45 Matters having
proceeded thus far, and a night being appointed for the departure of the
deputies, Cicero, being by them made acquainted with everything, directed the
praetors, Lucius Valerius Flaccus, and Caius Pomtinus, to arrest the retinue of
the Allobroges, by lying in wait for them on the Milvian Bridge; he gave them a
full explanation of the object with which they were sent, and left them to
manage the rest as occasion might require. Being military men, they placed a
force, as had been directed, without disturbance, and secretly invested the
bridge; when the envoys, with Volturcius, came to the place, and a shout was
raised from each side of the bridge, the Gauls, at once comprehending the
matter, surrendered themselves immediately to the praetors. Volturcius, at
first, encouraging his companions, defended himself against numbers with his
sword; but afterwards, being unsupported by the Allobroges, he began earnestly
to beg Pomtinus, to whom he was known, to save his life, and at last, terrified
and despairing of safety, he surrendered himself to the praetors as
unconditionally as to foreign enemies.
|