This was the end of Appius's assumption of a character not his own.
Henceforward he began to live according to his own natural disposition, and to mould to his own temper his new colleagues before they should enter on their office.

They held daily meetings remote from witnesses: then, furnished with their schemes of tyranny,[136] which they digested apart from others, no longer dissembling their arrogance, difficult of access, morose to all who addressed them, they carried out the matter to the ides of May.

The ides of May were at that time the usual period for commencing office.

At the commencement then of their magistracy, they rendered the first day of their office remarkable by making an exhibition of great terror.

For when the preceding decemvirs had observed the rule, that only one should have the fasces, and that this emblem of royalty should pass through all in rotation, to each in his turn, they all suddenly came forth with the twelve fasces.