AGRIPPA MENENtes, was born of a plebeian family, but soon rose to the highest rank in the state. Ile was consul at Rome A. U. 251, B. C. 503, and obtained the honours of a triumph for a decisive victory, which he gained over the Sabines. In the disputes which arose between the plebeians and patricians concerning the punishment of insolvent debtors, when the commons, in the consulate of Virginius and Veturius, retired to the sacred mount, and refused to submit to the authority of the consuls until their grievances were redressed, Me nenius was chosen the deputy of the patricians, with the injunction to endeavour, by every means, to bring about a A:conciliation. He was an able orator, and much be loved by the people on account of his mean origin. When admitted within the camp, he is said to have pro nounced the celebrated apologue of the Stomach and the Members, which so softened their resentment, that being allowed to have magistrates of their own choosing, called Tribunes, whose persons were to be sacred, they returned to the city. Menenius died at an advanced age,
universally regretted, both by the patricians and the commons, to whom he had performed the most impor tant services; and highly esteemed for wisdom and in tegrity, yet so poor, that he did not leave what was ne cessary to defray the expenses of his funeral. He was buried, however, in a magnificent manner, according to Livy, at the charge of the people, who assessed them selves for that purpose ; while others affirm, that the expenses of his funeral were defrayed by the senate out of the public treasury, and that the assessment of the commons was given as dowries to his daughters. See Li-v. Lib. ii. c. 16. 32. 33. Dionys. Halicarn. tom. 1. p. 340. 390. Florian, b. i. c. 23. (p.)