did awaken, and kept them from entrance. At length a composition was agreed upon, the Gauls being weary and the Romans hungry. The bargain was, that the Gauls should take a thousand pound weight in gold to desist from their siege. Whilst the gold was in weighing, the Gauls, with open insolency, made their weights too heavy; Brennus their captain casting his sword into the balance, and, with a proud exprobration, saying, that the vanquished must be patient perforce. But in the midst of this cavilling came Furius Camillus, with an army from Ardea, (where he had lived in his banishment,) and fell upon the Gauls with such violence, that he dispersed their troops, quenched the fire of the city with their blood, forcing them to restore the spoils with advantage, and forbear the gold, in accepting which they had lately been so nice. Further, having rid the city of them, he so hotly pursued them through a great part of Italy, that the remainder of their army which escaped from him was very small. Other armies of the Gauls which followed this first had the like il success. They were often beaten by the Romans, especially the victories of M. Torquatus and of M. Valerius Corvinus (each of which in single fight slew a champion of the Gauls) abated their presumption, and restored courage to the Romans. Camillus, for his notable service, was afterwards accounted a second Romulus.

The people, after this destruction of their city, were earnestly bent to go to the Veii to inhabit, but Camillus dissuaded them.

About the same time, somewhat before the siege of Veii, they changed their government from consuls to military tribunes. The government of these also, after some years, was by civil dissension interrupted; so that one while consuls ruled, another while there was an anarchy: then the tribunes were restored, and ruled again, till, after many years expired, the consular authority was established; it being enacted that one of the consuls should always be a plebeian. This was after the building of the city three hundred sixtyfive years. And now Rome, by suppression of her neigh

bour countries creeping well forward out of her minority, dares set forth against the warlike Samnites, who dwelt almost one hundred and thirty miles off, situated between Campania and Apulia. These did so strongly invade the Campanians their neighbours, that they forced them to yield themselves subjects to Rome, and undergo any conditions of tribute, or what else whatsoever, to obtain protection, which the Romans, although both countries had been their confederates, yet not willing that the greater, like fish, should devour the less, easily allowed of; especially aiming themselves at the good situation of Campania, the abundance of corn and wine, pleasant cities and towns, but especially Capua itself, the fairest city then in all Italy.

The families of the Papyrii and Fabii were most employed in the managing of this war, which endured the space of fifty years. And in this season were the Romans oftentimes dangerously encountered by the Samnites, as when T. Veturius and Sp. Posthumius were consuls, and discomfited by Pontius at Caudium with no small ignominy; and when Q. Fabius Gurges lost the field with three thousand men. But for these losses many great victories made large amends; the greatest whereof were gotten by L. Papyrius and by Quintus Fabius Maximus.

The Samnites drew the Hetrurians into their quarrel: but the force of the Samnites was well broken, ere the Hetrurians (the greater and richer, but less warlike nation) began to stir. So the one and the other of these two countries became at length tributary to Rome.

In the continuance of this long war it was (though in time of truce between the Romans and Samnites) that the Latins began to challenge equal freedom in the corporation of Rome, and right in bearing office, so that they required to have one of the consuls yearly chosen out of them.

This demand of the Latins was not unreasonable. For the Romans themselves were a Latin colony; besides all which, they made offer to change their name, and to be all called Romans. But the Romans were too proud to admit any such capitulation. So a great battle was fought be

tween them; wherein the fortune of Rome prevailed by

the virtue of the consuls.

Manlius Torquatus and the elder Decius were then consuls, whom the soothsayers advertised that the side should be victorious which lost the general in fight. Hereupon Decius the consul exposed his life to the enemy, and purchased victory (as was believed) by his death. In which kind of devoting himself for his army the son of this Decius, being after consul, did imitate his father in the Hetrurian war. But (as Tully well notes) it was rather the desperate resolution of these Decii that purchased victory by rushing into the midst of the enemies, wherein their soldiers followed them, than any great commendation of such a religion, as required the lives of so worthy citizens to be sacrificed for their country. The discipline of Manlius was no less resolute than the valour of Decius. He forbade any one to forsake his place, and fight single with an enemy. For breach of which order he caused his own son to be put to death, who had slain a captain of the Latins, being challenged, in single fight.

