ch. 182.18 [Note]
The following year had as consuls
Postumius Cominius and T. Lartius. During this year an
incident occurred which, though small in itself, threatened
to lead to the renewal of a war more formidable than the
Latin war which was dreaded. During the games at Rome some
courtesans were carried off by Sabine youths in sheer
wantonness. A crowd gathered, and a quarrel arose which
became almost a pitched battle. The alarm was increased by
the authentic report that at the instigation of Octavius
Mamilius [Note] the thirty Latin towns had formed a league. The
apprehensions felt by the State at such a serious crisis led
to suggestions being made for the first time for the
appointment of a dictator. It is not, however, clearly
ascertained in what year this office was created, or who the
consuls were who had forfeited the confidence of the people
owing to their being adherents of the Tarquins—for this, too,
is part of the tradition—or who was the first dictator. In
the most ancient authorities I find that it was T. Lartius,
and that Sp. Cassius was his master of the horse. Only men of
consular rank were eligible under the law governing the
appointment. This makes me more inclined to believe that
Lartius, who was of consular rank, was set over the consuls
to restrain and direct them rather than Manlius Valerius, the
son of Marcus and grandson of Volesus. Besides, if they
wanted the dictator to be chosen from that family especially,
they would have much sooner chosen the father, M. Valerius, a
man of proved worth and also of consular rank.
When, for the first time, a Dictator was created in Rome, a
great fear fell on the people, after they saw the axes [Note]
borne before him, and consequently they were more careful to
obey his orders. For there was not, as in the case of the
consuls, each of whom possessed the same authority, any
chance of securing the aid of one against the other, nor was
there any right of appeal, nor in short was there any safety
anywhere except in punctilious obedience.
The Sabines were even more alarmed at the appointment of a
Dictator than the Romans, because they were convinced that it
was in their account that he had been created. Accordingly
envoys were sent with proposals for peace. They begged the
Dictator and the senate to pardon what was a youthful
escapade, but were told in reply that young men could be
pardoned, but not old men, who were continually stirring up
fresh wars. However, the negotiations continued and peace
would have been secured if the Sabines could have made up
their minds to comply with the demand to make good the
expenses of the war.
War was proclaimed; an informal truce kept the year
undisturbed.
