Ab urbe condita

Their expedition turned out to be an advantage to the Romans, for the apprehensions aroused by a war so close to their gates stifled a nascent conflict between the patricians and the plebs.

In the war which followed there was another hostile incursion, but one more formidable to the country districts than to the City; the Tarquinians were carrying on their depredations within the Roman frontiers mainly on the side towards Etruria. As redress was refused, the new consuls, C. Fabius and C. Plautius, by order of the people, declared war against them.

This campaign was allotted to Fabius, the one against the Hernici to Plautius. Rumours[*](Renewed fighting with the Gauls.) of hostilities on the part of the Gauls were becoming more frequent. Amidst these numerous alarms, however, there was one consolation — peace had been granted on their request to the Latins, and a strong contingent was sent by them in accordance with the old treaty which for many years they had not observed.