Still nothing was done.
Another, a greater and more decisive opportunity offered itself.
Marseilles was an ally of the Romans.

As the rival of Carthage, and with the Gauls forever at her gates, she had need of Rome by sea and land.
She pretended, also, to the most eminent and intimate friendship with Rome.

Her founder, the Phocean Euxenes, had gone to Rome, it was said, and concluded a treaty with Tarquinius Priscus.

She had gone into mourning when Rome was burned by the Gauls; she had ordered a public levy to aid towards the ransom of the Capitol.

Rome did not dispute these claims to remembrance.