Book 9
7.2
as though lost for ever, in the council of her faithful allies, Ofillius Calavius, the son of Ovus, addressed the senators. He was a man of high birth and with a distinguished career and now venerable for his age.
7.3
He is reported to have said: “The truth is far otherwise. That stubborn silence, those eyes fixed on the ground, those ears deaf to all consolation, that shame - faced shrinking from the light, are all indications of a terrible resentment fermenting in their hearts which will break out in vengeance.
7.4
Either I know nothing of the Roman character or that silence will soon call forth amongst the Samnites cries of distress and groans of anguish.
7.5
The memory of the capitulation of Caudium will be much more bitter to the Samnites than to the Romans. Whenever and wherever they meet each side will be animated by its own courage and the Samnites will not find the Caudine Forks everywhere.”
7.6
RomeThe Reception in Rome. was now aware of its disaster. The first information they received was that the army was blockaded, then came the more gloomy news of the ignominious capitulation.
7.7
Immediately on receiving the first intelligence of the blockade they began to levy troops, but when they heard that the army had surrendered in such a disgraceful way, the preparations for relieving them were abandoned, and without waiting for any formal order the whole City presented the aspect of public mourning.
