self, turning over
the commentaries of Numa, after he had found therein that certain
sacrifices of a secret and solemn nature had been performed to Jupiter
Elicius, shut himself up and set about the performance of this
solemnity; but that that rite was not duly undertaken or conducted, and
that not only no appearance of heavenly notification was presented to
him, but that he was struck with lightning and burnt to ashes, together
with his house, through the anger of Jupiter, exasperated at the
impropriety of the ceremony. Tullus reigned two-and-thirty years with
great military renown.

32. On the death of Tullus the government devolved once more upon the
senate, and they nominated an interrex; and on his holding the comitia,
the people elected Ancus Marcius king. The fathers confirmed the
election. Ancus Marcius was the grandson of king Numa Pompilius by his
daughter. As soon as he ascended the throne, reflecting on the renown of
his grandfather, and that the late reign, glorious in every other
respect, in one particular had not been sufficiently prosperous, the
rites of religion having either been utterly neglected, or improperly
performed; deeming it of the highest importance to perform the public
ceremonies of religion as they had been instituted by Numa, he orders
the pontiff, after he had transcribed them all from the king's
commentaries on white tables, to expose them to public view. Hence, both
his own subjects, desirous of peace, and the neighbouring nations,
entertained a hope that the king would conform to the conduct and
institutions of his grandfather. Accordingly the Latins, with whom a
treaty had been concluded in the reign of Tullus, assumed new courage;
and after they had made an incursion upon the Roman lands, return a
contemptuous answer to the Romans on their demanding restitution,
supposing that the Roman king would spend his reign in indolence among
chapels and altars. The genius of Ancus was of a middle kind, partaking
both of that of Numa and of Romulus; and, besides that, he thought that
peace was more necessary in his grandfather's reign, considering the
people were but recent as well as uncivilized, he also (considered) that
he could not, without injury, preserve the tranquillity which had fallen
to his lot; that his patience was tried, and being tried, was now
despised; and that the times were more suited to a king Tullus than to a
Numa. In order, however, that as Numa had instituted religious