and pride, from which a little
time since their neighbours had solicited assistance, was now so broken
in spirit, as to give up themselves and all they possessed into the
power of others; moreover, their honour also seemed to be involved in
not betraying those who had surrendered, nor did they consider that the
people of the Samnites would act fairly, if they should attack a
territory and a city which had become the property of the Roman people
by a surrender. It was resolved therefore, that ambassadors should be
sent forthwith to the Samnites; instructions were given "that they
should lay before the Samnites the entreaties of the Campanians, the
answer of the senate duly mindful of the friendship of the Samnites, and
finally the surrender that had been concluded. That they requested, in
consideration of the friendship and alliance subsisting between them,
that they would spare their subjects; and that they would not carry
hostilities into that territory which had become the property of the
Roman people. If by gentle measures they did not succeed, that they
should denounce to the Samnites in the name of the senate and Roman
people, to withhold their arms from the city of Capua and the Campanian
territory." When the ambassadors urged these matters in the assembly of
the Samnites, so fierce an answer was returned, that they not only said
that they would prosecute that war, but their magistrates, having gone
out of the senate-house, in the very presence of the ambassadors,
summoned the prefects of the cohorts; and with a distinct voice
commanded them, to proceed forthwith into the Campanian territory, in
order to plunder it.

32. The result of this embassy being reported at Rome, the care of all
other concerns being laid aside, the senate, having despatched heralds
to demand satisfaction, and, because this was not complied with, war
being proclaimed in the usual way, they decreed that the matter should
be submitted to the people at the very earliest opportunity; and both
the consuls having set out from the city by order of the people with two
armies, Valerius into Campania, Cornelius into Samnium, the former
pitches his camp at Mount Gaurus, the latter at Saticula. The legions of
the Samnites met with Valerius first; for they thought that the whole
weight of the war would incline to that side. At the same time
resentment stimulated them against the Campanians, that they should be
so ready at one time to lend aid, at anoth