26.14
This
speech of Virrius was received with approbation by many who had not the
courage to carry out what they approved of. The majority of the senators
were not without hope that the clemency of the Roman people so often
experienced in former wars would be once more extended to them, and they
determined to send envoys to make a formal surrender of Capua. About
seven-and-twenty accompanied Virrius home and banqueted with him. When
they had as far as possible deadened their feelings with wine against the
sense of impending evil, they all partook of the poisoned cup. Then they rose
from table and grasped each other's hands and took a last embrace of one
another, weeping for their own and their country's doom. Some remained
that they might be cremated together on the same funeral pyre, others
departed for their homes. The congestion of the veins caused by the food
and wine they had taken made the action of the poison somewhat slow, and
most of them lingered through the whole night and part of the following day.
All however, expired before the gates were opened to the enemy. The
following day, the gate called "the Gate of Jupiter," opposite the Roman
camp, was opened by the proconsul's order. One legion was admitted
through it and two squadrons of allied cavalry, with C. Fulvius in command.
First he took care that all the weapons of war in Capua were brought to him;
then, after stationing guards at all the gates to prevent any exit or escape, he
arrested the Punic garrison and ordered the senate to go to the Roman
commanders. On their arrival in the camp they were manacled, and ordered
to send word for all the gold and silver they possessed to be brought to the
quaestors. This amounted to 2072 pounds of gold and 31,200 pounds of
silver. Twenty-five senators were sent to be kept in custody at Cales, and
twenty-eight who were proved to have been mainly instrumental in bringing
about the revolt were sent to Teanum
