Though your terms are very lenient, the Saguntines are a fiercely independent people of Grecian pluck; they consider subjugation by Carthage akin to slavery. Their spirit, coupled with sickness from nearly 8 months of siege, gets the better of their judgment. The Saguntines turn your terms for surrender down. Sensing their imminent demise, the agitation of the crowding multitude turns to hysteria. The city leaders start a bonfire and gather all the public and private wealth of the city to be destroyed. They then begin to throw themselves also into the fire in desperation. The city is in chaos. Taking advantage of the hysteria, you launch a full-scale attack on the final citadel barring your entry. The Saguntines gathered around the bonfire turn to hear the great crash of the citadel. Your men rush through the breach. No one is spared. Saguntum is taken with immense spoil. Although much of the wealth had been damaged by the Saguntines, the costly Saguntine furniture and garments sell for a nice price and are sent to Carthage.
