[3] From this time he obtained the additional name of Scaevola, or left-handed, from his having lost the use of his right hand by the fire.

[4] National pride induced the Romans to conceal the fact that the city was surrendered to Porsenna; Tacitus, however, expressly declares that it was, and Pliny informs us of the severe conditions imposed by the conqueror; one of the articles prohibited them from using iron except for the purposes of agriculture.  Plutarch, in his Roman Questions, declares that there was a time when the Romans paid a tenth of their produce to the Etrurians, but that they were freed from the disgraceful tribute by Hercules; this tradition appears to refer to the conquest of the city by Porsenna.

[5] Besides this, by his emissaries, he engaged the meaner sort of citizens and the slaves in a conspiracy.  The former were, at an appointed time, to seize the ramparts, and the latter to murder their masters at the same instant.  The gates were then to be opened to the Tar’quins, who were to enter Rome while it was yet reeking with the blood of the senators.  This conspiracy was discovered to the consul by two of Tarquin’s principal agents.

* * * * *

CHAPTER X.

FROM THE CREATION OF THE DICTATOR TO THE ELECTION OF THE TRIBUNES.—­U.C. 255.

  And add the Tribunes, image of the people—­Anon.

1.  LAR’TIUS, being created dictator,[1] entered upon his office, surrounded with lictors and all the ensigns of ancient royalty; and, seated upon a throne in the midst of the people, ordered the levies to be made, in the manner of the kings of Rome. 2.  The populace looked with terror upon a magistrate whom they had invested with uncontrollable power, and each went peaceably to range himself under his respective standard. 3.  Thus going forth to oppose the enemy, he, after concluding a truce for a year, returned with his army, and, in six months, laid down the dictatorship, with the reputation of having exercised it with blameless lenity.

4.  But, though for this time the people submitted to be led forth, they yet resolved to free themselves from the yoke; and, though they could not get their grievances redressed, yet they determined to fly from those whom they could not move to compassion.  The grievances, therefore, continuing, they resolved to quit a city which gave them no shelter, and to form a new establishment without its limits.  They, therefore, under the conduct of a plebe’ian, named Sicin’ius Bellu’tus, retired to a mountain, hence called the Mons Sacer, within three miles of Rome.

5.  Upon the news of this defection, the city was filled with tumult and consternation:  those who wished well to the people made every attempt to scale the walls, in order to join it.[2] 6.  The senate was not less agitated than the rest; some were for violent measures, and repelling force by force; others were of opinion that gentler arts were to be used, and that even a victory over such enemies would be worse than a defeat.  At length, it was resolved to send a messenger, entreating the people to return home, and declare their grievances; promising, at the same time, an oblivion of all that had passed.