ch. 323.32 [Note]As regards foreign
war, the year was a quiet one.
The following one, in which P. Curiatius and Sextus
Quinctilius were consuls, was still quieter owing to the
continued silence of the tribunes. This was due to two
causes: first, they were waiting for the return of the
commissioners who had gone to Athens, and the foreign laws
which they were to bring; and secondly, two fearful disasters
came together, famine and a pestilence which was fatal to men
and fatal to cattle. The fields lay waste, the City was
depleted by an unbroken series of deaths, many illustrious
houses were in mourning. The Flamen Quirinalis, Servius
Cornelius, died, also the augur C. Horatius Pulvillus, in
whose place the augurs chose C. Veturius, all the more
eagerly because he had been condemned by the plebs. The consul
Quinctilius and four tribunes of the plebs died. The
year was a gloomy one owing to the numerous losses. There
was a respite from external enemies.
The succeeding consuls were C. Menenius and P. Sestius
Capitolinus. This year also was free from war abroad, but
commotions began at home. The commissioners had now returned
with the laws of Athens; the tribunes, in consequence,
were more insistent that a commencement should at last be
made in the compilation of the laws. It was decided that a
body of Ten (hence called the Decemvirs) should be
created, from whom there should be no appeal, and that all
other magistrates should be suspended for the year. There was
a long controversy as to whether plebeians should be
admitted; at last they gave way to the patricians on
condition that the Icilian Law concerning the Aventine and
the other sacred laws should not be repealed.
