Authors claim them for both sides; yet I find more who call the Horatii Romans.

My inclination leads me to follow them.

The kings confer with the three brothers, that they should fight with their swords each in defence of their respective country; (assuring them) that dominion would be on that side on which victory should be.

No objection is made; time and place are agreed on.

Before they engaged, a compact is entered into between the Romans and Albans on these conditions, that the state whose champions should come off victorious in that combat, should rule the other state without further dispute.