Ab urbe condita

When[*](Preparations to meet the four Nations.) this decision was come to, all the men of military age flocked to the consul, and every one began to give in his name, so eager were they to serve under him as their general.

Seeing himself surrounded by this crowd, he called out: “I do not intend to enlist more than 4000 infantry and 6oo cavalry, and will take with me those of you who give in your names to-day and tomorrow.

I am more concerned to bring you all back wealthy men than to have a large number of men for my fighting force.”

With this compact army full of confidence and hope —all the more so because he felt no need of a great host —he marched to the town of Aharna, which was not far from the enemy, and from there went on to Appius camp.

He was still some miles distant from it when he was met by some soldiers sent to cut wood who were accompanied by an armed escort. When they saw the lictors marching in front of him, and heard that it was Fabius their consul, they were overjoyed and thanked the gods and the people of Rome for having sent him to them as their commander.