Book 4
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caused. The aediles were instructed to see to it that none but Roman deities were worshipped, nor in any other than the established fashion. HostilitiesWar with Veii. with the Veientines were postponed till the following year, when Caius Servilius Ahala and L. Papirius Mugilanus were the
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consuls. Even then the formal declaration of war and the despatch of troops were delayed on religious grounds; it was considered necessary that the fetials should first be sent to demand
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satisfaction. There had been recent battles with the Veientines at Nomentum and Fidenae, and a truce had been made, not a lasting peace, but before the days of truce had expired they had renewed hostilities. The fetials, however, were sent, but when they presented their demands, in accordance with ancient usageFor a full descripton of this, see Book I, chap. xxxii., they were refused a
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hearing. A question then arose whether war should be declared by the mandate of the people, or whether a resolution passed by the senate was sufficient. The tribunes threatened to stop the levying of troops and succeeded in forcing the consul Quinctius to refer the question to the
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people. The centuries decided unanimously for war. The plebs gained a further advantage in preventing the election of consuls for the next year.
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Four consular tribunes were elected-T. Quinctius Poenus, who had been consul, C. Furius, M. Postumius, and A. Cornelius Cossus.
