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An Execrable Crime
The Triumph of Camillus.
The triumph of Camillus, one of a series frescoes at the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, depicting the life of Marcus Furius Camillus and painted by Francesco de’ Rossi (1510–1563) in 1545. After his first victory over the Falisci, Camillus celebrated a spectacular ‘Triumph’ in Rome that irked his political rivals much as Julius Caesar’s triumph irked Marullus and other friends of Pompey, according to William Shakespeare. See O, You Hard Hearts!.
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The triumph of Camillus, one of a series frescoes at the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, depicting the life of Marcus Furius Camillus and painted by Francesco de’ Rossi (1510–1563) in 1545. After his first victory over the Falisci, Camillus celebrated a spectacular ‘Triumph’ in Rome that irked his political rivals much as Julius Caesar’s triumph irked Marullus and other friends of Pompey, according to William Shakespeare. See O, You Hard Hearts!.
Introduction
In 396 BC, Marcus Furius Camillus captured Veii, the southernmost city of Etruria and only nine miles north of Rome. The following year he captured Falerii, chief city of the Falisci (also in Tuscany) after a siege that had lasted ten years. The Falisci did not take kindly to Roman rule, and Camillus was tasked with securing their obedience — but he would not do it at just any price.
FURIUS Camillus, tribune of Rome, was, by his merit alone, raised from a humble origin to eminence. Not being able to conquer the Falisci, he undermined the town,* and then led his soldiers into the midst of the place, after a siege of ten years. Camillus upon his return entered Rome, having his chariot drawn by four milk-white horses, which excited the anger and jealousy of the people.
The Falisci afterwards revolting, Camillus again took the field against them. A schoolmaster, who had the care of the children of the principal men of the city, offered to surrender them to Camillus, as a sure way to compel the inhabitants to submit.
* That is, he tunnelled beneath the walls.
In 395 BC Marcus Furius Camillus finally subdued Rome’s northerly neighbours the Falisci after ten long years, and awarded himself a triumphal procession in Rome which alienated public opinion. Soon afterwards the Falisci revolted. Camillus returned to find that a schoolmaster had kidnapped the children of the most prominent townspeople, and was obligingly offering them as hostages to Rome. (59 / 60 words)
In 395 BC Marcus Furius Camillus finally subdued Rome’s northerly neighbours the Falisci after ten long years, and awarded himself a triumphal procession in Rome which alienated public opinion. Soon afterwards the Falisci revolted. Camillus returned to find that a schoolmaster had kidnapped the children of the most prominent townspeople, and was obligingly offering them as hostages to Rome.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, just, may, not, otherwise, ought, whether.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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