ch. 263.26An immense body of Sabines came in their ravages almost
up to the walls of the City. The fields were ruined, the City
thoroughly alarmed. Now the plebeians cheerfully took up
arms, the tribunes remonstrated in vain, and two large armies
were levied. Nautius led one of them against the Sabines,
formed an entrenched camp, sent out, generally at night,
small bodies who created such destruction in the Sabine
territory that the Roman borders appeared in comparison
almost untouched by war. Minucius was not so fortunate, nor
did he conduct the campaign with the same energy; after
taking up an entrenched position not far from the enemy, he
remained timidly within his camp, though he had not suffered
any important defeat. As usual, the enemy were emboldened
by the lack of courage on the other side. They made a night
attack on his camp, but as they gained little by a direct
assault they proceeded the following day to invest it. Before
all the exits were closed by the circumvallation, five
mounted men got through the enemies' outposts and brought to
Rome the news that the consul and his army were blockaded.
Nothing could have happened so unlooked for, so undreamed of;
the panic and confusion were as great as if it had been the
City and not the camp that was invested. The consul Nautius
was summoned home, but as he did nothing equal to the
emergency, they decided to appoint a Dictator to retrieve
the threatening position of affairs. By universal consent L.
Quinctius Cincinnatus was called to the office.
It is worth while for those who despise all human interests
in comparison with riches, and think that there is no scope
for
high honours or for virtue except where lavish wealth
abounds to listen to this story.
[Note]The one hope of Rome, L. Quinctius,
used to cultivate a four-acre field on the other side of the
Tiber, just opposite the place where the dockyard and arsenal
are now situated; it bears the name of the Quinctian
Meadows. There he was found by the deputation from the
senate either digging out a ditch or ploughing, at all
events, as is generally agreed, intent on his husbandry.
After mutual salutations he was requested to put on his toga
that he might hear the mandate of the senate, and they
expressed the hope that it might turn out well for him and
for the State. He asked them, in surprise, if all was well,
and bade his wife, Racilia, bring him his toga quickly from
the cottage. Wiping off the dust and perspiration, he put it
on and came forward, on which the deputation saluted him as
Dictator and congratulated him, invited him to the City and
explained the state of apprehension in which the army were. A
vessel had been provided for him by the government, and
after he had crossed over, he was welcomed by his three
sons, who had come out to meet him. They were followed by
other relatives and friends, and by the majority of the
senate. Escorted by this numerous gathering and preceded by
the lictors, he was conducted to his house. There was also an
enormous gathering of the plebs, but they were by no means so
pleased to see Quinctius; they regarded the power with which
he was invested as excessive, and the man himself more
dangerous than his power. Nothing was done that night beyond
adequately guarding the City.
