exceeding thick together with their Targets before them so that to cope with them at handy-stroaks was to little purpose the Roman Commanders therefore ordered the Darts and Lances that lay scattered on the ground between the two Armies to be gathered up and flung at the Enemy who now stood like a Tortoise in his shell impregnable But these Darts and Javelins sticking in their Targets and many of them lighting upon and with their sharp points piercing into their Bodies that Wedge-like Battalion began to scatter and many of them though not wounded did like men amaz'd tumble upon one another Thus various was the Fortune of the Romans Left Wing But on the Right Fabius having as aforesaid lingered out the day at last when he perceiv'd that the Enemies shouts grew fainter their Charges weaker and their Darts and Javelins not lanc'd with the same force and vigor as before he commands the Captains of the Horse to wheel about from the Wings that upon a Signal given they might Charge the Samnites on the Flank In the mean time he by degrees advanc'd his Legionary Foot and made the Enemy give ground seeing therefore that they made no considerable resistance and that 't was plain they were wearyed out then he brought up all his Reserves which he had kept fresh for such an opportunity and at the same time gave the Signal to the Cavalry to fall on The Samnites were not able to stand the fury of such an impetuous Charge but fled in confusion to recover their Camp running by the Battalions of their Friends the Gauls whom they left to maintain the Fight as well as they could The Gauls compacted themselves in a close order and stood immoveable and therefore Fabius being advertis'd of the death of his Colleague commands a Wing of Campanian Horse consisting of almost Five hundred to withdraw out of the Conflict and wheeling about to Charge them in the Rear and the formost Divisions of the third Legion to follow them and wherever the Horse should disorder the Enemy they were to second them Whil'st he himself having first vow'd a Temple to Jupiter the Conqueror and all the spoils of the Enemy pursued the Samnites to their Camp where he found all on an heap and in the greatest consternation imaginable under the Rampire for the Ports were so narrow that they could not all get in at once They that were shut out by the throng made an offer to renew the Fight and there Gellius Egnatius the Samnites General was slain but they were quickly cut off or beat into the Works which after a small skirmish were also taken by the Romans and then the Gauls surrounded and cut to pieces There were kill'd that day of the Enemies Five and twenty thousand and Eight thousand taken Prisoners Nor was this glorious Victory purchased without Roman Blood for of P. Decius's Army there fell Seven thousand and Fabius lost Twelve hundred The Spoils of the Enemy were all heap'd up together and burnt as a Sacrifice to Jove the Victor The Consul Decius's Body could not that day be found being covered with the Carcasses of the Gauls but next day it was discover'd and brought to the Roman Camp with a general lamentation of his Soldiers Whose Funeral Obsequies Fabius setting all other Affairs aside for the time caused to be Celebrated with the highest Honors and Applauses About the same time likewise Cn. Fulvius the Pro-Praetor had as good Success in Tuscany as could be wish'd for besides the vast damage done the Enemy by over-running and plundering the Country he routed them in a pitch'd Battel where of Perusines and Clusines above Three thousand were slain and twenty Colours taken As the Relicks of the Samnites Army fled through the Territories of the Pelignians they were by them intercepted and slaughtered so that of Five thousand there was scarce a thousand left This Battel fought in the Sentinates Country was certainly a great Action and deservedly famous if a Man keep strictly to Truth and make no more on 't than 't was but some have Romanc'd upon it and say That the Enemy had Forty thousand three hundred and thirty Foot Six thousand Horse and a Thousand War-Chariots including the Umbrians and Tuscans whom they will have to be in this Fight and that they may encrease the Roman Forces proportionably they add to them L. Volumnius the Pro-Consul and his Army But in most Chronicles the honor of this Victory is ascribed only to the two Consuls for Volumnius was at that time managing the War in Samnium where having forc'd the Enemy to take the Hill Tifernum nothing discouraged with the disadvantage of the place he pursued and utterly routed them Q. Fabius leaving the Decian Army in Tuscany march'd back with his own Legions to Rome and Triumph'd over the Gauls Tuscans and Samnites the Soldiers following him with their rude Military Catches wherein they did not more celebrate and applaud the Victory of Fabius than the noble Death of Decius equalling the Glories of the Son in all respects publick or private with the Renown of his Father who exposed himself in the same manner for the good of his Country not many years before In lieu of the spoil the Soldiers had given them Eighty two pieces of Mony apiece and every one a Campaign Coat and Tunick no contemptible Military Reward in those days But for all these notable Victories neither the Samnites nor the Tuscans would yet be quiet for as soon as the Consul was gone with his Army the Perusines began to Rebel and the Samnites in several Parties came down to forrage and ransack the adjacent Provinces some into the Territories of Vestin and Formianum and others into Aeserniac and the Banks of the River Volturnus Against whom Appius Claudius the Praetor was sent forth with the Army which Decius lately commanded Fabius himself undertook to chastize the Tuscan Rebels and killed Four thousand and five hundred of the Perusines and took One thousand seven hundred and forty of them Prisoners who were forced to pay Three hundred and ten Asses that is about Forty six shillings and ten pence apiece for their Ransome All the rest of the Booty was distributed amongst the Soldiers The Samnite Forces being hard pursued by App. Claudius one way and by L. Volumnius the other rendezvouz'd altogether in the Territory of Stella and there also Claudius and Volumnius join'd their Troops A sharp and cruel Fight it was on both sides the one enraged against those that had so oft rebelled and the other now grown desperate and resolv'd to run all hazards Of the Samnites Sixteen thousand and three hundred slain of the Romans Two thousand seven hundred This Year so prosperous in Mititary Affairs was by reason of Pestilence very dolesom and mens minds much perplex'd wtth Prodigies for 't was reported that in divers places it rain'd Earth and in the Army of App. Claudius several Soldiers were blasted with Lightening therefore the Books of the Sybils
the Spaniards very gay in pure white Jackets embroidered with Purple The number of all his Forces that day in the Field is said to be Forty thousand Foot and Ten thousand Horse The left Wing was led by Asdrubal the right by Maharbal and in the Main-Battel was Annibal himself with his Brother Mago The Sun shone very indifferently on both their Flanks whether they drew up so on purpose or by chance the Romans fronted the South and the Carthaginians towards the North But the South-East Wind which the Inhabitants of those parts call Vulturnus rising very high drove mighty heaps of dust full in the Romans faces and almost choak'd and blinded them After the shout set up on both sides the Auxiliaries began to skirmish with their Darts and light Weapons then the left Wing of French and Spanish Horse charg'd the Roman Cavalry in the right but not after the usual method of Horse-Service for here they were forc'd to confront one another strait forwards having no room for wheeling about being shut up on the one side by the River and on the other by the Battalions of Foot so that standing all thick together as soon as their Horses began to be disordered the Riders grappled together and each Man laying hold on his opposite pull'd him down and so for the most part fought on foot yet was this Conflict rather sharp for a spurt than of long continuance for the Roman Cavalry were beat back and fled Then began the Foot to engage the French and Spaniards with equal strength and courage for a good while kept their Ranks but after several vigorous Efforts the Romans being as thick in the Front as in the Main-Body broke into that pointed Squadron of the Enemy which was thinner rang'd and swelling out at some distance from their main Battel and thereby the less able to resist their Impression and having once made them give ground followed their Blows so close that all at once with the same violence they pierc'd through them as they fled headlong until they got into the midst of their Main-Body and thence without resistance came up with their African Reserves who having drawn in their Wings on both sides the Gauls and Spaniards stood to it for a while stoutly somewhat advanc'd before the rest but they too being so far beat back as to range even with the rest of the Front after some further enforcement shrunk away leaving a Lane in the middle into which the Romans unwarily pressing after them the Africans charg'd them on the Flanks and spreading out their Wings encompass'd them on the Rear Henceforwards the Romans having in vain perform'd this first Encounter were forc'd to give over the Chase of the French and Spaniards and renew the Fight with the Africans upon a double disadvantage as being both surrounded and to deal with a fresh Enemy when they themselves were already almost tired out In the mean time there was hot Service in the Romans left Wing where their Associate Troops opposed the Numidian Horse yet it began but faintly at first and was manag'd with Punick Treachery for near upon Five hundred Numidians having besides the rest of their Arms and Javelins got short Skeins hidden under their Harness came riding full speed from their Army as Deserters with their Bucklers at their backs and all on a sudden dismounting cast both their Bucklers and Javelins at their Enemies Feet whereupon the Romans opening to the right and left received them into their Main-Body conducted them up to their Reserves and ordered them to abide in the Rear where they continued quiet until such time as they saw them fiercely engaged in all parts and that every Mans eye and mind was intent and altogether taken up therewith then snatching up Bucklers from amongst the heaps of the dead they fell upon the Romans behind and wounding their backs and cutting their ham-strings committed great slaughter but raised a far greater Terror and Tumult whil'st thus the Romans in some places were frighted and fled and in others fought stoutly though with little hopes Asdrubal who commanded that Wing detach'd the Numidians from the main Battel where they did little Service to pursue such as fled and seeing the Africans almost wearyed out rather with Killing than Fighting he reinforc'd them with the French and Spaniards INSTRVCTORUM AD PVGNAM CANNENSEM EXERCITVUM DELINEATIO Thus was the Battel at Cannae no less famous for the Romans defeat than that at the River Allia For though this prov'd not so fatal in the event because the Enemy did not make hast enough to improve his Victory yet here the slaughter was greater and the flight more dishonorable For as their running away at Allia betrayed the City so it saved the Army whereas at Cannae there were not above fifty followed the Consul that fled and as for the other Consul that was slain almost his whole Army took them to their heels The multitude in the two Camps being without any Commanders in chief and scarce half arm'd those that were in the bigger Camp sent messengers to the others That whil'st the Enemy wearied both with the Fight and with frollicking afterwards for their Victory took their repose and slept soundly they should come over to them and so in a joint Body march away for Canusium This advice some did altogether disdain For why quoth they do they send for us and not come hither themselves since so we had as soon be joyn'd But here 's the business they see all the Passage betwixt is full of the Enemy and they would willingly expose other mens Bodies to the danger rather than their own Others would not budge not so much for any dislike of the motion as for that their hearts failed them to attempt it Whereupon P. Sempronius Tuditanus a Colonel thus rounded them up What then Will you chuse rather to be taken by an Enemy whose Cruelty nothing can equal but his Covetousness Will you suffer your selves to be sold at so much an head and hear them when they enquire the price ask whether you are a Roman Citizen or a Latine Allie That so the proud Victor may encrease his Glory by your Misery and Reproach Certainly none of you will endure this if at least you are Fellow-Citizens with the brave Aemilius and so many other gallant and most valiant Men whose Bodies lie round about him who rather resolv'd to die in the Bed of Honor than live with Infamy Let us therefore forthwith before 't is light and more numerous Troops block up our Passage break through those few who in disorder make a noise before our Portals a good Heart and a good Sword will make way though they were never so thick with a pointed Battalion like a wedge weâ—l pierce through the midst of these straglers as easily as if none were to oppose us Come along then with me as many of you as are willing to save either your selves or the Common-wealth With these words he draws
had no Allies nor any other hopes in all the World That they might have been out of that danger if they would have revolted from their Allegiance and conspired with other Nations But they were not moved by any threats nor any other Bug bears as hoping that the Romans would be a sufficient help and assistance to them Which if they failed to be and the Consul denied them his aid they called both Gods and men to witness that they would revolt though sore against their wills and for pure necessity lest they should suffer the same as the Saguntines did and would die with the rest of the Spaniards rather than perish alone And that day they were thus dismissed without an Answer The next night the Consul was mightily troubled in mind being loth on the one hand to desert his Allies or to his Army on the other because it might either defer his fighting or make it dangerous for him to engage At last he resolv'd not to lessen his Forces lest the Enemy in the mean time should do him any hurt or dishonour but thought it best for him to give his Allies hopes instead of reality For he said that shams in War especially had often passed for truth and that he who believ'd he had such or such assistance was many times preserv'd through his mere confidence by hoping and attempting But the next day he told the Embassadors that though he was afraid that by lending his Forces to others he might weaken his own party yet he had a greater regard to them and their present dangerous circumstances than to himself So he order'd notice to be given to the third of his Souldiers in every Regiment that they should prepare Victuals to carry with them on board the Ships and the Ships to be made ready against the third day after that Then he bad two of the Embassadours go tell Bilistages and the Ilergetes what he said but kept the Kings Son with him by entertaining him civilly and presenting him with several gifts The Embassadors did not depart before they saw the Souldiers Ship'd but then they brought certain news of what they had seen which fill'd not only their own men but the Enemies also with the rumour of the Roman Auxiliaries coming The Consul when he had done enough to make a show of order'd the Souldiers to be recall'd out of the Ships and himself when the time of year drew nigh in which he might conveniently carry on his affairs pitch'd his Winter Camp a thousand paces from Emporiae from whence as occasion serv'd he drew forth his men sometimes one way and sometimes another leaving a small Guard in the Camp to plunder the Enemies Country They went out for the most part in the night time not only that they might have opportunity to go as far as possible from the Camp but in order to surprize the Enemy by which method of his as he exercised his fresh Souldiers so he took a great many of the adverse party who now durst never move out of the Fortifications of their Castles But when he had sufficiently tryed the inclinations and courage not only of his own men but of the Enemy too he order'd all the Tribunes Prefects and Horsemen to be summon'd together and told them The time that you wished for is now come in which you should have an opportunity of shewing your valour Till this time you have behaved your selves more like Robbers than Souldiers but now you shall engage with the Enemy man to man in a set Battle Now you shall no longer ravage their Country but drain the wealth of their Cities Our Forefathers when the Carthaginian Generals were with their Armies in Spain where they themselves had no Generals nor any Souldiers were yet resolved to put this condition also into their League that the River Iberus should be the boundary of their Empire But now though there are two Praetors a Consul and three Roman Armies in Spain where there hath been never a Carthaginean for almost these ten years we have lost our Dominions about Iberus This you ought to recover by your Arms and Courage and force this Nation that renews the War by rashness more than constant fighting to resume that Yoke which it hath shaken off Having spoken much to this purpose he declar'd that in the night he would march toward the Enemies Camp and so dismiss'd them to refresh their Bodies At midnight having consulted the Soothsayers he went out to take what place he thought fit before the Enemy was aware of him and wheeling round their Camp at break of day having set his Army in Battalia sent three Regiments up to their very Bullwark The Barbarians admiring that the Romans appear'd behind them ran every man to their Arms whilst the Consul spoke to his own men in this manner Fellow Souldiers said he there is no hopes left save in your Courage and indeed I did what I could to have it so For the Enemies are in the middle between us and our Camp Behind us is the Enemies Country Now as it is most glorious so it is most safe to have all our hopes placed in our valour With that he order'd the Regiments to retire that by pretending to fly he might tempt the Barbarians out and as he believ'd so it fell out For they supposing that the Romans were afraid and therefore retired sallied forth at their Gate filling all the space between their Camp and the Enemies Army with armed men But whilst they were in an hurry to set their men in Array the Consul who had every thing ready and in order set upon them whilst they were in confusion leading the Horse in both the Wings first into the fight But they being presently beaten and giving ground in the right Wing put the Foot also into a fright Which when the Consul saw he order'd two chosen Regiments to be drawn about from the right flank of the Enemy and to shew themselves behind before the Foot were engaged That put the Foe into such a fright that it made the Battle which before was like to be lost through the Romans fear pretty equal again Notwithstanding the Horse and Foot in the right Wing were so disorder'd that the Consul himself took some of them with his own hand and turn'd them towards the Foe By this means the fight was not only doubtful as long as they fought with Darts or other Weapons to throw at a distance but now also in the right Wing where their fright and flight began the Romans could scarce maintain their ground The Barbarians were hard put to it in the left Wing and in the Front looking back upon the Regiments that were behind them with great consternation But when they had thrown away all their Iron Javelins and Fire-Darts they drew their Swords and thereby as it were renew'd the fight wounding each other not at a distance with uncertain strokes at unawares but setting Foot to Foot placed all their hopes
by night either But what can be more desirable to us than to set upon their reer in the open Fields as they run away whose Camp which was secur'd by the lofty Bank of a River and encompassed not only with a Bullwark but many Towers also we began to attack These were the reasons why I Yesterday deferr'd the Fight till to day For I my self also am now inclined to fight and therefore because the way to the Foe through the River Enipeus is stopped up I have open'd another new passage by defeating the Enemies Guards nor will I desist before I have put an end to this War After this Speech there was silence some part of the Company being brought over to his opinion and some of them afraid to give offence to no purpose in that which howsoever it were omitted could not be recalled But even that day they did not fight with either the Consuls or the Kings good will Not with the Kings because he would not set upon the Enemy whilst they were tired with their march the day before and in an hurry to set their men in Battalia who were yet in great disorder Nor with the Consuls because they had not yet got Wood and Forage into the new Camp which a great part of the Souldiers were gone out to fetch from the adjacent Fields But though neither of the Generals were willing Fortune which is of more force than any humane Counsels set them together There was a small River near the Enemies Camp to which both the Macedonians and the Romans too went for Water setting Guards upon both Banks that they might do so with safety There were two Regiments on the Roman side called the Marrucine and the Pelignian Regiments two Troops of Samnite Horse under the Command of M. Sergius Silus the Lieutenant besides another standing Guard before the Camp under Lieutenant C. Cluvius with three Regiments more viz. the Firmane Vestine and Cremonian Regiments and two Troops of Horse the Placentine and the Aesemine Now they lying quiet by the River since neither side provoked the other about the fourth hour a Beast getting out of the hands of those that lookt after it ran over to the farther Bank Which Beast three Roman Souldiers follow'd through the Water almost knee deep whilst two Thracians strove to get it out of the midst of the River to their Bank The Romans therefore kill'd one of them and having got their Beast again retreated to their own Station There was a Body of eight hundred Thracians on the Enemies side of the River of whom some few at first taking it very ill that their Country-man should be slain in their sight cross'd the River to pursue the Murderers but soon after there went more of them and at last all The majesty of the Empire the renown of the Person and above all his Age who though he were more than sixty years of Age perform'd the Offices of youngmen in the chief part of the toil and danger A Legion fill'd up that space which was between the Shieldmen called Cetrati and the Phalanx so as to interrupt and disjoin the body of the Enemies It lay to the Reer of the Cetrati and fronted the Clypeati another sort of Shieldmen being called the Aglaspides men with shining or bright Shields L. Albinus was order'd to lead the second Legion a Consuls Fellow against the Phalanx called Leucaspis in which the Souldiers had white Shields which was the main body of the Enemies Into the right Wing in which the fight near the River was first begun where the Elephants brought and a Wing of the Allies and from hence the Macedonians began first to fly For as the force of many new inventions among men consists more in words than in the things themselves but when you come to the experiment of them where you are not only to Discourse how they are to be perform'd but to put them in Execution they are often found of no effect or moment at all so the Elephants at that time were in their Army a mere name without any use The body of Elephants were pursu'd by the Latine Allies who beat off the left Wing In the middle the second Legion charging in upon them routed the Phalanx nor was there any more manifest cause of that Victory than that there were many Engagements in several parts of it at the same time which first put the Phalanx into great disorder and then quite overthrew it though the strength thereof be close join'd and by reason that their Spears are held direct very dreadful and intolerable If you attack them here and there so as to force them to bring about their Spears which by reason of their length and weight are unweildy they are all immediately in a confusion but if there happen any disturbance in their Flank or Reer they are utterly ruined As at that time they were forced to meet the Romans who came upon them in several Parties by disuniting their main body in many places and the Romans wherever they found any void spaces got in with their Ranks Who if they had charged with their whole Army upon the Front of the Phalanx as it stood first in Battalia as the Pelignian Regiment at the beginning of the sight through inadvertency happen'd to do when they engaged the Cetrati they had stuck themselves upon their Spears nor could have born the shock of such a close strong Body But as the Foot were most of them slain except those that threw down their Arms and ran away so the Horse went off almost entire The first that fled was the King himself who now from Pydna march'd with his sacred Wings of Horse toward Pella Him Cotys presently follow'd with the Odrysian Horse and the other Wings of the Macedonians went away with entire Ranks for the body of Foot that lay between in killing of whom the Conquerours were so long employ'd made them unmindful of pursuing the Horse The Phalanx was for a great while cut off in the Front their Flanks and their Reer till at last those that escaped out of the Enemies hands flying unarm'd to the Sea went some of them even into the Water and holding up their hands to those that were in the Fleet humbly begg'd of them to save their lives and when they saw Boats coming from every Ship supposing that they came to take them in to the end that they might make Captives of them rather than kill them they some of them went on swimming still farther into the Water But seeing they were barbarously murder'd out of the Boats all those that could got back by swimming to the Land though there they fell into other more dangerous circumstances for the Elephants being driven by their Riders to the shore tore and destroy'd all those that came forth Upon this the Romans were all agreed that there were never so many Macedonians slain in one Battle For there were kill'd full twenty thousand men six thousand taken Prisoners
