Camillus   

Among the many remarkable things that are related of Furius Camillus,
it seems singular and strange above all, that he, who continually
was in the highest commands, and obtained the greatest successes,
was five times chosen dictator, triumphed four times, and was styled
a second founder of Rome, yet never was so much as once consul. The
reason of which was the state and temper of the commonwealth at that
time; for the people, being at dissension with the senate, refused
to return consuls, but in their stead elected other magistrates, called
military tribunes, who acted, indeed, with full consular power, but
were thought to exercise a less obnoxious amount of authority, because
it was divided among a larger number; for to have the management of
affairs intrusted to the hands of six persons rather than two was
some satisfaction to the opponents of oligarchy. This was the condition
of the times when Camillus was in the height of his actions and glory,
and, although the government in the meantime had often proceeded to
consular elections, yet he could never persuade himself to be consul
against the inclination of the people. In all his other administrations,
which were many and various, he so behaved himself, that, when alone
in authority, he exercised his power as in common, but the honour
of all 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 judgment 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 honour,
serving under Postumius Tubertis, dictator, in the great battle against
the Aequians and Volscians. 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 rewards 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 frequent 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, insomuch that, presuming
on her wealth and luxury, and priding herself upon her refinement
and sumptuousness, she engaged in many honourable contests with the
Romans for glory and empire. But now they abandoned their former ambitious
hopes, having been weakened by great defeats, so that, having fortified
themselves with high and strong walls, and furnished the city with
all sorts of weapons offensive and defensive, as likewise with corn
and all manner of provisions, they cheerfully endured a siege, which,
though tedious to them, was no less troublesome and distressing to
the besiegers. For the Romans, having never been accustomed to stay
away from home except in summer, and for no great length of time,
and constantly to winter at home, were then first compelled by the
tribunes to build forts in the enemy's country, and raising strong
works about their camp, to join winter and summer together. And now,
the seventh year of the war drawing to an end, the commanders began
to be suspected as too slow and remiss in driving on the siege, insomuch
that they were discharged and others chosen for the war, among whom
was Camillus, then second time tribune. But at present he had no hand
in the siege, the duties that fell by lot to him being to make war
upon the Faliscans and Capenates, who, taking advantage of the Romans
being occupied on all hands, had carried ravages into their country,
and, through all the Tuscan war, given them much annoyance, but were
now reduced by Camillus, and with great loss shut up within their