as increased by the
darkness, and by the crowd, which was so numerous as to obstruct each
other's operations, Charilaus, according to the plan concerted, was
admitted by his associates into the city; and have filled the higher
parts of it with Roman soldiers, he ordered them to raise a shout; on
which the Greeks, who had received previous directions from their
leaders, kept themselves quiet. The Nolans fled through the opposite
part of the town, by the road leading to Nola. The flight of the
Samnites, who were shut out from the city, was easier, but had a more
disgraceful appearance; for they returned to their homes without arms,
stripped, and destitute of every thing; all, in short, belonging to them
being left with their enemies; so that they were objects of ridicule,
not only to foreigners, but even to their own countrymen. I know that
there is another account of this matter, according to which the town is
represented to have been betrayed by the Samnites; but I have this
account on the authority most worthy of credit; besides, the treaty of
Neapolis, for to that place the seat of government of the Greeks was
then transferred, renders it more probable that the renewal of
friendship was voluntary on their side. A triumph was decreed to
Publilius, because people were well convinced that the enemy, reduced by
the siege, had adopted terms of submission. These two extraordinary
incidents, which never before occurred in any case, befell this man: a
prolongation of command never before granted to any one; and a triumph
after the expiration of his office.

27. Another war soon after arose with the Greeks of the other coast. For
the Tarentines having, for a considerable time, buoyed up the state of
Palaepolis with delusive hopes of assistance, when they understood that
the Romans had gotten possession of that city, as if they were the
persons who had suffered the disappointment, and not the authors of it,
they inveighed against the Palaepolitans, and became furious in their
anger and malice towards the Romans; on this account also, because
information was brought that the Lucanians and Apulians had submitted to
the Roman people; for a treaty of alliance had been this year concluded
with both these nations. "The business," they observed, "was now brought
almost to their doors; and that the matter would soon come to this, that
the Romans must either be dealt with as enemies, or received as masters:
that, in fact, their interest