A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. T.MeneniusAgrippae F. C. N. LANATUS, son of the preceding, was consul in B. C. 477 with C. Horatius Pulvillus. It was during this year that the Fabii were cut off by the Etruscans at Cremera, and T. Lanatus, who was encamped only a short way off at the time, allowed them to be destroyed in accordance with the wishes of the ruling party in the senate. He paid, however, dearly for this act of treachery. The Etruscans flushed with victory defeated his army, and took possession of the Janiculus: and in the following year the tribunes brought him to trial for having neglected to assist the Fabii. As they did not wish for the blood of the son of their great benefactor, the punishment was to be only a fine of 2000 asses. Lanatus was condemned; and he took his punishment so much to heart, that he shut himself up in his house and died of grief. (Liv. 2.51, 52; Dionys. A. R. 9.18-27; Diod. 11.53; Gel. 17.21.)