It was from this incident that the designation “The Curtian Gulf” originated, and not from that old-world soldier of Titius Tatius, Curtius Mettius.

If any path would lead an inquirer to the truth, we should not shrink from the labour of investigation; as it is, on a matter where antiquity makes certainty impossible we must adhere to the legend which supplies the more famous derivation of the name.

AfterWar with the Hernici. this appalling portent had been duly expiated, the deliberations of the senate were concerned with the Hernici.

The mission of the Fetials who had been sent to demand satisfaction proved to be fruitless; the senate accordingiy decided to submit to the people at the earliest possible day the question of declaring war against the Hernici.

The people in a crowded Assembly voted for war. Its conduct fell by lot to L. Genucius.

As he was the first plebeian consul to manage a war under his own auspices the State awaited the issue with keen interest, prepared to look

upon the policy of admitting plebeians to the highest offices of state as wise or unwise according to the way matters turned out.