But meanwhile Pontius had also occupied the defile in their rear, and they were obliged to surrender.
A treaty was signed by the Consuls Titus Veturius and Spurius Postumius, according to which peace was to be made, and everything restored to its former condition.
Such was the affair at the Caudine Forks (321), one of the most humiliating defeats that ever befell the Roman arms.

The army was made to pass under the yoke,--which was made of three spears, two stuck into the ground parallel to each other and the third placed above them,--and then suffered to depart.
Rome was filled with dismay at the news.

The citizens dressed in mourning, business and amusements were suspended, and every energy was devoted to repairing the disaster.

Compliance with the terms of the treaty was refused, on the ground that no treaty was valid unless sanctioned by a vote of the people.

It was determined to deliver the Consuls who had signed it to the enemy.
Pontius, indignant at the broken faith, refused to accept them, and the war was renewed.