his son, who was obviously also called Titus Manlius, was goaded by an enemy commander into having a single combat duel, just like his dad. Manlius won by, according to Livy, poking his opponent’s horse in the ear. Thrilled with his victory, feeling like he was living up to his dad’s legend, Manlius galloped back to tell his father, the great consul and general, all about it. Unfortunately for him, due to some prophecies that are irrelevant here, everyone had been ordered very specifically not to engage in fights or duels with the enemy until the formal battle. So, rather than be proud,
...more
