The Roman soldiers had now adopted a method of punishing the generals whom they disliked, by suffering themselves to be vanquished in the field.

They put it in practice upon this occasion, and shamefully abandoned their camp upon the approach of the enemy, 17.

Never was victorious news more joyfully received at Rome, than the tidings of this defeat; the generals, as is always the case, were blamed for the treachery of their men; some demanded that they should be deposed, others cried out for a dictator to lead the troops to conquest.18.Among the rest, old Sic'cius Denta'tus, the tribune, spoke his sentiments with his usual openness; and, treating the generals with contempt, pointed out the faults of their discipline in the camp, and their conduct in the field.19.

Ap'pius, in the mean time, was not remiss in observing the dispositions of the people.

Denta'tus, in particular, was marked out for vengeance; and, under pretence of doing him particular honour, he was appointed legate, and put at the head of the supplies which were sent from Rome, to reinforce the army.20.The office of legate was held sacred among the Romans, as in it was united the authority of a general, with the reverence due to the priesthood.21.