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... actam ut iam resederat impetus animorum ardorque, silentium subito...

The Nuances of Impetus Impetus is a highly dynamic noun derived from in- (against/toward) and peto (to seek, head for, attack). It carries a few distinct layers of meaning that work perfectly here: The Physical Sense: Its most common military meaning is a physical "charge," "assault," or "forward rush." The Psychological Sense: Applied to the mind (impetus animorum), it means a sudden, overwhelming urge, a burst of passion, or an irrational impulse. The Contrast: By pairing impetus with ardor (a burning heat/enthusiasm), Livy creates a stark contrast with the final word of the sentence: ratio (reason, calculation, judgment). Livy is describing the crowd's emotional state as a literal wave or momentum that forcefully overtook them. While the vote was happening, they were driven by an unthinking impetus; once that wave crashed and receded (resederat), they were left stranded with cold ratio.