[Linenotes: 1. +iam hinc+, i.e. 343-266 B.C. 2. +longinquitate ... temporum+ = _the distance of the theatre of war_ (+regionum+) _and the length of the campaign_ (+temporum+).--Rawlins. 6-7. +quanta rerum moles+ = _What stupendous exertions!_--R. 8. +in hanc magnitudinem+, i.e. in the reign of Augustus. 10. +cum societate+, i.e. from 354 B.C. 12. +Sidicinis+, a Sabellian people N.W. of Campania, on the Samnite border. 16. +fluentes (luxu)+ = _enervated_ (lit. _relaxed_) by luxury. 21. +Tifāta+ (neut. Plur.), a mountain range N.E. of Capua. 22-23. +quadrato agmine+ = _in regular order of battle_, so that the whole army formed a parallelogram.] +The Cause of the War.+ ‘The interference of Rome was a breach of the Treaty with the Samnites. Livy admits this, but asserts that Capua had formally surrendered to Rome, and as a subject state claimed her protection. The story is confessedly false, for Capua remained, what it had always been, an independent town.’ --R. D32 FIRST SAMNITE WAR, 343-341 B.C. (2) _Battle of Mt. Gaurus. M. Valerius Corvus._ Non alias militi familiarior dux fuit, omnia inter infimos militum haud gravate munia obeundo. In ludo praeterea militari, cum velocitatis viriumque inter se aequales certamina ineunt, comiter facilis; vincere ac vinci vultu eodem, nec quemquam aspernari {5} parem, qui se offerret; factis benignus pro re, dictis haud minus libertatis alienae quam suae dignitatis memor, et, quo nihil popularius est, quibus artibus petierat magistratus, iisdem gerebat. Itaque universus exercitus incredibili alacritate adhortationem {10} prosecutus ducis castris egreditur. . . . Primus omnium consul invadit hostem et, cum quo forte contulit gradum, obtruncat. Hoc spectaculo accensi dextra laevaque ante se quisque memorandum proelium ciet; stant obnixi Samnites, quamquam {15} plura accipiunt quam inferunt vulnera. Aliquamdiu iam pugnatum erat, atrox caedes circa signa Samnitium, fuga ab nulladum parte erat; adeo morte sola vinci destinaverant animis. Itaque Romani, cum et fluere iam lassitudine vires sentirent et diei {20} haud multum superesse, accensi ira concitant se in hostem. Tum primum referri pedem atque inclinari rem in fugam apparuit; tum capi, occidi Samnis; nec superfuissent multi, ni nox victoriam magis quam proelium diremisset. {25} LIVY, vii. 33.