1From then on, little by little, whether because the peace of the gods had been obtained or because the more unhealthy season of the year had now passed, people came through their illnesses. 1Bodies began to be healthier; 2and when minds had now turned to public concerns, after several interregna had run out, Publius Valerius Publicola, on the third day after he had entered on his interregnum, declared Lucius Lucretius Tricipitinus and Titus Veturius Geminus consuls, or perhaps his name was Vetusius. 3They entered on their consulship on the third day before the Ides of Sextilis, with the state now strong enough not only to ward off war but even to make it on its own account.
4Accordingly, when the Hernici reported that the enemy had crossed into their territory, help was promptly promised. 4Two consular armies were enrolled. 4Veturius was sent against the Volscians to carry the war to them; 5Tricipitinus, posted to keep raids from the allies' land, advanced no further than the territory of the Hernici. 5Veturius routed and put the enemy to flight in the first battle; 6while Lucretius sat among the Hernici, a column of plunderers escaped his notice, being led over the mountains of Praeneste and from there let down into the plains. 6They laid waste the lands of Praeneste and Gabii, and from Gabii turned towards the Tusculan hills; 7great terror was caused in the city of Rome too, more from the suddenness of the thing than because there was too little strength to ward off an attack.
7Quintus Fabius was in charge of the city. 7By arming the young men and posting guards he made everything safe and calm. 8And so the enemy, after seizing plunder from the nearest places, did not dare to approach the city, and as they were returning by a roundabout route, with care the more relaxed the farther they withdrew from the enemy's city, they ran into the consul Lucretius, who had already reconnoitred the routes and was well prepared and intent on battle. 9Accordingly, with their minds made ready, they attacked men struck with sudden panic, and though considerably fewer they routed and put to flight a huge multitude, and, having driven them into hollow valleys, since the ways out were not easy, they surrounded them.
10There the Volscian name was almost wiped out. 10I find in certain annals that thirteen thousand four hundred and seventy fell in battle and in flight, that one thousand seven hundred and fifty were taken alive, and that twenty-seven military standards were brought back; 10and even if something has been added to the numbers there, it was certainly a great slaughter. 11The victorious consul, having gained enormous plunder, returned to the same standing camp. 11Then the consuls joined their camps; 11and the Volscians and Aequi brought their battered forces together into one. 11That was the third battle of the year. 11The same fortune gave victory; 11the enemy were routed and their camp was taken as well.