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There is even sufficient time for the Senate to discuss the matter and send a messenger
back to the proconsuls at Capua instructing them to decide which of them would return
to Rome to prevent a siege of the city and who would remain to continue the siege
(Livy, 26.8.2-10). Livy imparts a sense of Roman pique in the Senate at the timing of
Hannibal‟s march on Rome when Fabius Maximus argues that the siege against Capua
should continue because it should be considered an insult that Hannibal would march on
Rome in an attempt to relieve Capua when he had not marched against Rome after
Cannae (Livy, 26.8.3-5).
The „open secret‟ in Livy‟s version enables defence measures to be put in place. The
loyal people of Fregellae destroy their bridge to delay Hannibal, and send a messenger
to Rome to confirm Hannibal‟s approach. Tension mounts with an announcement that
Fulvius Flaccus was delayed in pursuing Hannibal because the Carthaginians had
burned the boats at the Volturnus River (Livy, 26.9.2-3). Consequently there is fear and
panic at Rome, but the critical difference from Polybius‟ version is that Livy presents it
developing in anticipation of Hannibal‟s arrival, not because he has suddenly appeared.
The description of the scene within the city is reminiscent of Polybius:
Ploratus mulierum non ex privatis solum domibus exaudiebatur, sed
undique matronae in publicum effusae circa deum delubra discurrunt,
crinibus passis aras verrentes, nixae genibus, supinas manus ad caelum
ac deos tendentes orantesque ut urbem Romanam e manibus hostium
eriperent matresque Romanas et liberos parvos inviolatos servarent.
Livy, 26.9.7-8
The wailings of women were heard not only from private houses but
from every direction matrons pouring into the streets ran about among
the shrines of the gods sweeping the altars with their dishevelled hair,
kneeling, holding up their palms to heaven and the gods and imploring
them to rescue the city of Rome from the hands of the enemy and keep
Roman mothers and little children unharmed.
Adapted from Moore, 1970, 33-5
This is the only occasion in the third decad when Livy describes women sweeping altars
(not temple pavements) with their hair and it is tempting to read it as a response, with
minor correction, to Polybius. In addition, Fabius Maximus plays a major role in Livy‟s
narrative as an elder statesman dealing with the panicking populace; he advises the city
praetors on how to organise the city defences with garrisons stationed on the walls, at
the Capitol, the Alban Mount and at Aefula (Livy, 26.9.9). The sense of danger is
increased and the panic justified with stories filtering back to Rome of the cruelties
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