Tarantum supports Hannibal’s war against Rome, but in 209 BCE, the commander of a Bruttian force betrays the city to the Romans.

Indiscriminate slaughter ensues and among the victims are the Bruttians who had betrayed the city.

Afterwards thirty thousand of the Greek inhabitants are sold as slaves.

Tarentum's art treasures, including the statue of Nikè (Victory) are carried off to Rome.

Fabius Maximus had had the command in Campania in 211 BCE, during the year of his fourth consulship, and admitted the young soldier Marcus Porcius Cato, who had served at Capua, to the honor of intimate friendship.

At the siege of Tarentum, Cato, later to be known as Cato the Elder to distinguish him from his great-grandson, Cato the Younger, is again at the side of Fabius.