Parem iram senatus adversus illos destrinxit qui apud Cannas rem publicam deseruerant: nam cum eos gravitate decreti ultra mortuorum condicionem relegasset, acceptis a M. Marcello litteris, ut eorum sibi opera ad expugnationem Syracusarumuti liceret, rescripsit indignos esse qui in castra reciperentur; ceterum se ei permittere ut faceret quod expedire rei publicae iudicasset, dum ne quis ex iis munere vacaret aut dono militiae donaretur, aut in Italiam, donec hostes in ea essent, accederet
The senate unsheathed equal wrath against those who had deserted the commonwealth at Cannae. Having by the severity of its decree relegated them to a condition beyond the grave, it received a letter from M. Marcellus requesting permission to use their services in the siege of Syracuse. It replied that they were unworthy to be admitted into a camp; however, it would allow him to take whatever action he thought to be in the public interest, provided that none of them be exempted from service, or given a military award, or return to Italy so long as enemies were within its boundaries.
final_alignments\Valerius_Memorable_Book2.json