Page "Ancus Marcius" Paragraph 5

According to Livy the war was commenced by the Latins who anticipated Ancus would follow the pious pursuit of peace adopted by his grandfather, Numa Pompilius.

The Latins initially made an incursion on Roman lands.

When a Roman embassy sought restitution for the damage, the Latins gave a contemptuous reply.

Ancus accordingly declared war on the Latins.

The declaration is notable since, according to Livy, it was the first time that the Romans had declared war by means of the rites of the fetials.