Ab urbe condita

When, for the first time, a Dictator was created in Rome, a great fear fell on the people, after they saw the axes[*](axes —The sign of the Dictator's absolute power over life and death, from whom there was no appeal. By the Valerian Law (chap. viii.) the consuls did not have the axes in the City; their appearance now excited alarm.) borne before him, and consequently they were more careful to obey his orders. For there was not, as in the case of the consuls, each of whom possessed the same authority, any chance of securing the aid of one against the other, nor was there any right of appeal, nor in short was there any safety anywhere except in

punctilious obedience. The Sabines were even more alarmed at the appointment of a Dictator than the Romans, because they were convinced that it was in their account that he had

been created. Accordingly envoys were sent with proposals for peace. They begged the Dictator and the senate to pardon what was a youthful escapade, but were told in reply that young men could be pardoned, but not old men, who were continually stirring up

fresh wars. However, the negotiations continued and peace would have been secured if the Sabines could have made up their minds to comply with the demand to make good the expenses of the war. War was proclaimed; an informal truce kept the year undisturbed.

The next consuls were Ser. Sulpicius and Manlius Tullius. Nothing worth recording took place. The[*](The Battle at Lake Regillus.) consuls of the following year were T. Aebutius and C. Vetusius.

During their consulship Fidenae was besieged; Crustumeria captured; Praeneste revolted from the Latins to Rome. The Latin war which had been threatening for some years now at last broke out.

A. Postumius, the Dictator, and T. Aebutius, Master of the Horse, advanced with a large force of infantry and cavalry to the Lake Regillus in the district of Tusculum and came upon the main army of the enemy.