ch. 603.60 [Note]After
matters had been settled in the City and the position
of the plebs firmly assured, the consuls left for
their respective provinces. Valerius wisely suspended
operations against the combined forces of the Aequi
and Volscians. If he had at once hazarded an
engagement, I question whether, considering the temper
of both Rome and the enemy after the inauspicious
leadership of the decemvirs, he would not have
incurred a serious defeat. Taking up a position about
a mile from the enemy, he kept his men in camp. The
enemy formed up for battle, and filled the space
between the camps, but their challenge met with no
response from the Romans. Tired at last of standing
and vainly waiting for battle, and regarding victory
as practically conceded to them, the two nations
marched away to ravage the territories of the Hernici
and Latins. The force left behind was sufficient to
guard the camp, but not to sustain an action. On
seeing this the consul made them in their turn feel
the terror which they had inspired, drew up his men in
order of battle and challenged them to fight. As,
conscious of their reduced strength, they declined an
engagement, the courage
of the Romans at once rose, and they looked upon the
men who kept timidly within their lines as already
defeated. After standing the whole day eager to
engage, they retired at nightfall; the enemy in a very
different state of mind sent men hurriedly in all
directions to recall the plundering parties; those in
the neighbourhood hastened back to camp, the more
distant ones were not traced. As soon as it grew
light, the Romans marched out, prepared to storm their
camp if they did not give them the chance of a battle.
When the day was far advanced without any movement on
the part of the enemy, the consul gave the order to
advance. As the line moved forward, the Aequi and
Volscians, indignant at the prospect of their
victorious armies being protected by earthworks rather
than by courage and arms, clamoured for the signal for
battle. It was given, and part of their force had
already emerged from the gate of the camp, whilst
others were coming down in order and taking up their
allotted positions, but before the enemy could mass
his whole strength in the field the Roman consul
delivered his attack. They had not all marched out of
the camp, those who had done so were not able to
deploy into line, and crowded together as they were,
they began to waver and sway. Whilst they looked round
helplessly at each other, undecided what to do, the
Romans raised their war-cry, and at first the enemy
gave ground, then, when they had recovered their
presence of mind and their generals were appealing to
them not to give way before those whom they had
defeated, the battle was restored.
