Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/309

 STRATAGEMS, III. xvii. 9-xviii. 3

entrendiinents, but kept so closely within the town that Popilius Laenas was emboldened to attack it with scaling-ladders. But, susi)ecting a ruse, since not even then was I'esistance offered, he recalled his men; whereupon the Numantines made a sortie and attacked the Romans in the rear as they were climbing down.^

XVIII. Concerning Steadfastness on the Part of the Besieged

The Romans, when Hannibal was encamped near their walls, in order to exhibit their confidence, sent troops out by a different gate to reinforce the armies which they had in Spain. ^

The land on which Hannibal had his camp having come into the market owing to the death of the owner, the Romans bid the price up to the figure at which the property had sold before the war.^

When the Romans were besieged by Hannibal and were themselves besieging Capua, they passed a decree not to recall their army from the latter place until it was captured.^

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