22.  But this repose from foreign invasion did not lessen the tumults of the city within.  The clamours for the Agra’rian law still continued, and still more fiercely, when Sic’cius Denta’tus, a plebeian advanced in years, but of an admirable person and military deportment, came forward to enumerate his hardships and his merits.  This old soldier made no scruple of extolling the various achievements of his youth; indeed, his merits more than supported his ostentation. 23.  He had served his country in the wars forty years:  he had been an officer thirty, first a centurion, and then a tribune; he had fought one hundred and twenty battles, in which, by the force of his single arm, he had saved a multitude of lives; he had gained fourteen civic,[5] three mural,[6] and eight golden crowns; besides eighty-three chains, sixty bracelets, eighteen gilt spears, and twenty-three horse-trappings, whereof nine were for killing the enemy in single combat; moreover, he had received forty-five wounds in front, and none behind. 24.  These were his honours; yet, notwithstanding all these, he had never received any share of those lands which were won from the enemy, but continued to drag on a life of poverty and contempt, while others were possessed of those very territories which his valour had won, without any merit to deserve them, or ever having contributed to the conquest.[7] 25.  A case of so much hardship had a strong effect upon the multitude; they unanimously demanded that the law might be passed, and that such merit should not go unrewarded.  It was in vain that some of the senators rose up to speak against it, their voices were drowned by the cries of the people. 26.  When reason, therefore, could no longer be heard, passion, as usual, succeeded; and the young patricians, running furiously into the throng, broke the balloting urns, and dispersed the multitude that offered to oppose them. 27.  For this they were, some time after, fined by the tribunes; their resolution, however, for the present, put off the Agra’rian law.

Questions for Examination.

1.  On what accusation were Manlius and Fabius cited to appear before, the people?

2.  What measure did the consuls adopt?  Where, and in what employment was Cincinnatus found?

3.  What effect had this dignity on Cincinnatus?

4.  How did he conduct himself?

5.  Were his measures successful?

6.  Did Cincinnatus continue in office?

7.  Was he permitted to continue in retirement?

8.  What was the exigence that required his return to office?

9.  What prevented the Romans from forcing their way through?

10.  How was this news received at Rome?

11.  Whom did they resolve to appoint dictator?

12.  How was Cincinnatus now employed when the messengers arrived?

13.  What was his behaviour on the occasion?

14.  How was he affected by this exaltation?