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observing that a strong wind constantly at sun…rising blew off from
the mountains； after having prepared a quantity of combustibles； about
break of day he drew forth his forces； commanding a part with their
missiles to assault the enemy with noise and shouting on the other
quarter； whilst he； with those that were to fling in the fire； went to
that side of the enemy's camp to which the wind usually blew； and
there waited his opportunity。 When the skirmish was begun； and the sun
risen； and a strong wind set in from the mountains； he gave the signal
of onset； and heaving in an infinite quantity of fiery matter；
filled all their rampart with it； so that the flame being fed by the
close timber and wooden palisades； went on and spread into all
quarters。 The Latins； having nothing ready to keep it off or
extinguish it； when the camp was now almost full of fire； were
driven back within a very small compass； and at last forced by
necessity to come into their enemy's hands； who stood before the works
ready armed and prepared to receive them； of these very few escaped；
while those that stayed in the camp were all a prey to the fire； until
the Romans； to gain the pillage； extinguished it。
These things performed； Camillus； leaving his son Lucius in the camp
to guard the prisoners and secure the booty； passed into the enemy's
country； where； having taken the city of the Aequians and reduced
the Volscians to obedience； he then immediately led his army to
Sutrium； not having heard what had befallen the Sutrians； but making
haste to assist them； as if they were still in danger and besieged
by the Tuscans。 They； however； had already surrendered their city to
their enemies； and destitute of all things； with nothing left but
their clothes； met Camillus on the way； leading their wives and
children； and bewailing their misfortune。 Camillus himself was
struck with compassion； and perceiving the soldiers weeping； and
commiserating their case； while the Sutrians hung about and clung to
them； resolved not to defer revenge； but that very day to lead his
army to Sutrium； conjecturing that the enemy； having just taken a rich
and plentiful city； without an enemy left within it； nor any from
without to be expected； would be found abandoned to enjoyment and
unguarded。 Neither did his opinion fail him； he not only passed
through their country without discovery； but came up to their very
gates and possessed himself of the walls； not a man being left to
guard them； but their whole army scattered about in the houses；
drinking and making merry。 Nay； when at last they did perceive that
the enemy had seized the city； they were so overloaded with meat and
wine； that few were able so much as to endeavour to escape； but either
waited shamefully for their death within doors； or surrendered
themselves to the conqueror。 Thus the city of the Sutrians was twice
taken in one day； and they who were in possession lost it； and they
who had lost regained it； alike by the means of Camillus。 For all
which actions he received a triumph； which brought him no less
honour and reputation than the two former ones； for those citizens who
before most regarded him with an evil eye； and ascribed his
successes to a certain luck rather than real merit； were compelled
by these last acts of his to allow the whole honour to his great
abilities and energy。
Of all the adversaries and enviers of his glory； Marcus Manlius
was the most distinguished； he who first drove back the Gauls when
they made their night attack upon the Capitol； and who for that reason
had been named Capitolinus。 This man； affecting the first place in the
commonwealth； and not able by noble ways to outdo Camillus's
reputation； took that ordinary course towards usurpation of absolute
power； namely； to gain the multitude； those of them especially that
were in debt； defending some by pleading their causes against their
creditors； rescuing others by force； and not suffering the law to
proceed against them； insomuch that in a short time he got great
numbers of indigent people about him； whose tumults and uproars in the
forum struck terror into the principal citizens。 After that Quintius
Capitolinus； who was made dictator to suppress these disorders； had
committed Manlius to prison； the people immediately changed their
apparel； a thing never done but in great and public calamities； and
the senate； fearing some tumult； ordered him to be released。 He；
however； when set at liberty； changed not his course； but was rather
the more insolent in his proceedings； filling the whole city with
faction and sedition。 They chose； therefore； Camillus again military
tribune； and a day being appointed for Manlius to answer to his
charge； the prospect from the place where his trial was held proved
a great impediment to his accusers； for the very spot where Manlius by
night fought with the Gauls overlooked the forum from the Capitol；
so that； stretching forth his hands that way； and weeping； he called
to their remembrance his past actions； raising compassion in all
that beheld him。 Insomuch that the judges were at a loss what to do；
and several times adjourned the trial； unwilling to acquit him of
the crime； which was sufficiently proved； and yet unable to execute
the law while his noble action remained； as it were； before their
eyes。 Camillus； considering this； transferred the court outside the
gate to the Peteline Grove； from whence there is no prospect of the
Capitol。 Here his accuser went on with his charge； and his judges were
capable of remembering and duly resenting his guilty deeds。 He was
convicted； carried to the Capitol； and flung headlong from the rock；
so that one and the same spot was thus the witness of his greatest
glory； and monument of his most unfortunate end。 The Romans；
besides； razed his house； and built there a temple to the goddess they
call Moneta； ordaining for the future that none of the patrician order
should ever dwell on the Capitoline。
And now Camillus； being called to his sixth tribuneship； desired
to be excused； as being aged； and perhaps not unfearful of the
malice of fortune； and those reverses which seem to ensue upon great
prosperity。 But the most apparent pretence was the weakness of his
body； for he happened at that time to be sick； the people； however；
would admit of no excuses； but； crying that they wanted not his
strength for horse or for foot service； but only his counsel and
conduct； constrained him to undertake the command； and with one of his
fellow…tribunes to lead the army immediately against the enemy。
These were the Praenestines and Volscians； who； with large forces；
were laying waste the territory of the Roman confederates。 Having
marched out with his army； he sat down and encamped near the enemy；
meaning himself to protract the war； or if there should come any
necessity or occasion of fighting； in the meantime to regain his
strength。 But Lucius Furius； his colleague； carried away with the
desire of glory； was not to be held in； but； impatient to give battle；
inflamed the inferior officers of the army with the same eagerness； so
that Camillus； fearing he might seem out of envy to be wishing to