Aulus Posthumius Albinus, commander of a fleet, upon a suspicion of
treachery, was murdered by the forces under his command. Lucius
Cornelius Sylla, lieutenant-general, defeated the Samnites, and took two
of their camps. The Vestinians surrendered to Cneius Pompeius. Lucius
Porcius, the consul, having been successful in frequent engagements with
the Marcians, was slain in an attack upon their camp, which circumstance
decided the victory in favour of the enemy. Cosconius and Lucceius
overthrew the Samnites in a battle, slew Marius Egnatius, the most
distinguished of their generals, and received the surrender of many of
their towns. Lucius Sylla subdued the Hirpinians, defeated the Samnites
in many battles, and received the submission of several states; in
consequence of having performed so many distinguished services, as
scarcely any one had ever done under the circumstances, he repaired to
Rome to solicit the consulship.