When the Latins, the Æqui, Volsci, Hernici, Campani, Samnites, and Hetrurians, with some other people, were brought under obedience; it was a vain labour for any people of Italy to contend against the Romans.

Yet the Sabines adventured to try their fortune, and found it bad. For Curius Dentatus, the Roman consul, wasting all their country with fire and sword, from the river Nar and Velia to the Adriatic sea, brought them into quiet subjection.

The last of the Italians that made trial of the Roman arms were the Tarentines and their adherents. These had interposed themselves as mediators between the Romans and Samnites, with a peremptory denunciation of war unto that party which should dare to refuse the peace by them tendered. These threats, which discovered their bad affection to Rome, ended in words; but when the Samnites were utterly subdued, matter enough of quarrel was found to examine their ability of performance.

The Romans complained that certain ships of theirs were robbed; and sent ambassadors unto Tarentum, to require amends. Upon some wrong done to these ambassadors was laid the foundation of that war, wherein the Lucans, Messapians, Brutians, and Apulians, joining with the Tarentines, procured the Samnites, and other subjects of Rome, to rebel, and take their part. But some experience of the Roman strength taught all these people to know their own weakness. Wherefore they agreed to send for Pyrrhus, by whose aid (being a Grecian, as the Tarentines also were) great hope was conceived, that the dominion of Rome should be confined unto more narrow bounds than all Italy, which already in a manner it did overspread.

SECT. II.

How Pyrrhus warred upon the Romans, and vanquished them in two battles.

PYRRHUS, forsaken by the Macedonians, and unable to deal with Lysimachus, was compelled a while to live in rest; which he abhorred no less than a wiser prince would have desired. He had a strong army and a good fleet, which in that unsettled state of things was enough to purchase a kingdom; but the fall of Demetrius had so increased the power of Lysimachus, that it was no point of wisdom to make an offensive war upon him, without far greater forces. Antigonus, the son of Demetrius, held Corinth at the same time, and some other towns, with the remainder of his father's army and treasures, left in his hand. Upon him it is like that Pyrrhus might have won; but it was better to let him alone, that he might serve to give some hinderance to Lysimachus.

In this want of employment, and covetous desire of finding it, the Tarentine ambassadors came very fitly to Pyrrhus: and they came with brave offers, as needing none other aid than his good conduct, which to obtain they would cast themselves under his protection. They had in their company some of the Samnites, Lucanians, Messapians, and others; which promised, in behalf of their several na

tions, as much as could be desired. This encouraged Pyrrhus, and filled him with hopes of goodly conquests; that he might enlarge his empire to the west, as far as Alexander had gotten eastward, and still by one victory open the gate unto another. To which effect it is said, that once he answered Cyneas, his chief counsellor, asking what he meant to do after every of the victories which he hoped to get; that, having won Rome, he would soon be master of all Italy; that after Italy he would quickly get the isle of Sicily; that out of Sicily he would pass over into Afric, and win Carthage, with all the rest of the country; and being strengthened with the force of all these provinces, he would be too hard for any of those that were now so proud and troublesome. But Cyneas inquired yet further, what they should do when they were lords of all; whereunto Pyrrhus (finding his drift) answered pleasantly, that they would live merrily; a thing (as Cyneas then told him) that they presently might do without any trouble, if he could be contented with his own.

Nevertheless this Italian expedition seemed unto Pyrrhus a matter of such consequence, as was not to be omitted in regard of any scholastical disputation. Wherefore he prepared his army, of almost thirty thousand men, well sorted and well trained soldiers, part of which he sent over before him under Cyneas, with the rest he followed in person. At his coming, he found the Tarentines very prompt of tongue, but in matter of execution utterly careless to provide for the war. Wherefore he was fain to shut up their theatre, and other places of pleasure and resort; enforcing them to take arms, and making such a strict muster, as was to them very unpleasing, though greatly behoving to their estate.

Whilst he was occupied with these cares, Lævinus the Roman consul drew near, and began to waste Lucania, a province confederate with the Tarentines in this war.

The Lucanians were not ready to defend their own country; the Samnites were careless of the harm that fell not (as yet) upon themselves; the Tarentines were better pre