[The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six by Titus Livius]@TWC D-Link book
The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six

BOOK IX
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The dictator triumphed, in pursuance of a decree of the senate; and the most splendid spectacle by far, of any in his procession, was the captured arms: so magnificent were they deemed, that the shields, adorned with gold, were distributed among the owners of the silver shops, to serve as embellishments to the forum.

Hence, it is said, arose the custom of the forum being decorated by the aediles, when the grand processions are made on occasion of the great games.

The Romans, indeed, converted these extraordinary arms to the honour of the gods: but the Campanians, out of pride, and in hatred of the Samnites, gave them as ornaments to their gladiators, who used to be exhibited as a show at their feasts, and whom they distinguished by the name of Samnites.
During this year, the consul Fabius fought with the remnants of the Etrurians at Perusia, which city also had violated the truce, and gained an easy and decisive victory.

He would have taken the town itself (for he marched up to the walls,) had not deputies come out and capitulated.

Having placed a garrison at Perusia, and sent on before him to the Roman senate the embassies of Etruria, who solicited friendship, the consul rode into the city in triumph, for successes more important than those of the dictator.


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