Book 5, The Capture of Rome: Chapter 1, Rome's Capture, Part 2 Summary and Analysis

This final section of the text begins with a consultation of The Syballine Books. These seem to harbor especial knowledge and offer solutions to exceptionally trying circumstances. Who wrote them is not clarified. This one of the few times that their wisdom is sought and typically the solution involves massive ritual behavior for days at a time. This time, there is a rite that calls for setting out couches, releasing prisoners, honoring several deities and people opening the doors of their homes and fraternizing with everyone and anyone.

One of the great public figures of this section is a man named Camillus. He grows prominent in Rome. He was another of those leaders who was able to live as part of the tradition of military...