tions were defended with the utmost vigour, and the place was
strongly fortified both by nature and art. However, the soldiers, now
inured to plunder, overcame every obstacle. Three thousand of the
enemy were killed round the walls, and the spoil was given to the
troops. In some annals, the principal share of the honour of taking
these cities is attributed to Maximus. They say that Murgantia was
taken by Decius; Romulea and Ferentinum by Fabius. Some ascribe this
honour to the new consuls: others not to both, but to one of these,
Lucius Volumnius: that to him the province of Samnium had fallen.

18. While things went on thus in Samnium, whoever it was that had the
command and auspices, powerful combination, composed of many states,
was formed in Etruria against the Romans, the chief promoter of which
was Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite. Almost all the Etrurians had united
in this war. The neighbouring states of Umbria were drawn in, as it
were, by the contagion; and auxiliaries were procured from the Gauls
for hire: all their several numbers assembled at the camp of the
Samnites. When intelligence of this sudden commotion was received at
Rome, after the consul, Lucius Volumnius, had already set out for
Samnium, with the second and third legions, and fifteen thousand of
the allies; it was, therefore, resolved, that Appius Claudius should,
at the very earliest opportunity, go into Etruria. Two Roman legions
followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve thousand allies; their
camp was pitched at a small distance from the enemy. However,
advantage was gained by his early arrival in this particular, that the
awe of the Roman name kept in check some states of Etruria which were
disposed to war, rather than from any judicious or successful
enterprise achieved under the guidance of the consul. Several battles
were fought, at times and places unfavourable, and increasing
confidence rendered the enemy daily more formidable; so that matters
came nearly to such a state, as that neither could the soldiers rely
much on their leader, nor the leader on his soldiers. It appears in
three several histories, that a letter was sent by the consul to call
his colleague from Samnium. But I will not affirm what requires
stronger proof, as that point was a matter of dispute between these
two consuls of the Roman people, a second time associated in the same
office; Appius denying that the letter was sent, and Volumnius
affirming that he was called t