g to
treaty, when demanded, were the cause of this war, methinks I both heard
our King Cluilius (assert), and I doubt not, Tullus, but that you state
the same thing. But if the truth is to be told, rather than that which
is plausible, the desire of dominion stimulates two kindred and
neighbouring states to arms. Nor do I take upon myself to determine
whether rightly or wrongly: be that his consideration who commenced the
war. The Albans have made me their leader for carrying on the war. Of
this, Tullus, I would wish to warn you; how powerful the Etruscan state
is around us, and round you particularly, you know better (than we),
inasmuch as you are nearer them. They are very powerful by land,
extremely so by sea. Recollect that, when you shall give the signal for
battle, these two armies will presently be a spectacle to them; and they
may fall on us wearied and exhausted, victor and vanquished together.
Therefore, in the name of heaven, since, not content with certain
liberty, we are incurring the dubious risk of sovereignty and slavery,
let us adopt some method, whereby, without much loss, without much blood
of either nation, it may be decided which shall rule the other."--The
proposal is not displeasing to Tullus, though both from the natural bent
of his mind, as also from the hope of victory, he was rather inclined to
violence. After some consideration, a plan is adopted on both sides, for
which Fortune herself afforded the materials.

[Footnote 30: _Mettus_. Gronovius and Bekker read _Mettius_; Niebuhr
also prefers _Mettius_; he conceives that the Latin _praenomina_ and the
Roman _nomina_ terminated in _ius_.]

[Footnote 31: _Injurias et non redditas_, etc. The construction is, _et
ego videor audisse regem nostrum Cluilium (prae se ferre) injurias et non
redditas res ... nec dubito te ferre eadem prae te, Tulle_.]

24. It happened that there were in each of the two armies three
brothers[32] born at one birth, unequal neither in age nor strength.
That they were called Horatii and Curiatii is certain enough; nor is
there any circumstance of antiquity more celebrated; yet in a matter so
well ascertained, a doubt remains concerning their names, to which
nation the Horatii and to which the Curiatii belonged. Authors claim
them for both sides; yet I find more who call the Horatii Romans. My
inclination leads me to follow them. The kings confer with the three
brothers, that they should fight with their swords each in defe