Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 26
Frank Gardner Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

14. this speech of Virrius more men heard with approval than had the courage to carry out what they commended. [2] the majority of the senate, not doubting that the clemency of the Roman people, [p. 55]known to them frequently in many wars, would be¹ forgiving to them also, voted and sent legates to surrender Capua to the Romans. [3] about twenty —seven senators followed Vibius Virrius home; and after they had feasted with him, and so far as possible had deadened their minds with wine to the sense of impending misfortune, they all took the poison. [4] then at the end of the feast they gave each other the right hand and a last embrace, and weeping for their own fate and that of their native city, some remained, that they might be cremated on the same pyre, the rest left for their several homes. [5] filled with food and wine, their veins made the poison less effectual in hastening death. and so, although most of them were in the throes through the whole of the night and part of the following day, all of them, however, died before the gates were opened to the enemy.

[6] on the next day the Jupiter Gate,² which faced the Roman camp, was opened by order of the proconsuls. by that gate one legion was admitted and two alae³ with Gaius Fulvius, the lieutenant. [7] he first of all saw to it that the arms and weapons that were in Capua should be brought to him; then posting sentinels at all the gates, that no one might be able to go out or be sent out, he seized the Carthaginian garrison, and ordered the Capuan senate to go to the Roman generals in the camp. [8] arrived there, they were all put in chains and bidden to bring to the quaestors what gold and silver they had. the amount of gold was two thousand and seventy pounds, of silver thirty —one thousand two hundred [p. 57]pounds. [9] of the senators known to have especially⁴ promoted revolt from the Romans twenty —five were sent to Cales to be imprisoned, twenty —eight to Teanum.