The infuriated Gauls then rushed upon them and slew them without mercy; then setting fire to the city, they burned every house to the ground.* Nothing now remained but the Capitol, which was strongly fortified, and which the Gauls next besieged.

The Romans at length gave themselves up for lost; when they were revived by the intelligence that Camillus, the man they had treated so unjustly, was marching to their assistance at the head of the citizens of Ardea and Veii. They were thus enabled to come to terms with Brennus, who consented to quit the city upon the payment of a thousand pounds weight in gold. But Camillus would not permit of this agreement, exclaiming, “It is the custom with Romans to ransom their country with iron, and not with gold.” He then compelled Brennus, with his army, to leave Rome.