ch. 271.27 [Note] But the peace with Alba was not a
lasting one. The Alban dictator had incurred general odium through having entrusted the
fortunes of the State to three soldiers, and this had an evil effect upon his weak character.
As straightforward counsels had turned out so unfortunate, he tried to recover the popular
favour by resorting to crooked ones, and as he had previously made peace his aim in war ,
so now he sought the occasion of war in peace. He recognised that his State possessed
more courage than strength, he therefore incited other nations to declare war openly and
formally, whilst he kept for his own people an opening for treachery under the mask of an
alliance. The people of Fidenae, where a Roman colony existed, were induced to go to war
by a compact on the part of the Albans to desert to them; the Veientines were taken into the
plot. When Fidenae had broken out into open revolt, Tullus summoned Mettius and his
army from Alba and marched against the enemy. After crossing the Anio he encamped at
the junction of that river with the Tiber. The army of the Veientines had crossed the Tiber at
a spot between his camp and Fidenae. In the battle they formed the right wing near the
river, the Fidenates were on the left nearer the mountains. Tullus formed his troops in front
of the Veientines, and stationed the Albans against the legion of the Fidenates. The Alban
general showed as little courage as fidelity; afraid either to keep his ground or to openly
desert, he drew away gradually towards the mountains. When he thought he had retired far
enough, he halted his entire army, and still irresolute, he began to form his men for attack,
by way of
gaining time, intending to throw his strength on the winning side. Those Romans
who had been stationed next to the Albans were astounded to find that their allies had
withdrawn and left their flank exposed, when a horseman rode up at full speed and
reported to the king that the Albans were leaving the field. In this critical situation, Tullus
vowed to found a college of twelve Salii and to build temples to Pallor and Pavor. Then,
reprimanding the horseman loud enough for the enemy to hear, he ordered him to rejoin the
fighting line, adding that there was no occasion for alarm, as it was by his orders that the
Alban army was making a circuit that they might fall on the unprotected rear of the
Fidenates. At the same time he ordered the cavalry to raise their spears; this action hid the
retreating Alban army from a large part of the Roman infantry. Those who had seen them,
thinking that what the king had said was actually the case, fought all the more keenly. It
was now the enemies' turn to be alarmed; they had heard clearly the words of the king,
and, moreover, a large part of the Fidenates who had formerly joined the Roman colonists
understood Latin. Fearing to be cut off from their town by a sudden charge of the Albans
from the hills, they retreated. Tullus pressed the attack, and after routing the Fidenates,
returned to attack the Veientines with greater confidence, as they were already demoralized
by the panic of their allies. They did not wait for the charge , but their flight was checked
by the river in their rear. When they reached it, some, flinging away their arms, rushed
blindly into the water, others, hesitating whether to fight or fly, were overtaken and slain.
Never had the Romans fought in a bloodier battle.
