The messenger, wearied with demanding and waiting for an answer, returned to Gabii as if without having accomplished his object, and told what he had said himself, and what he had observed, adding, "that Tarquin, either through passion, aversion to him, or his innate pride, had not spoke a word." As soon as it became evident to Sextus what his father wished, and what conduct he recommended by those silent intimations, he put to death the most eminent men of the city, accusing some of them to the people, and others who were exposed by their own unpopularity.

Many were executed publicly, and some, against whom an impeachment was likely to prove less specious, were secretly assassinated.

Means of escape were to some allowed, and others were banished, and their estates, as well as the estates of those who were put to death, publicly distributed.

By the sweets of corruption, plunder, and private advantage resulting from these distributions, the sense of the public calamities became extinguished in them, till the state of Gabii, destitute of counsel and assistance, was delivered without a struggle into the hands of the Roman king.
55.

Tarquin, thus put in possession of Gabii, made peace with the AEquians, and renewed the treaty with the Etrurians.