got hold on the Wood of the Bridg and set it on fire That thing not only terrified the Sabines as they were fighting but when they were Routed was also a stop to their Flight and therefore many of 'em though they scap'd the Enemy perish'd in the River whose floating Arms being found in the Tiber at Rome and known discover'd the Victory there even almost before News could otherwise be brought of it In that Battel the Horse got the greatest Renown for 't is reported that they being plac'd in the Wings when the main Body of their Foot was now in a manner Defeated ran in so furiously from each side that they did not only stop the Sabine Legions who press'd so hard upon the yielding Infantry but on a sudden also put 'em to Flight The Sabines made all the haste they could to the Mountains of which some few possess'd themselves but the greatest part as I said before were driven into the River Tarquinius thinking it the best way to pursue them whil'st they were in that Consternation having sent the Booty and Captives to Rome and burn'd the Spoils of the Enemies for such was his Vow to Vulcan in a great Pile proceeded to March his Army into the Sabine Dominions and though the Sabines had had but ill success nor could well hope for better yet they met him with a tumultuary Army and being there a second time Defeated when they were almost utterly undone desir'd a Peace Collatia and all the Country round about it was taken from the Sabines and Egerius who was the Son of the King of Collatia's Brother was left in the Garison The People of Collatia my Author tells me made a Surrender of which this was the form The King ask'd 'em Are you Embassadors and Agents sent from the People of Collatia to surrender your selves and them We are Are the People of Collatia in their own Disposal They are Do you surrender the People of Collatia the City their Land their Water their Bounds their Temples their Utensils with all things Divine and Humane into the Possession and Power of me and the Roman People We do Then I receive ' em When the Sabine War was ended Tarquinius return'd in Triumph to Rome After which he made a War with the Antient Latins in which though they never came to hazard all at once yet he by carrying his Arms about to every single Town extinguish'd the whole Race of the Latins Corniculum old Ficulnia Cameria Crustumerium Ameriola Medullia and Nomentum were Towns that were taken either from the Antient Latins or such as had Revolted to the Antient Latins Then he made a Peace and from that time began the Works of Peace with greater vigour than he had carry'd on the Toils of War to the end that his People might not be less imploy'd at home than they had been abroad For he not only began to encompass the City where it was not yet Fortified with a Stone-wall the beginning of which Work was interrupted by the Sabine War but he also drein'd the lower parts of the City about the Forum and the other Valleys that lay between the Hills because they could discharge the Water from those plain places by Common-fewers which he made from thence into the Tiber besides that he laid Foundations in a void space of Ground by the Temple of Jupiter in the Capitol which he had Vow'd to Build upon in the Sabina War because his mind did then Presage the future Glory of that place At that time there was a strange and wonderful Prodigy seen in the Palace where as a certain Boy whose Name was Servius Tullius lay asleep they say a great many People saw his Head all on a Flame whereupon there being a great shout made at that extraordinary Miracle the King was much concern'd and when one of his Servants was going to carry Water to quench it the Queen stop'd him till at last the Tumult being over she gave Order the Boy should not be stirr'd till he waked of himself and that soon after the Clouds of sleep and that Flame vanish'd together Then Tanaquil taking her Husband into a private place said she Doest thou see this Boy which we breed at such a mean rate Know that he will one day be a Lustre to our doubtful affairs and a Guard to our afflicted Palace wherefore let us cherish him with all possible Indulgence who is like to prove the Author of our great Honour both publick and private From that time they began to look upon the Boy as one of their own Children and to instruct him in those Arts whereby ingenious Lads are raised to great Fortunes And indeed that easily came to pass which the gods were willing to have for the Youth grew up into a very Princely Disposition nor at that time when Tarquin was looking out for a Son-in-law could any of the Roman Youth be compared to him in any Art wherefore the King gave him his Daughter in Marriage This great Honour upon what account soever confer'd on him forbids us to believe that his Mother was a Slave or that he himself was so when young I am rather of their opinion who say that when Corniculum was taken the Wife of Servius Tullius a Nobleman of that City being at the death of her Husband big with Child and taken notice of amongst the rest of the Captives was preserved from Slavery upon the Account of her Birth only by the Queen of the Romans and was brought to Bed at Rome in the House of Tarquinius Priscus upon the score of which great favour she was not only her self introduced into the familiarity of the Court-Ladies but the Child also who was bred in the Family from his Infancy was much beloved and respected nor was it any thing else but his Mothers fortune who when her Country was taken fell into the hands of the Enemy that made him be supposed to be Son of a Bond-woman About the Eight and Thirtieth year of Tarquinius's Reign Sorvius Tullius was very much honour'd not only by the King but by the Senate and the People also At which juncture the two Sons of Ancus who before had always resented it as a very great piece of Treachery that they should be depriv'd of their Father's Kingdom by the fraud of their Guardian and that a stranger should Reign at Rome who came not only of a foreign but also not so much as of an Italian race did then conceive more indignation than ever when they saw the Crown was not like to return to them even after Tarquinius's Death but that it would fall successively to a Slave that in the same City after almost an hundred years since Romulus who was the Son of a God and now a God himself possess'd the Throne as long as he remained upon earth a servant and the Son of a servant should enjoy it it would be not only a disgrace to the Roman name in general but more particularly to their
created with Consular Authority that is to say T. Quintius Pennus sometime Consul C. Furius M. Postumius and A. Cornelius Cossus of U. C. 328 whom Cossus had the Government of the City and the other three having made a Levy went to Veii where they were an argument to us how inconvenient it is in War to have more than one General For they by inclining each one too much to his own opinion as being of different Judgments gave the Enemy an opportunity of doing their business and accordingly the Veians whilst the Roman Army was at a stand which Officer they should obey one ordering the signal to be given for Battel and another to sound a retreat took the occasion to fall upon them and putting them into disorder made them run away but their Camp being near received them so that they suffered more disgrace than loss of Men. The City was very sad as being not used to be Conquered and hating the Tribunes desired a Dictator for in such a Person they thought all the Cities hopes lay but seeing that in that case also Religion hindered them so that a Dictator could not be declared but by a Consul the Augurs being consulted removed that scruple So A. Cornelius declared Mamercus Aemilius Dictator and himself was by him made Master of the Horse so that assoon as the fortune of the City stood in need of true Courage the Censors severity was no impediment but that the Conduct of affairs might be committed to a Person of a branded Family The Veians proud of their success sent Embassadors all over Etruria to brag that they had defeated three Roman Generals in one fight and though they could not get any of those People formerly to joyn in an alliance with them yet they now came in as Voluntiers in hopes of booty from all parts of the Country Only the Fidenians resolved to rise again and as though it had been a crime not to begin their War with some wicked action they having embrued their Weapons in the blood of the new Colony then as of the Embassadors before associated themselves to the Veians Then the heads of those two Nations consulted whether they should make Veii or Fidenae the seat of War Fidenae seemed the more opportune place and therefore the Veians passing over the Tiber transferred the War to Fidenae There was a great consternation at Rome insomuch that having sent for their Army from Veii which upon the score of its ill success there was much disheartned they placed their Camp before the Gate Collina and planting Soldiers upon the Walls they ordered a Stop of Justice in the Forum all the Shops being shut up and every thing looking like the face of a Camp more than a City Then seeing the City in so much fear the Dictator sent Cryers or Beadles through all the Streets to summon the People to an Assembly wherein he chid them for being so anxious upon such a slight occasion that they should fear the Veians whom they had so often conquered upon the account of so small a loss which they had received and that too not through the Courage of the Enemy or the sloth of the Roman Army but the dissention of the Generals among themselves or Fidenae either which they had taken e'en almost more often than they had attacked it That the Romans and the Enemies were the same Men they had been for so many Ages having the same Courage the same strength of Body and the same Arms and that he also was the same Dictator Mamercus Aemilius who formerly defeated the Armies of the Veians and Fidenates yea when the Faliscans too were joyned with them at Nomentum Besides which that A. Cornelius would be Master of the Horse and in the Army being the same Person who in the former War being a Tribune of the Soldiers when Lar. Tolumnius King of the Veians was slain in sight of the two Armies brought the rich spoils into the Temple of Jupiter Feretrius Wherefore remembring that Triumphs and Spoils and Victory were all on your side and on the Enemies part a great deal of guilt for their horrid crimes murthering the Embassadors against the Law of Nations killing the Colony at Fidenae in time of Peace breaking the Truce and that their seventh unhappy defection he advised them to take up their Arms and told them he was confident that assoon as ever they had joyned Camp to Camp the wicked Enemy would not only quickly cease to Triumph in the ignominy of the Roman Army but the Roman People likewise would understand how much better they deserved of the Commonwealth that made him the third time Dictator than they who because he abrogated the tyrannical Power of the Censors would have laid a blot upon his second Dictatorship Then having made his Vows he marched forth and pitched his Camp a thousand and five hundred paces on this side Fidenae being defended on the right hand by the Mountains and on the left by the River Tiber. He therefore commanded T. Quintius Pennus to take possession of the Mountains and plant himself privately upon that part of them which was behind the Enemies and himself the next day seeing the Etrurians march forth full of Courage upon the account of their former success which was owing to a good occasion rather than any thing which they did he having staid a little while too 'till his Scouts brought word that Quintius was got to the top of the Hill near the Castle of Fidenae he moved forward and led the Body of Foot in Battalia at an ordinary rate of marching against the Enemy commanding the Master of the Horse That he should not begin the fight without his order for that he when there was any need of the Horses coming in would give the signal and likewise that remembring the fight with the King the rich Offering Romulus and Jupiter Feretrius and behave himself accordingly The Legions engaged with a mighty force and the Romans being incensed with indignation called the Fidenians Villains the Veians Robbers but both of them Truce-breakers and saying that they were polluted with the barbarous slaughter of their Embassadors that they were embrued with the blood of their Colony being perfidious Allies and cowardly Enemies revenging themselves upon them both by words and deeds For immediately upon the first onset they had shock'd the Enemy when on a sudden the Gates of Fidenae being opened a new Army sallied forth which came in such a manner as had never been heard of or in use before that time for a great Multitude all armed with fire and blazing all over with burning Torches ran furiously upon the Enemy as though they had been mad which strange kind of sighting did for some time a little startle the Romans Then the Dictator sending for the Master of the Horse with his Cavalry and likewise for Quintius out of the Mountains himself ran up to the left Wing which being affrighted at the flames that lookt more like a
when they desired to handle their Arms Where were those menaces that they would joyn Battel without their Generals order Now they might see the General himself who loudly called them to the fight march Arm'd in the Van but which even of them followed him who were so lately ready to lead him No in the Camp they were fierce and in the Field faint-hearted What he said was true and therefore shame so spurr'd 'em on that thay ran upon the Enemies Weapons without once thinking of the danger This mad effort at first put the Enemies into disorder and then the Horse being upon that confusion sent in made them give ground The Dictator himself after he perceived one part of their Front give ground carried the Ensigns to his own left Wing where he saw the greatest Body of the Enemy pressing on And withal gave the appointed Signal to those on the Hill And when from thence too a shout was heard and that the Gauls saw them marching down the side of the Mountain towards their Camp they presently for fear of being surrounded and having their Retreat cut off gave over the fight and ran head-long to their Intrenchments but being there encountred by M. Valerius General of the Horse who upon the defeat of the other Wing had fetcht a compass about and was got up to their works they were forced to turn their flight towards the Mountains and Woods and many of them fell into the hands of the Ambuscade of orse and Muliteers so that after the heat of the Battel was over there was yet a greivous slaughter made of those whom fear had driven into the Woods Nor was there ever any man after M. Furius that more deservedly Triumphed over the Gauls than did C. Sulpitius for this service Who also out of the Booty Consecrated a Mass of Gold of considerable weight and laid it up in an enclosure of square stone in the Capitol The same year both the Consuls were engaged in Wars but with different success for C. Plautius routed and subdued the Hernie's But his Collegue Fabius fought rashly and unadvisedly against the Tarquinians and yet the loss there in the field was not so much as that 307 of the Roman Soldiers taken Prisoners were Offered up as Sacrifices to their Gods by the Tarquinians which strange punishment rendred the reproach and scandal of the Romans defeat more notorious Just upon the nick of this Loss it happened that the Roman Territories were wasted first by the Privernates and afterwards by the Veliternians who made sudden incursions into the Country Two new Tribes the one called Pomptina and the other Publicia were this year added to the former five and Twenty The solemn Sports or Games which M. Furius the Dictator had vowed were Celebrated and a new Law was put up to the People by C. Paetilius Tribune of the Commons with the Approbation of the Senate against procuring Voices by mony or other indirect means in Elections to Offices and dignities whereby 't was design'd to crush the ambitious standing for places especially of some Upstarts who were wont to haunt the Fairs and hold Conventicles for that purpose Not so welcome to the Senators was the Law preferred by M. Duilius the Tribune next year when C. Martius and Cn. Manlius were Consuls against the excessive Usury of 12 per cent but very forward were the Commons to receive and establish it Besides the Wars design'd last year the Faliscans were now declared Enemies on a double account one because their Youth had served against the Romans under the Tarquinians the other because when certain defeated Romans had fled to the Valerians they refused to part with them notwithstanding they were demanded by the Roman Heralds This Province fell to the Lot of Cn. Manlius Whilst Marcius advanced with an Army into the Territories of the Privernates Flourishing with a long Peace and thereby enrich'd his Soldiers with a plentiful Booty encreased by his Bounty that Sequestred no part of the Spoil to the publick as was usual in such cases but divided it all amongst his men For the Privernates lying strongly Encamped before their own Walls he called his Soldiers together and at the head of their Troops made a short Speech to them Both the Camp of the Enemy saith he and their City I will freely bestow upon you for a Booty if you will promise me to acquit your selves like men and be as forward to fight as to Plunder Hereupon with an unanimous shout they called for the word of Command to fall on and with an exalted courage and assurance of Victory advanced towards the Enemy The beforementioned Sextus Tullius being in the head of them cried out Behold noble General how punctually your Army performs their promise and herewith laying aside his Javelin rushes with his drawn Sword upon the Enemy whom all the Vanguard and those appointed to defend the Standards followed and in this first Charge put the Enemy to flight and pursued them to the Town where mounting their Scaling-ladders to the Walls the same was rendred up into their hands and a Triumph celebrated for the success By the other Consul nothing memorable was atcheiv'd but that as he lay before Sutrium he after a manner never practised before proposed a Law to be passed by the Tribes in the Camp concerning the paying to the State the 20th part of the price of all such servants as should be manumissed or made free The Senators allow'd of and consented to this Law because thereby no small Revenue accrued to the Exchequer which was much exhausted But the Tribunes of the Commons offended not so much with the quality of the Law in it self as at the ill precedent given in passing of it Ordained that thenceforwards no Person upon pain of Death should withdraw the People from the accustomed places of Assembling or gather together a part of them for the making of any Law For if that should be suffered there would be nothing tho never so pernicious to the People but might be carried and established by the Soldiers being altogether at the Devotion of their Consul The same year C. Licinius Stolo at the Prosecution of M. Popilius Laenas was Condemned upon a Law of his own promoting in the sum of Ten thousand Pieces or about 600 l. Sterling For that whereas it was thereby provided that none of the Nobles should possess above 500 Acres of Land He himself held 1000. And to elude the Law had Emancipated his Son or made him his own man that he might colourably own 500 of them The new Consuls were M. Fabius Ambustus and M. Popillius Laenas who had both served that Office before These made two Wars whereof one which Laenas waged against the Tiburtines was easily dispatcht for having driven the Enemy into the Town he Forraged their Country at his pleasure But the other Consul was discomfited in the first Battel by the Faliscans and Tarquinians occasioned chiefly by a pannick fear that had seiz'd
Colonels and one Commissary-General of their side were slain and especially for that the Consul himself was wounded Fame which always makes bad News worse had so augmented the loss that the Senate were in no little pain and perplexity and resolved to have a Dictator chosen nor did any Man doubt but Papirius Cursor the greatest Warrior of that Age ought to be the Man but neither knew they how with safety to send a Currier into Samnium nor were they certain that the Consul Marcius was living to chuse him And as for the other Consul Fabius they knew he had a private pique and mortal Grudge against Papirius upon the Controversie mention'd in the last Book which Quarrel lest it should hinder the Publick Service they Decreed to send to him certain Persons of Quality such as had been Consuls who not only in the Name of the State but by their private Influence should perswade him That he would for his Countries sake remit all those old Animosities When they came to him and had shewed him the Senates Order and used what Arguments they thought most suitable the Consul all the while fixing his Eyes upon the Ground went away without speaking a word leaving them altogether doubtful what he would do But in the dead time of the Night following as the manner is he nominated L. Papirius Dictator when the Messengers came to return him thanks for over-ruling so worthily his private Resentments he continued still his obstinate silence and without uttering a syllable dismiss'd them that it might appear with how great a Stomach and against the grain he comply'd with the Senates Command Papirius appointed C. Junius Bubulcus General of the Cavalry and whil'st he was proposing a Law for the Ratifying of his Command an ill Omen happened that caused him to adjourn the Proceedings for the Ward Faucia happened by Lot to have the first place in delivering their Suffrages which was noted for unlucky for two former Years when they began the Poll in one of which the City was taken and in the other the Caudine Agreement made Besides Macer Licinius had made that Ward of ill presage by a third Defeat receiv'd at Cremera However next day repeating the Auspices the Dictator setled his Commission and march'd away with the new raised Forces to Longula and having receiv'd the old Legions from the Consul Marcius drew out into the Field that he might not seem afraid of the Enemy But as they stood in Array neither side offering to fall on the Night approach'd and obliged them to retire to their respective Camps where they continued quiet for some days neither diffident of their own strength nor slighting their Enemies In this interim some Action happened in Etruria for a Battel was fought with an Army of the Umbrians but the Enemy rather chased away than much Blood shed for though they Charg'd pretty briskly at first they did not stand to it Smarter Work there was at Vadimon Lake where the Tuscans had levyed a new Army according to their Sacred Law whereby one Man chose another for his Comrade and all were sworn to live and dye together so that not only their Numbers but their Courage was greater than ever before the Charge manag'd with such fury that neither side stood to make use of their Darts and Lances at a distance but came presently to hacking one another with their Swords and as they began the Conflict most fiercely so their rage seemed to be encreased by its continuance for a long time the fortune of the Day was doubtful as if they had not been engaged with Tuscans but some new and stouter Enemy There was no use made of their Heels on either side those before the Ensigns were laid dead upon the Ground and that their Colours might not be without a Guard the second Battalions came up to supply the places of the first and so still new Reserves till the Subsidiary Forces in the Rear were brought up to the Van. At last it came to that extremity of danger and fatigue that the Roman Horse were forced to dismount and get over the scattered Armor and dead Bodies to reinforce their Foot in the Front which then appearing as a fresh Battalion first of all discouraged and disordered the Tuscans and the rest of the Legionary Soldiers weak and weary as they were following their successful Charge broke through at last the Enemies Ranks Now the Tuscan obstinacy began to yield first some particular Bands to shrink and by and by all of them that were left betook themselves to a plain Run From this Day may be calculated the ruine of the Tuscans who had so long flourish'd in Wealth and Power their main strength being cut off in this Battel and their Camp in the same Heat taken and plundered With equal hazard but at last with the like glorious Success was the War in Samnium carryed on where besides other ordinary Furniture the Enemy to render themselves more formidable had made their Armor shine with a new kind of garnishing For having divided their Forces into two Bodies the one had laid their Shields with Gold the other with Silver the fashion whereof was thus The upper part that cover'd the breast and shoulders was broader the head even and the nether end pointed like a Wedge that it might be wielded the more nimbly their breast was covered with a sort of Spunge which Weapons would not easily pierce the left Leg arm'd with an Iron boot their Head-pieces contriv'd with lofty Crests to make them seem so much the taller the Soldiers with the Gold-colour'd Shields wore Coats of divers colours the others with Silvered Arms were all in white Linnen these had the Right Wing the others the Left The Romans had notice before what brave Armor they had provided and were taught by their Officers That a Soldier was then truly terrible not when he was trickt up in Gold and Silver but when he trusted to good hard Iron and Steel and withal a good heart and undaunted courage That these shining Accoutrements which look'd so gay before the Fight would soon lose their Beauty amongst Blood and Wounds that they were pittiful Armor but would prove good Booty That Valor was the Soldiers only Ornament That all these fine things would follow the Victory and that a rich Enemy is but the better reward to a poor Conqueror With such Encouragements Cursor led on his Men to the Battel himself in the Right Wing and his General of the Horse in the Left Both sides charg'd at one and the same instant and as the Conflict was extream sharp with the Enemy so no less emulation was there between the Dictator and the Master of the Horse which should begin the Victory But so it happened that Junius with a rouzing Salute from his Left Wing first disordered the Enemies Right Crying out That he did but Offer up to the Devil those Soldiers of theirs whom they had already after the Samnite fashion Devoted
