270 CAMILLUS.

actions redounded entirely to himself, even when in joint commission with others ; the reason of the former was his moderation in command ; of the latter, his great judg- ment and wisdom, which gave him without controversy the first place. The house of the Furii was not, at that time, of any considerable distinction ; he, by his own acts, first raised himself to honor, serving under Postumius Tubertus, dictator, in the great battle against the iEquians and Yolscians. For riding out from the rest of the army, and in the charge receiving a wound in his thigh, he for all that did not quit the fight, but, letting the dart drag in the wound, and engaging with the bravest of the enemy, put them to flight ; for which action, among other re- wards bestowed on him, he was created censor, an office in those days of great repute and authority. During his censorship one very good act of his is recorded, that, whereas the wars had made many widows, he obliged such as had no wives, some by fair persuasion, others by threatening to set fines on their heads, to take them in marriage ; another necessary one, in causing orphans to be rated, who before were exempted from taxes, the fre- quent wars requiring more than ordinary expenses to maintain them. What, however, pressed them most was the siege of Veii. Some call this people Veientani. This was the head city of Tuscany, not inferior to Rome, either in number of arms or multitude of soldiers, inso- much that, presuming on her wealth and luxury, and pri- ding herself upon her refinement and sumptuousness, she engaged in many honorable contests with the Romans for glory and empire. But now they had abandoned their former ambitious hopes, having been weakened by great defeats, so that, having fortified themselves with hio;h and strong walls, and furnished the citv with all

sorts of weapons offensive and defensive, as likewise with