Ab urbe condita

“Senators,” he said, “our military operations in Latium have by the gracious favour of the gods and the bravery of our troops been brought to a successful close.

The hostile armies were cut down at Pedum and the Astura, all the Latin towns and the Volscian Antium have either been stormed or have surrendered and are now held by your garrisons.

We are growing weary of their constant renewal of hostilities, it is for you to consult as to the best means of binding them to a perpetual peace.

The immortal gods have made you so completely masters of the situation that they have put it into your bands to decide whether there shall be henceforth a Latium or not.

So far, then, as the Latins are concerned, you can secure for yourselves a lasting peace by either cruelty or kindness. Do you wish to adopt ruthless measures against a people that have surrendered and been defeated?