Meanwhile, after much time had been lost in the tedious siege of Nequinum, two of the townsmen, whose houses were contiguous to the wall, having formed a subterraneous passage, came by that private way to the Roman advanced guards; and being conducted thence to the consul, offered to give admittance to a body of armed men within the works and walls.

The proposal was thought to be such as ought neither to be rejected, nor yet assented to without caution.

With one of these men, the other being detained as an hostage, two spies were sent through the mine, and certain information being received from them, three hundred men in arms, guided by the deserter, entered the city, and seized by night the nearest gate, which being broken open, the Roman consul and his army took possession of the city without any opposition.

In this manner came Nequinum under the dominion of the Roman people.

A colony was sent thither as a barrier against the Umbrians, and called Narnia, from the river Nar.