Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 3
Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D., Ed.

54. When the people all consented that they should do as they saw fit, the envoys assured them that they would settle matters and presently return. [2] So they departed and explained to the Fathers the demands of the plebs. [3] The other decemvirs, when they found that, contrary to their expectation, no mention was made of any punishment of themselves, [p. 179]made no objection to anything: Appius, hard-hearted,¹ knowing himself peculiarly unpopular, and measuring other men's hatred of himself by his own of them, exclaimed, “I am not unaware of the lot which threatens me. [4] I perceive that the attack upon us is only being postponed till arms are handed over to our adversaries. Hatred must have its offering of blood. [5] I too am willing to relinquish the decemvirate.” A decree was passed by the senate that the decemvirs should abdicate the magistracy at the earliest possible moment; that Quintus Furius, the Pontifex Maximus,² should hold an election of plebeian tribunes; and that no one should be made to suffer for the secession of the soldiers and the plebs.

[6] Having so decreed the senate adjourned and the decemvirs went before the people and laid down their office, to the great delight of all. [7] These events were reported to the plebs, the envoys being accompanied by all the people left in the City. The multitude was met by another joyful throng from the camp, and they exchanged congratulations on the restoration of freedom and harmony to the state. [8] The commissioners addressed the people as follows: “Prosperity, favour, and good fortune to you and the Republic! Return to your native City, to your homes, to your wives, and your children; but let the self-restraint you have shown here, where no man's farm has been violated, though so many things were useful and necessary to so great a multitude, be preserved when you return to the City. [9] Go to the Aventine, whence you set out. There in the auspicious place where you first laid the foundations of your liberty, you shall choose tribunes of the plebs. The [p. 181]Pontifex Maximus will be at hand to hold the³ election.” [10] With loud applause and great alacrity the people showed their approval of all that had been said. They pulled up their standards from the place and set out for Rome, vying with those whom they met in joyful demonstrations. [11] Armed, they proceeded in silence through the City to the Aventine. There the Pontifex Maximus at once held the comitia, and they elected tribunes of the plebs; [12] first of all Lucius Verginius; then Lucius Icilius and Publius Numitorius, Verginia's great-uncle,⁴ the instigators of the secession; then Gaius Sicinius, son of the man who is related to have been the first plebeian tribune chosen on the Sacred Mount; and Marcus Duillius, who had filled the tribuneship with distinction before the decemvirs were appointed, and had not failed the plebs in their contentions with the decemvirs. [13] Then, more by reason of their promise than for any deserts of theirs, they elected Marcus Titinius, Marcus Pomponius, Gaius Apronius, Appius Villius, and Gaius Oppius. [14] As soon as they had taken office, Lucius Icilius proposed to the people, and they so voted, that no man should suffer for the secession from the decemvirs. [15] Immediately a bill that consuls should be elected subject to appeal was offered by Marcus Duillius and was carried. These matters were all transacted by the council of the plebs, in the Flaminian Meadows, which men now call the Flaminian Circus.