Some, resolved not to take in a return cargo or to remain at sea any longer, burned their ships and thus escaped all anxiety, to their great rejoicing.

But all those who were obliged to continue their profession in order to live, for the future demanded three times the usual amount from merchants for the hire of the ships, and thus the merchants had no means of covering their losses except by requiring a higher price from purchasers; and thus, by every possible contrivance, the Romans were reduced to the danger of starvation.

Such was the general state of affairs.

I must not, however, omit to state the manner in which the rulers dealt with the small coinage.

The money-changers had formerly been accustomed to give 210 obols (called Pholes) for a single gold stater.