Both patricians and plebeians were indignant, while the Senate, angry that the decemvirs did not consult it, had already, for the most part, left Rome.
To add to the confusion in the country, war now broke out with the Sabines and the Æquians.
One of the Roman armies was to be led by a plebeian tribune, who was loved by the people, for he had fought for his country in one hundred and twenty battles. On his way to join his army, this brave soldier was murdered, it was said by the order of Appius Claudius. The soldiers were furious at the loss of their leader, and the hatred against the chief of the decemvirs increased each day.
CHAPTER XXX
THE DEATH OF VERGINIA
Appius Claudius did not go to the war. He stayed in Rome, and before long roused the temper of the people beyond control.
Verginius, a brave plebeian soldier, was with the army, and in his absence he had left his beautiful young daughter Verginia in the care of her nurse.
One day as the young girl was on her way to school in the Forum, Appius Claudius saw how beautiful she was, and he determined to take her away from her father and Icilius, to whom she was betrothed.
But although he did his utmost to persuade the maiden to go home with him, Verginia refused to leave her father’s house.
Then Appius Claudius grew angry, and vowed to himself that he would take her away by foul means, since fair ones had failed.