Appius Claudius Caecus

The commons, however, worn out as they were by the recent wars and in need of any and every kind of restorative, listened readily to the military commanders, who, besides giving the reasons above stated for the general advantage of the war, pointed out the great benefit in the way of plunder which each and every one would evidently derive from it.

They were therefore in favor of consenting, and when the measure had been passed by the people, they appointed to the command one of the consuls, Appius Claudius, who was ordered to cross to Messene, 264 BC.

The Mamertines, partly by menace and partly by stratagem, dislodged the Carthaginian commander, who was already established in the citadel, and then invited Appius to enter, placing the city in his hands.

The Carthaginians crucified their general, thinking him guilty of a lack both of judgment and of courage in abandoning the citadel.

The commons, however, worn out as they were by the recent wars and in need of any and every kind of restorative, listened readily to the military commanders, who, besides giving the reasons above stated for the general advantageousness of the war, pointed out the great benefit in the way of plunder which each and every one would evidently derive from it.

They were therefore in favour of consenting, and when the measure had been passed by the people, they appointed to the command one of the consuls, Appius Claudius, who was ordered to cross to Messene, 264 BC.

The Mamertines, partly by menace and partly by stratagem, dislodged the Carthaginian commander, who was already established in the citadel, and then invited Appius to enter, placing the city in his hands.

The Carthaginians crucified their general, thinking him guilty of a lack both of judgment and of courage in abandoning the citadel.

A little later, Lucius Crassus, together with that most moderate of all men, Quintus Mucius, discharged his aedileship with utmost magnificence.

And then Gaius Claudius, the son of Appius, and many after him, the Luculli, Hortensius, Silanus.

But in my consulship, Publius Lentulus supr- surpassed all his predecessors.

Scaurus imitated him, and the events provided by my friend Pompey in his second consulship were extremely magnificent.

In the year 250, or 502 B.C., a tumult which arose among the Sabines, between the advocates for peace and those for war, was the means of transferring a considerable part of their strength to the side of the Romans.

For Atta Clausus, called afterwards at Rome Appius Claudius, being zealous in favor of peaceful measures, but overpowered by the turbulent promoters of war, and unable to make head against their faction, withdrew from Regulum to Rome, accompanied by a numerous body of adherents.

These were admitted to the rights of citizens, and had land assigned to them beyond the Aniol.

They have been called the old Claudian tribe, to distinguish them from the new members, who, coming from the same part of the country, were afterwards added to that tribe.

I find it asserted by some writers that the battle at the lake Regilius was not fought until this year, and that Aulus Postumius, because the fidelity of his colleague was doubtful, abdicated the consulship and was then made dictator.

Such perplexing mistakes with regard to dates occur from the magistrates being ranged in different order by different writers, that it is impossible at this distance of time, when not only the facts but the authors who relate them are involved in the obscurity of antiquity, to trace out a regular series of the consuls as they succeeded each other, or in the transactions as they occurred in each particular year.

Appius Claudius and Publius Servilius were next appointed to the consulship.

This year was rendered remarkable by the news of Tarquinius' death.

In the year 250 or 502 B.C. A tumult which arose among the Sabines between the advocates for peace and those for war was the means of transferring a considerable part of their strength to the side of the Romans.

For Atta Clausus, called afterwards at Rome Appius Claudius, being zealous in favor of peaceful measures, but overpowered by the turbulent promoters of war, and unable to make head against their faction, withdrew from Regulum to Rome, accompanied by a numerous body of adherents.

These were admitted to the rights of citizens, and had land assigned to them beyond the Aniol.

They have been called the old Claudian tribe to distinguish them from the new members, who, coming from the same part of the country, were afterwards added to that tribe.

I find it asserted by some writers that the battle at the lake Regilius was not fought until this year, and that Aulus Postumius, because the fidelity of his colleague was doubtful, abdicated the consulship and was then made dictator.

Such perplexing mistakes with regard to dates occur from the magistrates being ranged in different order by different writers, that it is impossible at this distance of time, when not only the facts but the authors who relate them are involved in the obscurity of antiquity, to trace out a regular series of the consuls as they succeeded each other, or in the transactions as they occurred in each particular year.

Appius Claudius and Publius Civilis were next appointed to the consulship.

This year was rendered remarkable by the news of Tarquinius' death.

Before I begin to speak of the Republic, I will make a brief complaint of the injury which Marcus Antonius did me yesterday, to whom I am friendly, and I have at all times admitted having received some services from him, which make it my duty to be so.

What reason had he then for endeavoring with such bitter hostility to force me into the Senate yesterday? Was I the only person who was absent? Have you not repeatedly had thinner houses than yesterday? Or was a matter of such importance under discussion that it was desirable for even sick men to be brought down? Hannibal, I suppose, was at the gates, or there was a debate about peace with Pyrrhus, on which occasion it is related that even the great Appius, old and blind as he was, was brought down to the Senate house.

There was a motion being made about some supplications, a kind of measure when senators are not usually wanting, for they are under the compulsion, not of pledges, but of the influence of those men whose honor is being complimented, and the cause is the same when the motion has reference to a triumph.

The consuls are so free from anxiety at these times that it is almost entirely free for a senator to absent himself if he pleases.

Audacity would have succumbed to authority.

But what great protection there would have been in the rest may be understood from this, that I, when left alone of all that band, with your assistance crushed and broke the audacity of that triumphant robber.

But if fortune had not taken from us not only Servius Sopiccius, and before him his colleague Marcus Marcellus, what citizens, what men! If the republic had been able to retain the two consuls, men most devoted to their country, who were driven together out of Italy, and Lucius Afranius, that consummate general, and Publius Lentulus, a citizen who displayed his extraordinary virtue on other occasions, and especially in securing my safe return, and Bibulus, whose constant and firm attachment to the republic has at all times been deservedly praised, and Lucius Domitius, that most excellent citizen, and Appius Claudius, a man equally distinguished for nobleness of birth and for attachment to the senate, and Publius Scipio, a most illustrious man, closely resembling his ancestors.

Certainly with these men of consular rank the senate which supported Pompeius was not to be despised.

The commons, however, worn out as they were by the recent wars and in need of any and every kind of restorative, listened readily to the military commanders, who, besides giving the reasons above stated for the general advantageousness of the war, pointed out the great benefit in the way of plunder which each and every one would evidently derive from it.

They were therefore in favor of consenting, and when the measure had been passed by the people, they appointed to the command one of the consuls, Appius Claudius, who was ordered to cross to Messene, 264 BC.

The Mamertines, partly by menace and partly by stratagem, dislodged the Carthaginian commander, who was already established in the citadel, and then invited Appius to enter, placing the city in his hands.

The Carthaginians crucified their general, thinking him guilty of a lack both of judgment and of courage in abandoning the citadel.