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those who had offered them injury; requesting satisfaction; and; in
case they refused; they then called the gods to witness; and; with
imprecations upon themselves and their country should they be acting
unjustly; so declared war; against their will; or without their
consent; it was lawful neither for soldier nor king to take up arms;
the war was begun with them; and when they had first handed it over to
the commander as a just quarrel; then his business was to deliberate
of the manner and ways to carry it on。 It is believed that the
slaughter and destruction which the Gauls made of the Romans was a
judgment on the city for neglect of this religious proceeding; for
that when these barbarians besieged the Clusinians; Fabius Ambustus
was despatched to their camp to negotiate peace for the besieged; and;
on their returning a rude refusal; Fabius imagined that his office
of ambassador was at an end; and; rashly engaging on the side of the
Clusinians; challenged the bravest of the enemy to a single combat。 It
was the fortune of Fabius to kill his adversary; and to take his
spoils; but when the Gauls discovered it; they sent a herald to Rome
to complain against him; since; before war was declared; he had;
against the law of nations; made a breach of the peace。 The matter
being debated in the senate; the Fecials were of opinion that Fabius
ought to be consigned into the hands of the Gauls; but he; being
forewarned of their judgment; fled to the people; by whose
protection and favour he escaped the sentence。 On this; the Gauls
marched with their army to Rome; where having taken the capitol;
they sacked the city。 The particulars of all which are fully given
in the history of Camillus。
  The origin of the Salii is this。 In the eighth year of the reign
of Numa; a terrible pestilence; which traversed all Italy; ravaged
likewise the city of Rome; and the citizens being in distress and
despondent; a brazen target; they say; fell from heaven into hands
of Numa; who gave them this marvellous account of it: that Egeria
and the Muses had assured him it was sent from heaven for the cure and
safety of the city; and that; to keep it secure; he was ordered by
them to make eleven others; so like in dimensions and form to the
original that no thief should be able to distinguish the true from the
counterfeit。 He farther declared; that he was commanded to
consecrate to the Muses the place; and the fields about it; where they
had been chiefly wont to meet with him; and that the spring which
watered the fields should be hallowed for the use of the vestal
virgins; who were to wash and cleanse the penetralia of their
sanctuary with those holy waters。 The truth of all which was
speedily verified by the cessation of the pestilence。 Numa displayed
the target to the artificers and bade them show their skill in
making others like it; all despaired; until at length one Mamurius
Veturius; an excellent workman; happily hit upon it; and made all so
exactly the same that Numa himself was at a loss and could not
distinguish。 The keeping of these targets was committed to the
charge of certain priests; called Salii; who did not receive their
name; as some tell the story; from Salius; a dancing…master; born in
Samothrace; or at Mantinea who taught the way of dancing in arms;
but more truly from that jumping dance which the Salii themselves use;
when in the month of March they carry the sacred targets through the
city; at which procession they are habited in short frocks of
purple; girt with a broad belt studded with brass; on their heads they
wear a brass helmet and carry in their hands short daggers; which they
clash every now and then against the targets。 But the chief thing is
the dance itself。 They move with much grace; performing; in quick time
and close order; various intricate figures; with a great display of
strength and agility。 The targets were called Ancilia from their form;
for they are not made round; nor like proper targets; of a complete
circumference; but are cut out into a wavy line; the ends of which are
rounded off and turned in at the thickest part towards each other;
so that their shape is curvilinear; or; in Greek; ancylon; or the name
may come from ancon; the elbow; on which they are carried。 Thus Juba
writes; who is eager to make it Greek。 But it might be; for that
matter; from its having come down anecathen; from above; or from its
akesis; or cure of diseases; or auchmon lysis; because it put an end
to a drought; or from its anaschesis; or relief from calamities; which
is the origin of the Athenian name Anaces; given to Castor and Pollux;
if we must; that is; reduce it to Greek。 The reward which Mamurius
received for his art was to be mentioned and commemorated in the
verses which the Salii sang; as they danced in their arms through
the city; though some will have it that they do not say Veturium
Mamuium; but Veterem Memoriam; ancient remembrance。
  After Numa had in this manner instituted these several orders of
priests; he erected; near the temple of Vesta; what is called to
this day Regia; or king's house; where he spent the most part of his
time performing divine service; instructing the priests; or conversing
with them on sacred subjects。 He had another house upon the Mount
Quirinalis; the site of which they show to this day。 In all public
processions and solemn prayers; criers were sent before to give notice
to the people that they should forbear their work; and rest。 They
say that the Pythagoreans did not allow people to worship and pray
to their gods by the way; but would have them go out from their houses
direct; with their minds set upon the duty; and Numa; in like
manner; wished that his citizens should neither see nor hear any
religious service in a perfunctory and inattentive manner; but; laying
aside all other occupations; should apply their minds to religion as
to a most serious business; and that the streets should be free from
all noises and cries that accompany manual labour; and clear for the
sacred solemnity。 Some traces of this custom remain at Rome to this
day; for; when the consul begins to take auspices or do sacrifice;
they call out to the people; Hoc age; Attend to this; whereby the
auditors then present are admonished to compose and recollect
themselves。 Many other of his precepts resemble those of the
Pythagoreans。 The Pythagoreans said; for example; 〃Thou shalt not make
a peck…measure thy seat to sit on。 Thou shalt not stir the fire with a
sword。 When thou goest out upon a journey; look not behind thee。
When thou sacrificest to the celestial gods; let it be with an odd
number; and when to the terrestrial; with even。〃 The significance of
each of which precepts they would not commonly disclose。 So some of
Numa's traditions have no obvious meaning。 〃Thou shalt not make
libation to the gods of wine from an unpruned vine。 No sacrifices
shall be performed without meal。 Turn round to pay adoration to the
gods; sit after you have worshipped。〃 The first two directions seem to
denote the cultivation and subduing of the earth as a part of
religion; and as to the turning which the worshippers are to use in
divine adoration; it is said to represent the rotatory motion of the
world。 But; in my opinion; the meaning rather is; that the worshipper;
since the temples front the east; enters with his back to the rising
sun; there; faces round to the east; and so turns back to the god of
the temple; by this circular movement referring the fulfilment of
his prayers to both divinities。 Unless; indeed; this change of posture
may have a mystical meaning; like the Egyptian wheels; and signify
to us the instability of human fortune; and that; in whatever way
God changes and turns our lot and condition; we should rest contented;
and accept it as right and fitting。 They say; also; that the sitting
after worship was to be by way of omen of their petitions being
granted; and the blessing they asked assured to them。 Again; as
different courses of actions are divided by intervals of rest; they
might seat themselves after the completion of what they had done; to
seek favour of the gods for beginning something else。 And this would
very wel

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