The history of the vvorld: or, An account of time. Compiled by the learned Dionisius Petavius. And continued by others, to the year of our Lord, 1659. Together with a geographicall description of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

CHAP. VII. Of the Roman Affairs, from the 271 year, from the building of the City, to the 323; and the beginning of the Peloponnesian War.

THe (a) Veian War began at Rome, according to the City ac∣count, the 271 year; which when the Fabii alone undertook to manage the War themselves upon their own charge, and had pitcht their Tents at the River Cremera, their quarters were bea∣ten up the very first day, and six hundred of them put to the sword; which Gellius sayes was in the 277 year of the City ac∣count; and the 4th after the Battle was at Salamis. But the year following, the Veians had to do with Servilius Consul.

(b) The War went on with the Volsci, who were often over∣come, especially by T. Quinctius Capitolinus. He, the 286 year of the City, destroyed Antium the head of that Nation; and the 296, was sent Dictator against the Aequi, and being but a man that came from the plough-tayl, delivered Minutius Consul, who was hemm'd in by them, and subjugated his enemies, and made them Tributary.

(c) In the 303 year of the City-account, and the 451 before Christ, the Constitution of the Roman State was altered, accord∣ing to Dionysius. For then the Decemviri (or the Government by Ten) were established in the Supream Authority, who appointed several Laws for the Romans, which they gathered out of certain Constitutions brought thither the year before, by certain Legates out of Greece, which I say they new-modelled and fitted to the Conisitution of the Roman Common-Wealth. But these men pre∣sently made use of the power put into their hands, to Tyranny and Oppression; insomuch, that one of them (by name Appius Clau∣dius) seeking by force to compell Virginia to be his Concubine, her father, to prevent him, slew her with his own hands. Where∣upon grew another Insurrection amongst the common people; to appease which mutiny, they were fain to suppresse the Decemviri, and restore the Tribunes of the People and Consuls, to Office again: which fell out upon the 305 year of the City, and the (d) 60 after the liberty thereof, the year before Christ 449; so that the Decem∣viri had ruled but three years at most.

(e) In the 315 year of the City, Sp. Melius took the opportu∣nity of engaging the affections of the people to him, as a probable way to attain the Soveraignty, by distributing corn amongst them very liberally in a most raging famine. But was cut off by the command of Quinctius the Dictator, and by the hand of C. Servi∣lius. The year following, the Fidenates fell off to Lartes Tolum∣nius,

King of the Viens, and put to death the Roman Legates, whose Statues or Monument were erected in the Forum; and the year following, being the 317 of the City, they were vanquished by Mamercus Aemilius the Dictator. Tolumnius was slain by Cornelius Cossus, who was the first but Romulus that devoted a rich booty to Jupiter Feretrius; although Sigonius thinks he dedicated them in his Consul-ship the 326 year of the City.

(f) The first Censors at Rome were created the 311th year, who were constituted Quinquennial or for five years; but in the 320 they were reduced tobe half-yearly, by Mamercus Aemilius the Dictator.

In the 323 year, A. Posthumius the Dictator was very fortunate in his War against the Aequi and Volsci, but the honour of his victory was very much defiled by the blood of his son, whom he punished no lesse severe, for but fighting without Orders, than with the Dint of his Ax.

Notes

• (a)

  Liv. 2. Dion. 9. Gellius 17. cap. 20.
• (b)

  Liv. l. 3. Dion. 10.
• (c)

  Dion. 10. & 11. Liv. 3.
• (d)

  Cicer. 2. de fine.
• (e)

  Liv. 4. Val. l. 5. c. 3.
• (f)

  Liv. 4.