ch. 281.28Then the Alban army, who had been watching the fight, marched
down into the plain. Mettius congratulated Tullus on his victory, Tullus replied in a friendly
tone, and as a mark of goodwill, ordered the Albans to form their camp contiguous to that
of the Romans, and made preparations for a lustral sacrifice [Note] on the morrow. As soon as
it was light, and all the preparations were made, he gave the customary order for both
armies to muster on parade. The heralds began at the furthest part of the camp, where the
Albans were, and summoned them first of all; they, attracted by the novelty of hearing the
Roman addressing his troops, took up their position close round him. Secret instructions
had been given for the Roman legion to stand fully armed behind them, and the
centurions were in readiness to execute instantly the orders they received.
Tullus commenced as follows: Romans! if in any war that you have ever waged
there has been reason for you to thank, first, the immortal gods, and then your own
personal courage, such was certainly the case in yesterday's battle. For whilst you had to
contend with an open enemy, you had a still more serious and dangerous conflict to
maintain against the treachery and perfidy of your allies. For I must undeceive you-it was
by no command of mine that the Albans withdrew to the mountains. What you heard was
not a real order but a pretended one, which I used as an artifice to prevent your knowing
that you were deserted, and so losing heart for the battle, and also to fill the enemy with
alarm and a desire to flee by making them think that they were being surrounded. The guilt
which I am denouncing does not involve all the Albans; they only followed their general,
just as you would have done had I wanted to lead my army away from the field. It is
Mettius who is the leader of this march, Mettius who engineered this war, Mettius who
broke the treaty between Rome and Alba. Others may venture on similar practices, if I do
not make this man a signal lesson to all the world. The armed centurions closed round
Mettius, and the king proceeded: I shall take a course which will bring good fortune and
happiness to the Roman people and myself, and to you, Albans; it is my intention to
transfer the entire Alban population to Rome, to give the rights of citizenship to the
plebeians, and enrol the nobles in the senate, and to make one City, one State. As formerly
the Alban State was broken up into two nations, so now let it once more become one, The
Alban soldiery listened to these words with conflicting feelings, but unarmed as they were
and hemmed in by armed men, a common fear kept them silent. Then Tullus said: Mettius
Fufetius! if you could have learnt to keep your word and respect treaties, I would have
given you that instruction in your lifetime, but now, since your character is past cure, do at
least teach mankind by your punishment to hold those things as sacred which have been
outraged by you. As yesterday your interest was divided between the Fidenates and the
Romans, so now you shall give up your body to be divided and dismembered. Thereupon
two four-horse chariots were brought up, and Mettius was bound at full length to each, the
horses were driven in opposite directions, carrying off parts of the body in each chariot,
where
the limbs had been secured by the cords. All present averted their eyes from the
horrible spectacle. This is the first and last instance amongst the Romans of a punishment
so regardless of humanity. Amongst other things which are the glory of Rome is this, that
no nation has ever been contented with milder punishments.
