but that, since the Samnites had been beaten out of the country, they were wavering between peace and war, not shutting their gates against the Romans, lest they should thereby invite an attack; yet determined to shut them if an army should approach; that in that fluctuating state they might easily be overpowered by surprise.  By these men’s advice the camp was moved nearer; and soldiers were sent, at the same time, to each of the three towns; some armed, who were to lie concealed in places near the walls; others, in the garb of peace, with swords hidden under their clothes, when, on the opening of the gates at the approach of day, were to enter into the cities.  These latter began with killing the guards; at the same time, a signal was made to the men with arms, to hasten up from the ambuscades.  Thus the gates were seized, and the three towns taken in the same hour and by the same device.  But as the attacks were made in the absence of the generals, there were no bounds to the carnage which ensued; and the nation of the Ausonians, when there was scarcely any clear proof of the charge of its having revolted, was utterly destroyed, as if it had supported a contest through a deadly war.

26.  During this year, Luceria fell into the hands of the Samnites, the Roman garrison being betrayed to the enemy.  This matter did not long go unpunished with the traitors:  the Roman army was not far off, by whom the city, which lay in a plain, was taken at the first onset.  The Lucerians and Samnites were to a man put to the sword; and to such a length was resentment carried, that at Rome, on the senate being consulted about sending a colony to Luceria, many voted for the demolition of it.  Besides, their hatred was of the bitterest kind, against a people whom they had been obliged twice to subdue by arms; the great distance, also, made them averse from sending away their citizens among nations so ill-affected towards them.  However the resolution was carried, that the colonists should be sent; and accordingly two thousand five hundred were transported thither.  This year, when all places were becoming disaffected to the Romans, secret conspiracies were formed among the leading men at Capua, as well as at other places; a motion concerning which being laid before the senate, the matter was by no means neglected.  Inquiries were decreed, and it was resolved that a dictator should be appointed to enforce these inquiries.  Caius Maenius was accordingly nominated, and he appointed Marcus Foslius master of the horse.  People’s dread of that office was very great, insomuch that the Calavii, Ovius and Novius, who were the heads of the conspiracy, either through fear of the dictator’s power, or the consciousness of guilt, previous to the charge against them being laid in form before him, avoided, as appeared beyond doubt, trial by a voluntary death.  As the subject of the inquiry in Campania was thus removed, the proceedings were then directed towards Rome:  by construing the