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city； when they had another at hand ready…built and prepared。
Camillus thought good to refer it to general deliberation； and
himself spoke largely and earnestly in behalf of his country； as
also many others。 At last； calling to Lucius Lucretius； whose place it
was to speak first； he commanded him to give his sentence； and the
rest as they followed； in order。 Silence being made； and Lucretius
just about to begin； by chance a centurion passing by outside with his
company of the day…guard called out with a loud voice to the
ensign…bearer to halt and fix his standard； for this was the best
place to stay in。 This voice； coming in that moment of time； and at
that crisis of uncertainty and anxiety for the future； was taken as
a direction what was to be done； so that Lucretius； assuming an
attitude of devotion； gave sentence in concurrence with the gods； as
he said； as likewise did all that followed。 Even among the common
people it created a wonderful change of feeling； every one now cheered
and encouraged his neighbour； and set himself to the work；
proceeding in it； however； not by any regular lines or divisions；
but every one pitching upon that plot of ground which came next to
hand； or best pleased his fancy； by which haste and hurry in building；
they constructed their city in narrow and ill…designed lanes； and with
houses huddled together one upon another； for it is said that within
the compass of the year the whole city was built up anew； both in
its public walls and private buildings。 The persons； however；
appointed by Camillus to resume and mark out； in this general
confusion； all consecrated places； coming； in their way round the
Palatium； to the chapel of Mars； found the chapel itself indeed
destroyed and burnt to the ground； like everything else； by the
barbarians； but whilst they were clearing the place； and carrying away
the rubbish； lit upon Romulus's augural staff； buried under a great
heap of ashes。 This sort of staff is crooked at one end； and is called
lituus； they make use of it in quartering out the regions of the
heavens when engaged in divination from the flight of birds；
Romulus； who was himself a great diviner； made use of it。 But when
he disappeared from the earth； the priests took his staff and kept it；
as other holy things； from the touch of man； and when they now found
that； whereas all other things were consumed； this staff had
altogether escaped the flames； they began to conceive happier hopes of
Rome； and to augur from this token its future everlasting safety。
And now they had scarcely got a breathing time from their trouble；
when a new war came upon them； and the Aequians； Volscians； and Latins
all at once invaded their territories； and the Tuscans besieged
Sutrium； their confederate city。 The military tribunes who commanded
the army； and were encamped about the hill Maecius； being closely
besieged by the Latins； and the camp in danger to be lost； sent to
Rome； where Camillus was a third time chosen dictator。 Of this war two
different accounts are given； I shall begin with the more fabulous。
They say that the Latins （whether out of pretence； or real design to
revive the ancient relationship of the two nations） sent to desire
of the Romans some free…born maidens in marriage； that when the Romans
were at a loss how to determine （for on one hand they dreaded a war；
having scarcely yet settled and recovered themselves； and on the other
side suspected that this asking of wives was； in plain terms；
nothing else but a demand for hostages； though covered over with the
specious name of intermarriage and alliance）； a certain handmaid； by
name Tutula； or； as some call her； Philotis； persuaded the magistrates
to send with her some of the most youthful and best…looking
maid…servants； in the bridal dress of noble virgins； and leave the
rest to her care and management； that the magistrates； consenting；
chose out as many as she thought necessary for her purpose； and
adorning them with gold and rich clothes； delivered them to the
Latins； who were encamped not far from the city； that at night the
rest stole away the enemy's swords； but Tutula or Philotis； getting to
the top of a wild fig…tree； and spreading out a thick woollen cloth
behind her； held out a torch towards Rome； which was the signal
concerted between her and the commanders； without the knowledge；
however； of any other of the citizens； which was the reason that their
issuing out from the city was tumultuous； the officers pushing their
men on； and they calling upon one another's names； and scarce able
to bring themselves into order； that setting upon the enemy's works；
who either were asleep or expected no such matter； they took the
camp and destroyed most of them； and that this was done on the Nones
of July； which was then called Quintilis； and that the feast that is
observed on that day is a commemoration of what was then done。 For
in it； first； they run out of the city in great crowds； and call out
aloud several familiar and common names； Caius； Marcus； Lucius； and
the like in representation of the way in which they called to one
another when they went out in such haste。 In the next place； the
maid…servants； gaily dressed； run about； playing and jesting upon
all they meet； and amongst themselves； also； use a kind of
skirmishing； to show they helped in the conflict against the Latins；
and while eating and drinking； they sit shaded over with boughs of
wild fig…tree； and the day they call Nonae Caprotinae； as some think
from that wild fig…tree on which the maid…servant held up her torch；
the Roman name for a wild fig…tree being caprificus。 Others refer most
of what is said or done at this feast to the fate of Romulus； for；
on this day； he vanished outside the gates in a sudden darkness and
storm （some think it an eclipse of the sun）； and from this the day was
called Nonae Caprotinae； the Latin for a goat being capra； and the
place where he disappeared having the name of Goat's Marsh； as is
stated in his life。
But the general stream of writers prefer the other account of this
war； which they thus relate。 Camillus； being the third time chosen
dictator； and learning that the army under the tribunes was besieged
by the Latins and Volscians； was constrained to arm； not only those
under； but also those over； the age of service； and taking a large
circuit round the mountain Maecius； undiscovered by the enemy；
lodged his army on their rear； and then by many fires gave notice of
his arrival。 The besieged； encouraged by this； prepared to sally forth
and join battle； but the Latins and Volscians； fearing this exposure
to an enemy on both sides； drew themselves within their works； and
fortified their camp with a strong palisade of trees on every side；
resolving to wait for more supplies from home； and expecting； also；
the assistance of the Tuscans； their confederates。 Camillus； detecting
their object； and fearing to be reduced to the same position to
which he had brought them； namely； to be besieged himself； resolved to
lose no time： and finding their rampart was all of timber； and
observing that a strong wind constantly at sun…rising blew off from
the mountains； af