If your zeal corresponds with your means, neither will Hannibal feel that he has been victorious, nor the Romans that they have been defeated." 6.

After the consul had thus spoken, the ambassadors were dismissed; and as they were returning home, one of them, named Vibius Virius, observed, "that the time had arrived at which the Campanians might not only recover the territory once injuriously taken away by the Romans, but also possess themselves of the sovereignty of Italy.

For they might form a treaty with Hannibal on whatever terms they pleased; and there could be no question but that after Hannibal, having put an end to the war, had himself retired victorious into Africa, and had withdrawn his troops, the sovereignty of Italy would be left to the Campanians." All assenting to Vibius, as he said this, they framed their report of the embassy so that all might conclude that the Roman power was annihilated.

Immediately the commons and the major part of the senate turned their attention to revolt.

The measure, however, was postponed for a few days at the instigation of the elder citizens.