Ab urbe condita

After the senators had contributed most conscientiously the full amount at which they were assessed, the leading plebeians, personal friends of the nobles, began, as had been agreed, to pay in their share.

When the crowd saw these men applauded by the senate and looked up to by the men of military age as patriotic citizens, they hastily rejected the proffered protection of the tribunes and vied with one another in their

eagerness to contribute. The proposal authorising the declaration of war against Veii was carried, and the new consular tribunes marched thither an army composed to a large extent of men who volunteered for service.

These[*](Beginning of the War against Veii.) tribunes were T. Quinctius Capitolinus, Q. Quinctius Cincinnatus, C. Julius Julus —for the second time —Aulus Manlius, L. Furius Medullinus —for the third time —and Manius Aemilius Mamercus.

It was by them that Veii was first invested. Immediately after the siege had commenced, a largely-attended meeting of the national council of the Etruscans was held at the fane of Voltumna, but no decision was arrived at as to whether the Veientines should be defended by the armed strength of

the whole nation. The following year the siege was prosecuted with less vigour owing to some of the tribunes and a portion of the army being called off to the Volscian war.

The consular tribunes for the year were C. Valerius Potitus —for the third time —Manius Sergius Fidenas, P. Cornelius Maluginensis, Cnaeus Cornelius Cossus, Kaeso Fabius Ambustus, and Spurius Nautius Rutilus —for the second time.

A pitched battle was fought with the Volscians between Ferentinum and Ecetrae, which resulted in favour of the Romans.