But the great number of her guests rendered the burden more oppressive to Busa, for they amounted now to ten thousand men.

Appius and Scipio, having heard that the other consul was safe, immediately send a messenger to inquire how great a force of infantry and cavalry he had with him, and at the same time to ask, whether it was his pleasure that the army should be brought to Venusia, or remain at Canusium.

Varro himself led over his forces to Canusium.

And now there was some appearance of a consular army, and they seemed able to defend themselves from the enemy by walls, if not by arms.

At Rome intelligence had been received, that not even these relics of their citizens and allies had survived, but that the two consuls, with their armies, were cut to pieces, and all their forces annihilated.