The time was gone by when a coup de main against Rome was a foolish enterprise, and the assailants could have no want of connections in the capital.
The band of volunteers which sallied from the city, mostly youths of quality, was scattered like chaff before the immense superiority of force.

The only hope of safety rested on Sulla.

The latter, on receiving accounts of the departure of the Samnite army in the direction of Rome, had likewise set out in all haste to the assistance of the capital.

The appearance of his foremost horsemen under Balbus in the course of the morning revived the sinking courage of the citizens; about midday he appeared in person with his main force, and immediately drew up his ranks for battle at the temple of the Erycine Aphrodite before the Colline gate (not far from Porta Pia).

His lieutenants adjured him not to send the troops exhausted by the forced march at once into action; but Sulla took into consideration what the night might bring on Rome, and, late as it was in the afternoon, ordered the attack.