the other consul by the patricians. The assembly of the
people being at length dismissed, the consuls convene the senate; where,
though fear and resentment by turns had produced a diversity of
opinions, the more they were recalled, after the lapse of time, from
violence to reflection, the more averse did they become to a continuance
of the dispute, so that they returned thanks to Quintius, because by his
exertions the disturbance had been quieted. Appius is requested "to
consent that the consular dignity should be merely so great as it could
be in a peaceably conducted state; that as long as the tribune and
consuls were drawing all power, each to his own side, no strength was
left between; that the object aimed at was in whose hands the
commonwealth should be, distracted and torn as it was, rather than that
it should be safe." Appius, on the contrary, called gods and men to
witness that "the commonwealth was betrayed and abandoned through
cowardice; that it was not the consul that was wanting to the senate,
but the senate to the consul; that more oppressive laws were now being
submitted to than were sanctioned on the sacred mount." Overcome however
by the unanimous feeling of the senators, he desisted: the law is
carried without opposition.

58. Then for the first time the tribunes were elected in the comitia by
tribes. Piso said that three were added to the number, whereas there had
been only two before. He names the tribunes also, Caius Sicinius, Lucius
Numitorius, Marcus Duilius, Spurius Icilius, Lucius Mecilius. During the
disturbance at Rome, a war with the Volscians and AEquans broke out; they
had laid waste the lands, so that if any secession of the people should
take place, they might find a refuge with them. The differences being
afterwards settled, they removed their camp backwards. Appius Claudius
was sent against the Volscians; the AEquans fell to Quintius as his
province. The severity of Appius was the same in war as at home, being
more unrestrained because he was free from tribunitian control. He hated
the commons with more than his father's hatred: he had been defeated by
them: when he was set up as the only consul to oppose the tribunitian
influence, a law was passed, which former consuls obstructed with less
effort, amid hopes of the senators by no means so great (as those formed
of him). His resentment and indignation at this, excited his imperious
temper to harass the army by the rigour of his command;