Ab urbe condita

The ambassador binds his head in a woollen fillet. When he has reached the frontiers of the nation from whom satisfaction is demanded, he says, “Hear, 0 Jupiter! Hear ye confines”-naming the particular nation whose they are —“Hear, 0 Justice! I am the public herald of the Roman People rightly and duly authorised do I come; let confidence be placed in my words.”

Then he recites the terms of the demands and calls Jupiter to witness: “If I am demanding the surrender of those men or those goods, contrary to justice and religion, suffer me nevermore to enjoy my native land.”

He repeats these words as he crosses the frontier, he repeats them to whoever happens to be the first person he meets, he repeats them as he enters the gates and again on entering the forum, with some slight changes in the wording of the formula.

If what he demands are not surrendered at the expiration of thirty-three days-for that is the fixed period of grace-he declares war in the following terms: “Hear, 0 Jupiter, and thou Janus Quirinus, and all ye heavenly gods, and ye, gods of earth and of the lower world, hear me!

I call you to witness that this people” — mentioning it by name — “is unjust and does not fulfill its sacred obligations. But about these matters we must consult the elders in our own land in what way we may obtain our rights.” With these words the ambassador returned to Rome for consultation.

The king forthwith consulted the senate in words to the following effect: “Concerning the matters suits and causes, whereof the Pater Patratus of the Roman people and Quirites hath complained to the Pater Patratus of the Prisci Latini, and to the people of the Prisci Latini which matters they were bound severally to surrender, discharge, and make good, whereas they have done none of these things —say what is your opinion?”