Anthony Everitt: The Rise of Rome

23 a spirited resistance It is said that in 454 a delegation of three was sent to Athens to study the laws of Solon (638–558). This is most unlikely to have taken place; Pericles was in power and would hardly have shown the visitors such old-fashioned and outmoded legislation. However, it is credible that consideration was given to the laws and constitutions of Greek cities in Italy. An alternative tradition has a Greek philosopher in exile advise the decemvirs.

24 ingenious speculations For example, Ogilvie p. 452 says firmly that “the second college is fictitious from start to finish.” 103 “The Decemvirate, after a flourishing start” Livy 3 33 2.

25 “ten Tarquins” Ibid., 3 39 3.

26 As with the fall of the kings Modern scholars look on the approximate “rhyme” with the rape of Lucretia with suspicion. Perhaps rightly so, but Cornell p. 275 argues that the story of Appius Claudius and Verginia may be very old and that its main elements could have a basis in fact.

27 “I have incontrovertible evidence” Livy 3 48 1–3. This speech is drawn from Livy’s imaginative reconstruction.

28 encamped on the Aventine Livy 3 52 2 says that they moved on to the Sacred Mount, probably an unnecessary elaboration of the story.

29 “I know well enough what is coming to us” Ibid., 3 54 3–4.

30 “wisely favored popular measures” Cic Rep 2 31 54.

31 haughty manner of a Claudian It is odd that, for centuries, the Claudian gens produced generation after generation of impossible men. Some assert that this was all made up by hostile Roman historians. Maybe, but (for example) we have reliable evidence of bad behavior by Claudians in the late Republic (witness Cicero’s relations with Clodius Pulcher and Appius Claudius, as set out in his correspondence). Genetics are less likely to be responsible than the not entirely unwelcome obligation to live up to other people’s expectations.

32 killed himself Dio of H 9 54 3–6. Another imaginative reconstruction, no doubt.

33 The consuls had three important laws passed The ancient sources give differing accounts of the Valerio-Horatian legislation. The difficulty is that real constitutional changes did take place, but it is not at all clear exactly when. I follow mainstream modern opinion. Those wishing to delve more deeply into this dry earth may do so at CAH, pp. 227–35.

34 “still today the fountainhead” Livy 3 34 6.

35 “A man might gather up fruit” Table 7 10 (according to the traditional tabulation).

36 “Let them keep the road in order” Table 7 1.

37 “Where a party is delivered up” Table 3 10.

Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus are the main sources, with contributions by Cicero and Polybius.

1 fifteenth of July in the year 496 This is the date given by Livy 2 42 5.

2 the spring that rose just by the Temple of Vesta The Pool of Juturna.

3 Castor and Pollux Castor and Polydeuces, in their Greek incarnation. 112 “It made a fine sight” Dio of H 6 13 5.

4 Livy’s “great astonishment” Livy 6 12 2.

5 The Carthaginians shall do no injury Polyb 3 22 11–13. This treaty is historical. The reliable Polybius reports what he surely saw for himself, that the treaty was preserved in bronze in the treasury of the aediles beside the Temple of Jupiter Best and Greatest. He confesses to having some trouble translating the archaic Latin, but the text as he gives it is plausible and rational.

6 boundaries of Latium at this epoch Latium Vetus, Old Latium.

7 still there in Cicero’s time Cic Balb 53.

8 Let there be peace between the Romans Dio of H 6 95 2.

9 Etruscan ruling class of Capua Livy 4 37 1–2.

10 Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus Livy 3 26–29.

11 “most opulent of all Etruria’s cities” Ibid., 5 22.

12 its forces reached Rome The First Veientine War, 483–74.

13 As you know, gentlemen Livy 2 48 8. A Livian reconstruction.

14 replaced their kings with elected officials Briquel, p. 44.

15 Aulus Cornelius Cossus Livy 4 19. A vivid account.

16 a linen corselet The inscription and corselet had probably been restored in 222, when the third winner of spolia opima made his dedication at the temple. See Ogilvie Livy 1–5, pp. 558–65.

17 expanded from four thousand to six thousand men Keppie, p. 18.

18 priestess straightforwardly suggested According to Livy 5 16 9–11.

19 designed to prevent seepage See Ogilvie 1, pp. 658–59.

20 This work was now begun Livy 5 19 10–11.

21 archaic wooden statue Dio of H 13.3. A xoanon , or carved wooden image. A contemporary sculpture would have been made of terra-cotta.

22 “leave this town where you now dwell” Livy 5 21 3.

23 “too much like a romantic stage play” Ibid., 5 21 8–9.

24 the only civic status available, Roman citizenship For this plausible speculation, see CAH 7 2, pp. 312–13.

25 We are told, too, that words were uttered Ibid., 5 22 6.

26 “How sad, ancient Veii!” The poet was Sextus Propertius. See Carmina 4 10 27 30.

27 “Calamity of unprecedented magnitude” Livy 5 37 1.

28 [They] had no knowledge of the refinements Polyb 2 17 8–12.

29 were usually tall This paragraph draws on Dio Sic 5 28 and 32.

30 A foolish story is told If there is any truth in this, it could be that the Celts were invited to intervene in some internal quarrel in Clusium.

31 about ten thousand Romans faced thirty thousand Celts Scullard, p. 103.

32 a rout with high casualties Livy exaggerates the disaster for dramatic effect. From what followed, it seems clear that much of the army must have managed to escape.

33 Livy describes what happened next Livy 5 39–49. He overdoes the damage caused by the Celts.

34 a strange ritual called devotio For this interpretation see Ogilvie, p. 725. Also Livy 5 41.

35 Many public and private records Livy 6 1.

36 It was the geese that saved them Ibid., 5 47.

37 Juno’s sacred geese Juno had no special interest in geese. The birds were probably those kept in the auguraculum , or space for augury, on the Capitol, where the mood of the gods was divined from the way the birds ate their food. See Ogilvie, p. 734; the story is “the authentic stuff of history.” 131 Insult was added Livy 5 48 9.

38 barbarians may have gone, but not forever See Oakley 1, pp. 360–65 for a discussion of “Gallic attacks on Rome between the Allia and Sentinum.” 132 king of the Visigoths, the fearsome Alaric Alaric captured Rome in A.D. 410.

39 “at that moment an invasion” Polyb 2 18 3.

40 All work was hurried Livy 5 55. The story may be an ancient urban myth, invented to explain the haphazard layout of Rome’s drains.

41 work began in 378 Ibid., 6 32.

42 “giving the beholder the impression” Dio of H 4 13 4.

Livy is the main source, with contributions by Cassius Dio, Cicero, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus.

1 the Caudine Forks The opening section of this chapter discusses the clades Caudiana , the Caudine catastrophe, which is recounted in Livy 9 1.