PYRRHUS AND THE ROMANS. 327

theatres and festivals, and expecting that he would
do their fighting while they spent their time in
amusement.

They found, however, that they had gained a
master instead of a servant. Frivolity was not the
idea of war held by Pyrrhus. He at once shut up
the theatre, the gymnasia, and the public walks,
stopped all feasting and revelry throughout the city,
closed the clubs or brotherhoods, and kept the citi-
zens under arms all day. Some of them, in disgust
at this stern discipline, left the city. Pyrrhus there-
upon closed the gates, and would let none out with-
out permission. He even went so far as to put to
death some of the demagogues, and to send others
into exile. By these means he succeeded in making
something like soldiers of the pleasure-loving Taren-
tines.

Thus passed the winter. Meanwhile, the Romans
had been as active as their enemies. They made
the most energetic preparations for war, and with
the opening of the spring were in the field. Pyrrhus,
who had failed to receive the great army promised
him, did not feel strong enough to meet the Roman
force. He offered peace and arbitration, but his
offers were scornfully rejected. He then sent spies
to the Roman camp. One of these was caught and
permitted to observe the whole army on parade. He
was then sent back to Pyrrhus, with the message
that if he wanted to see the Roman army he had
better come himself in open day, instead of sending
spies by night.

The two armies met at length on the banks of the