call'd home the Tuscans to defend their own Territories in whose absence the Consuls for two days together provok'd the Enemy to a Battel but little was done either of those days more than skirmishing wherein some were kill'd on each side and their Spirits warm'd for the grand Encounter rather than any tryal made of the main Chance But on the third day into the plain Field they came with all their Forces As the Armies stood in Battalia a Hind chased by a Wolf out of the Mountains happened to run in the midst between them where they took several ways the Hind to the Cauls who kill'd her the Wolf to the Romans who opening their Ranks and Files gave him clear passage through their Host Upon which accident a Roman of the Forlorn-Hope cryed out aloud There will the flight there the slaughter be where you see Diana 's Beast yonder lie kill'd but here on our side the Martial Wolf having gon clear away with Victory unwounded and untouch'd does fitly represent us and the Founder of our City descended of God Mars 's race The Gauls stood in the Right Wing the Samnites in the left against the latter Fabius placed himself in the Right Wing with the first and third Legions and against the former Decius with the fifth and sixth For the second and third were in Samnium under L. Volumnius the Pro-Consul At the first shock the strength of either side appeared so equally ballanced that if the Tuscans and Umbrians had either shew'd themselves in the Field or attack'd the Camp the Romans must needs in either place have received a great loss and overthrow But though Fortune had not as yet declared her self in favor of either party yet the manner of the Fight was not alike in both Wings for the Romans under Fabius fought rather defensively than offensively and sought more to keep off than charge the Enemy lingering out the Battel as long as they could till it was very late in the day for the Consul was satisfied that both the Samnites and Gauls were best at the first push and therefore it was enough to keep off that Fury in the beginning for the longer the Battel held the Samnites spirits more and more would flag and their Courage abate That the Bodies of the Gauls were the least able of all others to endure heat and long fatigues and their Courage would quickly be spent and languish for though in the On-set they were more than Men in the process of a Battel they were less than Women Therefore he reserv'd his Soldiers fresh and in breath against that time when they should begin to faint Decius more fierce both by his Youth and natural Temper charg'd the Enemy with all his Force at the very first and thinking the Foot too slow brought on the Cavalry to encrease the fury of the Battel for mixing himself with a brave Troop of young Gentlemen he begs they would follow him in a Charge upon the Enemy That they would gain a double Honor if the Victory began on the Left Wing and by the Gallantry of the Horse Twice had they forc'd the Gallick Troops to retreat and the second time made them give ground a great way and were broke into the midst of them when a new mode of fighting presented it self the Gaulâ— had certain Chariots or Waggons on which numbers of them stood extraordinarily armed and with a strange noise of the Horses that drew them and wonderful ratling of the Wheels ran full upon the Romans and frighted their Horses not enur'd to such uncouth noises so that they who before were just at the point of Victory now fled as if the Devil drove them and both Men and Horses threw down one another In this confused Repulse they disordered the Foot and many of those that fought in the Van were trod to pieces and their guts squash'd out either by the flying Horses or these Chariots that pursued them and forc'd their way through the midst of the Squadrons for the Gauls seeing them in a consternation press'd hard upon them and would give them no time to rally Decius fail'd not to call out to his Men Whither run you Gentlemen Or what hopes can you have in flight He endeavored all he could to stop those that retreated and put those that were scatter'd into order but seeing his Soldiers so much daunted that he could by no means prevail with them to make head against the Enemy calling upon his Father Decius by name Why quoth he do I defer that Fate which is now familiar to our Family 'T is the priviledge of our Race to be propitiatory Sacrifices for diverting threatned Dangers from the Publick Even now therefore will I offer up the Enemies Legions with my self to Dame Tellus and the Infernal Gods Saying this he commands M. Livius the Pontiff whom when he first went into the Battel he charg'd not to leave him to pronounce the Solemn Words by which he might Devote himself for the Roman Army And so with the same form of Imprecation and in the same Habit as was used by his Father adding this Prayer That he might wherever he went carry with him Terror and Flight Blood and Slaughter and all the Wrath and Vengeance of the Gods in Heaven and Fiends in Hell That he might infect the Banners Ammunition and Armor of the Enemy with Curses and the utmost overthrow and desolation and that the same place might be both their destruction and his own He spurring on his Horse hurl'd himself amongst the thickest of the Enemy where with an heap of their Weapons he was immediately slain Thenceforwards the Battel seem'd not to be manag'd by humane Force The Romans having lost their General which is wont to others to administer fear and terror presently stopt their flight fac'd about and renew'd the Battel as resolutely as if but just then they had come into the Field The Gauls and especially the croud surrounding the Consuls Corps as if they had left their Senses either stood still or flung their Darts from them at random to no purpose and were altogether stupified forgetting both to fight or to fly On the other side Livius the Pontiff to whom Decius had left the Ensigns of his Office and made him Pro-praetor cryed out as loud as he could That the Romans had already the Victory That by their Consuls voluntary death they had discharged all their ill luck but as for the Gauls and Samnites they were now destinated to mother Earth and the Gods below That Decius was plucking after him that Army which with himself was devoted to destruction and all the Enemies Host full of nothing but terror and consternation Whil'st these were thus renewing the Fight Cornelius Scipio and C. Marcius came up with fresh Forces from the Rear sent by Fabius to the relief of his Colleague who being informed of Decius's gallant end it was a wonderful encouragement to them to run all hazards for their Country The Gauls stood
with these Magical chains they kept indeed the Field but still were more afraid of their own Companions than of the Enemy The Romans press'd on from either Wing and the Main-Body with all imaginable fury and butchered them at pleasure whil'st they stood thus as it were astonish'd with a double dread of Gods and Men The resistance they made was small and faint and nothing but pure fear kept them from running away So that by this time execution was done upon them up to their very Standards when on a sudden there appeared at a distance on one side of them a great cloud of Dust as if some mighty Army had rais'd it with their march for Sp. Nautius Octavius Metius some call him who had the Conduct of the Alarian Bands before-mentioned purposely made a far greater dust than could be expected from so small a number by causing his Regiment of the Black-Guard as they sat on their Mules to trail after them thick boughs of Trees their Arms and Ensigns in the Front first appeared as it were through a duskish Light but the dust behind them rising higher and thicker seem'd to represent a great Body of Horse flanking an Army of Foot and deceived not only the Samnites but the Romans too And to keep up that useful Error the Consul so loud that even the Enemy might hear him cryed out That Cominium was taken and his Victorious Colleague was come That now they should use their utmost endeavors to compleat the Victory before the other Army snatch'd the Honor of it out of their hands Thus he spake as he gallop'd to and fro amongst the Ranks and at the same time commanded the Colonels and Captains of the Foot to widen their Files and make room for the Horse He had before given Orders to Trebonius and Caedicius that when they should see him flourish his Spear over his head they should advance with the Cavalry and as hard as they could drive Charge the Enemy All things were punctually put in execution according to Order the Files opened to the Right and Left and the Horse thundered out upon the Enemy and broke into the middle of their Main-Body disordering their Ranks which way soever they turn'd their Force Volumnius and Scipio bravely seconded them with the Infantry and whil'st they were thus disarray'd beat down all before them Then the Linnen Brigade went to pot and fell under the fury both of the Gods and Men the sworn and unsworn fled both alike and no longer feared any but the Enemy Their Foot as many as escaped in the Battel were beat into their Camp at Aquilonia their Noble-men and Horse got to Bovianum the Foot were by the Foot pursued and the Horse by Horse the two Wings separated themselves the Right marching up to the Samnites Camp and the Left to the Town Volumnius was somewhat the nimblest and soon made himself Master of the Camp Scipio had an harder task to win the City not that they had greater Courage being all alike dis-heartened with their Over-throw but because Walls will better keep out Assailants than a plain Trench and Rampire and besides from the Courtine they had an advantage to shour down Stones upon them so fast as none could endure it Scipio considering that it would prove a tedious piece of Work unless he could carry the Town at this first Heat whil'st they within were in a fright and before they could recollect their Spirits ask'd his Soldiers If they would suffer this disgrace to see the Camp bravely won by the other Wing and themselves Conquerors too as well as the others to be shamefully repulsed from the City They all testifying their Resolutions to the contrary by a loud shout himself clapping his Target over his Head march'd foremost up to the Gate and all the rest following him in that posture by main force they broke into the City and knocking down those Samnites that were about the Gate made themselves Masters of the Walls but durst not venture up into the middle of the City being so few in number The Consul at first knew nothing of all this but was busie in bringing the Main-Body of his Army to an orderly Retreat for the Sun was now almost down and Night coming on apace made every thing seem dangerous and suspicious even to the Victors themselves but when he was advanced further he saw on his right hand the Enemies Camp taken and on the left heard a confused Cry and Tumult in the City as composed of the mix'd clamors of Men fighting and People in a fright for it happened at that instant the Conflict was at the Gate Upon this he rides up nearer and at last discovered his own Men upon the Walls and that his Work was not yet at an end since by a few Mens rash adventurousness there was an opportunity of performing an excellent piece of Service whereupon he recalled the Forces that were retreating and caused them with Banners displayed to enter the City where near the Gate they took up their Quarters because the Night came on so fast and before Morning the Enemy had deserted it There were slain that day of the Samnites Thirty thousand three hundred and forty taken Three thousand eight hundred and seventy and ninety seven Colours 'T is Recorded That never any General was more chearful and pleasant than Papirius during this Battel whether it were of his own natural Disposition or upon assured confidence of Victory 't was upon this strength of mind that he would not be diverted from fighting by the controverted Auspice and in the heat of the Conflict when others are wont to make Vows of building Temples to the Immortal Gods he only Vow'd That if he defeated the Enemies Legions he would present Jupiter Victor with a Cup of Metheglin before himself tasted a drop of strong Wine Which Vow the Gods accepted and turn'd the ill Presages to good The other Consul had no less success at Cominium for drawing up all his Forces by break of day to the Walls he invested it quite round and set strong Guards at all the Gates to prevent any Sallies But just as he was about to give the Signal for a general Assault the Messenger from his Brother Consul in a great fright brought word That twenty Cohorts of the Enemy were upon their march to relieve the City which made him for a while defer the Storm and draw off part of his Forces For immediatly he dispatch'd the first Legion and twenty Cohorts of the Wings and Horse under the Command of D. Brutus Scaeva to meet this Party of the Enemy with orders to stop or divert their march wherever they should find them and if need were to fight them rather than suffer them to come up to Cominium This care being taken he commands the Scaling-Ladders to be set to the Walls round the Town and several parties in close Order with their Targets over their heads to make up to the Gates so that at once
Soldiers comparing this Discipline with the former became more confident of better success for the future and the whole State which had been chill'd with fear began now to be inspirited with fâ—esh vigour and warmth The Officers also of the Army seeing this general briskness of their People taking good heart themselves likewise resolv'd to march against the Enemy and having encouraged their men as the time requir'd went out against the Romans with about twelve thousand Foot four thousand Horse and no less than one hundred Elephants but what most concern'd the Romans was to see the Carthaginians contrary to their usual manner avoiding the hilly rugged Country and keeping to the Plains But by perpetual success the Romans were so elevated that they despis'd an Army so often beaten by them now under a pitiful Greek Commander Nay Regulus himself was not free from the same vanity being carried away with the flattering smiles of Fortune and therefore reflecting that he had defeated the Carthaginians both by Sea and Land taken almost two hundred of their Towns and two hundred thousand men and withal conceiting that he was able to force Carthage it self labouring under such distresses to surrender he refus'd to grant Peace upon any tolerable Conditions and wrote to Rome that he had block'd up Carthage Thus men of great Spirits oftner miscarry for want of moderation in Prosperity than constancy in Adversity Whilst the Carthaginians were incamp'd in a plain and level ground M. Regulus whose main strength consisted in Foot and therefore should have kept the Hills ventur'd down into the Plain thinking every place indifferent for valiant Men to fight in and for the greater show of his confidence passed a River which ran between him and the Enemy and advanced within a mile of them Xanthippus seeing Regulus his ill Conduct declar'd that now the time was come wherein he should make good his word to the Carthaginians for having got the Romans tir'd by their journey in such a place as he desir'd he assur'd himself of Victory The time of the day seemed likewise most opportune for Battel for now it drew towards Evening so that the Carthaginians acquainted with all the Passes of the Country might easily escape by Night if they should be beaten and nothing could hinder them to prosecute their Victory if they should prevail When the Carthaginians therefore consulted what they should do he conjur'd them by all that was good and great not to slip so brave an opportunity and persuaded them to joyn Battel which they easily agreed to the Souldiers calling him by Name and with extraordinary alacrity desiring Battel The Command of all therefore being left to this Spartan General he led out his Army and rang'd them in this manner The Carthaginian Phalanx consisting of the main strength of their Foot was placed upon the Reserve before which at a convenient distance the Elephants were rang'd in one Line equal to the breadth of the Phalanx On both the Wings the Light-armed men and the Horse were posted and behind them on the right Wing the Mercenary Men of Arms. His Army being drawn in this order he commanded the Light-Horse as soon as they had charg'd to fall back to their own Men who were to open their Ranks to receive them and the Enemy being engag'd with stronger forces to issue out again from both the Wings and suddenly flank the Romans fighting with the Phalanx Regulus on the contrary having ranged his men in order of Battel when he saw the Elephants standing in the Carthaginians Van immediately took this course the Light-arm'd he places in the front the Legions in close Ranks on the Reserve and the Wings consisted of the Horse whereby the Army was firm for depth but took up a much narrower compass than before so that when danger was fear'd both from the Elephants and the Horse this order serv'd well enough to hinder the Elephants from breaking in but in an open Field so much room was left to the Enemies Horse that they might surround an Army shrunk into such a small compass The Onset was made by the Elephants Xanthippus having caused them to advance upon the Romans and immediately the Romans clashing their Arms and shouting mingled with the Enemy The Horse also of both sides joyn'd Battel upon the Wing and the Romans here over-power'd by greater numbers of the Enemies when they were no longer able to sustein the shock fled out-right while the Foot towards the left Wing either to avoid the Elephants or in hopes of an easier Conquest over the Mercenaries charged routed and pursued these to their Camp but the rest had a harder task of it with the Elephants who with an intolerable force broke the Ranks trampled the Soldiers and destroyed whole Squadrons together However the depth of the Army sustein'd the shock for a while one Rank still supporting another till the Army in every part began to be distressed at once those in the Rear being encompass'd by the Enemies Horse and those in the Front of the Army as many as had broke through the Elephants were either kill'd by the Phalanx being fresh men and posted to â—eceive them or else by the Light-horse who assaulted them on every side Nor were there fewer kill'd in the flight for the Elephants and Numidian Horse being sent after them slew them here and there as they stragled through that open Champian Country M. Regulus with five hundred was taken alive by the Enemy Of all the Army not above two thousand men who had defeated the Mercenaries esaped alive making their retreat hastily to Clupea Of the Punic Army not many fell besides the eight hundred Mercenaries that had fought with the Enemies left Wing After so great an Atchievement when the Army return'd to Carthage carrying the spoils of the slain and triumphing for having taken Regulus Prisoner the Citizens in great numbers pour'd out to meet them others standing either in the Streets or Balconies with incredible pleasure enjoyed that sight which they durst not wish for some time before their minds being scarce able to bear the joy and transports or to believe the truth of this Victory for those who but just now being brought to the brink of despair fear'd to lose their Town Temples and Country could scarce believe so sudden a revolution of Affairs though they saw it but the eyes and minds of all were most intent upon the Generals themselves whilst looking upon Xanthippus one while and Regulus another by their estimate of this they valued and extolled the greatness of their own General For what a mighty Man must he be accounted who has outed such a great and fortunate Warriour so cruel an Enemy and the terrour of Carthage of such a flourishing Army a glorious Name and in fine of Liberty it self and that so easily and speedily too They also admir'd Xanthippus the more for his shape and features seeing so much Valour lay conceal'd under so mean a Stature and an
Banners displayed into Italy it becomes us therefore to fight so much the more resolutely and with greater Courage as those commonly who are Assailants come on with braver hopes and brisker spirits than the Defendants Besides you have the resentments of Grief and Injury and Indignation to spur you on against this insolent Enemy who had the impudence to Demand first me your General and afterwards all you that were at the Siege of Saguntum to be delivered up forsooth into their hands as Slaves and executed with the extreamest Tortures A Nation excessive Cruel and so intolerably Proud and Ambitious that they count all things their own and the Affairs of the whole Earth to be managed as they list They will prescribe with whom we shall have War and with whom we may make Peace and the Terms and Conditions of Both They will needs restrain us and limit our Empire to such and such Hills and Rivers beyond which we must not budge on pain of their high Displeasure but in the mean time they themselves know no Bounds nor will observe nor to hold any Capitulations Presume not say they to pass the Iberus meddle not with Saguntum at your peril Saguntum stands on the River Iberus stir not one step forward we charge you They are not content with the Injustice of taking away our Antient Provinces Sicily and Sardinia unless they may ravish Spain too out of our hands And should I abandon that Realm they would no doubt straight pass over and invade Africk they would do I say nay they have already constituted the two Consuls of this present Year one to be over Spain and the other over Africk so that nothing have they left us but what we can win and hold by the Swords point They may be faint-hearted and think of running away who have some place of refuge to retire to who can when they fly get safe by easie and peaceable Passages into their own Territories and be sheltered in their own Country But as for you there is a necessity you should play the Men having not the least prospect of security but in your own incomparable Valor and therefore making no account of any Mediums between Victory and Death on certain despair of all shifts besides must resolve either to overcome or if Fortune should deny you that Honor to fall bravely in the Battel rather than basely in the Rout and to dye Fighting rather than be kill'd Flying If this be but deeply imprinted and fix'd on all your Hearts if this be your general Resolution I will repeat it once again The day is yours Never did the Immortal Gods give any Mortals a more poinant incitement to Victory The spirits of the Soldiers on both sides being by these Orations enflam'd to fight the Romans made a Bridge over the River Ticinus and to secure the Bridge erected a Fort. Whil'st they were busie at that work the Enemy sent out Maharbal with a party of Five hundred Numidian Horse to forrage the Territories of the Romans Allies but with particular Orders to spare the Gauls as much as he could and withal to solicit their Chiefs to a Revolt The Bridge finish'd the Roman Army march'd over into the Insubrians Country and Encamped within five miles of Dimoli a Village where Annibal had his Head-Quarters who dispatch'd Orders instantly to recal Maharbal and his Horse perceiving there was a Battel towards and thinking he could never enough hearten on and encourage his Men assembled them again to an Audience where he publikely proposed to them the following Rewards if they would act gallantly and win the Day viz. That he would endow every Man of them with fair Lands either in Italy Africk or Spain as each of them should chuse to remain free to them and their Heirs or if any would rather have a present sum of mony than Land he would content him with Silver such of the Allies as desired it should be made Free Denizons of Carthage and for such as should rather chuse to return home he would be so kind to them as they should not wish to exchange Fortunes with the best of their Country-men Furthermore to all servants attending their Masters he promised to set them Free and give their Masters two slaves in lieu of each of them And for their assurance that all this should be accomplish'd and made good holding a Lamb in his Left hand and a great Flint-stone in his Right he solemnly wish'd and pray'd That if he fail'd in any point Jove and the rest of the Gods might so destroy him as he there kill'd that Lamb and presently with the Stone dash'd out its brains Then all fancying the Gods to be engaged on their side full of hopes and counting every moments delay to be but so much a deferring of their Victory with unanimous Shouts and Acclamations they cryed out for a Battel The Romans for their part were nothing so jolly for besides other Discouragements they were terrified with some late Prodigies as that a Wolf had come into their Camp and after it had worried those that stood in its way made its escape unhurt and a swarm of Bees settled on a Tree that was just over the Generals Pavilion Which ominous Tokens being expiated by Sacrifices Scipio with his Cavalry and light Darters advanc'd towards the Enemies Camp where whil'st they were near hand viewing their Forces how many and of what condition they might be Annibal being abroad on a like Design with his Horse happened to encounter them at first they saw not each other but the Clouds of Dust raised by the March of so many Horse and Men gave each Party notice of the Enemies approach whereupon both made an Halt and prepared for an Engagement Scipio planted his Archers and French Horse in the Fore-front the Romans and stoutest of the Allies for Reserves Annibals main Body consisted of great Barbed Horse and the fleet Numidians on either Wing But on the first Charge the Roman Archers retired back unto the second Battalions amongst the Rere-guard by means whereof the Horse alone fought a good while sharply and with equal success but by and by their Horses being disordered by the Footmen intermingled amongst them and many of the Troopers either thrown off or forced to alight from their Horses to assist such of their Fellows as they saw environed and over-match'd the Conflict in most places seem'd very doubtful until the Numidians that were on the Wings having wheel'd about at some distance appeared on the Rear That sight perfectly dismayed the Romans whose Consternation was encreased by their Generals being wounded who not without great difficulty was rescued and carryed off by his Son though then but a mere Lad and in his first Apprentiship of Arms but the very same for whom Fate had reserv'd the Glory of finishing this War and who was afterwards surnamed Africanus for his signal and absolute Victories over Annibal and the Carthaginians However the greatest Defeat was of the
affirms who translated the Annals of Acilius out of Greek into Latine eighteen hundred and thirty taken Prisoners a mighty Booty got and amongst the rest a silver Shield weighing a hundred thirty eight pound with the Figure of Asdrubal the Barchine thereon Valerius Antias mentions only Mago's Camp to have been taken and there seven thousand kill'd and that in another Battel with Asdrubal upon a Sally there were slain ten thousand and four thousand three hundred and thirty taken and Piso writes that whilst Mago was pursuing our men who gave ground he fell into an Ambuscade and so lost five thousand men but all Authors agree in applauding and celebrating the Courage and Conduct of General Marcius and to his true glory they also add Miracles viz. That as he was making the Speech to his Souldiers there was seen a flame of fire about his head to the great terrour of all that stood round him though he himself perceiv'd it not For a memorial of this Victory over the Punicks there remain'd until the Capitol was burnt the aforesaid Shield with the Picture of Asdrubal and it was commonly call'd Marcius's Shield Hence-forwards things were quiet a good while in Spain after such mighty overthrows mutuâ—lly given either side declining further hazards Whilst these Tragedies were acting in Spain Marcellus having taken Syracuse and setled all the affairs of Sicily with such faithfulness and integrity as not only encreas'd his own glory but also the majesty and honour of the people of Rome he brought away the Ornaments of the City as rare Statues and curious pieces of Painting wherein Syracuse abounded to Rome And well might he do so being the spoils of the Enemy and gallantly gotten by right of Conquest yet it must be confess'd That this first set us to admire and dote so much upon the rare Workmanship of Grecian Artists and from hence came afterwards that common licentiousness and outrage of robbing and spoiling all places sacred or profane where those Curiosities were to be had which proceeded so far that at length it turn'd to the spoiling of the Roman Gods themselves and defacing of that very Temple which by Marcellus himself was first of all so richly beautified with these Ornaments that Strangers were wont to visit the same out of curiosity meerly to have a sight of those excellent rarities of all kinds of which at this day there is scarce any thing left to be seen To Marcellus came Agents from almost all the several Cities of Sicily to make their Peace but as their circumstances were not all one so neither were they all allowed the same terms and conditions Those who either had not at all revolted or before the taking of Syracuse had reconciled themselves were treated and respected as faithful Friends and Allies but such as submitted afterwards for fear were regarded no better than vanquisht Enemies and to receive Laws from the Conqueror The Romans had still no small reliques of the War to dispatch about Agrigentum for there were yet Epicides and Hanno the surviving Captains of the former War to whom Annibal had dispatcht a third in the room of Hippocrates viz. a certain Citizen of Hippo descended from the Libyphoenicians called by his Countrymen Mutines a man of action and educated under Annibal in all the Arts of War Unto whose Charge Epicides and Hanno committed the charge of the Numidian Auxiliaries with whom he so forraged the Enemies Territories and so nimbly resorted unto all the Confederates to engage them to continue their Fidelity and to assist them on any occasion that in a short time all Sicily rang with his Fame and those that favour'd the Carthaginian Faction began to make him the chief Anchor of their Hopes And therefore both Captains as well Hanno the Carthaginian as Epicides the Syracusian who for a time had been pent up within the Walls of Agrigentum now not so much by the advice of Mutines as on the confidence they repos'd in him came forth and pitcht their Tents at the River Himera Of which Marcellus being advis'd presently advanc'd and sat down but four miles distant from them waiting to see what they would do but Mutines gave him neither place to rest in nor time to consult but passing the River with mighty violence fell upon their Outguards and the next day gave them a fair Battel and forc'd them to retire within their Trenches But being called from thence by occasion of a Mutiny of Numidians who to the number of almost three hundred were departed to Heraclea Minoa whilst he went to pacify and reclaim them 't is said he was very importunate with the other Captains not to fight in his absence which they both took in dudgeon especially Hanno who now began to be jealous of his own Honour What says he shall Mutines prescribe Laws to us and a degenerate African over-rule a Carthaginian General commissionated by the Senate and People He therefore perswaded Epicides who was somewhat backward to pass the River for if they should wait for Mutines and win the Field he would undoubtedly go away with the glory of it Marcellus thinking it a foul indignity If he who repuls'd Annibal himself from Nola even when he was in his highest Pride for the Victory should now retreat from these Fellows whom he had already routed both at Sea and Land gave Orders in all hast for his Souldiers to arm and advance their Ensigns whilst he was drawing up in Battalia ten Numidians came riding to him full speed from the Enemies Host who inform'd him That their Countrymen who were first disgusted in that Mutiny which occasion'd three hundred of them to retreat to Heraclea being now further affronted by seeing their own Commander by the subtlety of the other two Captains envying his glory sent out of the way just on the day when they were to engage were resolv'd not to strike a stroke Though that people be naturally deceitful yet here they kept their words nor was this a small Encouragement to the Romans special Messengers being dispatcht through the whole Army to assure them the Enemy was destitute of Horse which most of all they stood in fear of nor were the Enemy less disheartned as not only seeing themselves deserted by their main strength but fearing they should also be charg'd by their own Horse So that the Conflict was not difficult the first push determined the fate of the day the Numidians standing quietly on the Wings when they saw their men ran accompanied them but a little for perceiving they all made for Agrigentum fearing they should there be shut up with a Siege slipt away into several Neighbouring Cities Many thousands were here slain and eight Elephants taken This was the last Battel Marcellus fought in Sicily who return'd victorious to Syracuse By this time the year was almost expired Therefore the Roman Senate decreed That P. Cornelius the Praetor should write to the Consuls at Capua That whilst now Annibal was remote and no
