“That is the way I understand it,” said Decius， “and I am ready to be sacrificed for Rome.”
The two consuls finally agreed that each would lead, as usual, a wing of the Roman army against the enemy, and that the one whose wing first began to waver should give his life for his country.
The sound of busy preparation was already heard in both camps. The Roman soldiers were impatient to begin the fray. The sun was scarcely above the mountain tops before the battle was raging.
Furiously the Romans fought, contesting every foot of ground. The left wing, commanded by Decius Mus, was the first to waver.
Then Decius, with great dignity, like that of a conqueror, strode alone to the summit of a little hill where both armies could see him. Standing with a javelin beneath his feet, and raising his hands and eyes toward heaven, he cried, “Rome! I give the victory to thee!”
With these words he rushed into the midst of the enemy. A dozen spears were thrust at him, and he died with the name of his country on his lips.
With a cry of vengeance the Romans followed their leader, striking and grappling and slaying, and heeding nothing but to destroy their foes. The Latins were thrown into confusion; then a panic seized them and the whole army fled.
Decius had saved Rome.
“必须摧毁迦太基！”
“必须摧毁迦太基！”
一位84岁的罗马老人刚刚结束他在罗马的城镇广场上激动人心的演讲。他的结束语是：“Delenda east Carthago！”（必须摧毁迦太基！）