VIII, 18.—­This, however, took place later.  At the time under discussion the Romans entered upon war with the Falisci, and Manlius Torquatus ravaged their country.  In a battle with them his heavy infantry was worsted but his cavalry conquered.  In a second engagement with them he was victorious and took possession of their arms, their cavalry, their furniture, their slaves, and half their country.  Later on the original city, which was set upon a steep mountain, was torn down and another one was built, easily reached by road.  After this the Romans again waged wars upon the Boii and upon the Gauls that were neighbors of the latter, and upon some Ligurians.  The Ligurians were conquered in battle and otherwise injured by Sempronius Gracchus:  Publius Valerius in a conflict with the Gauls was at first defeated, but soon, learning that troops had come from Rome to his assistance, he renewed the struggle with the Gauls, determined either to conquer by his own exertions or to die—­he preferred that rather than to live and bear the stigma of disgrace; and by some fortune or other he managed to win the day.

[Sidenote:  B.C. 238 (a.u. 516)] At this time these events befell the Romans as described.  They also secured Sardinia from the Carthaginians and a new supply of money by charging them with harming Roman shipping.  The Carthaginians, not having yet recovered strength, feared their threats.—­Next year Lucius Lentulus and Quintus Flaccus made a campaign against the Gauls; and as long as they remained together, they were invincible, [Sidenote:  B.C. 237 (a.u. 517)] but when they began to pillage districts separately with the idea of getting greater booty, the army of Flaccus fell into danger, being surrounded by night.  Temporarily the barbarians were beaten back, but having gained accessions of allies they proceeded anew with a huge force against the Romans. [Sidenote:  B.C. 236 (a.u. 518)] When confronted by Publius Lentulus and Licinius Varus, they hoped to overcome them by their numbers and prevail without a battle.  So they sent and demanded the land surrounding Ariminum and commanded the Romans to remove from the city since it belonged to them.  The consuls on account of their small numbers did not dare to risk a battle nor would they take the responsibility of releasing any territory, and accordingly they arranged a truce to confer with Rome.  Gallic emissaries came before the senate with the aforementioned representations.  As none of their demands was granted, the envoys returned to camp.  There they found their cause was ruined.  Some of their allies had repented and regarding the Romans with fear had turned upon the Boii, and many had been killed on both sides.  Then the remainder had gone home and the Boii had obtained peace only at the price of a large portion of their land.