out of the City several ways as if they had gone to two distinct Wars distracted mens minds with various cares Sometimes they revolved on the various Losses and Overthrows they received at Annibal's first coming into Italy sometimes they were troubled to imagine what Gods they could hope would be so propitious to their City and Empire as that at one and the same time all their Actions every where should prosper and give them success both at home and abroad That hitherto their State had been supported by vicissitudes of good and ill Fortune in distinct places whilst it seemed precipitating into ruine in Italy at Thrasymenus and Cannae Victories in Spain buoy'd up her Spirits Afterwards when in Spain Overthrows came thick one on the neck of another and shockt her with the loss of two most excellent Generals and two Armies almost at once successes in Italy and Sicily supported the drooping Head of the Republick and the interval of place when one of the Wars was always so remote gave opportunity to respire and recover themselves But now here were two Tragedies to be acted at once on one and the same Stage Two distinct and terrible Wars entertain'd in the Bowels of Italy two of the most renowned Captains in the World inclose between them the City of Rome with their dreadful Arms and the whole bulk of the War contracted to one place the whole burden laid on one shoulder For no doubt which soever of these Generals shall get a Victory he will in an instant join Forces with the other Nor did the sad remembrance of the last years Funerals wherein two Consuls were swept away at one Stake a little terrifie the people And with these perplexed melancholy thoughts they accompanied their present Consuls going to their several Provinces It is also found in some Records that Livius parted with such resentments against his Fellow-Citizens that when Fabius as his last Advice besought him that he would not rashly hazard a Battel with the Enemy before he were very well acquainted with his Nature he should with some emotion declare That assoon as he could get sight of the Enemy he would fight him And being ask'd the reason of so much haste should reply Because either by a Victory over the Enemy I shall gain immortal Honour or by the Overthrow of my ungrateful Country-men acquire some satisfaction to my self if not altogether honest and commendable yet at least such as they have deserv'd at my hands before Claudius the Consul was come into his Province C. Hostilius Tubulus with some Regiments lightly appointed fell upon Annibal as he past through the farther Borders of Larinum towards the Salentines and charging upon his Army whilst they were in the disorders of a march slew four thousand of them and took nine Colours Q Claudius who had Garrisons all up and down the Salentines Country upon advice of the Enemies advance that way drew out to meet them but Annibal to avoid engaging with two Armies at once dislodges by night out of the Territories of Tarentum and retires amongst the Bruttians and Claudius back to his Salentines Hostilius in the way to Capua meets the Consul Claudius near Venusia where out of both Armies were selected forty thousand Foot and two thousand five hundred Horse which the Consul intended to employ against Annibal the rest Hostilius was order'd to lead to Capua and deliver up to Q. Fulvius the Proconsul Annibal having drawn together all the Forces he had either in Winter-Quarters or the Bruttian Garrisons comes to Grumentum in Lucania hoping to recover those Towns that had for fear revolted to the Romans The Roman Consul having his Scouts abroad tends the same way and encamps not above a mile and an half off The Enemies inmost Works seemed almost joined to the Walls of that Town and between their formost Rampier and the Roman Camp was not above half a Mile which space was a Plain but overlook'd by a Ridge of bare open Hills that run along on the left hand of the Carthaginians and on the Romans Right not suspected by either Party because there were no Woods nor any Holes to conceal an Ambuscade several Shirmishes happen'd between small Parties but none worth mentioning The Romans only drift was to keep the Enemy there and Annibal was as willing to be gone yet for shew drew out into the Field in Battalia with all the strength he could make The Consul had borrowed a little of the Enemies Craft for since in those open Hills there was less fear of Ambuscade he thought fit so much the rather to lay one ordering five Regiments of Foot and as many Troops of Horse to get over those Hills by night and lye close in the Vallies behind instructing T. Claudius Asellus a Colonel and P. Claudius a Prefect of the Allies who had the Leading of them both as to the time and manner of their shewing themselves and attacquing the Enemy himself assoon as it was light had drawn all his Forces Horse and Foot into the Field Nor was it long before Annibal likewise gave the Signal of Battel and great shouts were made in his Camp by the Souldiers running to their Arms. The Horse and the Foot promiscuously hurried out at the Ports and in scattering Troops hastened towards the Enemy whom when the Consul saw in this disorder he commanded C. Aurunculeius a Tribune of the third Legion that he should with that Legions Cavalry charge them as furiously as might be For whilst they were thus like sheep spread in tumultuary heaps over the Plain they might easily be surprized and routed before ever they could be brought into Array Hannibal himself was not yet got out of the Camp when he heard the Clamours of some of his men that were fighting this quickned his march with the rest of his Forces towards the Enemy The formost were already terrified with the Horse and now the Romans first Legion and Right Wing of Cavalry were coming up to charge them The Carthaginians disorder'd as they were fought at a venture as each Company happen'd first to meet either Horse or Foot The conflict grew hotter by fresh Supplies still coming up and encreased by the numbers that continually rusht out like Bees in swarms to fight and undoubtedly in all that hurry Annibal had reduced his men to order and a regular Form of Battalia no easy matter to do unless where the Leader is very skillful and the Souldiers experienc'd and well disciplin'd if it had not been for the shout of the before mentioned Troops which they heard at their backs as they came running down the Hills upon them Then they grew afraid in earnest lest they should be hemm'd in and shut out from their Camp to which they fled as fast as they could and being so near the slaughter was the less yet the Horse charging all the way upon their Rear and the other Party running easily down Hill and doing great Execution on their Flank there were in
before their Camp but that which delay'd the Battel was that Asdrubal advancing with a small Party of Horse before the Ensigns to take a view of the Enemy happen'd to observe amongst them a great many old Targets which he had never seen before and Horses more lank and lean than formerly besides they seem'd to be more in number Hereupon suspecting that which was indeed in haste he sounds a Retreat and sent out some to the River where they had their water to see if they could catch any of them or at least to take notice whether they were swarthy and Sun-burnt more than ordinary as having been travelling lately Likewise he order'd a View to be taken at a distance of their Camp whether the Rampier were any where enlarged and to listen attentively whether they could hear one or two Trumpets sound in their Camp who bringing back an Account of all these Circumstances the Camps not being enlarged was a thing that continued their mistake For they were still but two just as they were formerly one of M. Livius the other of L. Porcius and the Rampiers or Trenches of either not set out one jot further in any place But that which sway'd most with Asdrubal as being an ancient experienced General and well acquainted with the Roman Customs against whom he had so many years waged War was this That they told him they heard one Trumpet in the Praetors Camp but two in the Consuls whence he concluded That undoubtedly both Consuls were there but how the other of them should get away from Annibal sorely troubled his mind for he could not imagine that which was the truth of the Case viz. That Annibal should be trickt in a matter of such moment as to be ignorant what was become of that General and that Army whose Camp was held within view of his own Therefore he concluded That he must by some unusual and mighty overthrow be disabled to follow him and was greatly afraid that himself was come with help too late when their affairs were grown desperate and that the Romans were courted by the same good Fortune in Italy as in Spain and sometimes again he thought his Letters might not come to his Brothers hands but that the Consul might intercept them and so hasten to prevent and cut him off by the way Not a little perplext with these various thoughts he puts out all the Fires and commanded all his Souldiers without noise to get together their Baggage and be ready to march on a Signal given at the first Watch But in that consternation and hurry in the dark two Fellows whom they had for their Guides being not carefully lookt after gave them the slip one running into a lurking hole which he had a good while had in his Eye the other being well acquainted with the shallows of the River Metaurus waded over so that the Army deserted by their Guides was forc'd to march at random through the Fields and divers of them weary and sleepy with watching laid them down here and there and left their Colours with very few Souldiers about them Asdrubal commanded them to follow the River and march on its Banks till the day should shew them the Road but going thus by the windings and turnings of the stream they ridded but little ground and when in the morning they endeavour'd to get over they could find no place convenient for the further they went upwards off from the Sea the higher were the Banks which straitning the River made it deeper though narrower than it was lower so that spending all the day thus unfortunately he gave the Enemy opportunity to pursue him First Nero with all the Cavalry came up then Porcius with the Light-arm'd Foot who on all sides playing upon Asdrubals Forces already weary and disheartned oblig'd them to quit their march which was no better than a Chace and to endeavour to encamp themselves on an high Bank just by the River side but then Livius was come up with all the rest of the Infantry not in the usual posture of a march but ready arm'd and in good order when they were all join'd and arrang'd in Battalia Claudius had charge of the Right Wing Livy of the Left and the Praetor of the main Battel Asdrubal seeing there was no avoiding but fight he must left off fortifying the place for a Camp and put himself in order as fast as they in the middle of his Front and before the Standards he plac'd his Elephants next them in the left Wing were his French men to oppose Claudius not that he trusted so much to them as that he thought the Enemy would be afraid of them himself in person on the Right Wing with a body of Spaniards in whom and his old Souldiers he reposed his greatest hopes resolv'd to confront Livius the Ligurians were behind the Elephants in the middle but the Battel was rather drawn out in length than breadth The French men were defended by an Hill that bore out over them The Spaniards Front was over against the Romans left Wing and all the right hand Battalions were as it were out of the Battel and did nothing for by reason of the Hill they could neither a Front nor a Flank charge the Enemy Between Livius and Asdrubal was begun a mighty Conflict with great and dreadful slaughter on each side There were the two Generals there the best part of the Romans Foot and Horse there were the Spaniards experienc'd Souldiers and wonted to cope with the Romans and there too were the Ligurians an hardy and Warlike people thither too the Elephants were turn'd who at first disorder'd the Front and made the Standards retreat but the Battel then growing more fierce and the clamours louder they would no longer be rul'd by their Riders but run up and down the two Armies like Ships without a Steersman so that you could not tell to which side they belong'd On the other hand Claudius seeing with all their efforts his men could not gain the Hill that was against them Cries out And did we march such a tedious way and in such hast to do just nothing at all Saying which words he detach'd some Regiments and wheel'd about behind the whole Army and unexpectedly not only to the Enemy but to those of his own Party charges the Enemy on the Enemies left Flank and was so nimble that presently after they appear'd on one side some of them were got behind them so that the poor Spaniards and Ligurians were slaughter'd on all sides Front Flank and Rear and the Execution was come up to the French but there was no resistance worth speaking of for a great part of them had before deserted their Colours running away in the night or lying asleep under the Hedges and those that were present being wearied with marching and watching for of all people they can least endure toil they were scarce able to bear their Arms on their shoulders and besides it was about Noon and
had no hopes to maintain his Army out of any other except the Bruttian Dominions which though they were all cultivated was but a very little to keep so great an Army Besides that great part of their Youth were taken from the Plow to the Wars and they had an ill custome natural to that Nation to turn Robbers whilst they were Soldiers Nor had he any thing sent from home the Carthaginians being only very solicitous to keep Spain as if all things were well enough in Italy In Spain things had partly the same success and partly different the same in that the Carthaginians being conquered in a Battel which they fought and losing their General were forced to fly into the utmost part of that Country as far as the Ocean and different because Spain was more apt not only than Italy but than any other Region of the whole World to renew a War in regard to the nature both of its Soil and Inhabitants And for this reason the first of all the Provinces which the Romans entered into upon the Continent was the last of all that was totally subdued and that but lately neither in our time under the conduct and auspicious management of Augustus Caesar Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo who was the greatest and most renowned General in that War next to the Barchines coming at that time back from Gades and being put in hopes of renewing the War by Mago Son to Amilcar made Levies in the farther Spain and armed a multitude of Men to the number of fifty Thousand Foot and four Thousand five Hundred Horse Of which latter most Authors agree though some write that there were seventy Thousand Foot brought to the City of Silpia And there the two Carthaginian Generals sate down together upon the open Plains because they would not decline fighting Scipio when he heard of such a vast Armies being raised he fearing that he should not find the Roman Legions strong enough for such a Multitude if he did not make a shew at least of some Auxiliaries from the Spaniards and yet he must not lay so much stress upon them as that by falsifying their Oaths which was the ruine of his Father and Unckle they might be able to make any great alteration in his affairs sent Silanus before to Colcas who was King of eight and twenty Towns to receive from him those Horse and Foot which he had promised that Winter to raise and going himself from Tarraco muster'd up immediately among his Allies that live upon that Road a small number till he came to Castulo The Auxiliaries brought thither by Silanus were three Thousand Foot and five Hundred Horse Thence therefore they marched on to the City Baetula with all their Army of Citizens Allies Horse and Foot whose number was forty five Thousand Mago and Massinissa set upon them as they were pitching their Camp with all their Horse and they had disturb'd them as they were fortifying themselves if a party of Horse that was planted very opportunely by Scipio behind a bank to that end had not surpriz'd and routed them For those Men even before they had well engag'd in the fight defeated all that were most forward next to the Bulwark opposing the very fortifyers though with the rest who marched under their Ensignes and in Battalia they had a longer and that a doubtful conflict But as soon as the Regiments were commanded from their Posts and their Souldiers drawn off from their Works whilst more were ordered to take up Arms and fresh Men still supplyed the room of such as were tired so that a vast body of armed Men rush'd out of the Camp into the Battel the Carthaginians and Numidians immediately turn'd their backs And at first they marched off in Troops without disordering their Ranks either through fear or hast but soon after when the Romans fell more sharply upon their Reer so that their shock was insupportable they forgot all order and ran to all places that were next at hand which way soever they could But though in that fight the Romans were a little more encouraged and the Enemy somewhat disheartened yet they did not for some days after cease to make excursions with their Horse and light-armed Men. When they had sufficiently tryed their strength by these light skirmishes Asdrubal first led his Men forth into the field and then the Romans came out But both the Armies stood before their Bulwarks in Battle Array and seeing that neither of them began the fight when it was toward Evening their Forces were led back first the Carthaginians and then the Romans into their Camps again This they did for several days the Carthaginian being the first that drew his Men out of their Camp and when they were weary with standing gave the first signal for their retreat They neither of them ran too far forward threw any Javelin at the other or were heard so much as to speak The Romans on the one side and the Carthaginians mixt with Africans on the other made the main Body of their Armies whilst the Allies fill'd up the Wings and Spaniards were on both sides in the head of each Wing Before the Punick Army there were Elephants that look'd afar off like so many little Castles Now there was this discourse in both their Camps That they would fight in the same posture that they had stood and that the main Body of Romans and Carthaginians who were the Cause of the War should engage with equal strength of courage and Arms. Which Scipio perceiving to be firmly believed chang'd all the order of his Men against that Day they were to fight giving a charge through all his Camp That the Men and their Horses should refresh themselves with meat before day and the armed Horsemen stand ready with their Horses bridled and saddled So when it was hardly yet day-light he sent all the Horse with the light-armed Souldiers into the Punick Stations and then immediately marched forth himself with the slow Body of the Legions But contrary to every Bodies expectation both Allies and Enemies having strengthened the Wings with Romans he received the Allies into the main Body Asdrubal being alarmed at the noise of the Horse as soon as he leap'd out of his Tent and saw a tumult before his Bulwark his Men in a fright the Legions Ensigns glittering at a distance and all the Plains full of the Enemy he presently sent all his Horse to meet those of the Romans he himself going out of his Camp with the Body of Foot nor changing any thing in the usual order of his array The Horse engaged very doubtfully for a long time nor could the Battel be of it self made an end of because they that were beaten as they were almost on both sides had a safe way of retreating into the Body of the Foot But when the two Armies were now come within five Hundred Paces of one another the signal was given for a Retreat and Scipio opening his Ranks to receive
all the Horse and light-armed Soldiers into the middle he divided them into two Parties and placed them as Reserves behind the Wings Then when the time to begin the fight was now come he ordered the Spaniards who were the main Body to march very slowly and sent a Messenger from the right Wing which he himself commanded to Silanus and Marcius To extend their Wing on the left side as they saw him do on the right as also that they should engage the Enemy with the nimblest Horse and Foot they had before the main Bodies could come up Accordingly having widened their Wings with three Regiments of Foot and three Troops of Horse with Skirmishers besides they made up with speed to the Enemy whilst the others followed in an oblique Figure For there was a Bay as it were in the middle of them because the Spanish Ensigns moved but slowly and the Wings were already engaged whilst all the strength of the Enemies main Body that is to say the Carthaginians old Soldiers and the Africans were not yet come within a Darts cast nor durst to run into the Wings to assist them that were a fighting for fear of opening their main Body to the Foe that was coming against them The Wings therefore were sore prest with a doubtful Battel the Horse light-armed Men and Skirmishers wheeling about to the Flanks whilst the Foot lay hard upon the Front to break off the Wings from the rest of the Army And then the Fight was not by any means equal on any side not only because the Baleleares Slingers and Spanish young Soldiers were opposite to the Roman and Latin Veteranes but also because now the Day was pretty far spent their strength began to fail the Army of Asdrubal who being surprised by the Mornings Tumult were forced to go forth hastily to the Battel before they had sufficiently fortified their Bodies with meat Now for that reason Scipio had industriously made delays that the Fight might be late for it was one of the Clock before the Foot fell on in the Wings and somewhat later before the main Bodies engaged insomuch that the noon-tide heat of the Sun and the fatigue of standing in their Arms together with hunger and thirst made them faint and uneasie ere they closed with the Enemy Wherefore they stood leaning upon their Shields And besides other inconveniencies the Elephants also being hared by the tumultuous way of fighting among the Horse light-armed Men and Skirmishers were come out of the Wings into the main Body The Carthaginians therefore being tired both in their Bodies and minds gave back yet kept their Ranks as well as if the whole Army had retreated at the command of its General But the Conquerours for that reason pressing harder upon them on every side when they saw them make way so that the shock could not easily be born though Asdrubal detained them and withstood their retreat crying out That there were Hills behind them to which they might safely retire and therefore they should not make so much hast yet fear overcoming their modesty seeing all that were nearest the Enemy gave way they immediately turn'd their backs and ran away as fast as they could And then at first they began to stop their Ensigns at the foot of the Hills and to recall their Men into their Ranks seeing the Romans loth to lead their Army upon those steep Places But when they saw them soon after come briskly on renewing their flight they were driven and frighted all into their Camp Nor were the Romans far from the Bullwark and had at that effort sâ—rely taken their Camp if instead of the Suns shining very soultry hot as it does through Clouds that are big with Rain there had not fallen such a storm that the Conquerors could hardly get back into their Camp Besides which some were awed by Superstition from attempting any thing more that day The Night and the Rain invited the Carthaginians though tired sufficiently before with the fatigue of the Day and Wounds which they received to take their necessary and natural rest but yet since fear and danger did not give them time to lye down the Enemy being to attack their Camp at break of Day they got stones from all their neighbouring Vales to raise and strengthen their Bullwark resolving to defend themselves with Fortifications seeing they could not trust to their Arms. But the revolt of their Allies caused the flight to be more safe than staying there the beginning of which revolt proceeded from Attanes a petite King of the Turdetani who went over to the Enemy with a great number of his Countrymen After that there were two wall'd Towns delivered up to the Roman by the Governours of them Wherefore lest that mischief should increase upon him Asdrubal seeing them once inclined to a defection in the dead of the night following remov'd his Camp Scipio as soon as it was Day when those that were upon the Guard brought him word That the Enemy was gone sending the Horse before he ordered the Ensigns to march And with such speed did they pursue that if they had gone directly after they had certainly overtaken them But they trusted to the Guides who told them there was a nearer way to the River Baetis where they might set upon them as they were going over Asdrubal seeing his passage over the River was intercepted turned toward the Ocean and then his Men set a running as hard as they could which carried them some distance from the Roman Legions But the Horse and light-armour coming up with them sometimes in their Rear and sometimes in their Flanks teazed them and made them halt At last whilst upon frequent tumults their Ensigns stood still and they engaged sometimes with Horse and sometimes with Foot the Legions overtook them Then there was not a Fight but as it were a butchering of Sheep till their Genaral the author of their flight with almost six Thousand Men half armed escaped into the adjacent Hills but the rest were all slain and taken The Carthaginians fortified a tumultuary Camp all in hast upon a very high Place from whence seeing the Enemy had in vain endeavoured to get up it being so steep and rough they easily defended themselves But the Siege being in a naked and barren place was hardly tolerable even for a few Days Wherefore they went many of them over to the Enemy and at last the General himself took Shipping nor was the Sea far off that place and in the night time leaving his Army fled to Gades Scipio hearing that the Enemies General was gone left ten Thousand Foot and a Thousand Horse with Silanus to besiege the Camp whilst himself with the rest of his Forces at seventy encampings returned to Tarraco forthwith to inquire concerning the petite Kings and Cities thereabout that he might reward them according to their real merits After his departure Massinissa coming to a private conference with Silanus that he might make his
