Ab urbe condita

Titus Livius (Livy)

Livy. History of Rome, Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.

But in spite of the careful secrecy with which everything was being conducted —for they wanted the Samnites to be dislodged from their rear before the Romans made any movement —some who had friends and relatives in Rome sent hints about the league which was being formed.

The consuls were ordered to resign before the expire of their year of office in order that the new consuls might be elected at an earlier date in view of such a formidable war.