rites in
peace, ceremonies relating to war might be transmitted by him, and that
wars might not only be waged, but proclaimed also according to some
rite, he borrowed from an ancient nation, the AEquicolae, the form which
the heralds still preserve, according to which restitution is demanded.
The ambassador, when he comes to the frontiers of the people from whom
satisfaction is demanded, having his head covered with a fillet, (the
fillet is of wool,) says, "Hear, O Jupiter, hear, ye confines, (naming
the nation they belong to,) let Justice hear. I am a public messenger of
the Roman people; I come justly and religiously deputed, and let my
words gain credit." He then makes his demands; afterwards he makes a
solemn appeal to Jupiter, "If I unjustly or impiously demand those
persons and those goods to be given up to me, the messenger of the Roman
people, then never permit me to enjoy my native country." These words he
repeats when he passes over the frontiers; the same to the first man he
meets; the same on entering the gate; the same on entering the forum,
some few words in the form of the declaration and oath being changed. If
the persons whom he demands are not delivered up, on the expiration of
thirty-three days, for so many are enjoined by the rule, he declares
war, thus: "Hear, Jupiter, and thou, Juno, Romulus, and all ye
celestial, terrestrial, and infernal gods, give ear! I call you to
witness, that this nation (naming it) is unjust, and does not act with
equity; but we will consult the fathers in our own country concerning
these matters, and by what means we may obtain our right." After that
the messenger returns to Rome to consult: the king immediately used to
consult the fathers almost in the following words: "Concerning such
matters, differences, and quarrels, as the pater patratus of the Roman
people, the Quirites, has conferred with the pater patratus of the
ancient Latins, and with the ancient Latin people, which matters ought
to be given up, performed, discharged, which matters they have neither
given up, performed, nor discharged, declare," says he to him, whose
opinion he first asked, "what think you?" Then he said, "I think that
they should be demanded by a just and regularly declared war, therefore
I consent, and vote for it." Then the others were asked in order, and
when the majority of those present agreed in the same opinion, the war
was resolved on. It was customary for the fecialis to carry in his ha