he pleased he wrested whither he would He likewise fortold them that the Gods had given encouragement to them to go out to fight as to their Forefathers when they formerly ingaged at the Islands called Aegateis and therefore that there would be an end of the War and they should be at rest that the Booty of Carthage was as good as in their hands and that they should very shortly return into their Country to their Parents Wives Children and Houshold-Gods All which he spoke wich such an haughty carriage and pleasant aspect that you would have thought he had already gained the Victory Then he placed the Spear-men first and behind them the Principes the first Soldiers in the Van of the Army who were furnished with a Javelin c. and put the Triarii in the Reer He did not set the Regiments each in close Order before their Ensigns but the Maniples or Companies at some distance one from the other that the Enemies Elephants might have room enough when they came in so as not to break their Ranks He planted Laelius who had formerly been his Lieutenant but that was Questor by an Order of Senate without drawing Lots for it with the Italian Horse in the left Wing and Masinissa with the Numidians in the right He also filled up the wide spaces between the Maniples with the Velites of the Antesignani or light-arm'd Soldiers that fought among those that were before the Ensigns to whom he gave a charge That at the coming up of the Elephants they should either retire directly behind the Ranks or applying themselves to the Antesignani by running to the right and left among them should give the beasts way to rush in upon the dangerous Weapons Annibal for a terror set the Elephants which were eighty in number and more than he had ever had in any Battle before first in Array and after them the Ligurian and Gallick Auxiliaries with the Balearians and Mores mixt among them In the second Division of the Army he placed the Carthaginians Africans and the Legion of Macedonians and then leaving a small interval he put the Italian Soldiers in the Reer who were most of them Bruttians that of force and necessity more than any good will had follow'd him out of Italy He also rang'd the Horse all round the Wings the Carthaginians in the right and the Numidians in the left His address to the Army was very various being made to so many different sorts of men whose Language Manners Laws Arms Garb Complexion and ground of War was no ways the same The Auxiliaries he said should have a present and manifold reward out of the Booty The Gauls were inflamed with a natural and peculiar hatred toward the Romans The Ligurians had the fruitful Plains of Italy being brought down out of craggy Mountains into great hopes of Victory shewn unto them The Mores and Numidians he terrified with the tyrannical sway that Masinissa was like to bear over them infusing several hopes and fears into the rest of them and minding the Carthaginians of the Walls of their Country their Houshold-Gods the Sepulchres of their Ancestors their Parents Children fearful Wives and how they must expect either destruction and slavery or to be Emperors of the whole World but said no mean thing to them that tended to promote either their hope or fear And just as their General was saying this among his Country-men to the Carthaginian Officers that led their own People and to the Foreigners also by Interpreters that were mingled among them the Trumpets and Cornets sounded from the Roman Army and there was such a noise set up that the Elephants ran upon their own Men especially in the left Wing where the Mores and Numidians stood Masinissa seeing that with ease increased their dread and bereft the Army on that side of all assistance from their Horse But some few of the Beasts being unaffrighted were driven up into the Enemy and made a greater slaughter among the light-arm'd Soldiers though they receiv'd many wounds themselves For the light-arm'd Men retiring into the Maniples and having made way for the Elephants to save themselves from being trod to pieces threw their Spears on both sides into them nor were the Antesignani with their Javelins idle till such time as being by the Weapons which fell upon them from all parts forced out of the Roman Army they put to flight even the Carthaginian Horse in their own right Wing Laelius when he saw the Enemy in a confusion supplied fresh matter of terrour to them The Punick Army was now on both sides bereft of its Horse when the Foot fell on notwithstanding it was not equal to the Enemy either in hopes or strength Besides which though it he a small thing to speak of it was of great moment in the managing of the same affair the clamour or shout the Romans made was all of one tone and consequently so much the greater and more terrible whilst the Enemies voices were dissonant because their Languages were so different The Fight likewise on the Romans side was steddy because they lay heavy upon the Enemy not only through their own weight and strength but that of their Arms too whilst on the other side there was only more swiftness and agility than strength shown in their first Onset Wherefore upon the first effort the Romans made the Enemy immediately give way and then with their Elbows and Bucklers punching them on still as they got ground upon them they proceeded for some time without resistance the Reer pressing on the Van assoon as they perceived the Enemies Body to move which very thing also conduced very much to the routing of them On the other hand among the Enemies the second Division of their Army consisting of Africans and Carthaginians were so far from enduring the Retreat of their Auxiliaries in the Front that they gave back lest the Enemy when they had killed the Vanguard should have fallen upon them Wherefore the Punick Auxiliaries immediately turned their backs upon the Romans and facing their own Men fled partly into the second Division part of which they also slew for not receiving them as being e'rewhiles not assisted by them and then moreover excluded And now there were in a manner two Battles the Carthaginians being forced to ingage not only with the Enemy but their own Party also Yet notwithstanding they did not let them into their Body when they were so dismay'd and furious but closing their Ranks turned them out into the Wings and the open Plains beyond the Army because they were afraid to mingle men in such a consternation and so much wounded with a fresh and steady Army But the heaps of dead Men and Arms had so filled up the place in which the Auxiliaries a little before had stood that their passage that way was full as difficult as it had been through the main Body of the Enemy Wherefore the Spear-men that were first pursuing the Enemy over the
unanimous consent of the Senate the Tribune was sain to yield and by an order of Senate L. Lentulus came into the City Ovant He brought as booty along with him forty four thousand pounds of Silver Bullion and of Gold two thousand four hundred pounds giving each of his Souldiers a hundred and twenty Asses apiece By this time the Consuls Army was brought from Aretium to Ariminum and five thousand of the Allies of the Latine Race were coming over out of Gaul into Etruria Wherefore L. Furius making great marches from Ariminum against the Gauls who then were a besieging Cremona he pitched his Camp fifteen hundred paces from the Enemy He had a good opportunity to have done his business had he gone straight on and attacked the Enemies Camp For they santered and stragled about the Country without leaving any strong Garison there behind them But he feared his Souldiers were too weary because they had marched so very fast Thereupon the Gaules being recalled by the shouts of their own Party left the Booty that they had gotten and made back to their Camp coming the next day into the Field Nor did the Romans delay the fight though they had hardly time to set their men in Battalia the Enemy ran in upon them with such speed The right Wing for he had an Army of Allies divided into Wings was planted in the Van and the two Roman Legions in the Reer M. Furius Commanded the Right Wing M. Caecilius the Legions and L. Valerius Flaccus the Horse being all of them Lieutenants The Praetor had with him two Lieutenants Cn. Letorius and P. Titinius by whose help he might be able to look about him and be ready for all the Enemies sudden efforts First then the Gauls with all their whole Body gathered into one place hoped to overthrow and rout the right VVing which was in the front but seeing they had no success in that attempt they endeavoured to wheel about from their Wings and enclose the Enemies Army which to such a multitude against so few seemed very easie VVhen the Praetor saw that he also went about to dilate his Army and therefore drew the two Legions out of the Reer to the right and left in order to cover the VVing that fought the Front and vow'd to build a Temple in honour of Jupiter if that day he routed the Enemy After which he ordered L. Valerius that on the one side he should send forth the Horse that were in the two Legions and on the other side those of the Allies against the Enemies VVing or suffer them to surround or circumvent their Main Body And at the same time he himself as soon as he saw the Gauls Main Body grown thin after the widening and spreading of their VVings commanded his men at their close Order to attack them and break their Ranks by which means the Wings were beaten by the Horse and the main Body by the Foot Whereupon of a sudden the Gauls being slain in great numbers on every side turned their backs and ran toward their Camp as hard as they could drive Whither the Horse first pursuing them and by and by the Foot also they made an attack upon their Camp Little less than six thousand men made their escape thence there being killed and taken above thirty five thousand with eighty military Ensigns and Gallick Waggons laden with much Booty to the number of above two hundred Amilcar the Carthaginian General fell in that Battle and three noble Generals of the Gauls Of the Placentine Captives there were full two thousand Freemen delivered back to the Inhabitants This was a great Victory and the cause of much joy at Rome concerning which when the Letters came a supplication was decreed to be made for three Days together There fell of Romans and their Allies in that Battel two Thousand many of them belonging to the right VVing upon which the Enemy at first made their fiercest Attack Now though the Praetor had almost made an end of the VVar yet C. Aurelius the Consul also having perfected what was to be done at Rome going into Gallia took the Victorious Army from the Praetor whilst the other Consul being coming into his Province about the latter end of Autumn wintered near Apollonia C. Claudius and the Roman three-bank'd Gallies as I told you before who were sent from the Navy that was in Harbour at Corcyra to Athens being arrived at the Pyraeeus revived the hopes of their Allies who were now in a very desponding condition For neither were those incursions by Land that used to be made from Corinth through Megara into their Country any longer continued nor durst the Thieves and Pirates of Chalcis that had infested not only the Sea but all the Maritime Country also belonging to the Athenians pass Sunium or appear in the open Sea without the streights of Euripus Besides these there came three Rhodian four-bank'd Gallies and there were three Attick open Ships on purpose to defend the Sea Coast VVith this Navy though Claudius was of opinion that the City and Country of Athens might be for the present sufficiently defended he had a greater thing offered to him by mere chance Certain banished Persons that were driven from Chalcis by injuries which they received at Court brought him word That Chalcis might be taken without the trouble of fighting for it For the Macedonians because there was no fear of any Enemies being near them straggled up and down and the townsmen relying upon the Macedonian Garrison neglected the keeping and securing of their City By their advice therefore he set out but though he came so soon to Sunium that he might by day-light have got as far as the entrance into the streights of Euboea yet lest if he pass'd the Promontory or Cape he might be discovered he kept his Navy in the same station till night As soon as it was night he moved and sailing gently to Chalcis a little before day in that part of the City that is least inhabited he with a few Men scaled and took the adjoyning Tower and the Wall about it Then finding in some places the Sentinels asleep and in others no Sentinel at all they went forward to those places where there were more Houses and there having kill'd the Watch and broke open the Gate they let in the otner multitude of their own Souldiers Whereupon they ran all about the City increasing the tumult by setting fire on the Houses that were about the Market Place The Kings store-houses also and his Armory were burnt with great quantities of VVarlike Instruments and Engines Then there began to be made a slaughter both of such as fled and such as made resistance too in all parts nor was there any one fit to bear Arms that was not either slain or put to flight besides that Sopater also an Acarnanian who was Governour of the Garrison was kill'd by which means all the spoil was first carried into the Market Place and then put on
Phalanx to lay by their Spears whose length was an hinderance to them and use their Swords And at the same time also lest the Body of them should be easily broken in upon he took half of them from the Front inward and made them doubling to stretch out their Ranks so as that the Body of them might be long rather than broad he ordered them likewise so to close their Ranks that all the men and arms might join to one another Quintius having taken those that were in the fight in between the Ensigns and the Ranks gave the signal with a Trumpet Whereupon they say there was seldom ever heard such a shout as at the beginning of that fight was raised For it happen'd that both the Armies set up their Huzza together and not only those who at that time wore engaged but the reserves also and those who then were coming into the fight In the Right Wing the King whose chief help was the circumstance of place fighting from the higher ground had the better of it whilst in the left even then when the Reer of the Phalanx was at hand being it was in disorder and not composed for fighting they were in a consternation The main Body which was nearer to the Right Wing stood and lookt on as if they had not been concern'd in the Battle and the Phalanx that came up more like an agmen than an acies as being more fit for a March than an Engagement was scarce got up to the top of the Hill Quintius therefore though he saw his own men in the Right Wing give way put the Elephants first upon the Enemy and attacked them as they stood thus discomposed supposing that the routed part of them would draw the rest along with them And so it proved for the Macedonians immediately turn'd their backs being frighted with the first view of the Beasts The rest also follow'd them when one of the Tribunes of the Souldiers joining with all the Souldiers belonging to twenty Ensigns and leaving that part of their own Forces which must in all probability needs win the day wheeled about with a short Circuit and set upon the Right Wing of the Enemy that was running away He might indeed have put any Army into disorder by setting upon them in the Reer but besides that their general consternation was so much the greater in that the Macedonian Phalanx being heavy and immoveable could neither turn themselves about nor would the Romans who a little before when they fought against the Front of them gave way lying then very hard upon their Reer let them But besides this they were the less able to make resistance upon the score of the place too for they had quitted the top of the Hill from which they first fought whilst they pursued the Romans to the Enemy that was wheeled about upon their Reer They therefore for some time were slain in the midst between the Enemies but soon after a great many of them throwing down their Arms ran away Philip with a few Foot and Horse first took an higher Hill among the rest to see what fortune his men in the left Wing had but when he saw they were all running away as fast as they could so that all the Hills round about glitter'd with Ensigns and Arms he himself also went out of the Field Quintius having pursued them very close when he of a sudden saw the Macedonians advancing their Spears not knowing what they intended by it was concern'd at the novelty of the thing and stopt his Ensigns but when he heard that it was the custom of the Macedonians so to do if they had a mind to surrender themselves he design'd to give them quarter But the Souldiers being ignorant not only that the Enemies declin'd the fight but likewise what the Generals mind was made an attack upon them and killing the foremost put the rest into a confused flight Mean while the King made toward Tempe as fast as he could where he halted at Gonni for one day to receive those that happen'd to escape alive out of the Battle The Roman Conquerours in hopes of Booty thronged presently into the Enemies Camp but they found it for the most part already rifled by the Aetolians There were that day slain eight thousand of the Enemies and five thousand taken Prisoners with the loss of about seven hundred Romans If we will believe Valerius who extravagantly augments the accountâ— of all things there were forty thousand of the Enemies that day slain and which is a more modest lie five thousand seven hundred taken with two hundred forty one military Ensigns Claudius also tells us that there were thirty thousand of the Enemies slain and four thousand three hundred taken Prisoners Now I have not given the greatest credit to the least number but follow'd Polybius who gives an accurate account not only of all the Roman affairs but more especially of all great actions that have been done in Greece Philip having muster'd up all those that by the various Fortune of the Fight being scatter'd about had yet made a shift to follow him and sent several Messengers to Larissa to burn the Royal Records lest they should fall into the hands of the Enemy retired into Macedonia Quintius having sold the Captives and the Booty part of which he gave to the Souldiers went to Larissa before he yet well knew what Country the King was gone into or what he intended Thither came an Herald from the King under pretence to desire a Truce till such time as they could bury the dead that were slain in the Battle but really and truly to beg leave that he might send Embassadors to him The Roman granted both these requests and likewise bad the Herald tell the King He would have him be of good Courage Which words most mightily offended the Aetolians who were fill'd with indignation and complain'd That the General quite alter'd by being Victorious That before the fight he used to communicate all things both great and small with his Allies who now were privy to none of his Counsels for he did all things as he pleased himself seeking an occasion to contract a private friendship with Philip and though the Aetolians had born all the brunt of the War the Roman would turn all the benefits of Peace to his own peculiar advantage They indeed did not question but they had lost some honour but why they should be neglected they could not tell They believ'd that Quintius who was a man of a Soul invincible against such desires had a mind to some of the Kings gold and he on the other side was very angry and that deservedly too with the Aetolians for their insatiable covetousness of Booty and their arrogance in taking all the glory of the Victory to themselves a vanity whereby they offended the Ears of all men that heard them besides that when Philip was taken off and the strength of the Macedonian Monarchy broken he foresaw that the Aetolians
plant his battering Ram near the Walls Now all Acarnania lying between Aetolia and Epirus looks toward the West and the Sicilian Sea Leucadia which is now an Island divided by a narrow arm of the Sea which was cut through by Art from Acarnania was then a Peninsula joining Westward by a small neck of Land to Acarnania That neck of Land was almost five hundred paces long though not above a hundred and twenty broad and upon this streight was Leucas built upon an Hill Eastward and toward Acarnania but the lower part of the City was plain and lay to that Sea whereby Leucadia is divided from Acarnania For that reason 't is to be taken either by Sea or Land For not only the narrow Chanel which parts that and the Continent is more like to a Pool than a Sea but the Plains all thereabout are fit for Tillage and easy to raise works upon Wherefore the Walls in several places at once were either undermin'd or knock'd down with the Ram. But the City was not more liable to an Assault than the resolutions of the Enemy were Invincible For they laboured day and night to repair the breaches and fill up the gaps that were made in the Walls being very eager to engage in the fight and to defend their Walls with their Arms rather than themselves with their Walls And they had protracted that Siege beyond the expectations of the Romans had not some banish'd persons of Italian Extract who lived at Leucas let the Souldiers into the Castle Yet then also though they ran down in a great tumult from that higher place did the Leucadians for some time resist with a Body form'd as for a pitch'd Battle in the Market-place In the mean time not only the Walls were scaled and taken in several places but they got over the heaps of Stones and Ruins into the City By which time also the Lieutenant himself had with a great number circumvented those that were a fighting of whom part were slain in the middle between the Enemies and part throwing down their Arms surrender'd themselves to the Conquerour And some few days after when they heard of the Battle that was fought at Cynocephalae all the people of Acarnania came and surrender'd themselves to the Lieutenant At the same time now that fortune inclin'd all things at once the same way the Rhodians also to regain that part of the Continent from Philip which they call Peraea and had been long possess'd by their Ancestors sent Pausistratus the Praetor with eight hundred Achaeans that were Foot Souldiers and about nineteen hundred more that were Auxiliaries gather'd up out of several Countries and in different Habiliments of War Gauls Nisuans Pisuans Tamians Areans out of Africa and Laodiceans out of Asia With these Forces Pausistratus lay at Tendeba a place very convenient in the Territories of Stratonicea whilst the Kings men that were at Thera knew nothing of it There came also very seasonably as an addition to that aid which he had gotten a thousand Achaean Foot with a hundred Horse commanded by Theoxenus Dinocrates the Kings Prefect in order to recover the Castle first remov'd his Camp to the very Wall of Tendeba and from thence to another Castle which was in the Territories of Stratonicea likewise call'd Astragon Where summoning all their Forces out of the Garisons who were mightily disabled together with the Thessalian Auxiliaries from Stratonicea it self he march'd forward toward Alabanda where the Enemy then lay Nor did the Rhodians decline the fight but being both their Camps were near to each other came presently into the Field Dinocrates placed five hundred Macedonians in the right Wing and the Agrians in the left taking into the main body those that he had muster'd up out of the several Garisons who were most of them Carians and cover'd the Wings with the Horse The Rhodian Regiment had the Cretan and Thracian Auxiliaries in the right Wing and in the left the mercenary men who were a chosen Band of Foot in their main Body the Auxiliaries made up of several Nations all the Horse and Light armour that were being set about the Wings That the two Armies only stood upon the Bank of a Torrent that flow'd between them with a small stream and having thrown some few Darts retired into their Camps But the next day being marshall'd in the same order they had a far greater fight than was proportionable to the number of those that were engaged in it For they were not above three thousand Foot and about a hundred Horse who fought not only with equal numbers and Armour all alike but with proportionable Courage too and equal hopes The Achaeans first having got over the Torrent made an attack upon the Agrians whereupon almost the whole Army ran over the River But the sight continu'd for a long time doubtful till the Achaeans who were themselves a thousand in number made four hundred of the Enemy give way Then all the right Wing began to yield though the Macedonians as long as they kept to their ranks and stood like a close Phalanx could not be stir'd But when their left Flank being unguarded they began to throw their Spears round about them upon the Enemy who came athwart to attack them they were presently put into disorder and making first a tumult among themselves soon after turn'd their backs till at last throwing away their Arms and running for it as fast as they could they made toward Bargyllae Dinocrates also fled the same way and the Rhodians having pursued them as long as 't was day-light retreated to their Camp Now it is very evident that if the Conquerours had gone immediately to Stratonicea that City might have been taken without any more ado But they lost that opportunity whilst they spent time in recovering the Castles and Villages of Peraea In the mean time the minds of those that were Ingarison'd at Stratonicea were fortified besides that Dinocrates also not long after enter'd their Walls with those Forces that were left For from that time it was to no purpose to besiege or attack that City nor could it be taken till some time after by Antiochus These things past in Thessaly Achaia and Asia about the same time Philip hearing that the Dardans were come into his Dominions out of contempt to him for having relinquish'd his Kingdom and had wasted the upper parts of Macedonia though he were hard put to it in almost all the World now that Fortune was so severe to him and his Party yet thinking it worse than death to be forced from the possession of Macedonia he made a sudden Levy through the Cities of that Kingdom and with six thousand Foot and five hundred Horse near Stobus in Paeonia surpriz'd the Foe And there he slew a great number of men in the fight but a greater that were stragled about the Country for plunder Those that could readily escape and did not so much as try the fortune of the day return'd
