herself to pass her husband's threshold, but to be lifted over, in
memory that the Sabine virgins were carried in by violence, and
did not go in of their own free will. Some say, too, the custom of
parting the bride's hair with the head of a spear was in token
their marriages began at first by war and acts of hostility.

The Sabines were a numerous and martial people, but lived in
small, unfortified villages, as it befitted, they thought, a
colony of the Lacedaemonians to be bold and fearless;
nevertheless, seeing themselves bound by such hostages to their
good behavior, and being solicitous for their daughters, they sent
ambassadors to Romulus with fair and equitable requests, that he
would return their young women and recall that act of violence,
and afterwards, by persuasion and lawful means, seek friendly
correspondence between both nations. Romulus would not part with
the young women, yet proposed to the Sabines to enter into an
alliance with them; upon which point some consulted and demurred
long, but Acron, king of the Ceninenses, a man of high spirit and
a good warrior, who had all along a jealousy of Romulus's bold
attempts, and considering particularly from this exploit upon the
women that he was growing formidable to all people, and indeed
insufferable, were he not chastised, first rose up in arms, and
with a powerful army advanced against him. Romulus likewise
prepared to receive him; but when they came within sight and
viewed each other, they made a challenge to fight a single duel,
the armies standing by under arms, without participation. And
Romulus, making a vow to Jupiter, if he should conquer, to carry
himself, and dedicate his adversary's armor to his honor, overcame
him in combat, and, a battle ensuing, routed his army also, and
then took his city; but did those he found in it no injury, only