a heap, and that the soldiers should stand every man in his own place.  After this he compassed about the whole army of the enemy with his own army, and commanded that at a set signal every man should shout, and when they had shouted should dig a trench and set up therein the stakes.  This the soldiers did, and the noise of the shouting passed over the camp of the enemy and came into the city, causing therein great joy, even as it caused great fear in the camp.  For the Romans cried, “These be our countrymen and they bring us help.”  Then said the Consul, “We must make no delay.  By that shout is signified, not that they are come only, but that they are already dealing with the enemy.  Doubtless the camp of the AEquians is even now assailed from without.  Take ye your arms and follow me.”  So the legion went forth, it being yet night, to the battle, and as they went they shouted, that the Dictator might be aware.  Now the AEquians had set themselves to hinder the making of a ditch and rampart which should shut them in; but when the Romans from the camp fell upon them, fearing lest these should make their way through the midst of their camp, they left them that were with Cincinnatus to finish their entrenching, and fought with the Consul.  And when it was now light, lo! they were already shut in, and the Romans, having finished their entrenching, began to trouble them.  And when the AEquians perceived that the battle was now on either side of them, they could withstand no longer, but sent ambassadors praying for peace, and saying, “Ye have prevailed; slay us not, but rather permit us to depart, leaving our arms behind us.”  Then said the Dictator, “I care not to have the blood of the AEquians.  Ye may depart, but ye shall depart passing under the yoke, that ye may thus acknowledge to all men that ye are indeed vanquished.”  Now the yoke is thus made.  There are set up in the ground two spears, and over them is bound by ropes a third spear.  So the AEquians passed under the yoke.

In the camp of the enemy there was found abundance of spoil.  This the Dictator gave wholly to his own soldiers.  “Ye were well-nigh a spoil to the enemy,” said he to the army of the Consul, “therefore ye shall have no share in the spoiling of them.  As for thee, Minucius, be thou a lieutenant only till thou hast learnt how to bear thyself as a consul.”  Meanwhile at Rome there was held a meeting of the Senate, at which it was commanded that Cincinnatus should enter the city in triumph, his soldiers following him in order of march.  Before his chariot there were led the generals of the enemy; also the standards were carried in the front; and after these came the army, every man laden with spoil.  That day there was great rejoicing in the city, every man setting forth a banquet before his doors in the street.

After this, Virginius, that had borne false witness against Caeso, was found guilty of perjury, and went into exile.  And when Cincinnatus saw that justice had been done to this evildoer, he resigned his dictatorship, having held it for sixteen days only.