ch. 141.14 [Note] Some years subsequently the kinsmen of King Tatius ill-treated the ambassadors of the Laurentines. They came to seek redress from him in
accordance with international law, but the influence and importunities of his friends had
more weight with Tatius than the remonstrances of the Laurentines. The consequence was
that he brought upon himself the punishment due to them, for when he had gone to the
annual sacrifice at Lavinium, a tumult arose in which he was killed. Romulus is reported to
have been less distressed at this incident than his position demanded, either because of the
insincerity inherent in all joint sovereignty, or because he thought he had deserved his fate.
He refused, therefore, to go to war, but that the wrong done to the ambassadors and the
murder of the king might be expiated, the treaty between Rome and Lavinium was
renewed.
[Note] Whilst in this direction an unhoped-for peace was secured, war
broke out in a much nearer quarter, in fact almost at the very gates of Rome. The people of
Fidenae considered that a power was growing up too close to them, so to prevent the
anticipations of its future greatness from being realised, they took the initiative in making
war. Armed bands invaded and devastated the country lying between the City and Fidenae.
Thence they turned to the left-the Tiber barred their advance on the right-and plundered and
destroyed, to the great alarm of the country people. A sudden rush from the fields into the
City was the first intimation of what was happening. A war so close to their gates admitted
of no delay, and Romulus hurriedly led out his army and encamped about a mile from
Fidenae. Leaving a small detachment to guard the camp, he went forward with his whole
force, and whilst one part were ordered to lie in ambush in a place overgrown with dense
brushwood, he advanced with the larger part and the whole of the cavalry towards the city,
and by riding up to the very gates in a disorderly and provocative manner he succeeded in
drawing the enemy. The cavalry continued these tactics and so made the flight which they
were to feign seem less suspicious, and when their apparent hesitation whether to fight or
to flee was followed by the retirement of the infantry, the enemy suddenly poured out of
the crowded gates, broke the Roman line and pressed on in eager pursuit till they were
brought to where the ambush was set. Then the Romans suddenly rose and attacked the
enemy in flank; their panic was increased by the troops in the camp bearing down upon
them. Terrified by the threatened attacks from all sides, the Fidenates turned and fled
almost before Romulus and his men could wheel round from their simulated flight. They
made for their town much more quickly than they had just before pursued those who
pretended to flee, for their flight was a genuine one. They could not, however, shake off
the pursuit; the Romans were on their heels, and before the gates could be closed against
them, burst through pell-mell with the enemy.
