Upon his arrival at Taren'tum,[7] his first care was to reform the people whom he came to succour.

Observing a total dissoluteness of manners in this luxurious city, and that the inhabitants were rather occupied with the pleasures of bathing, feasting, and dancing, than the care of preparing for war, he gave orders to have all their places of public entertainment shut up, and that they should be restrained in such amusements as rendered soldiers unfit for battle.16.In the mean time the Romans did all which prudence could suggest, to oppose so formidable an enemy; and the consul Laevi'nus was sent with a numerous force to interrupt his progress.17.

Pyr'rhus, though his whole army was not yet arrived, drew out to meet him; but previously sent an ambassador, desiring to be permitted to mediate between the Romans and the people of Tarentum.18.To this Laevi'nus answered, that _he neither esteemed him as a mediator, nor feared him as an enemy_: and then leading the ambassador through the Roman camp, desired him to observe diligently what he saw, and to report the result to his master.
19.

In consequence of this, both armies approaching, pitched their tents in sight of each other, upon the opposite banks of the river Ly'ris.

Pyr'rhus was always extremely careful in directing the situation of his own camp, and in observing that of the enemy.