The Story of Rome, From the Earliest Times to the Death of Augustus, Told to Boys and Girls — John Shaqi
The Story of Rome, From the Earliest Times to the Death of Augustus, Told to Boys and GirlsMacgregor, Mary
History
The Story of Rome, From the Earliest Times to the Death of Augustus, Told to Boys and Girls
Macgregor, Mary
Rome -- History -- Juvenile literature
As he had feared, Lucius proved too rash a leader, and the Roman army
was soon in dire confusion and flying toward the camp.
Such a sight was more than the brave old warrior could endure. Leaping
from his couch, he bade those who were near to follow him.
Then as the fugitives saw their old general, who had so often led them
to victory, forcing his way toward the enemy, shame stayed their flight.
Swiftly they rallied, and turning, followed Camillus, so that the
Volscians and the Prænestines were in their turn forced to flee.
The next day Camillus led the whole army against the foe, and fought so
fiercely that before long the enemy was in full retreat. Many of the
fugitives sought refuge in their camp, but the Romans followed, and
driving them from the shelter of the tents, put them to death.
Then, having won these three victories, Camillus returned in triumph to
Rome, carrying with him much plunder.
But the old warrior was not yet to be allowed to rest.
In 381 B.C. war broke out in Tusculum, which town had long been
faithful to Rome, and Camillus was sent to put down the rebellion. He
was told to choose one of his five colleagues to help him.
Each tribune longed for the glory of accompanying Camillus, but his
choice fell upon Lucius, who had so nearly lost a battle in the last
war. Perhaps the great general wished to give the tribune a chance to
retrieve his mistake.
When the Tusculans heard that Camillus was approaching their gates with
a large army, they speedily repented of their rebellion and laid down
their arms.
Ploughmen hastened back to their fields, shepherds to their sheep.
Tradesmen, too, were soon again busy in their workshops, children were
in their places at school, while the well-to-do citizens walked about
the streets in their usual dress, unarmed.
When the tribunes arrived at Tusculum, they were welcomed by the
magistrates with every sign of pleasure, and entertained as hospitably
as though they were eagerly expected guests.
Camillus was too wise to be deceived by these simple folk, yet seeing
their penitence, he was sorry for them.
So, instead of punishing them, he merely bade them send ambassadors to
the Senate to beg for forgiveness, promising himself to speak on their
behalf.
The Senate proved merciful. For the city was forgiven, and her
inhabitants were made Roman citizens.
About five years later, in 376 B.C., the Latins were defeated so
severely by the Romans, that they were glad to enter into alliance with
their conquerors. Then for nearly ten years Rome enjoyed greater peace
than had been her lot for long. It was during these years that Licinius
made the laws of which I have told you.
But in 367 B.C., the Gauls, who were still dreaded by the Romans,
marched with a large army toward Rome, laying waste the country through
which they passed.
Camillus, although now eighty years of age, was again made Dictator.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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