The disposition of Ancus was between two extremes, preserving the qualities of both Numa and Romulus; and, besides believing that peace was more necessary in his grandfather’s reign, since the people were then both newly formed and uncivilized, he also felt that he could not easily preserve the tranquility unmolested which had fallen to his lot:  that his patience was being tried and being tried, was despised:  and that the times generally were more suited to a King Tullus than to a Numa.  In order, however, that, since Numa had instituted religious rites in peace, ceremonies relating to war might be drawn up by him, and that wars might not only be waged, but proclaimed also in accordance with some prescribed form, he borrowed from an ancient nation, the AEquicolae, and drew up the form which the heralds observe to this day, according to which restitution is demanded.  The ambassador, when he reaches the frontiers of the people from whom satisfaction is demanded, having his head covered with a fillet—­this covering is of wool—­says:  “Hear, O Jupiter, hear, ye confines” (naming whatsoever nation they belong to), “let divine justice hear.  I am the public messenger of the Roman people; I come deputed by right and religion, and let my words gain credit.”  He then definitely states his demands; afterward he calls Jupiter to witness:  “If I demand these persons and these goods to be given up to me contrary to human or divine right, then mayest thou never permit me to enjoy my native country.”  These words he repeats when he passes over the frontiers:  the same to the first man he meets:  the same on entering the gate:  the same on entering the forum, with a slight change of expression in the form of the declaration and drawing up of the oath.  If the persons whom he demands are not delivered up, after the expiration of thirty-three days—­for this number is enjoined by rule—­he declares war in the following terms:  “Hear, Jupiter, and thou, Janus Quirinus, and all ye celestial, terrestrial, and infernal gods, give ear!  I call you to witness, that this nation “(mentioning its name)” is unjust, and does not carry out the principles of justice:  however, we will consult the elders in our own country concerning those matters, by what means we may obtain our rights.”  The messenger returns with them to Rome to consult.  The king used immediately to consult the fathers as nearly as possible in the following words:  “Concerning such things, causes of dispute, and quarrels, as the pater patratus of the Roman people, the Quirites, has treated with the pater patratus of the ancient Latins, and with the ancient Latin people, which things ought to be given up, made good, discharged, which things they have neither given up, nor made good, nor discharged, declare,” says he to him, whose opinion he asked first, “what think you?” Then he replies:  “I think that they should be demanded by a war free from guilt and regularly declared; and accordingly I agree, and vote for it.”  Then the others