i, but contrary to the wish of the consul, because they had to
approach the enemy by disadvantageous ground. But the soldiers
complaining that the war was on purpose spun out, that the dictator
might resign his office before they returned home to the city, and so
his promises might fall to the ground without effect, as those of the
consul had done before, forced him at all hazards to march his army up
the hill. This imprudent step, by the cowardice of the enemy, turned out
successfully; for before the Romans came within reach of a dart, the
AEqui, quite amazed at their boldness, abandoned their camp, which was
situated in a very strong position, and ran down into the valleys on the
opposite side.[87] In it abundance of booty was found, and the victory
was a bloodless one. Matters being thus successfully managed in war in
three different directions, anxiety respecting the event of their
domestic differences had left neither the senators nor the people. With
such powerful influence, and with such art also, had the money-lenders
made their arrangements, so as to disappoint not only the people, but
even the dictator himself. For Valerius, after the return of the consul
Vetusius, first of all matters brought before the senate that relating
to the victorious people, and proposed the question, what it was their
determination should be done with respect to those confined for debt.
And when this motion was rejected, "I am not acceptable," says he, "as
an adviser of concord. You will ere long wish, depend on it, that the
commons of Rome had patrons similar to me. For my part, I will neither
further disappoint my fellow citizens, nor will I be dictator to no
purpose. Intestine dissensions, foreign wars, caused the republic to
require such a magistrate. Peace has been secured abroad, it is impeded
at home. I will be a witness to disturbance as a private citizen rather
than as dictator." Then quitting the senate-house, he abdicated his
dictatorship. The case appeared to the commons, that he had resigned his
office indignant at the treatment shown to them. Accordingly, as if his
engagements to them had been fully discharged, since it had not been his
fault that they were not made good, they attended him when returning to
his home with approbation and applause.

[Footnote 86: i. e. by deepening the files.]

[Footnote 87: "On the opposite side." Gronovius proposes instead of
_adversus_ to read _aversas_: scil. the valleys behind them,