The History of Rome, Books I to VIII | Page 8

apparitores et hoc genus ab Etruscis ---- numerum quoque
ipsum ductum placet, "who will have it, that as public servants of this
kind, so was their number also, derived from the Etrurians."]
[Footnote 15: The population at that time consisted of not more than
3,000 foot, and less than 300 horse. At the death of Romulus, it is said
to have amounted to 46,000 foot and almost 1,000 horse.]
[Footnote 16: [Greek: to metaxy chôrion tou te Kapitôliou kai tês akras
ho kaleitai nyn kata tên Rhômaiôn dialekton methorion dyoin drymôn].
Dio. ii. 15.]
[Footnote 17: Ex industria--deditâ operá--[Greek: apo paraskeuês].]
9. And now the Roman state was become so powerful, that it was a
match for any of the neighbouring nations in war, but, from the paucity
of women, its greatness could only last for one age of man; for they had
no hope of issue at home, nor had they any intermarriages with their
neighbours. Therefore, by the advice of the Fathers, Romulus sent
ambassadors to the neighbouring states to solicit an alliance and the
privilege of intermarriage for his new subjects. "That cities, like every
thing else, rose from very humble beginnings. That those which the
gods and their own merit aided, gained great power and high renown.
That he knew full well, both that the gods had aided the origin of Rome,
and that merit would not be wanting. Wherefore that, as men, they
should feel no reluctance to mix their blood and race with men." No
where did the embassy obtain a favourable hearing: so much did they at
the same time despise, and dread for themselves and their posterity, so
great a power growing up in the midst of them. They were dismissed by
the greater part with the repeated question, "Whether they had opened
any asylum for women also, for that such a plan only could obtain them

suitable matches?" The Roman youth resented this conduct bitterly, and
the matter unquestionably began to point towards violence. Romulus,
in order that he might afford a favourable time and place for this,
dissembling his resentment, purposely prepares games in honour of
Neptunus Equestris; he calls them Consualia. He then orders the
spectacle to be proclaimed among their neighbours; and they prepare
for the celebration with all the magnificence they were then acquainted
with, or were capable of doing, that they might render the matter
famous, and an object of expectation. Great numbers assembled, from a
desire also of seeing the new city; especially their nearest neighbours,
the Cæninenses, Crustumini, and Antemnates. Moreover the whole
multitude of the Sabines came, with their wives and children. Having
been hospitably invited to the different houses, when they had seen the
situation, and fortifications, and the city crowded with houses, they
became astonished that the Roman power had increased so rapidly.
When the time of the spectacle came on, and while their minds and
eyes were intent upon it, according to concert a tumult began, and upon
a signal given the Roman youth ran different ways to carry off the
virgins by force. A great number were carried off at hap-hazard,
according as they fell into their hands. Persons from the common
people, who had been charged with the task, conveyed to their houses
some women of surpassing beauty, destined for the leading senators.
They say that one, far distinguished beyond the others for stature and
beauty, was carried off by the party of one Thalassius, and whilst many
inquired to whom they were carrying her, they cried out every now and
then, in order that no one might molest her, that she was being taken to
Thalassius; that from this circumstance this term became a nuptial one.
The festival being disturbed by this alarm, the parents of the young
women retire in grief, appealing to the compact of violated hospitality,
and invoking the god, to whose festival and games they had come,
deceived by the pretence of religion and good faith. Neither had the
ravished virgins better hopes of their condition, or less indignation. But
Romulus in person went about and declared, "That what was done was
owing to the pride of their fathers, who had refused to grant the
privilege of marriage to their neighbours; but notwithstanding, they
should be joined in lawful wedlock, participate in all their possessions
and civil privileges, and, than which nothing can be dearer to the

human heart, in their common children. He begged them only to
assuage the fierceness of their anger, and cheerfully surrender their
affections to those to whom fortune had consigned their persons." [He
added,] "That from injuries love and friendship often arise; and that
they should find them kinder husbands on this account, because each of
them, besides the performance of his conjugal duty, would endeavour
to the utmost