During this year, Luceria fell into the hands of the Samnites, the Roman garrison being betrayed to the enemy.

This matter did not long go unpunished with the traitors: the Roman army was not far off, by whom the city, which lay in a plain, was taken at the first onset.

The Lucerians and Samnites were to a man put to the sword; and to such a length was resentment carried, that at Rome, on the senate being consulted about sending a colony to Luceria, many voted for the demolition of it.

Besides, their hatred was of the bitterest kind, against a people whom they had been obliged twice to subdue by arms; the great distance, also, made them averse from sending away their citizens among nations so ill-affected towards them.

However the resolution was carried, that the colonists should be sent; and accordingly two thousand five hundred were transported thither.