A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

4. An agnomnen of the VIRGINI TRICOSTI. Almost all the members of the Virginia gens had the surname Tricostus, and those who dwelt on the Esquiline had the surname Esquilinus, just as those living on the Caelian hill had the surname CAELIOMONTANUS. Two members of the gens have the surname Esquilinus, namely, OPITER VIRGINIUS TRICOSTUS ESQUILINUS, who was consul in B. C. 478, filling the place of C. Servilius Structus Ahala, who died in his year of office (Fasti), and his grandson, L. VIRGINIUS TRICOSTUS ESQUILINUS, consular tribune in B. C. 402. The conduct of the siege of Veii was entrusted to the latter and his colleague M'. Sergius Fidenas, but in consequence of their private enmity the campaign was a disastrous one. The Capenates and Falisci advanced to the relief of Veii. The two Roman generals had each the command of a separate camp : Sergius was attacked by the allies and a sally from the town at the same time, and let himself be overpowered by numbers, because he would not ask his colleague for assistance, and Virginius would not send it because it was not asked. In consequence of their misconduct, they were forced to design their office before their year had expired. In the following year they were brought to trial and condemned by the people to pay a heavy fine. (Liv. 5.8, 9, 11, 12.)