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blows。 Besides； he taught his soldiers to use their long javelins in
close encounter； and； by bringing them under their enemy's swords；
to receive their strokes upon them。
When the Gauls drew near； about the river Anio； dragging a heavy
camp after them； and loaded with infinite spoil； Camillus drew forth
his forces； and planted himself upon a hill of easy ascent； and
which had many dips in it； with the object that the greatest of his
army might lie concealed； and those who appeared might be thought to
have betaken themselves； through fear； to those upper grounds。 And the
more to increase this opinion in them； he suffered them； without any
disturbance； to spoil and pillage even to his very trenches； keeping
himself quiet within his works； which were well fortified； till； at
last； perceiving that part of the enemy were scattered about the
country foraging； and that those that were in the camp did nothing day
and night but drink and revel； in the night…time he drew up his
lightest…armed men； and sent them out before to impede the enemy while
forming into order； and to harass them when they should first issue
out of their camp； and early in the morning brought down his main
body； and set them in battle array in the lower grounds； a numerous
and courageous army； not； as the barbarians had supposed； an
inconsiderable and fearful division。 The first thing that shook the
courage of the Gauls was； that their enemies had； contrary to their
expectation； the honour of being aggressors。 In the next place； the
light…armed men； falling upon them before they could get into their
usual order or range themselves in their proper squadrons； so
disturbed and pressed upon them； that they were obliged to fight at
random； without any order at all。 But at last； when Camillus brought
on his heavy…armed legions； the barbarians； with their swords drawn；
went vigorously to engage them； the Romans； however； opposing their
javelins and receiving the force of their blows on those parts of
their defences which were well guarded with steel； turned the edge
of their weapons； being made of soft and ill…tempered metal； so that
their swords bent and doubled up in their hands； and their shields
were pierced through and through； and grew heavy with the javelins
that struck upon them。 And thus forced to quit their own weapons； they
endeavoured to take advantage of those of their enemies； laid hold
of the javelins with their hands； and tried to pluck them away。 But
the Romans； perceiving them now naked and defenceless； betook
themselves to their swords； which they so well used； that in a
little time great slaughter was made in the foremost ranks； while
the rest fled over all parts of the level country； the hills and upper
grounds Camillus had secured beforehand； and their camp they knew it
would not be difficult for the enemy to take； as； through confidence
of victory； they had left it unguarded。 This fight； it is stated；
was thirteen years after the sacking of Rome； and from henceforward
the Romans took courage； and surmounted the apprehensions they had
hitherto entertained of the barbarians； whose previous defeat they had
attributed rather to pestilence and a concurrence of mischances than
to their own superior valour。 And； indeed； this fear had been formerly
so great that they made a law； that priests should be excused from
service in war； unless in an invasion from the Gaul。
This was the last military action that ever Camillus performed；
for the voluntary surrender of the city of the Velitrani was but a
mere accessory to it。 But the greatest of all civil contests； and
the hardest to be managed； was still to be fought out against the
people； who； returning home full of victory and success； insisted；
contrary to established law； to have one of the consuls chosen out
of their own body。 The senate strongly opposed it； and would not
suffer Camillus to lay down his dictatorship； thinking that； under the
shelter of his great name and authority； they should be better able to
contend for the power of his aristocracy。 But when Camillus was
sitting upon the tribunal； despatching public affairs； an officer；
sent by the tribunes of the people； commanded him to rise and follow
him； laying his hand upon him； as ready to seize and carry him away；
upon which； such a noise and tumult as was never heard before filled
the whole forum； some that were about Camillus thrusting the officer
from the bench； and the multitude below calling out to him to bring
Camillus down。 Being at a loss what to do in these difficulties； he
yet laid not down his authority； but； taking the senators along with
him； he went to the senate…house； but before he entered； besought
the gods that they would bring these troubles to a happy conclusion；
solemnly vowing； when the tumult was ended； to build a temple to
Concord。 A great conflict of opposite opinions arose in the senate；
but； at last； the most moderate and most acceptable to the people
prevailed； and consent was given； that of two consuls； one should be
chosen from the commonalty。 When the dictator proclaimed this
determination of the senate to the people； at the moment pleased and
reconciled with the senate； as indeed could not otherwise be； they
accompanied Camillus home； with all expressions and acclamations of
joy； and the next day； assembling together； they voted a temple of
Concord to be built； according to Camillus's vow； facing the
assembly and the forum； and to the feasts； called the Latin
holidays； they added one day more； making four in all； and ordained
that； on the present occasion； the whole people of Rome should
sacrifice with garlands on their heads。
In the election of consuls held by Camillus； Marcus Aemilius was
chosen of the patricians； and Lucius Sextius the first of the
commonalty； and this was the last of all Camillus's actions。 In the
year following； a pestilential sickness infected Rome； which；
besides an infinite number of the common people； swept away most of
the magistrates； among whom was Camillus； whose death cannot be called
immature； if we consider his great age； or greater actions； yet was he
more lamented than all the rest put together that then died of that
distemper。
THE END