[1] The augur charged with the sacred chickens who was accompanying the consul announced a favourable omen for the battle even though the birds gave no such indication.
Papirius was told of this deception but neverthless engaged the enemy, with the lying augur placed in the front line and killed by the first volley of Samnite spears, thus removing the insult to religion, avenging the affront to the consul and assuring a Roman victory.
[3] After a second indecisive engagement, Papirius had the camp servants mount the animals from the army's baggage train and run noisily down a hill near the battlefield.
[5] The copper and silver spoils exhibited at the triumph were handed over to Rome's public treasury, with Papirius' troops refused even the smallest share in them.
Papirius ended the war against Tarentum by bribing the garrison's leader Milon, who handed over the citadel in return for being able to lead out his troops and to take away the city's treasure.