The Rutulians, a very wealthy nation, considering the country and age in which they lived, were at that time in possession of Ardea.[56] Their wealth was itself the actual occasion of the war:  for the Roman king, whose resources had been drained by the magnificence of his public works, was desirous of enriching himself, and also of soothing the minds of his subjects by a large present of booty, as they, independently of the other instances of his tyranny, were incensed against his government, because they felt indignant that they had been kept so long employed by the king as mechanics, and in labour only fit for slaves.  An attempt was made, to see if Ardea could be taken at the first assault; when that proved unsuccessful, the enemy began to be distressed by a blockade, and by siege-works.  In the standing camp, as usually happens when a war is tedious rather than severe, furloughs were easily obtained, more so by the officers, however, than the common soldiers.  The young princes also sometimes spent their leisure hours in feasting and mutual entertainments.  One day as they were drinking in the tent of Sextus Tarquinius, where Collatinus Tarquinius, the son of Egerius, was also at supper, they fell to talking about their wives.  Every one commended his own extravagantly:  a dispute thereupon arising, Collatinus said there was no occasion for words, that it might be known in a few hours how far his wife Lucretia excelled all the rest.  “If, then,” added he, “we have any youthful vigour, why should we not mount our horses and in person examine the behaviour of our wives?  Let that be the surest proof to every one, which shall meet his eyes on the unexpected arrival of the husband.”  They were heated with wine.  “Come on, then,” cried all.  They immediately galloped to Rome, where they arrived when darkness was beginning to fall.  From thence they proceeded to Collatia,[57] where they found Lucretia, not after the manner of the king’s daughters-in-law, whom they had seen spending their time in luxurious banqueting with their companions, but, although the night was far advanced, employed at her wool, sitting in the middle of the house in the midst of her maids who were working around her.  The honour of the contest regarding the women rested with Lucretia.  Her husband on his arrival, and the Tarquinii, were kindly received; the husband, proud of his victory, gave the young princes a polite invitation.  There an evil desire of violating Lucretia by force seized Sextus Tarquinius; both her beauty, and her proved chastity urged him on.  Then, after this youthful frolic of the night, they returned to the camp.