s were involved in the war of the Samnites,
and in its issue. That that was the only nation which continued to make
opposition; and that with power very inadequate, since the Lucanians
left them: these however might yet be brought back, and induced to
renounce the Roman alliance, if proper skill were used in sowing
dissension between them." These reasonings being readily adopted, by
people who wished for a change, some young Lucanians of considerable
note among their countrymen, but devoid of honour, were procured for
money; these having lacerated each other's persons with stripes, after
they had come naked into a public meeting of their countrymen, exclaimed
that, because they had ventured to go into the Roman camp, they had been
thus beaten with rods, by order of the consul, and had hardly escaped
the loss of their heads. A circumstance, so shocking in its nature,
carrying strong proofs of the ill-treatment, none of artifice, the
people were so irritated, that, by their clamours, they compelled the
magistrates to call together the senate; and some standing round that
assembly, insisted on a declaration of war against the Romans, others
ran different ways to rouse to arms the multitude residing in the
country. Thus the tumult hurrying into imprudence the minds even of
rational men, a decree was passed, that the alliance with the Samnites
should be renewed, and ambassadors sent for that purpose. Because this
so sudden a proceeding was totally devoid of any obvious cause for its
adoption, and consequently was little relied on for its sincerity; they
were, however, obliged both to give hostages, and also to receive
garrisons into their fortified places; and they, blinded by fraud and
resentment, refused no terms. In a little time after, on the authors of
the false charges removing to Tarentum, the whole imposition came to
light. But as they had given all power out of their own hands, nothing
was left them but unavailing repentance.

28. This year there arose, as it were, a new era of liberty to the Roman
commons; in this that a stop was put to the practice of confining
debtors. This alteration of the law was effected in consequence of the
lust and signal cruelty of one usurer. His name was Lucius Papirius. To
him one Caius Publilius having surrendered his person to be confined for
a debt due by his father, his youth and beauty, which ought to have
excited commiseration, operated on the other's mind as incentives to
lust a