The principal persons captured, however, were released without ransom; and the hope was not abandoned that the pressure of war would give to the aristocratic party ascendency in the city and so bring about peace.

The reason of this reserve was, that the Romans were unwilling to drive the city into the arms of the Epirot king.

His designs on Italy were no longer a secret.

A Tarentine embassy had already gone to Pyrrhus and returned without having accomplished its object.

The king had demanded more than it had powers to grant.