Book 4
29.6
I prefer to disbelieve the story, and am at liberty to do so, as opinions differ. An argument against it is that such cruel displays of authority are called “Manlian” not “Postumian,” for it is the first man who practiced such severity to whom the stigma would have been affixed. Moreover, Manlius received the soubriquet of “Imperiosus”; Postumius was not distinguished by any invidious epithet. Manlius. The incident alluded to is recorded by Livy in his eighth book. Titus Manlius, in his war with the Latins, gave strict injunctions that none should leave his station or fight without orders. His son, who was also called Titus Manlius, provoked by the challenge of a Tusculan officer, engaged him in single combat and slew him. In spite of this brilliant display of courage his father ordered him, as a punishment for his disobedience, to be beheaded. “Manlian orders” became subsequently a proverbial expression for intolerably harsh military discipline. The other consul, C. Julius, dedicated the temple of Apollo in his colleague's absence, without waiting to draw lots with him as to who should do it.
29.7
Quinctius was very angry at this, and after he had disbanded his army and returned to the City, he laid a protest before the senate, but nothing came of it. In this year so memorable for great achievements an incident occurred which at the time seemed to have little to do with Rome.
