d and fifty of the conspirators were sent
in chains to Rome; and that such submission was not received by the
senate, because they considered that the people of Fundi wished to come
off with impunity by the punishment of needy and humble persons.

20. While the siege of Privernum was being conducted by the two consular
armies, one of the consuls was recalled to Rome, on account of the
elections. This year gaols were first erected in the circus. While the
attention of the public was still occupied by the Privernian war, an
alarming report of the Gauls being in arms, a matter scarcely ever
slighted by the senate, suddenly came on them. The new consuls,
therefore, Lucius AEmilius Mamercinus and Caius Plautius, on the calends
of July, the very day on which they entered into office, received orders
to settle the provinces immediately between themselves; and Mamercinus,
to whom the Gallic war fell, was directed to levy troops, without
admitting any plea of immunity: nay, it is said, that even the rabble of
handicrafts, and those of sedentary trades, of all the worst qualified
for military service, were called out; and a vast army was collected at
Veii, in readiness to meet the Gauls. It was thought proper not to
proceed to a greater distance, lest the enemy might by some other route
arrive at the city without being observed. In the course of a few days
it being ascertained, on a careful inquiry, that every thing on that
side was quiet at the time; the whole force, which was to have opposed
the Gauls, was then turned against Privernum. Of the issue of the
business, there are two different accounts: some say, that the city was
taken by storm; and that Vitruvius fell alive into the hands [of the
conquerors]: others maintain that the townsmen, to avoid the extremities
of a storm, presenting the rod of peace, surrendered to the consul; and
that Vitruvius was delivered up by his troops. The senate, being
consulted with respect to Vitruvius and the Privernians, sent
directions, that the consul Plautius should demolish the walls of
Privernum, and, leaving a strong garrison there, come home to enjoy the
honour of a triumph; at the same time ordering that Vitruvius should be
kept in prison, until the return of the consul, and that he should then
be beaten with rods, and put to death. His house, which stood on the
Palatine hill, they commanded to be razed to the ground, and his effects
to be devoted to Semo Sancus. With the money produce