In the year 543 of the building of Rome, when Hannibal had led his conquering army, nearly over all Italy, and was then laying encamped on the banks of the River Arno about 3 Miles from the Capital the greatest Consternation prevailed among the Inhabitants within the walls; in every part were to be seen Women walking about wringing their hands in the greatest anguish, and even the oldest generals then in the City seemed to give up their country for lost, but Patriotism which was then as prevalent as at any time of the empire seemed by one great, and energetic glow doomed to work the happy change, one evening when the great Carthaginian had seen his troops well provided for, and riding, round the Camp he could not help reflecting on the difference between his Station, and that of the enemy, and casting an Eye towards the City which was then illumined by the last rays of the setting sun he seemed more than ordinaryly delighted with the treasure he promised his men in the plunder of it, and being prevailed on by his Friends to take a nearer Survey he ordered a Troop of horse to attend him, and he accordingly made a Circuit of the Suburbs this was beheld by the soldiers in the Watch tower of the capitoline hill and immediately communicated to the Consul Flaccus, who growing indignant at the insult offered to their Misfortunes, ordered all preparation to be made for giving the enemy battle early the next Day, about this time there were a great number of youth in the City who had not quite reached the military age, and consequently could not be levee'd, but many of them reasoning among themselves on the value of life the Immortality of Fame, and the Virtue of Patriotism, they determined to join the Army, and by example prompt the utmost Effort of the Citizens, however their decision was not known in every part of the City, and among those who were ignorant of the matter was Junius a youth of Patrician rank, one who bore an excellent name among his contempories, however their decision was not known in every part of the City, and among those who were ignorant of the matter was Junius a youth of Patrician rank, one who bore an excellent name among his contempories,[…]