26.  Pyr’rhus, thus finding all hopes fruitless, resolved to leave Italy, where he found only desperate enemies, and faithless allies; accordingly, calling together the Taren’tines, he informed them that he had received assurances from Greece of speedy assistance, and desiring them to await the event with tranquillity, the night following he embarked his troops, and returned, undisturbed, into his native kingdom, with the remains of his shattered forces, leaving a garrison in Taren’tum merely to save appearances:  and in this manner ended the war with Pyr’rhus, after six years’ continuance.

27.  As for the poor luxurious Taren’tines, who were the original promoters of the war, they soon began to find a worse enemy in the garrison that was left for their defence, than in the Romans who attacked them from without.  The hatred between them and Mi’lo, who commanded their citadel for Pyr’rhus, was become so great, that nothing but the fear of their old inveterate enemies, the Romans, could equal it. 28.  In this distress they applied to the Carthaginians, who, with a large fleet, came and blocked up the port of Taren’tum; so that this unfortunate people, once famous through Italy for their refinements and pleasures, now saw themselves contended for by three different armies, without a choice of a conqueror. 29.  At length, however, the Romans found means to bring over the garrison to their interest; after which they easily became masters of the city, and demolished its walls, granting the inhabitants liberty and protection.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What report did Cineas give of the Romans?

2.  By what means did Pyrrhus become convinced of its truth?

3.  Who headed this deputation?

4.  What reception did he experience?

5.  What farther trial was made of his disposition?

6.  What effect did this produce in Fabricius?

7.  In what way did Pyrrhus evince his satisfaction?

8.  In what state was the Roman army at this time?

9.  Where did the rival armies meet?

10.  What was the event of the engagement?

11.  Did it cost the enemy dear?

12.  Was the war continued?

13.  What proposal was made to Fabricius?

14.  How was this proposal received?

15.  How was this done?

16.  What effect had this conduct on Pyrrhus?

17.  What followed?

18.  What return did he make to the Romans?

19.  How was this war carried on?

20.  What views had he in this, and how did they succeed?

21.  What expedient did Pyrrhus have recourse to, to insure the victory?

22.  How did the Romans endeavour to counteract it?

23.  What was the consequence?

24.  What loss did Pyrrhus sustain?

25.  What advantage did the Romans gain from this victory?

26.  What resolution did Pyrrhus form, and how did he effect it?