https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/baker-the-history-of-rome-vol-1
"[...] and the first move in the [predicted] struggle [against the recently ousted Tarquins] took a form which no one anticipated. Treason within the city itself nearly cost Rome her liberty. [...]"
History of Rome, Titus Livius (Livy), Translated by Aubrey de Selincourt, Book 2, Section 3
OR
"[...] but liberty was well nigh lost by treachery and fraud, a thing they had never apprehended. [...]"
Titus Livius (Livy), History of Rome, Translated by D. Spillan, A.M.M.D., Book 2, Section 3
OR
"[...] But, what they entertained no apprehension of, liberty was very near being lost, by secret machinations and treachery. [...]"
History of Rome, Titus Livius (Livy), Translated by George Baker, Book 2, Section 3
ON THE ONE HAND
"It began with a group of young aristocrats who had found life under the monarchy very agreeable; accustomed to to associate with the younger members of the royal [Tarquin] family, and they had been able to give a freer rein to their appetites and to live the dissolute and irresponsible life of the court. Under the new dispensation they missed the freedom to do as they pleased, and began to complain that what might be liberty for others was more like slavery for themselves.
A king, they argued, was, after all, a human being,
and there was a chance of getting from him what one wanted, rightly or wrongly;
under a monarchy there was room for influence and favour;
a king could be angry, and forgive;
he knew the difference between an enemy and a friend.
Law, on the other hand, was impersonal and inexorable.
An excellent thing, no doubt, for paupers, it was worse than useless for the great, as it admitted no relaxation or indulgence towards a man who ventured beyond the bounds of mediocrity.
Human nature not being perfect, to suppose that a man could live in pure innocence under the law was, to put it mildly, risky."
History of Rome, Titus Livius (Livy), Translated by Aubrey de Selincourt, Book 2, Section 3
OR
"[...] There were, among the Roman youth, several young men of no mean families, who, during the regal government, had pursued their pleasures without any restraint; being of the same age with, and companions of, the young Tarquins, and accustomed to live in princely style. Longing for that licentiousness, now that the privileges of all were equalized, they complained that the liberty of others has been converted to their slavery:
'that a king was a human being,
from whom you can obtain, where right, or where wrong may be necessary;
that there was room for favour and for kindness;
that he could be angry, and could forgive;
that he knew the difference between a friend and an enemy;
that laws were a deaf, inexorable thing,
more beneficial and advantageous for the poor than the rich;
that they allowed of no relaxation or indulgence, if you transgress bounds;
that it was a perilous state, amid so many human errors, to live solely by one's integrity."
Titus Livius (Livy), History of Rome, Translated by D. Spillan, A.M.M.D., Book 2, Section 3
OR
"[...] There were, among the Romans, several young men of no inconsiderable families, who, during the reign of the king, had indulged their pleasures too freely; and being of the same age, and constant companions of the younger Tarquinii, had been accustomed to live in a princely style: the privileges of all ranks being now reduced to one level, these grew uneasy at the restraint hereby laid on their irregularities, and complained heavily among themselves, that the liberty of others had imposed slavery on them.
“A king was a human being;
from him might a request be obtained, whether right or wrong;
with him there was room for favour, and for acts of kindness;
he could be angry, and he could forgive;
he knew a distinction between a friend and an enemy.
But the law was a deaf inexorable being,
calculated rather for the safety and advantage of the poor, than of the rich;
and admitted of no relaxation or indulgence, if its bounds were transgressed.
Men being liable to so many mistakes, to have no other security but innocence is a hazardous situation.”
History of Rome, Titus Livius (Livy), Translated by George Baker, Book 2, Section 3
ON THE OTHER HAND
"Now it happened about this time, very opportunely for the malcontents, that a mission from the Tarquins arrived in Rome. Its sole ostensible object was to recover the Tarquins' property; no mention was made of their return.
The envoys were granted a hearing in the Senate, and for the next few days the matter remained under discussion, the general opinion being that a refusal of consent would be merely be to add to the resources of the enemy.
Tarquin's envoys, meanwhile, did not remain idle, and, still under cover of their original request, began secret negotiations for the recovery of the throne. As if in pursuance of their original mission, they visited a number of young nobles to find out what their attitude to the situation was likely to be; some showed evident sympathy, and to those the envoys gave letters from the Tarquins and proceeded to discuss arrangements for secretly admitting them into Rome under cover of darkness."
History of Rome, Titus Livius (Livy), Translated by Aubrey de Selincourt, Book 2, Section 3
OR
"[...] Whilst their [the formerly royal youth's] minds were already thus discontented of their own accord, ambassadors from the royal family come unexpectedly, demanding restitution of their effects merely, without any mention of return.
After their application was heard in the senate, the deliberation on it lasted for several days, (fearing) lest the non-restitution might be a pretext for war, and the restitution a fund and assistance for war.
In the mean time the ambassadors were planning different schemes;
-openly demanding the property, they secretly concerted measures for recovering the throne,
-and soliciting them as if for the object which appeared to be under consideration, they sound their feelings;
-to those by whom their proposals were favourably received they give letters from the Tarquins, and confer with them about admitting the royal family into the city secretly by night.
Titus Livius (Livy), History of Rome, Translated by D. Spillan, A.M.M.D., Book 2, Section 3
OR
"While their minds were in this discontented state, ambassadors arrived from the Tarquinii, who, without any mention of their restoration, demanded only their effects:
"While their minds were in this discontented state, ambassadors arrived from the Tarquinii, who, without any mention of their restoration, demanded only their effects:
the senate, having granted them an audience, continued their deliberations on the subject for several days, being apprehensive that a refusal to give them up, would afford a plausible reason for a war, and the giving them up, a fund in aid of it.
Meanwhile the ambassadors were busily employed in schemes of another nature:
-whilst they openly demanded the effects, they were secretly forming a plan for recovering the throne,
-and addressing themselves to the young nobles, seemingly on the business which they were supposed to have in charge, they made trial of their dispositions.
-To those who lent an ear to their suggestions, they delivered letters from the Tarquinii, and concerted measures with them for receiving those princes privately into the city by night."
History of Rome, Titus Livius (Livy), Translated by George Baker, Book 2, Section 3
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