on both sides to this Conference and Attalus having brought along with him three hundred Horse for a Guard they laid down the terms of Peace But because no end could be put to the business whilst the Generals were absent they agreed that the Consul and the Kings should meet there the next day The disappointment on the Gauls part was design'd first to gain time till they could put their goods with which they were unwilling to perish with their Wives and Children over the River Halys and secondly because they were contriving a Plot against the Consul himself who was an heedless man and suspected not the treacherous intent of the Conference For which purpose they chose out a thousand Horse of all their numbers who were men of known Courage And their treachery had taken effect had not Fortune stood up for the Law of Nations which they had a design to violate For the Roman Foragers and those that went to fetch in Wood were led into that part of the Country where the Conference was to be the Tribunes supposing that to be the safest place because they were like to have the Consuls Guard and himself too before them to oppose the Enemy Nevertheless they planted their other Guard also of six hundred Horse nearer to the Camp The Consul upon Attalus's Affirmation that the Kings would come and the matter might be transacted went out of the Camp and when he was got forward about five thousand paces with the same guard as before of Horse so that he was not far from the place appointed he saw on a sudden the Gauls coming in a full Carier and a Hostile manner toward him Wherefore he set his Army in order and having commanded the Horse to make ready their Weapons and prepare their minds he at first very resolutely receiv'd the first charge of the Battle without giving way but soon after the multitude pressing on too fast upon him he by degrees retir'd though the ranks of his Troops were thereby not at all disorder'd At last seeing there was more danger in his staying there than safety in the preservation of his Ranks they all ran away as fast as they could Thereupon the Gauls pursu'd them as they ran scatter'd up and down and kill'd them nor had there been a few of them destroy'd had not the Guard of Foragers consisting of six hundred Horse met them For they hearing the fearful cryes of their own men afar off when they had made ready their Weapons and their Horses came in fresh to obviate the flight of their defeated Party By that means Fortune was quickly alter'd and the terrour remov'd from the Conquer'd to the Conquerours For the Gauls were routed upon the first attack the Foragers running together out of all the Fields thereabout so that the Enemy came upon the Gauls on every side nor could it be safe or easy for them so much as to run away because the Romans pursu'd them who were already tired with fresh Horses Some few therefore escaped but never an one was taken though a far greater number of them suffer'd Death for violating the sacred obligations of the Conference and the Romans next day their minds being inflamed with fury came with all their Forces up to the Enemy The Consul spent two dayes in searching into the nature of the Mountain lest there should be any part of it unknown to him but on the third day having consulted the Soothsayers and then sacrificed he divided his Forces into four parts and so led them forth intending to carry two of them up the middle of the Mountain and to take two upon the sides against the Wings of the Gauls The greatest strength that the Enemy had were the Tectosages and the Trocmans who were in the main Body of their Army to the number of fifty thousand men Their Horse whom they dismounted because there was use to be made of Horses among craggy Rocks they placed in the right Wing being ten thousand persons whilst Ariarathes's Cappadocians the Auxiliaries of Morzus in the left made up about the number of four thousand The Consul as he did upon the Mount Olympus having placed the Light armour in the Front took care that the same quantity of alâ— kind of Weapons should be ready at hand When the two Armies approach'd all things were the same on both sides as they had been in the former Battle except their Courage which as it was augmented in the Conquerours by success so was quite damp'd in the Enemy for that though they themselves were not Conquer'd they lookt upon the miscarriage of their Countrymen as though it had been their own Wherefore that action being begun in the same manner had the like issue For there was a Cloud as it were of light Weapons thrown all together upon them which bore down the Army of Gauls nor durst any one of them either run out of their Ranks lest he should expose his Body every way to their Artillery nor yet stand still seeing that the thicker they were together the more wounds they receiv'd being as it were a fairer mark for the Romans to aim at But now the Consul supposing that all the Enemies who of themselves were mightily disturbed if he should shew them the Ensigns of the Legions would all immediately run away took his Light-arm'd men into his Ranks with the other Party of Auxiliaries and put forward the main Body The Gauls being terrified with the memory of the Tolistoboian miscarriage and carrying Weapons stuck into their Bodies as also not only tired with standing but saint with their Wounds too could not endure even the first effort and shout of the Romans Wherefore they ran toward their Camp though few got within the Fortifications For the greatest part of them flying to the right and left beyond the Camp went that way which their violent hast at that time carried them whilst the Victors pursuing them even to their Camp were very severe upon their Reer But then they halted in the Camp for love of the Booty nor did any of them pursue the Foe The Gauls stood longer in the Wings because the Romans came later to them yet they did not bear even the first Volley of Weapons Mean time the Consul who could not draw them off that were gone into the Camp for plunder sent those that had been in the Wings immediately to pursue the Foe Who having follow'd them for some space yet slew not above eight thousand men in the flight for there was no set Battle The rest got over the River Halys whilst a great Party of the Romans staid that night in the Enemies Camp The others the Consul brought back into their own Camp The next day he took a view of the Captives and the booty which was as much as the most rapacious Nation in the whole World who had been by force possess'd for many years of all on this side the Mountain Taurus could heap together After this the Gauls who
the Aeniâ—n Territories by the Temple of Apollo which the Natives call Zerynthus Then they came to anothâ—r streight about Tempyra for that 's the name of the place which was as rough as the foâ—mer but because there are no Woods about it is not a convenient place for an Ambuscade Hither with the same hopes of prey came the Thransians who are a Nation in Thrace too but because the naked Vales gave way for them to be seen at a distance besetting the pass there was less terrour and tumult among the Romans For though the place were uneven yet they must of necessity sight hand to hand in a regular manner and in the open Field Wherefore coming close up and with a shout falling briskly on they first removed the Enemy from their Post and afterward forced them back again Thereupon began the slight and slaughter of them their own streights being their greatest hinderance After this the Romans being Victorious Encamped at a Village of the Maronites called Sare from whence they went next day into the Plain called Campus Priaticus where they staid three dayes to take in Corn partly out of the Maronites Country and partly out of their own Ships that follow'd them with all sorts of Provisions From their Camp there it was a dayes Journey to Apollonia from whence they march'd through the Abderites Dominions to Neapolis which was all along a quiet rode by reason of the Greek Colonies in those parts But the remaining part of the way as they went through the middle of Thrace Day and Night if it were not troublesom to them was yet suspected so to be till they came into Macedonia But that same Army found the Thracians more civil to them when they were led the same way by Scipio for no other reason but because they had less booty to lose Though at that time also Claudius sayes that 15000. Thracians met Mutineâ— the Numidian who went before to view the Country That there were 400 Numidian Horse and some few Elephants That Mutines 's Son broke through the miâ—st of the Enemies with a hundred and fifty chosen Horsemen and that the same person soon after whilst Mutines having placed the Elephants in the middle and the Horse in the Wings was engaged with the Enemy gave them a diversion in the reer by which means the Enemy who were put into great disorder by that storm as it were of Horse never came up to the body of foot Cn. Manlius led his Army through Macedonia into Thessaly from whence coming through Epirus to Apollonia not slighting the Sea at that time of Year so much as that he durst cross it he Winter'd there When the Year was almost out the Consul M. Valerius came out of Liguria to Rome in order to choose new Magistrates having done nothing that was memorable in his Province so as that that might have been a reasonable Plea for his coming later than ordinary to U. C. 563 hold the Assembly The Assembly for proposing of Consuls was on the 16th of February and there were chosen M. Aemilius Lepidus and C. Flaminius The day after the Praetors were elected namely Ap. Claudius Pulcher Ser. Sulpicius Galba Q. Terentius Culleo L. Terentius Massaliota Q. Fulvius Flaccus and M. Furius Crassipes When the Assembly was over the Consul refer'd it to the Senate what Provinces they would please to assign the Praetors Whereupon they order'd two to be at Rome for the doing of justice between man and man two out of Italy which were Sicily and Sardinia and two in Italy which were Tarentum and Gaul and immediately before they enter'd upon their Offices they were commanded to cast Lots Ser. Sulpicius happen'd to have the City Q. Terentius the Foreign Jurisdiction L. Terentius Sicily Q. Fulvius Sardinia Ap. Claudius Tarentum and M. Furius Gaul That year L. Minucius Myrtilus and L. Manlius for that they were said to have beaten the Carthaginian Embassadors were deliver'd by order of M. Claudius the City Praetor by the Heralds to the Embassadours and carry'd to Carthage There was then also a report of a great War in Liguria that encreas'd every day more and more Wherefore to both the new Consuls that day when they proposed the setling of the Provinces and other publick affairs the Senate assign'd Liguria for their Province This order of Senate the Consul Lepidus opposed saying it was an unworthy thing that both the Consuls should be shut up in the Vales of Liguria That M. Fulvius and Cn. Manlius had been now two years the one in Europe and the other in Asia as though they had been substituted to reign there instead of Philip and Antiochus wherefore if the Senate resolv'd that the Armies should continue in those parts that Consuls were more sit than private men to command them That they wander'd with the terrour of War through Nations against whom there was no War declar'd selling Peace for money That if it were necessary to keep those Provinces with standing Armies then as M. Fulvius and Cn. Manlius had succeeded M. Acilius and L. Scipio in the Consulate so C. Livius and M. Valerius ought to succeed Fulvius and Manlius That now surely since the Aetolian War was ended Asia retaken from Antiochus and the Gauls conquer'd the Consuls ought to be sent to the Consular Armies or the Legions to be brought back from thence and render'd to the Commonwealth The Senate though they heard what was said yet still persever'd in their former resolution that Liguria should be both the joint Province of both the Consuls together and gave order that Manlius and Fulvius quitting their Provinces should bring the Armies thence and come back to Rome Now there was a Pique between M. Fulvius and M. Aemilius the Consuls Aemilius affirming among other things that he was made Consul two years the later by means of M. Fulvius Where to create Envy against him he suborn'd the Ambracian Embassadours to come into the Senate and accuse him Who thereupon complain'd that they had a War waged against them even in time of Peace though they had done all that the former Consuls injoin'd them and were ready to perform the same obedience to M. Fulvius that their Country was first ravaged whereby their City was put into fear of being rifled and butcher'd insomuch that by their dread they were forced to shut their Gates After that that they were besieged attack'd and had all the severities of War exercised upon them by slaughter fire ruine and rifling of their City That their Wives and Children were carried away into slavery their goods taken from them and which troubled them most of all their Temples through the whole City rob'd of all their Ornaments That the Images of their Gods yea and the Gods themselves were forced from their seats and carry'd away the Walls and Pillars stript of their Furniture so that the Ambracians had now no Gods left to adore or pray to Now whilst they complain'd of these things the Consul
on so that they had not time enough to Encamp set themselves in Array In the middle were placed Calpurnius's fifth Legion and Quintius's eighth which was the strength of the whole Army and they had the plain open before them as far as the Enemies Camp free from all fear of Ambuscades The Spaniards seeing the two Roman Armies on the hither bank that they might take them before they could join each other or marshal their Men ran out of their Camp as fast as they could to engage them Whereupon there was at the beginning a very fierce Battel the Spaniards on the one side being proud of their late Victory and the Roman Soldiers fired by their unusual disgrace The main Body consisting of two stout Legions fought very bravely whom when the Enemy saw they could not force to quit their post they began to attack them wedge-wise pressing upon the middlemost in greater numbers still and thicker With that when Calpurnius the Praetor saw the main Body so hard put to 't he sent two Lieutenants T. Quintilius Varus and L. Juventius Thalna in all hast to encourage each Legion bidding them inform and tell them That in them alone lay all their hopes of conquering and preserving Spain If they gave ground that never a man in that Army would ever see not only Italy but not so much as the farther Bank of Tagus any more In the mean while he himself riding a little way about with the Horse of two Legions fell in upon the Flank of the Enemies wedge that prest so hard upon the main Body Quintius with his Horse attack'd the other Flank of the Enemy though Calpurnius's Horse fought far more resolutely and the Praetor himself above all the rest For he first assaulted the Foe and so engaged himself in the midst of them that it could scarce be discern'd what side he was of So the Horse were animated by the Courage of their Praetor and the Foot by the bravery of the Horse The foremost Centurions were ashamed to see their Praetor amidst the Weapons of the Enemy and therefore they every one of them urg'd on the Ensign Bearers bidding them carry up the Banners whilst all the rest immediately renew'd the noise and cry'd out Follow to the Souldiers They therefore made their effort as it were from an higher ground and thereby like a torrent came rowling down and totally routed the consternated Spaniards who could not bear the shock the Romans came fast upon them one after another As they fled into their Camp the Horse pursu'd them and being mixt among the crowd of the Enemy got into the Camp along with them Where by the help of those that were left to guard the Camp the Fight was renew'd and the Roman Horse were forced to alight As they were at it the fifth Legion came up and after them the rest of the Forces as fast as they could The Spaniards were kill'd all round over the whole Camp nor did there above four thousand men escape Of whom about three thousand who had still kept their Arms possess'd themselves of an adjacent Hill whilst the other thousand half arm'd stragled about the Country There were of the Enemy at first above thirty five thousand of whom there was only so small a share as these left after the Fight There were taken of Military Ensigns a hundred thirty three Of the Romans and their Allies there fell not many more than six hundred and of the Provincial Auxiliaries about a hundred and fifty There were five Tribunes of the Souldiers lost and some few Roman Horse which made the greatest show among them of a bloody Victory They staid in the Enemies Camp because they had not time to fortify their own The next day the Horsemen were publickly commended by C. Calpurnius and presented with new Trappings for their Horses besides that he declar'd that they were the chief cause of the Enemies being routed and their Camp taken Quintius the other Praetor presented his Horsemen with Chains for Ornament to wear about their Necks or Arms and Buttons for their Cloaks Many of the Centurions also in both Armies had Presents made to them especially those that were in the main Body The Consuls having made an end of their Levies and other affairs which they had at Rome led their Army into the Province of Liguria Sempronius marching from Pisae into the Territories of the Apuan Ligurians by laying wast their Country and burning their Villages with their Castles open'd a passage all along even to the River Macra and the Port of Luna The Enemy got upon an Hill which was the ancient seat of their Forefathers from whence when the Romans had conquer'd the unevenness of the place they were in the Battle tumbled down Ap. Claudius also equall'd the valour and success of his Collegue by several prosperous Battles against the Ingaunians of Liguria besides that he took six of their Towns and in them many thousand people Prisoners Of whom he beheaded forty three who were the Authors of the War But by this time the time of the Assembly was at hand Yet Claudius came to Rome before Sempronius whose duty it happen'd to be to hold the Consular Assembly because his Brother P. Claudius stood for the Consulate and had for his Competitors three Patricians of the Degree of Senators namely L. Aemilius Q. Fabius Labeo and Servius Sulpicius Galba who were old Candidates and stood again for that honour which their former repulses had made them think to be the more due to them And farther since there could not be above one Patrician chosen it would be the more difficult to carry it when four stood for the Office There were also several worthy Plebeians that stood viz. L. Porcius Q. Terentius Culleo Cn. Baebius Tamphilus who though they had been formerly repulsed were still in hopes one time or other to obtain that defer'd honour Claudius was the only new Candidate amongst them all In the opinion of the people there was no question but Q. Fabius Labeo and L. Porcius Licinus were design'd for the place But the Consul Claudius running all about the Forum without any Lictors along with his Brother though his Adversaries and the greater part of the Senate cry'd out That he ought to remember that he was Consul of Rome rather than that he was Brother to P. Claudius and that he should sit in the Court either as a Judge or a silent Spectator of the Assembly yet could not be taken off of his immoderate zeal The Assembly was likewise several times disturbed by the great contest of the Tribunes of the People who were either for or against the Consul till Appius at last so far prevailed that Fabius was put by and he got his Brother in So P. Claudius Pulcher was chosen contrary to his own and all other peoples expectations L. Porcius Licinus kept his station because the Plebeians strove not with that heat as Claudius did but were much more moderate Then
formerly taken from the Tarquinians and five Acres of Land given to each Planter The three persons that carried them thither were C. Calpurnius Piso P. Claudius Pulcher and C. Terentius Istra This Year was remarkable for great drought and scarcity of Fruits for they say it never rained for six months together The same Year in a Field belonging to L. Petillius a Notary under Janiculum as the Husbandmen were digging a little too deep they found two stone Chests about eight foot long and four foot broad whereof the Lids were fasten'd down with Lead Each Chest was written upon with Latine Letters that in the one Numa Pompilius the Son of Pompo and King of the Romans was buried and that in the other were the Books of Numa Pompilius Which Chests when by the advice of his Friends the Lord of the soil had open'd that which had the name of being the Kings Coffin was found empty without any sign of an humane Body or any thing else all being wasted by the long Consumption of so many years In the other Chest there were two Bundles bound about with wax'd and pitch'd Cords which had in them each seven Books not only entire but that lookt very fresh too Seven of which were Latine concerning the Priviledges and Authority of the High-Priests and the other seven Greek touching the Philosophy that could be in that Age. Valerius Antias sayes they were Pythagorean Books pinning his Belief upon that common Opinion and plausible Lye that Numa was an Auditor to Pythagoras These Books were read first by his Friends that were there present but soon after when several other people had and they were grown common Q. Petillius the City Praetor being desirous to read them took them from L. Petillius who was his menial Servant for Q Petillius when he was Questor had chosen him to be one of his ten Clerks Having read the Arguments or Heads of what was in them when he found that many things therein contained tended to the dissolution of Religion he told L. Petillius that he would throw those Books into the fire But before he did so that he would give him leave to try if he thought he had either any right or could make any Friends to get them again and that he should do without incurring his displeasure The Clerk or Scribe therefore went to the Tribunes of the People from whom the matter was refer'd to the Senate The Praetor said He was ready to make Oath that those Books ought not to be read and kept Whereupon the Senate Voted That it was enough for the Praetor to promise them his Oath That the Books should be burnt as soon as possible in the Assembly Court And that there should be a summ of money paid to the Lord of the soil for the Books as much as Q. Petillius the Praetor and the major part of the Tribunes should think reasonable But that the Clerk did not take though the Books were burnt in the Assembly-Court the Fire being made by the Priests Servants that attended at Sacrifices before all the People There was a great War arose in the hither Spain that Summer For the Celtiberians had got together to the number of thirty five thousand men more than they had hardly ever before had Q. Fulvius Flaccus was then Governour of that Province who having heard that the Celtiberians were arming their youth had himself likewise muster'd up all the Forces he could from their Allies though he was no way equal to the Enemy for number of Souldiers In the beginning of the Spring he led his Army into Carpetania and pitch'd his Camp at a Town called Ebura having put a small Garison into the place Some few dayes after the Celtiberians Encamped about two thousand paces from thence under an Hill Whom when the Roman Praetor saw there he sent his Brother M. Fulvius with two Troops of the Allies Horse to view the Enemies Camp commanding him to ride up as nigh as he could to their Bullwark to see how big it was but that he should not engage but retire if he saw the Enemies Horse come out upon him He did according as he was order'd So for some dayes there was no farther motion made than to show these two Troops and strait draw them off again if the Enemies Horse sally'd out of their Camp At last the Celtiberians also marching out of their Camp at every Gate with all their Forces both Horse and Foot together stood in Battalia fronting the Romans in the midst between the two Camps The place was all plain and fit to fight in where the Spaniards stood expecting the Enemy The Roman kept his men within the Bullwark for four whole dayes together and they in the same place all that time kept their Army in Array The Romans stirr'd not wherefore the Celtiberians lay in their Camp because they could not get an opportunity of fighting Only their Horse went out to their Station or Post that they might be in a readiness if the Enemy made any motion Behind their Camps they both went to forrage and fetch in Wood nor did either of them hinder the other The Roman when he thought he had given the Enemy sufficient hopes by resting so many dayes that he would not move first commanded L. Acilius with the left Wing and six thousand Provincial Auxiliaries to go about the Hill which was on the Enemies back and thence when he heard a shout run down into their Camp They accordingly went and that in the Night too for fear of being seen At break of day Flaccus sent C. Scribonius Prefect of the Allies to the Enemies Bulwark with the extraordinary Horse of the left Wing Whom when the Celtiberians saw not only to come nearer than ordinary but in greater numbers than they had used all their Horse sallied out of the Camp the Foot having also a signal given them to do the same Scribonius as he was order'd as soon as he heard the noise of the Horsemen turn'd his Horses and rode back toward the Camp Thereupon the Enemy follow'd the more eagerly First the Horse and then the Body of Foot came not doubting but they that day should take the Enemies Camp They were not above five hundred paces from the Bulwark Wherefore when Flaccus thought that they were drawn away far enough from securing their own Camp having marshall'd his Army within the Bulwark he sally'd forth at three places together setting up an Huzza not only to animate his men to the fight but also that those who were upon the Hills might hear Nor did they stay but ran down as they were order'd to the Enemies Camp in which there were not left for a Guard to it above five hundred armed men who were so terrified at their own fewness the multitude of the Enemy and the surprize of the thing that the Camp was taken almost without any resistance Acilius threw fire into the Camp upon that side which was most visible to the Defendants
