ch. 43.4The next consuls were A. Postumius Albus and Sp. Furius
Fusus. Some writers call the Furii, Fusii. I mention this in
case any one should suppose that the different names denote
different people.
It was pretty certain that one of the consuls would continue
the war with the Aequi. They sent, accordingly, to the
Volscians of Ecetra for assistance. Such was the rivalry between
them as to which should show the most inveterate enmity to
Rome, that the assistance was readily granted, and
preparations for war were carried on with the utmost energy.
The Hernici became aware of what was going on and warned the
Romans that Ecetra had revolted to the Aequi. The colonists
of Antium were also suspected, because on the capture of that
town a large number of the inhabitants had taken refuge with
the Aequi, and they were the most efficient soldiers
throughout the war. When the Aequi were driven into their
walled towns, this body was broken up and returned to Antium.
There they found the colonists already disaffected, and they
succeeded in completely alienating them from Rome. Before
matters were ripe, information was laid before the senate
that a revolt was in preparation, and the consuls were
instructed to summon the chiefs of the colony to Rome and
question them as to what was going on. They came without any
hesitation, but after being introduced by the consuls to the
senate, they gave such unsatisfactory replies that heavier
suspicion attached to them on their departure than on their
arrival.
War was certain. Sp. Furius, the consul to whom the conduct
of the war had been assigned, marched against the Aequi and
found them committing depredations in the territory of the
Hernici. Ignorant of their strength, because they were
nowhere all in view at once, he rashly joined battle with
inferior forces. At the first onset he was defeated, and
retired into his camp, but he was not out of danger there.
For that night and the next day the camp was surrounded and
attacked with such vigour that not even a messenger could be
despatched to Rome. The news of the unsuccessful action and
the investment of the consul and his army was brought by the
Hernici, and created such an alarm in the senate that they
passed a decree in a form which has never been used except
under extreme emergencies. They charged Postumius to see
that the commonwealth suffered no hurt.
It was thought best that the consul himself should remain in
Rome to enrol all who could bear arms, whilst T. Quinctius
was sent as his representative [Note] to relieve the camp with an
army furnished by the allies. This force was to be made up of
the Latins and the Hernici, whilst the colony at Antium was
to supply subitary troops—a designation then applied to
hastily raised auxiliary troops.
