Before the city was captured, Herculanus is said to have tried to save the city by feeding the last sack of grain to the last lamb. This was meant to give the Ostrogoth forces the impression that the Perugians had food to spare, and were able to feed a weak lamb with their precious grain.
Before the city fell, Herculanus is said to have attempted to deceive the Ostrogoths by feeding the last bag of grain to the last sheep. This was intended to make the Ostrogoths believe that the Perugians had enough food to spare and could feed a weak lamb with their precious grain.