consulting what they were to do Eumenes and Attalus being both in Council a Scout in hast reported that the Enemy were at hand with a mighty Army The Council being risen a sign was immediately given to arm in the mean time an hundred Horse was ordered to march forth drawn out of the Royal Auxiliaries with an equal number of Foot Darts Perseus about the fourth hour of the day being about a thousand paces from the Roman Camp bid the Ensigns of the Foot to halt himself advancing with the gens d'arms and light-armed Souldiers with King Cotys and the Captains of the other Auxiliaries marched before when they came about fifty paces from the Camp the Enemies Horsemen were in view They were two Cornets most part Gauls commanded by Cassignatus besides about an hundred and fifty light-armed Mysians and Cretensians here the King halted the Enemies number being uncertain Then he sent out of the Regiment two Companies of Thracians and two of Macedonians with two Cohorts of Cretensians and as many Thracians The Skirmish sâ—eing both sâ—des were equal nor any recruits sent from either side was finished with uncertain Victory about thirty of Eumenes Souldiers were slain among whom fell Cassignatus Captain of the Gauls for that time Perseus retired with his Forces back to Sycurium The next day about the same hour and to the same place the King advanced his Army certain Carriages with Water following after for all the way for a dozen miles was without Water and very dusty and if they had been forc'd to fight when they were first in view and almost choak'd with thirst they had encounter'd with great disadvantage But seeing the Romans ly still drawing their Centinels within the Curtain the King also returned to his Camp This they did for some days hoping still the Roman Horse would charge their Reer in the Retreat that being once begun and the Romans inticed far from their Camp they who were best able in Horse and light-armed Souldiers could every where face about The King perceiving that this design did not succeed moved his Camp nearer the Enemy and fortified it for five miles Then by break of day in the usual place he drew up his Batallion of Foot and led all the light-armed Horse near the Enemies Camp the sight of greater dust and numbers and nearer than usually occasion'd a great consternation in the Roman Camp at first the Scout was hardly credited for during the former dayes the Enemy never appeared before the fourth hour then 't was but Sun-rising afterwards by the clamour and running from the Gates all doubt being removed there arose a mighty tumult The Tribunes and chief Officers with the Centurions ran to the Praetors Tent the Souldiers every one to his own Perseus had marshall'd his men about five hundred pacâ—s from the Rampier near an Hill which they call Gallicinus King Cotys commanded the left Wing with all those of his Nation and the light-armour was placed between the several ranks of Horse In the right Wing were the Macedonian Horse among whose Troops the Cretans were mixt This Regiment one Milo a Beraean led but Meno of Antigonia commanded the Horse and the chief part of it The Kings Horse stood next the Wings and a mixt sort of people which were choice Auxiliaries of several Nations Those that commanded these men were Patrocles of Antigonia and Didas Praefect of Paeonia The King was in the middle of them all about whom stood the Agema as they call it i. e. a Batalion of Horse and the sacred Wings of Horse Before himself he placed the Slingers and Darters both of which made up the number of four hundred being commanded by Ion of Thessalonica and Timanor of the Dolepian Thus stood the Kings men The Consul also having marshall'd his Foot within the Rampier sent out all his Horse who were set in Array before the Rampier The right Wing was commanded by C. Licinius Crassus the Consuls Brother with all the Italian Horse the light Horsemen being mixt among them and the left Wing by M. Valerius Laevinus who likewise had the Horse of the Grecian Allies and the light-armour of the same Nation But Q. Minucius led the main body with the extraordinary choice Horse Before the Ensigns of these there were two hundred Gallick Horse ranged of Eumenes's Auxiliaries who were Cyrtians in number three hundred There were also four hundred Thessalian Horse planted at a little distance above the left Wing whilst King Eumenes and Attalus stood with all their Forces behind between the Reer of the Army and the Rampier The two Armies being ranged much after this manner and consisting of almost an equal number of Horse and light armour fell to it the Battle being begun by the Slingers and Darters who were the forlorn hope First of all the Thracians like savage Beasts that have been long shut up in a Den ran in with a mighty shout upon the right Wing consisting of the Italian Horse to put that Nation which by their experience in War as well as their natural disposition were not to be daunted if possible into disorder The Foot with their Swords struck at the Enemies Spears cutting sometimes the Horses Legs and another while running them into the Bellies Perseus charging up upon the main body made the Grecians give ground at the first effort upon whom since the Enemy prâ—st harder behind the Thessaâ—ian Horse who stood at a small distance from the left Wing and was in the place of the reserves at first being yet disengaged were only Spectators of the fight though soon after when their party began to decline they were of greatest use For tâ—â— giving ground by degrees with their entire ranks after they join'd Eumenes's Auxiliaries not only gave their Allies who were dissipated and fled a safe reception among their Ranks but also seeing the Enemy came not very thick upon them were so bold as to advance forward and meet many of those that fled Nor durst the Kings i. e. Eumenes's men who were now themselves scatter'd here and there by pursuing the Enemy join Battle with an orderly body of men that march'd in so regular a manner Now when the King who had won the day in the Horse Engagement if he had push'd on but a little farther might have made an end of the War the Phalanx a Body of Foot peculiar to the Macedonians came very opportunely up as he was encouraging his men led in all hast by Hippias and Leonatus on their own accord when they heard that the Horse had fought so successfully lest they should be behind hand in that daring attempt The King thereupon wavering in his mind between hope and fear of undertaking so great an Enterprize Evander of Creet whom he had used as an instrument at Delphi in his design upon King Eumenes when he saw that body of Foot coming under their Ensigns ran to the King and earnestly advised him that he should not be so proud of his success
and Arrows and other Weapons that are to be thrown from one were of no use in the dark when a man could not see what he wished to hit That Souldiers used to fight hand to hand with Swords in a throng in which the Romans outdid all other Nations So resolving to take these men for his Guides he sent for Octavius the Praetor and having told him his design order'd him to go with the Fleet and a thousand men to Heraclea taking along with him ten dayes provisions whilst he himself sent P. Scipio Nasica and Q. Fabius Maximus his Son with five thousand choice men to Heraclea as though they had been to go on board the Fleet but in reality to pillage the Sea Coast of the inner Macedonia which was a thing debated in the Council They had private notice that the provisions for the Navy were ready lest any thing might detain them and then the guides were order'd so to divide the journey as that at the fourth Watch the third day they might attack Pythium The next day he himself that he might keep the King from looking after other affairs engaged as soon as it was day in the midst of the River with the Enemies Guards and they sought on both sides in light-armour for they could not use any heavier Arms in so uneven a place as that Channel was The descent of the Bank on both sides into the main Câ—annel was almost three hundreed paces in length and the middle space of the torrent which was hollow'd very differently in several places was somewhat more than a thousand paces over in the middle of that they fought whilst the King on the one side and the Consul on the other stood with their Legions upon the mounds of their Camps looking on The Kings men fought best with Darts and other Weapons to fling at a distance but the Roman was more steady and secure in the mannage of a Shield whether of the Thracian or Ligurian make About Noon the Consul order'd his men to sound a Retreat and so the Battle was ended for that day many men being slain on both sides The next day at Sun rising they being irritated by the late fight fell on more fiercely than before but the Romans were wounded not only by those with whom they were engaged but much more by that multitude which was posted in the several Towers with all sorts of darting Weapons and great stones When they came nearer to the Bank where the Enemy stood those things that were shot out of Engines wrought even to the hindmost of them Having lost many more that day the Consul drew his men off a little later than ordinary The third day he abstain'd from fighting and went down to the lower end of the Camp resolving to attempt to make his way over by a mound like an Arm that went down shelving to the Sea-side It was now past the Solstice of the year and almost Noon so that they travelled through a great deal of dust and the Sun grew very hot They were very weary and thirsty and so were like to be still more and more now that the Noon tide was so near at hand He therefore resolv'd not to expose them in that condition to a fresh and vigorous Enemy But they were so desirous on both sides to sight that the Consul was forced to use as much art to elude his own men as to divert the Enemy Before they were all set in Array he prest the Tribunes of the Souldiers to make hast and put them into Battalia going himself about all the Ranks and encouraging the Souldiers to the Battle Thereupon they first with cheerfulness desired the Signal but soon after as the heat increased their looks were less florid and their Voices nothing so brisk but some of them lean'd upon their Bucklers and others upon their Piles Now therefore he commanded the first Ranks to pitch their Tents post themselves in the Front of the Camp and put their Baggage all together Which when the Souldiers perceived some of them rejoyced openly that he had not forced them to fight whilst they were tired with the toil of their Journey and in such scorching hot weather The Foreign Lieutenants and Captains were all about the General among whom Attalus was one who all approved of it when they thought the Consul resolv'd to fight for he had not discover'd his design of delay even to them Wherefore upon the sudden alteration of his purpose whereas others were silent Nasica only among them all had the Courage to advise the Consul Not to let an Enemy escape by declining the sight who had eluded former Generals For he said he was afraid least he might go away in the night and then they must follow him with great toil and danger into the innermost parts of Macedonia and he like former Generals must lead his Army stragling about through the by-ways and rough passes over the Macedonian Mountains Wherefore he desired him by all means whilst he had his Enemy in an open plain to attack him and not let slip that occasion of Victory which was then offer'd him The Consul who was not at all offended with the free admonition of so generous an youth told him Nasica as I once had the same ardour of mind which thou now hast so thou wilt one day have the same disposition and thoughts that I now have I have learnt by many accidents and adventures in War when to fight and when to refrain from it I cannot have while now in the Field to tell thee why 't is better at present to sit down and be quiet ask me my reasons for it another time you shall content your self for this time with the authority of an old General After which the young man held his tongue not questioning but the Consul saw some obstacle to hinder his fighting which did not appear to him Paulus seeing that the Camp was pitch'd and the Baggage laid up drew off the first Ranks of the Triarii out of the Reer and then the Principes whilst the Spearmen stood in the Van to attend the Enemies motion and last of all the Spearmen too taking away by degrees from the right Wing first of all the Souldiers that belong'd to all the several Ensigns By this means the Foot whilst the Horse with the light-armour were placed before the Army opposite to the Foe were led away without any noise nor were the Horse recall'd from their Post before the Front of the Bullwark and the Trench were finish'd The King too though he had been ready to fight without any delay that very day was yet well enough content that his men knew it was long of the Enemy that the fight was put off and therefore himself also led his Forces back into their Camp When they had throughly fortified their Camp C. Sulpicius Gallus a Tribune of the Souldiers belonging to the second Legion who had been Praetor the year before calling the Souldiers by the
the Spoils of the Curiatij set up in that place which is now called Pila Horatia or Horatius's Trophies Can you said he O Romans endure to see this youth whom you so lately beheld adorned with Victory and march triumphantly before you bound whipped and tortured under a Gallows when even the eyes of the Albans could hardly bear so horrid a spectacle Go Officer bind those hands which not long since were armed to gain an Empire for the Roman People Go veil the head of him that freed this City Hang him up drub him even within the Walls so it be near those Trophies and Spoils he took from the Enemy or without the City so it be within view of those Sepulchres where the Curiatij lie buried For whither can you lead this youth where his own brave Actions will not rescue him from the Dishonour of such a base kind of Punishment the People were sorry to see his Fathers tears and that he himself should shew so little concern in all that danger wherefore they acquitted him more out of admiration of his Courage than for the justice of his cause But that the manifest Murther might be attoned for by some means or other 't was ordered that his Father should expiate his Sons guilt by a publick expence He therefore having performed some propitiatory Sacrifices which were afterwards transmitted to the Family of the Horatij made a Gallows cross the way and ordered his Son to pass under it as Soldiers do when they are sold for Slaves And that Gallows is still kept in repair at the publick charge even to this day being called Sororium Tigillum or the Gallows set up on the account of a Sister The Sepulchre of the Maid that was killed was built in the place where she fell of square Stone But the Peace with Alba did not long continue for the Envy of the Common People who took it ill that the publick fortune of their Country should be committed to three Soldiers only corrupted the vain disposition of their Dictators and seeing that good Counsels had not succeeded well he endeavoured to reconcile the minds of his Country-men by ill means To which end as before in time of War he had desired Peace so now in time of Peace he desired War But because he saw their City had much more courage than strength to declare and wage an open War he instigated other people thereunto reserving the treacherous part to be acted by his own Country-men under a shew of alliance and friendship The People of Fidenae who were a Roman Colony having taken advice with the Veientes were moved to make War and take up Arms upon condition that the Albans would revolt to their party When Fidenae was in open Rebellion Tullus sent for Metius and his Army from Alba whom he led against the Enemy and having past the River Anien he pitched his Camp at the meeting of the two Rivers Between that place and Fidenae the Army of the Veientes got over the Tiber and were posted in the right wing near the River whilest those of Fidenae stood in the left more near to the Mountains Tullus led his men against the Veian Enemy and planted the Albans over against the Legion of the Fidenates The Albans had no more courage than honesty and therefore not daring either to stand or move with any confidence crept by degrees to the Mountains Where when they thought themselves safe enough they set their whole Army in array but being in doubt what to do and willing to delay time they took a great deal of pains to range their men Their design was which way soever Fortune should incline that way to bend their forces The Romans who stood next to them began to wonder at first when they saw themselves deserted by the going off of their Allies and immediatly a Trooper galloping away went and told the King that the Albans were gone At which Tullus was put into such a consternation that he made twelve Salij or Priests of Mars and dedicated Temples to Pallor and Pavor i. e. to Paleness and Fear wherewithal he chid the Trooper so loud that the Enemy might hear him and bid him return into the Battel telling him They had no need to fear in that the Alban Army had wheeled about by his order to surprize the Fidenates in their unguarded Reer He likewise commanded the same Person to bid all the Horse advance their Javelins which Action of theirs intercepted the sight of the Alban Army marching off from a great part of the Roman Foot but those who saw them supposing it to be as they had heard the King say fell on the more eagerly The Enemies were terrified for they heard what the King so loudly said and many of the Fidenates as being a Colony belonging to the Romans understood Latin Wherefore last on a sudden they should have been blocked up by the descent of the Albans from the Hills and hindered of regaining the Town they turned their backs Tullus pursued them and having routed the wing of the Fidenates he returned more fiercely upon the Veians who were struck with a strange dread Nor could they endure the shock but running hastily away were driven to a River that was behind them to which when they were come some of them shamefully threw away their Arms and ran headlong into the water the rest staying on the banks and doubting whether they should sly or fight were all slain nor was there ever before that time a bloudier Battel fought by the Romans Then the Alban Army who had been Spectators of the Fight was led down into the plains and Metius congratulated Tullus his conquest over his Enemies in answer whereunto Tullus spoke very kindly to Metius and told him He hoped it would be for both their advantages if the Alban and the Roman Camp were both united into one wherefore he gave order it should be so and against the next day prepared a Sacrifice to purifie the Army Next morning as soon as it was day when all things were ready He as the custom is commanded both Armies to meet in one Assembly The criers began at the end and cited the Albans first who being concerned at the novelty of the thing as much as at any thing else that they might hear what the Roman King said stood next to him A Roman Legion all in Arms was ordered to enclose them and the Centurions were imployed to put their orders in execution without any delay Then Tullus thus began Romans If ever you had reason in any Battel before this time first to thank the immortal Gods and then congratulate your own valour it was for yesterdays atchievement For you fought not with Enemies more than which is the most difficult and dangerous engagement with the treachery and perfidiousness of your Allies For to undeceive you the Albans went into the Mountains without my knowledg nor was it my command but my stratagem and only the pretence of a command which
to their Arms which they had fixed in the ground but when the Enemy came up to Engage them that then they should fall on with all their might and Engage hand to hand with their Swords The Volsci being tired with running and the Clamor they had made came up to the Romans who seemed astonished with fear but when they perceived them to make opposition and their Swords glittered before their eyes being dismayed they turned their backs as if they had fallen into an Ambuscade nor had they strength enough to run away because they were tired with the speed they made into the Fight The Romans on the other hand having stood still before were very vigorous and easily commanded their tired Enemies possessed themselves of their Camp and having pursued them as far as Velitrae a City of the Volsci pressed into the Town both Conquerors and Conquered at the same time where by the promiscuous slaughter of all sorts of People there was more Blood spilt than in the Battel it self save only that to some few they gave Quarter because they came unarmed and surrendred themselves Whilest these things were transacted in the Country of the Volsci the Dictator Defeated Routed and Seized the Camp of the Sabines against whom they had much more to do For he by sending in his Horse had confounded the main Body of the Enemies Army which they by extending their Wings had very irregularly Fortified by the Files within He therefore set upon them in this Confusion on foot by which means he not only at the first Onset took their Camp but totally overcame them Since the Fight at the Lake Regillus there was never another in those years that was more famous than this The Dictator was carryed in Triumph into the City where over and above the usual Honours there was a place assigned in the Circus for him and his Posterity to see the Exercises and Games in besides that a Sella Curulis i. e. a Chair of State was set for him in the same place The Volsci being Conquered the Land belonging to Velitrae was taken from them and a Colony sent thither from Rome Not long after they had a Battel with the Aequi but against the Consul's will because the place in which he was to Attack the Enemy was much to his disadvantage yet seeing the Soldiers accused him of delaying the time as if he had a mind the Dictator should go out of his Office before they came home and so his promises like those of Consul Servilius's before should signifie nothing they forced him to lead the Army at a venture up into the opposite Mountains Which unadvised Action through the slothfulness of the Enemies proved very successful for they before the two Armies came within a Darts cast of each other being amazed at the audacity of the Romans forsook their Camp which they had pitched in the strongest parts of the Hills and ran down into the Valleys on the other side by which means the Romans got not only Plunder enough but a Victory without Bloodshed Thus having succeeded well in their Wars against three Nations the Senate and the People too were not unmindful of the state of affairs at home though the Bankers had made such preparations by Bribery and other Arts as might not only disappoint the common People but even the Dictator himself For Valerius after the return of Consul Veterius made it the first Debate that was in the Senate to consider the victorious People and desired to know what they would please to do with the Debtors which Proposal of his being rejected he told them I do not like your proceedings I am for Peace and take my word for it you will wish ere long that the Roman People had more such Advocates as I am For my part I will no longer disappoint my fellow Citizens nor be my self Dictator to no purpose Our Intestine Broils and our Foreign Wars put the Commonwealth upon the necessity of having such a Magistrate as I am and now we have made Peace abroad we obstruct it at home I therefore will live rather like a private man than a Dictator whilest this Sedition continues and with that going out of the Court he quitted his Dictatorship The People knew the reason why he laid down his Authority was the indignation which he conceived upon their account wherefore as if he had discharged his promise because it was not his fault that he could not perform it they followed him to his House with Praises and Acclamations Thereupon the Senate were afraid lest if they Disbanded the Army there might be Caballing and private Conspiracies as there were before wherefore although the Levy of them had been made by the Dictator yet because they had given their Oaths to the Consuls they supposed them to be obliged by it and therefore under pretence of the Wars being renewed by the Aequi they commanded the Legions to be drawn out of the City By which the Sedition was augmented and as they say the first thing they consulted of was how thay should kill the Consuls that they might be discharged from their Oath but being taught afterwards that no Religious Vow can be discharged by a wicked Act they by the advice of one Sicinius but without the consent of the Consuls withdrew themselves into the Mount called Mons Sacer on the other side the River Anien three thousand paces from the City for that is more commonly reported than what Piso tells us that they retired into the Mount Aventine where without any Captain having Fortified their Camp with a Rampier and a Trench they lay still for some days without taking any thing except what was necessary for Food neither molested themselves nor disturbing any body else The City in the mean while was filled with great dread and all People were in suspence through mutual fear of each other for the common People being deserted by the Soldiers of their Rank were afraid of the Senate and the Senate on the other hand were as apprehensive of the Commonalty which yet remained in the City not knowing whether it were better to let them stay or go but how long said they will the Multitude be quiet that have withdrawn themselves what will become of us if any Foreign War should happen in the mean time There was no hope they thought but in the mutual Concord of the Citizens and that must be purchased at any rate They therefore agreed to send an Agent to the People whose name was Menenius Agrippa en Eloquent man and one that the People loved because he was Descended from a Family of Plebeians Who being admitted into their Camp is reported in that old uncouth manner of speaking to have said nothing to them but this Upon it time when all the parts of man not disagreeing as men do now consented in the main but every member had its particular Opinion and a peculiar way of Discourse the other parts were vexed that they must take care
