Ab urbe condita

Volumnius confirmed what Fabius had said. He bestowed a well-deserved encomium on Decius, and pointed out what an advantage in military operations is gained by harmony between the consuls,

and what mischief is wrought when they are at variance. He mentioned as an instance the recent misunderstanding between him and

his colleague which almost led to a national disaster, and he solemnly admonished Decius and Fabius that they should live together with one mind and one heart. They were, he continued, born commanders, great in action, unskilled in wordy debate, possessing, in fact, all the qualifications of a consul.

Those, on the other hand, who were clever and cunning in law, and practised pleaders, like Appius Claudius, ought to be employed in the City and on the bench; they should be elected praetors to administer justice.

The discussion in the Assembly lasted the whole day. On the morrow the elections were held for both consuls and praetors.

The consul's recommendation was acted upon; Q. Fabius and P. Decius were elected consuls, and Appius Claudius was returned as praetor; they were all elected in their absence. The senate passed a resolution, which the Assembly confirmed by a plebiscite, that Volumnius' command should be extended for a year.

Several[*](Affairs in the City.) portents occurred this year and, with the view of averting them, the senate passed a decree that special intercessions should be offered for two days.

The wine and incense were provided at the public cost, and both men and women attended the religious functions in great numbers.

This time of special observance was rendered memorable by a quarrel which broke out amongst the matrons in the chapel of the Patrician Pudicitia, which is in the Forum Boarium, against the round temple of Hercules.