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dreaming that the Romans were in so desperate a condition。 But when he
found it to be so indeed； he entered at the Colline gate； and took
Rome； in the three hundred and sixtieth year； or a little more；
after it was built； if； indeed； it can be supposed probable that an
exact chronological statement has been preserved of events which
were themselves the cause of chronological difficulties about things
of later date； of the calamity itself； however； and of the fact of the
capture； some faint rumours seem to have passed at the time into
Greece。 Heraclides Ponticus； who lived not long after these times；
in his hook upon the Soul； relates that a certain report came from the
west； that an army； proceeding from the Hyperboreans； had taken a
Greek city called Rome； seated somewhere upon the great sea。 But I
do not wonder that so fabulous and high…flown an author as
Heraclides should embellish the truth of the story with expressions
about Hyperboreans and the great sea。 Aristotle the philosopher
appears to have heard a correct statement of the taking of the city by
the Gauls； but he calls its deliverer Lucius； whereas Camillus's
surname was not Lucius； but Marcus。 But this is a matter of
conjecture。
Brennus； having taken possession of Rome； set a strong guard about
the Capitol and； going himself down into the forum； was there struck
with amazement at the sight of so many men sitting in that order and
silence observing that they neither rose at his coming； nor so much as
changed colour or countenance； but remained without fear or concern
leaning upon their staves； and sitting quietly； looking at each other。
The Gauls； for a great while； stood wondering at the strangeness of
the sight； not daring to approach or touch them； taking them for an
assembly of superior beings。 But when one； bolder than the rest；
drew near to Marcus Papirius； and； putting forth his hand； gently
touched his chin and stroked his long beard； Papirius with his staff
struck him a severe blow on the head； upon which the barbarian drew
his sword and slew him。 This was the introduction to the slaughter；
for the rest； following his example； set upon them all and killed
them； and despatched all others that came in their way； and so went on
to the sacking and pillaging the houses； which they continued for many
days ensuing。 Afterwards； they burnt them down to the ground and
demolished them； being incensed at those who kept the Capitol； because
they would not yield to summons； but； on the contrary； when
assailed； had repelled them； with some loss； from their defences。 This
provoked them to ruin the whole city； and to put to the sword all that
came to their hands； young and old； men； women； and children。
And now； the siege of the Capitol having lasted a good while； the
Gauls began to be in want of provision； and dividing their forces；
part of them stayed with their king at the siege； the rest went to
forage the country； ravaging the towns and villages where they came；
but not all together in a body； but in different squadrons and
parties； and to such a confidence had success raised them； that they
carelessly rambled about without the least fear or apprehension of
danger。 But the greatest and best ordered body of their forces went to
the city of Ardea； where Camillus then sojourned； having； ever since
his leaving Rome； sequestered himself from all business； and taken
to a private life； but now he began to rouse up himself； and
consider not how to avoid or escape the enemy； but to find out an
opportunity to be revenged upon them。 And perceiving that the
Ardeatians wanted not men； but rather enterprise； through the
inexperience and timidity of their officers； he began to speak with
the young men； first to the effect that they ought not to ascribe
the misfortune of the Romans to the courage of their enemy； nor
attribute the losses they sustained by rash counsel to the conduct
of men who had no title to victory； the event had been only an
evidence of the power of fortune； that it was a brave thing even
with danger to repel a foreign and barbarous invader whose end in
conquering was； like fire； to lay waste and destroy； but if they would
be courageous and resolute he was ready to put an opportunity into
their hands to gain a victory； without hazard at all。 When he found
the young men embraced the thing； he went to the magistrates and
council of the city； and； having persuaded them also； he mustered
all that could bear arms； and drew them up within the walls； that they
might not be perceived by the enemy； who was near； who； having scoured
the country； and returned heavy…laden with booty； lay encamped in
the plains in a careless and negligent posture； so that； with the
night ensuing upon debauch and drunkenness； silence prevailed
through all the camp。 When Camillus learned this from his scouts； he
drew out the Ardeatians； and in the dead of the night； passing in
silence over the ground that lay between； came up to their works； and；
commanding his trumpets to sound and his men to shout and halloo； he
struck terror into them from all； quarters； while drunkenness
impeded and sleep retarded their movements。 A few； whom fear had
sobered； getting into some order； for a while resisted； and so died
with their weapons in their hands。 But the greatest part of them；
buried in wine and sleep； were surprised without their arms； and
despatched； and as many of them as by the advantage of the night got
out of the camp were the next day found scattered abroad and wandering
in the fields； and were picked up by the horse that pursued them。
The fame of this action soon fled through the neighbouring cities；
and stirred up the young men from various quarters to come and join
themselves with him。 But none were so much concerned as those Romans
who escaped in the battle of Allia； and were now at Veii； thus
lamenting with themselves； 〃O heavens； what a commander has Providence
bereaved Rome of； to honour Ardea with his actions！ And that city；
which brought forth and nursed so great a man； is lost and gone； and
we； destitute of a leader and shut up within strange walls； sit
idle； and see Italy ruined before our eyes。 Come； let us send to the
Ardeatians to have back our general； or else； with weapons in our
hands； let us go thither to him； for he is no longer a banished man；
nor we citizens； having no country but what is in the possession of
the enemy。〃 To this they all agreed； and sent to Camillus to desire
him to take the command； but he answered； that he would not； until
they that were in the Capitol should legally appoint him； for he
esteemed them； so long as they were in being； to be his country；
that if they should command him he would readily obey； but against
their consent he would intermeddle with nothing。 When this answer
was returned； they admired the modesty and temper of Camillus； but
they could not tell how to find a messenger to carry the
intelligence to the Capitol； or rather； indeed； it seemed altogether
impossible for any one to get to the citadel whilst the enemy was in
full possession of the city。 But among the young men there was one
Pontius Cominius； of ordinary birth； but ambitio