Liberty is now deplored as lost for ever; nor does any champion stand forth, or appear likely to do so.
And not only they themselves sunk into despondence, but they began to be looked down upon by the neighbouring states; and they felt indignant that dominion should exist where liberty was lost.

The Sabines with a numerous body of men made an incursion on the Roman territory; and having committed extensive devastations, after they had driven with impunity booty of men and cattle, they recalled their troops which had been dispersed in different directions to Eretum, and pitch their camp there, grounding their hopes on the dissensions at Rome; (and trusting) that they would prove an obstruction to the levy.

Not only the couriers, but the flight of the country people through the city, occasioned alarm.
The decemvirs consult what should be done.

Whilst they were thus left destitute between the hatred of the patricians and people, fortune added, moreover, another cause of alarm.

The AEquans on the opposite side pitch their camp at Algidum; and ambassadors from Tusculum, imploring relief, bring accounts that the Tusculan land was ravaged by detachments from thence.