Ab urbe condita

As he was the first plebeian consul to manage a war under his own auspices the State awaited the issue with keen interest, prepared to look

upon the policy of admitting plebeians to the highest offices of state as wise or unwise according to the way matters turned out.

As chance would have it, Genucius, whilst making a vigorous attack upon the enemy, fell into an ambush, the legions were taken by surprise and routed, and the consul was surrounded and killed without the enemy being aware who their victim was.

When the report of the occurrence reached Rome, the patricians were not so much distressed at the disaster which had befallen the commonwealth as they were exultant over the unfortunate generalship of the consul. Everywhere they were taunting the plebeians: “Go on!

Elect your consuls from the plebs, transfer the auspices to those for whom it is an impiety to possess them!