Minucius Made Co-Dictator
An exaggerated account of this success reached Rome,
note
and caused excessive exultation: first, because
in their gloomy prospects some sort of change
for the better had at last shown itself; and,
secondly, because the people could now believe
that the ill success and want of nerve, which had hitherto
attended the legions, had not arisen from the cowardice of the
men, but the timidity of their leader. Wherefore everybody
began finding fault with and depreciating Fabius, as failing to
seize his opportunities with spirit; while they extolled Minucius
to such a degree for what had happened, that a thing was done
for which there was no precedent. They gave him absolute
power as well as Fabius, believing that he would quickly put an
end to the campaign; and so there were two Dictators made for
carrying on the same war, which had never happened at Rome
before. When Minucius was informed of his popularity with the
people, and of the office bestowed upon him by the citizens, he
felt doubly incited to run all risks and act with daring boldness
against the enemy. Fabius rejoined the army with sentiments
not in the least changed by what had happened, but rather fixed
still more immovably on his original policy. Seeing, however,
that Minucius was puffed up with pride, and inclined to offer
him a jealous opposition at every turn, and was wholly bent
on risking an engagement, he offered him the choice of two
alternatives: either to command the whole army on alternate
days with him; or that they should separate their two armies,
and each command their respective part in their own way.
Minucius joyfully accepting the second alternative, they divided
the men and encamped separately about twelve stades apart.
