There was no doubt but that one of the consuls would commence hostilities against the AEquans.

The AEquans accordingly sought aid from the Volscians of Ecetra; which being granted readily, (so keenly did these states vie in inveterate hatred against the Romans,) preparations for war were made with the utmost vigour.

The Hernicians came to the knowledge of it, and warned the Romans that the Ecetrans had revolted to the AEquans; the colony of Antium also was suspected, because when the town was taken, a great number of the inhabitants had fled thence for refuge to the AEquans: and these proved the bravest soldiers during the war with the AEquans.

Afterwards the AEquans being driven into the towns, this rabble withdrawing privately, when they returned to Antium, seduced from the Romans the colonists who were already disposed to treachery of their own accord.

The matter not being yet ripe, when it was announced to the senate that a defection was intended, the consuls were charged to inquire into the business by summoning to Rome the leading men of the colony.