This man not only obtained credence with the mob, but after being introduced into the senate actually produced an impression on that body. Some of those present who were by no means lacking in sense openly averred that it was a very good thing that the Romans had displayed their rapacity and cruelty at Leontini for, had they entered Syracuse, they would have behaved in the same way or even worse, since there was more to feed their rapacity. It was the unanimous opinion that the gates should be shut and the city put in a state of defence, but they were not unanimous in their fears and hates. To the whole ¥of the soldiery and to a large proportion of the population the Romans were the objects of detestation; the praetor and ,a few -of the aristocracy were anxious to guard against a nearer and (more pressing danger, though they too were excited by the false intelligence. For as a matter of fact, Hippocrates and Epicydes were already at the Hexapylon, and conversations were going n amongst the relations of the Syracusan soldiers about opening the gates and letting their common country be defended' from , ,any attack by the Romans. One of the gates of the Hexapylon had already been thrown pen and the troops were beginning to be admitted when the 'praetors appeared on the scene. At first they used commands 'and threats, then they brought their personal authority to bear, and at last, finding all their efforts useless, they resorted eto entreaties, regardless of their dignity, and implored the iCitizens not to betray their country to men who had once danced ,attendance on a tyrant and were no,v corrupting the army. But the ears of the maddened people were deaf to their appeals .and the gates were battere as much from within as from without. After they had all been burst open the army was admitted ,through the whole length of the Hexapylon. The praetors and the younger citizens took refuge in the .Achradina. The enemies' numbers were swelled by the mer- .eenaries, the deserters, and all the late king's guards who had been . left in Syracuse, with the result that the Achradina was captured .at the first attempt, and all the praetors who had failed to make their escape in the confusion were put to death. Night put an ,end to the massacre. The following day the slaves were called up to receive the cap of freedom and all who were in gaol were .released. This motley cro\vd elected Hippocrates and Epicydes praetors, and Syracuse, after its short-lived gleam of liberty, fell '.back into its old bondage.