The Samnites have seen their countryside systematically ravaged by the Romans.
According to Titus Livius, the Samnites are desperately short of men, and thus call a general muster to Aquilonia, which all men of Samnium are required to answer.
Here, they take strict religious oaths to their country, and are then forced to join the army upon an altar to the Gods.
If they refuse, they are slain on the spot and their bodies left in a pile as a reminder to all others what will happen if they refuse.
Roman forces under the consuls Lucius Papirius Cursor and Spurius Carvilius Maximus in 293 deal the Samnites a decisive defeat at the Battle of Aquilonia.
After the battle, the Samnites flee into the city of Aquilonia itself, and their camp.
The camp is captured and looted by the Romans, while taking the city itself proves more difficult.
The city is eventually taken, with many of the Samnite survivors being slaughtered in the fighting.
The loot taken from the Samnites this day is so extravagant, according to Livy, that there is enough gold and silver to decorate all the public buildings of Rome, with some left over to decorate the public buildings of other Roman cities as well.
