Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 40
William A. McDevitte, Sen. Class. Mod. Ex. Schol. A.B.T.C.D., Ed.

29. The colony of Gravisca was established this year in a district of Etruria, formerly taken from the Tarquinians, and five acres of land were given to each settler. [2] The commissioners who conducted it were Caius Calpurnius Piso, Publius Claudius Pulcher, and Caius Terentius Istra. The year was rendered remarkable by a drought, and a scarcity of the productions of the earth. It is handed down on record, that during the space of six months no rain fell. [3] In the same year, some workmen in the farm of Lucius Petillius, a notary, at the foot of the Janiculum, digging the ground deeper than usual, discovered two stone chests, about eight feet long and four broad, the covers of which were soldered with lead. [4] Both the chests had inscriptions in Greek and Latin letters, one signifying that therein was buried Numa Pompilius, son of Pompo, and king of the Romans; the other, that therein were contained the books of Numa Pompilius. [5] When the owner of the ground had, by the advice of his friends, opened these chests, the one which, according to its inscription, contained the body of the king, was found perfectly empty, without any trace of a human body or of any thing else having ever been in it; the whole being consumed by the decay of such a number of years. [6] In the other were found two bundles, tied round with waxed cords, and each containing seven books, not only entire, but apparently quite fresh. Seven were in Latin, and related to the pontifical law; and seven in Greek, containing the doctrines of philosophy, such as might have been known in that age. [7] Valerius Antias adds, that they contained the doctrines of Pythagoras, supporting, by this plausible fiction, the credit [8??] of the vulgar opinion, that Numa had been a disciple of Pythagoras. [9] The books were read, first, by Petillius's friends, who were present at the discovery. Afterwards, when they became publicly spoken of in consequence of many others reading them, Quintus Petillius, the city praetor, having a desire to read those books, borrowed them from Lucius Petillius, with whom he was familiarly acquainted, in consequence of Quintus Petillius having, when [10??] quaestor, made him a notary, and chosen him as one of ten. [11] On reading the principal heads of the contents, he perceived [p. 1886]that most of them had a tendency to undermine the established system of religious doctrines, and, thereupon, he told Lucius Petillius, that “he was determined to throw those books into the fire; but before he did so, he gave him leave, if he thought he had any right or appeal to demand the restitution of them, to make the trial, which he might do and preserve his favour.” The notary applied to the plebeian tribunes, and the tribunes referred the matter to the senate. [12] The praetor declared, that he was ready to make oath that those books ought not to be read or preserved; and the senate decreed, that “the praetor's having offered his oath ought to be deemed sufficient evidence that those books should, without delay, be burned [13??] in the comitium, and that such a price should be paid to the owner as might be judged reasonable by the praetor, Quintus Petillius, and the majority of the plebeian tribunes.” The notary did not receive the money. [14] The books, however, were burned in the comitium, in the view of the people, the fire being made by the public servants, whose duty it was to assist at sacrifices.