same manner as if its
power were unbounded, and admitted no appeal.]

18. On the same night, messengers come to Tusculum announcing that the
citadel was taken, and the Capitol seized, and the other state of
disturbance in the city. Lucius Mamilius was at that time dictator at
Tusculum; he, having immediately convoked the senate and introduced the
messengers, earnestly advises: "That they should not wait until
ambassadors came from Rome, suing for assistance; that the very danger
and risk, and the social gods, and the faith of treaties, demanded it;
that the gods would never afford them an equal opportunity of obliging
so powerful a state and so near a neighbour." It is determined that
assistance should be sent: the young men are enrolled; arms are given to
them. Coming to Rome at break of day, they at a distance exhibited the
appearance of enemies. The AEqui or Volscians appeared to be coming. Then
when the groundless alarm was removed, they are admitted into the city,
and descend in a body into the forum. There Publius Valerius, having
left his colleague to guard the gates, was now drawing up in order of
battle. The great influence of the man had produced an effect, when he
affirmed that, "the Capitol being recovered, and the city restored to
peace, if they would allow themselves to be convinced what lurking fraud
was concealed under the law proposed by the tribunes, that he would
offer no obstruction to the meeting of the people, mindful of his
ancestors, mindful of his surname, and that the province of protecting
the people had been handed down to him as hereditary by his ancestors."
Following him as their leader, notwithstanding the tribunes cried out
against it, they direct their march up the Capitoline hill. The Tusculan
troops also joined them. Allies and citizens vied with each other which
of them should appropriate to themselves the honour of recovering the
citadel. Each leader encourages his own men. Then the enemy became
terrified, and placed no dependence on any but the place. The Romans and
allies advance on them whilst in this state of alarm. They had now
broken into the porch of the temple, when Publius Valerius is slain
animating the fight at the head of his men. Publius Volumnius, a man of
consular rank, saw him falling. Having directed his men to cover the
body, he rushes forward to the place and office of consul. Through their
ardour and impetuosity the perception of so heavy a blow did not reach
the