1Then for the first time tribunes were elected in the assembly of the tribes. 1Piso is my authority that three were even added to their number, as though there had been two before. 2He also names the tribunes: Gnaeus Siccius, Lucius Numitorius, Marcus Duillius, Spurius Icilius, Lucius Mecilius. 3During the strife at Rome a war with the Volsci and Aequi arose. 3They had laid waste the fields so that, if there should be any secession of the plebs, it might have a refuge with them; 3then, when matters had been settled, they moved their camp back. 4Appius Claudius was sent against the Volsci; to Quinctius fell the Aequi as his province.
4Appius showed the same savagery on campaign as at home, only freer, because he was without the tribunes' shackles. 5He hated the plebs with more than his father's hatred: he had been beaten by them; though he had been chosen as the one consul to stand against the tribunician power, the law had been carried, which earlier consuls had obstructed with less effort and far less hope on the part of the senators. 6This anger and indignation goaded his fierce spirit to harass the army with savage command. 6Nor could it be tamed by any force; 6so great a spirit of contention had they imbibed. 7They did everything slowly, idly, carelessly, defiantly; 7neither shame nor fear restrained them; 7if he wanted the column to move more quickly, they deliberately went more slowly; 7if he came to urge on the work, they all slackened the industry they had shown of their own accord; 8in his presence they cast down their eyes, and as he passed they silently cursed him, so that that spirit, unconquered by plebeian hatred, was sometimes shaken.
9When every harshness had been tried in vain, he no longer had any dealings with the soldiers, said that the army had been corrupted by the centurions, and sometimes mockingly called them tribunes of the plebs and Voleros.