus

[1]

The following year had Postumus Cominius and T. Lartius for consuls.

[2] On this year, during the celebration of the games at Rome, as some of the courtesans were being carried off by some of the Sabine youth in a frolic, a mob having assembled, a scuffle ensued, and almost a battle; and from this inconsiderable affair the whole nation seemed inclined to a renewal of hostilities.

[3] Besides the dread of the Latin war, this accession was further made to their fears; certain intelligence was received that thirty different states had entered into a confederacy against them, at the instigation of Octavius Mamilius.

[4] While the city was perplexed amid this expectation of such important events, mention was made for the first time of nominating a dictator. But in what year or who the consuls ¹ were in whom confidence was not reposed, because they were of the Tarquinian faction, (for that also is recorded,) or who was elected dictator for the first time, is not satisfactorily established.

[5] Among the oldest writers however I find that Titus Lartius was appointed the first dictator, and Spurius Cassius master of the horse. They chose men of consular dignity, for so the law, made for the election of a dictator, ordained.

[6] For this reason, I am more inclined to believe that Lartius, who was of consular rank, was annexed to the consuls as their director and master, rather than Manius Valerius, the son of Marcus and grandson of Volesus, who had not yet been consul.

[7] For, had they intended to choose a dictator from that family in particular, they would much rather have chosen his father, Marcus Valerius, a consular person, and a man of distinguished merit.

[8] On the creation of the dictator first at Rome, when they saw the axes carried before him, great awe struck the common people, so that they became more submissive to obey orders. For neither was there now, as under the consuls who possessed equal power, the assistance of one of the two, nor was there appeal, nor was there any resource any where but in attentive submission. The creation of a dictator at Rome terrified the Sabines, and the more effectually, because they thought he was created on their account. ² Wherefore they sent ambassadors to sue for peace, to whom,

[9] when earnestly entreating the dictator and senate to pardon the young men's offence, an answer was given that the young men could easily be forgiven, but not the old men, who continually raised one war after another. Nevertheless they continued to treat about

[10] a peace, and it would have been grated, if the Sabines would bring themselves to make good the expenses incurred on the war (for that was demanded). War was proclaimed; a tacit truce kept the year quiet.

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.) — 2.18 focus

[1] The¹ following year had as consuls Postumius Cominius and T. Lartius.

[2] During this year an incident occurred which, though small in itself, threatened to lead to the renewal of a war more formidable than the Latin war which was dreaded. During the games at Rome some courtesans were carried off by Sabine youths in sheer wantonness.

[3] A crowd gathered, and a quarrel arose which became almost a pitched battle. The alarm was increased by the authentic report that at the instigation of Octavius Mamilius² the thirty Latin towns had formed a

[4] league. The apprehensions felt by the State at such a serious crisis led to suggestions being made for the first time for the appointment of a dictator. It is not, however, clearly ascertained in what year this office was created, or who the consuls were who had forfeited the confidence of the people owing to their being adherents of the Tarquins —for this, too, is part of the tradition —or who was the first

[5] dictator. In the most ancient authorities I find that it was T. Lartius, and that Sp. Cassius was his master of the

[6] horse. Only men of consular rank were eligible under the law governing the appointment. This makes me more inclined to believe that Lartius, who was of consular rank, was set over the consuls to restrain and direct them rather than Manlius Valerius, the son of Marcus and grandson of

[7] Volesus. Besides, if they wanted the dictator to be chosen from that family especially, they would have much sooner chosen the father, M. Valerius, a man of proved worth and also of consular rank.

[8] When, for the first time, a Dictator was created in Rome , a great fear fell on the people, after they saw the axes³ borne before him, and consequently they were more careful to obey his orders. For there was not, as in the case of the consuls, each of whom possessed the same authority, any chance of securing the aid of one against the other, nor was there any right of appeal, nor in short was there any safety anywhere except in

[9] punctilious obedience. The Sabines were even more alarmed at the appointment of a Dictator than the Romans, because they were convinced that it was in their account that he had

[10] been created. Accordingly envoys were sent with proposals for peace. They begged the Dictator and the senate to pardon what was a youthful escapade, but were told in reply that young men could be pardoned, but not old men, who were continually stirring up

[11] fresh wars. However, the negotiations continued and peace would have been secured if the Sabines could have made up their minds to comply with the demand to make good the expenses of the war. War was proclaimed; an informal truce kept the year undisturbed.

Notes on the current edition

Ab urbe condita

1. A.U.C. 253

2. Largium W: Larcium madvig ( with Dion. Hal . v. 1. 1) from chap. xxi. 1. but Cassiodorius gives Largus, and it is safer ( with Conway and Walters ) to follow the MSS. where, as here, they agree.

3. ex re Gronov . : ex re res ( or ex re . . . spectare res) W.

4. super Duker : supra W.

5. Sabini R 2 s: Latini W: Conway and Walters bracket supra . . . metum as a marginal summary.

6. Largium W : Larcium U s ( so in § 6, below ).

7. A.U.C. 253

8. M'. Valerium gruter : M. Valerium W.

9. Marci filium Rhenanus : marci fufium ( or the like ) W.

10. quin lehnert : qui (quis P ) W.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 2.18

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

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