exasperated and thereupon they set the Army in Array Nor did the Veians and the Etrurians refuse the offer for they were pretty confident that the Romans would not fight with them any more than they had done with the Aequi yea that they ought not to despair now that the Enemy was so incensed and in such doubtful circumstances of accomplishing some greater end But it fell out quite contrary for the Romans never came into the Field with greater Resolution than at that time so far had the reproaches of their Foes and the dâ—lay of the Consuls exasperated their Spirits The Etrurians had hardly time enough to Marshal their men before the Romans upon the first effort threw down their Javelins in haste rather than Darted them at the Enemy and the Fight came to handy-strokes with their Swords wherein Mars is most destructive Among the Nobility the Fabian Family made an eminent show and gave a very good example for the rest to follow one of whom called Quint. Fabius who had been Consul three years before being in the Front of the Army Attacked the Body of the Veians but being unwary and amidst a crowd of his Enemies was run through the Breast by a Tuscan who was no less vigorous than skilful so that when the Weapon was drawn out of his Body he sunk down and died of that Wound Both the Armies were sensible of the fall of that great man and that caused the Roman Army to retire 'till M. Fabius the Consul leapt over the Corps as it lay along and holding his Shield against them cryed out Was this what you sware fellow-soldiers That you would return with flight to your Camp Are you more afraid of such contemptible Foes than you are of Jupiter and Mars by whom you sware I am resolved though I took no Oath either to return a Conqueror or fighting to fall by you dear Q. Fabius With that Caeso Fabius who had been Consul the year before replied Do you think Brother to prevail upon them to fight by using such words as those The gods by whom they have sworn will make them do it but let us inflame their minds as it becomes men of Honour as befits the Fabian Name rather by fighting our selves than by exhorting them thereunto Which he had no sooner said but the two Fabii fell furiously upon the Enemies Van and with them drew on the whole Army By this means the Battel being renewed in one side the Consul Cn. Manlius was as industrious in the other Wing to encourage his men who were almost in the same condition For as in the other Wing the Soldiers cheerfully followed Q. Fabius so they did in this the Consul Cn. Manlius who was now as it were in pursuit of the routed Enemy But when being grievously wounded he retired out of the Fight they supposing him to be slain gave way and had quitted the Field if the other Consul coming briskly up to them with some Troops of Horse and crying out His Collegue was yet alive and that he had routed the other Wing had not kept up their drooping spirits Manlius also to reinforce the Battel appeared before them and then the Soldiers seeing both the Consuls present were mightily encouraged whilest at the same time the Enemy was very indiscreet in that relying upon their Multitudes they drew off their Reserves and sent them to Attack the Roman Camp Into which having made an irruption without much ado they spent more time in looking after the Plunder than in opposing the Enemy so that the Roman Triarii old and stout Soldiers that were placed in the Rere who could not withstand their first Shock sending Messengers to the Consuls with advice how the case stood returned in a full Body to the Praetorium or Generals Tent and on their own accord themselves renewed the Fight besides that Consul Manlius also returning to the Camp set a Guard upon each Gate thereof to block the Enemy up Which desperate circumstance enflamed the Tuscans more with rage than audacity for having ran to all places where-ever they had hopes of getting out but still to no purpose a Party of young men among them made up to the Consul himself who was at that time remarkable for his Armour which he wore and though their first Darts were received by those that stood about him yet afterward their force became insupportable the Consul had a mortal Wound of which he presently died and all the men about him were defeated Whereupon the Tuscans grew much bolder whilest the Romans were in a consternation over all the Camp nor had they ever recovered themselves had not some of the Officers who took away the Consuls Body opened a Gate and made way for the Foe who thereby breaking out and going in confusion away fell into the hands of the other Consul who was Victorious and were a second time by him not only many of them killed but the rest put to flight By this means the Romans got a glorious Victory though it was obscured and clouded with the death of two such great men For which reason the Consul when the Senate ordered him to Triumph and said That if an Army could Triumph without their General they would readily suffer it for the extraordinary service done in that Battel made answer That he seeing his Family was all in tears for the death of Q. Fabius his Brother and the Commonwealth partly destitute as having lost one of her Consuls now that he was forced to Mourn both upon a publick and a private account too would not accept of the Lawrel Which refusal of his was more honourable than any Triumph that ever was made so much is glory sometimes advanced by being seasonably contemned Then he led the two Funeral Pomps of his Brother and the Consul one after another and made both the Funeral Orations in which by giving them their due commendations he gained a very great share of Elogy himself remembring well what he had resolved on in the beginning of his Consulship which was to reconcile the People and distributing the maimed Soldiers among the Senators for their Cure The Fabii had a great many allotted to them nor had any more care taken of them from whence the Fabii grew popular but that by no other Arts than what were consistent with publick good Then Caeso Fabius being made Consul with T. Virginius as well by the consent of the People as of the Senate concerned himself neither in Wars nor Levies of Men or any U. C. 273 other Affair before he had done his endeavour now that there was some hopes of an accommodation assoon as possible to unite the People with the Senate For which reason in the beginning of his Year before there was any Tribune to stand up for the Agrarian Law he thought fit that the Senate should make their present and give the People the Land taken from their Enemies in equal portions for it was reason and justice that they should enjoy
Cohorts or Regiments chose their Centurions two Senators being set to command in chief over every Regiment And all this I am informed was done so soon that the Ensigns which were brought out of the Treasury by the Questors that very day into the Field were carried thence as they marched away by ten of the Clock and the new Army who had only some few Regiments of old Voluntiers among them lay the same day ten miles from the City The next day brought them within sight of the Foe near to whose Camp they pitched theirs at a place called Corbio The third day the Romans being enraged and the Enemy who had so often rebelled being conscious of a fault for which they despaired of being pardoned they made no more ado but engaged each other Now in the Roman Army though the two Consuls had equal Commissions Agrippa resigned all his Power which is the best course in the management of great affairs to his Collegue For which condescension of his Quintius was very kind to him and advising with him as well as commending of him made him equal with himself In the Field Quintius commanded the right Wing and Agrippa the left whilst Sp. Postumius Albus the Lieutenant led the main Body the other Lieutenant called Serv. Sulpicius being made Captain of the Horse The Foot in the right Wing fought bravely and the Volsci made a very brisk resistance But Ser. Sulpicius broke through the middle of the Enemies with his Horse from whence though he could have retreated to his own Party before the Enemy could compose their disordered Ranks yet he thought it better for him to fall upon the Reer of them by which means he had in a moment dissipated the whole Body had not the Volscian and Aequian Horse given him a diversion for some time with the same sort of fighting that he used Whereupon Sulpicius cried out It was no time for his Men to dally for that they were circumvented and divided from the rest of the Army and in great danger to be lost unless they charged with all the violence and resolution imaginable It was not enough for them to rout the Foe but they must kill both them and their Horses for fear they should return into the Battel and renew the fight nor could they resist that force which had made the main Body of their Army give way They heard very well and minded what he said insomuch that at one charge they defeated the whole Body of Horse and killed a great many whom and their Horses they ran through with their Javelins and that was the end of the Horse engagement Then setting upon the Foot they sent the news of what they had done to the Consuls who by this time had got the better of it which when they heard it put new Courage into the Conquering Romans as much as it dejected and disheartned the retiring Aequi. They were first over-powered in the main Body where the Horse that had been sent that way before had disordered their Ranks and then the left Wing began to yield to Consul Quintius but they had much ado with the right Agrippa being in that Post who was a very strong and stout Man and seeing they had better success in all parts of the Battel than where he stood took the Ensigns from the Bearers of them and carrying them up toward the Foe threw some into the middle of them the fear of which ignominy so incited his Soldiers that they ran upon the Enemy and the Victory was by that means equal on all hands Then there came a Messenger from Quintius to tell them That he was victorious and just entering into the Enemies Camp but that he would not break in before he knew that they in the left Wing had gotten the better that if Agrippa had routed the Enemy there he would have him march up and joyn him so that the whole Army might enjoy the Booty all together Agrippa being also Victorious came with mutual congratulations to his Conquering Collegue and the Enemies Camp which there being but few to defend and those too in a moment overcome they broke into the Works without any trouble and led their Army back again not only laden with vast spoils but having also recovered the things which they had lost by the Plunder of their Country I do not find that they either desired or that the Senate offered them any Triumph Nor is there any cause assigned why they neglected or did not hope for such honour but as far as I can guess at such a distance of time seeing that Senate had denied a Triumph to the Consuls Valerius and Horatius who besides the Aequi and the Volsci had the honour of making an end of the Sabine War these Consuls were ashamed to desire a Triumph for doing only half so much as those for fear lest if they had obtained their request the Senate might have seemed to have had more respect for persons than to their deserts But this honourable Victory gained over their Enemies was attended by a very unjust and unworthy Judgment which the People of Rome gave concerning the Confines of their Allies Those of Aricia and Ardea having fought several times for a piece of Ground that was in dispute between them and being tired with so much slaughter on both sides made the Roman People Umpire in the Controversie When they came to plead the Cause and the Magistrates had assigned a Council of the People to hear it was argued with great eagerness but when the Witnesses were produced the Tribes called over and the People just going to give their Votes one P. Scaptius an old Commoner stood up and said If I may speak Consuls touching the Commonwealth I will not suffer the People to err in this affair But when the Consuls said he ought not to be heard as being an idle fellow and ordered him to be taken away whilst he cried out all the while that the publick Cause was betrayed he appealed to the Tribunes The Tribunes as they are for the most part more ruled by the Multitude than they rule them permitted Scaptius for the sake of the Commons who were greedy of hearing him to say what he would Then he began That he was 84 years of Age and had been a Soldier in that very place which was then under dispute not only when he was a young fellow but in twenty several Battels of which the last was when they engaged at Corioli by which means he could tell them of a thing which though obliterated by tract of time was still fixed in his memory to wit that the ground in question did belong formerly to Corioli which being taken it became the publick possession of the Roman People by right of War That he admired how the Aricians and the Ardeans should hope to hinder the Roman People whom instead of Lords they had made Judges of it from enjoying that tract of Ground which they had never any right to
in a confusion of mind thank'd them saying That there was a vast burden laid upon him by the Roman people who had created him Dictator now four times a great one by the Senate through the judgments of that Order concerning him but the far greatest by the difference of his honourable Collegues Wherefore if there cou'd be any more labour or care added to it he wou'd strive to acquit himself as to make that opinion which was the greatest that cou'd be that the City generally had of him lasting That as to the War and the Antians there was more threatenings than danger but that he notwithstanding as he said there was nothing to be feared so he wou'd not say there was any thing to be slighted in that Affair That the City of Rome was begirt by the envy and hatred of its Neighbours so that there was need of more Generals and Armies to manage the Commonwealths business I wou'd have you P. Valerius said he to be my assistant in Command and Counsels and lead forth part of the Legions against the Antian Foe and you Q. Servilius to Encamp in the City with an other Army ready to watch for fear either Etruria in the mean time as of late they did or this new vexation the Latins and the Hernicans shou'd stir for I am sure you 'll so behave your self as may suit with the honour of your Father Grand-Father your self and six Tribuneships A third Army I wou'd have raised out of the Caussaries such as were excused from the Wars upon the score of sickness and elder sort by L. Quintius to be a guard to the City and the Walls Let L. Horatius provide them Darts Arms Corn and other necessaries of War and you Serg. Cornelius we appoint to be Overseer and manager of this publick advice of all Religious Worship of the Assemblies the Laws and all other affairs in the City Upon this all kindly promising to perform their parts in the discharge of their duty Valerius who was his partner in Command added That M. Furius shou'd be his Dictator and he wou'd be his Master of the Horse and therefore look what hopes they had of one sole General the same they might have of the War but he had good hopes himself both of War and Peace and the whole Commonwealth With that the Senators being overjoy'd began to Humm and said The Commonwealth wou'd never need to have a Dictator if it had such men for Officers who agreed so well together were ready to obey as well as to Command and bestowed their commendations upon the people in general rather than arrogated all to themselves that was as much due to all Then having order'd a stop to be made in Judicial proceedings and made a Levy Furius and Valerius went to Satricum to which place the Antians had gathered not only the Volscian Youth chosen out of their new fry but a vast number also of Latins and Hernicans out of Cities that had lived long in peace and were thereby grown very populous Now therefore this new Enemy joyn'd to the old one put the Roman Soldiers into a fright Which when the Centurions told Camillus as he was setting his Army in Battalia viz. That the Soldiers were disturb'd in their minds that they were loth to take up their Arms and that they marched lazily and with reluctance out of the Camp yea that they were some of them heard to say that they must each of them fight with an 100. Enemies and that such a vast multitude cou'd hardly be endured without Arms much less Armed He presently mounted his Horse and turning before the Ensigns toward the main Body of his Army rode among the Ranks and ask'd them What sadness is this fellow Soldiers what unusual delay Don't you know your Enemy or me or your selves What is your Enemy but perpetual matter for your courage and glory to work upon You on the contrary when I was your General to pass by the Falerians and Veians whom we took and the Gaullick Legions that were slain in our own Country after it was by them taken made a triple triumph but t'other day for a threefold Victory over these very Volsci the Aequi and Etruria Don't you acknowledge me for your General because I was not a Dictator but a Tribune when I gave you the signal I don't desire the greatest Commands over you nor ought you to look upon any thing else in me besides my own person For my Dictatorship never raised my courage as on the other hand even Banishment never lessen'd it We therefore are all the same men still and since we have brought all the same resolutions to this War as to the former let us exspect the same event Assoon as you engage let every man do as he hath learnt and used to do so shall you Conquer and they fly before you Then having given the signal he straight alighted from his Horse and laying hold of the Ensign-bearer that was next to him forced him along with him towards the Enemy crying out Fellow-Soldier advance your Ensign which when they saw viz. that Camillus himself though by old age render'd unfit for action made way toward the Enemy they all in like manner ran forward hollowing and saying with one accord Follow the General They likewise report that an Ensign was thrown by Camillus's order into the Body of the Enemies and that the Antesignani were encouraged to regain it They say also that the Antians was there first beaten and that a dread was infused not only into the Front but even the Reer too of the Army nor did the force only of the Romans back'd by the presence of their General put the Enemy into confusion but besides that there was nothing more terrible to the Volscians apprehensions than an accidental sight of Camillus himself So that which way soever he went he carried certain Victory along with him And that was very plain from this instance that when the left Wing was almost routed he immediately took Horse and riding up with a Footmans Sheild in his hand by his very presence retrieved the Battel and shew'd that the rest of the Army were Victorious Now therefore they had like to have got the day but that they were hindred by the multitude and flight of the Foe having a great multitude to kill though they themselves were tired when on a sudden there came a shower pouring down with great violence which rather obstructed a certain Victory than put an end to the fight Upon that they retreated and the following night when the Romans were quiet made an end of the War For the Latins and the Hernicans leaving the Volscians went home having success proportionable to their evil Counsels The Volscians seeing themselves deserted even by those in confidence of whom they had rebell'd left their Camp and shut themselves up in the Walls of Satricum where Camillus began first to inclose them with a Bullwark and to attack them from a Rampire
with the glory of his past Warlike and Valiant Exploits so 't is no small encouragement to consider under whose leading and auspicious Conduct you are to venture the fortune of the day whether he be a man that can only make brave and daring Speeches one stout and feirce in words but unexperienced in the practice of Arms Or whether he be one that can himself handle his Weapons always ready to advance in Person before the Standards and both able and willing to endure all hazards and fatigues in the heat of the Battel 'T is my Deeds Gentlemen Soldiers not my Words that I would have you follow and to receive from me not only Command but also Example who not by bribing or the canvassing of Factions nor yet by Courtship and Orations usual Arts with Noble Men but by this right hand of mine have attained to three Consulships and the highest pitch of Glory There was a time indeed when it might have been objected that this was no wonderful matter but easy to one of my Birth and Quality being a Person of Noble Blood descended form the deliverers of their Country and whose Family bore the Consulship the very first year that the City had a Consul But now the Case is altered the way unto a Consulship lies equally open to you Commoners as to us of the Nobility for 't is not now as heretofore the priviledge of the Gentry but the reward of vertve and Courage look up therefore Gentlemen Soldiers and aym at this Sovereign Honour Tho men by the approbation of the Gods have given me the Surname of Corvinus yet have I not forgot the Ancient name of Publicola appropriate to our Family I have and ever will as always I have done the Commons of Rome at all times alike both abroad in Wars and at home in Peace as a private Man and as a publick Magistrate and no less when I was Consul than when Tribune and the same affections I retein'd throughout all my several Consulships as for the work in hand come along brave Boys and with the assistance of Heaven purchase this day for your selves as well as me a fresh and intire Triumph over the Samnites There never was a General more familiar with his Soldiers as ready as the meanest of them to undertake any duty and in their Military Exercises or pastimes when they tried each others nimbleness and strength he would often make one with a most obliging freedom his countenance unchang'd whether he got the Mastery or were Foil'd nor would he refuse any man for the meanness of his quality that offer'd to try a Bout with him In his deeds he was kind and bountiful to his power and as occasion required In words no less mindful of others Freedom than of his own Place and Dignity and which most of all renders a man acceptable to the People the same vertues and moderation which raised him to Honours and Preferments he always retain'd in the management and enjoyment of them Therefore the whole Army following this exhortation of a General so beloved with an incredible chearfulness March'd out of their Camp into the Field Never was Battel more obstinately fought on both sides their Hopes were like their Forces equal and each party charg'd full of Confidence in themselves and yet without contempt of the Enemy The Samnites were animated with their late successes and double Victory but just before The Romans on the Contrary stood upon that Honour and Reputation which they had enjoyed and daily encreased for the space of 400 years and their Conquests almost ever since the Foundation of their City each of them appeared the more solicitous because they had a new Enemy to deal with whom they had never tried before The manner of the fight shew'd the stoutness of their courage neither party for a considerable time yeilding one Foot The Consul seeing they could not be made retreat by down right blows thought to terrifie them by sending a party of Horse to break their Front but the Ground was too streight for them to do any good and they had not room to Charge whereupon the Consul returning to the Van of the Legions leaps off his Horse ' T is we Footmen quoth he when all is done must do the work come on then and as ye shall see me wherever I go make way by dint of Sword into the Enemies Main-Battel so do you every one down with all that oppose or stand in your way and presently through all that Grove of Pikes and glittering Spears you shall see wee 'l make an open passage over their slain Carcasses He had no sooner said this but the Cavalry by his Command Charged the Enemies Wings and made way for the Foot to come up to their Main-Body where first and formost the Consul charged in Person and kill'd the first man he met upon the spot the sight whereof enflam'd his men so that every one most manfully laid about him The Samnites tho they received more wounds than they gave stood to it still most resolutely and now the fight had continued a good while great slaughter there was all round the Samnites Ensigns but no flying on either side for they had resolved that nothing but Death should Conquer them The Romans therefore finding their own strength begin to decay through weariness and not much day-light left in a transport of Rage and Fury gave a fresh Charge all at once upon the Enemy who then first of all began to give Ground and soon after betook themselves to flight Then were abundance of the Samnites slain and taken Prisoners nor had but few of them escaped if night coming on so fast had not interrupted the victory rather than ended the Battel The Romans confessed that they never engaged with a more resolute and stubborn Enemy and the Samnites being demanded what it was that after so brave a Resistence first caused them to fly did affirm that the eyes of the Romans appeared to them like flames of fire and their Looks and Countenances feirce and terrible as those of Persons mad or distracted which sight did more daunt tham then any thing else and this dread of theirs they manifested not only by the event of the Battel but by their dislodging of their Camp and private retreat that night so that next morning the Romans took possession of their empty Huts wheâ—e the Campanians came crowding in Multitudes to rejoice and congratulate their victory But this Joy had like to have been spoil'd by a disaster in Samnium for the other Consul Cornelius advancing from Saticula had unwarily March'd his Army into a Forrest through which ran an hollow Valley on the side whereof the Enemy lay in Ambuscade nor did he discover them till he was so far Engaged as he knew not how to Retreat with safety But whilst the Samnites waited till he should have brought his whole Body into that deep Valley that they might have them all at the same advantage
Adversaries the Commons and implore the protection of the Tribunes rather than to justifie themselves and abide a legal Trial And at last having there too met with a repulse thinking all means safer than to stand upon their Innocency they have faln upon us with unjust Calumnies and not blush'd being private Men to arraign your Dictator Therefore that God and the World may see That as they in vain endeavor to avoid the giving an account of their own undue Practices so I am frankly ready to meet their Charge and expose my self to the strictest scrutiny of my Enemies I do here resign my Dictatorship and do request you My Lords the Consuls if the Senate shall commit this Affair to your management That you would begin with me first and this Gentleman M. Foslius that it may appear how we through our own Innocency alone and not by the priviledge of our Offices are protected and safe from these Slanders and pretended Crimes Then forthwith he gave over his Dictatorship and immediatly after Foslius did the same with his Generalship of the Horse And these two were the first that were proceeded against before the Consuls for to them the executing of the aforesaid Commission was awarded by the Senate but notwithstanding all the Prosecution and Depositions of the Nobility they came off with Honor. Likewise Publilius Philo though he had so often pass'd through the highest Offices and perform'd so many gallant Services both at home and abroad being much envyed by the Nobility was forced to take his Tryal and acquitted But this Inquisition into the actions of Persons of Quality was quickly over descending first to meaner People and at last by the same Cabals and Factions which it intended to remedy and punish it was wholly overthrown The report of these Jars at home and especially the hopes of the revolt of Campania as was design'd recall'd the Samnites who before seem'd altogether intent upon Apulia back to Caudium that so being near at hand if any disturbances should administer opportunity they might take Capua from the Romans The Consuls march'd thither with a formidable Army and lingred a while about the Passes and Streights being not able either way with safety to come at the Enemy who at last fetching a compass through the open ways came down into the Plains of Campania and there first both sides came to have a sight of each others Camp after which they exercised each other with petty Skirmishes especially between the Horse Nor had the Romans any cause to complain of the success of those Encounters nor of the delay and spinning out of the War but the Samnites Generals found that their Forces were diminish'd every day and much weakned by this tedious work and therefore resolve upon a Battel placing their Horse in the two Wings but with express charge to have a strict eye towards the Camp to prevent any mischief there and not so much to engage themselves in the Battel which would be safe enough with the Infantry Sulpitius the Consul led on the Right Wing and Paetelius the Left The Right Wing was ranged more wide and open and with thinner Ranks and Files because the Samnites had done the like on that side with a design either to surround the Enemy or prevent being enclosed themselves The Left besides that it was in closer Order happened to be reinforced by the sudden policy of Paetelius causing the subsidiary Legions which were planted in the Rear for Reserves to march up to the Front and so with all his Forces at once charging the Enemy made them retreat The Samnites Cavalry seeing their Foot worsted prepared to relieve them but as they rod cross between the two Armies the Roman Horse gallop'd up to flank them and put both Horse and Foot into Confusion so far that all that part of the Enemies Army was routed On that Wing there was now not only Paetelius but Sulpitius too to encourage the Soldiers for he had strayed from his own Party before they joyn'd Battel upon the extraordinary shout given by the Left Wing at their first Charge and seeing on that part undoubted Victory hasten'd back to his own Charge accompanied with Twelve hundred Men but found things there in a quite contrary posture the Romans retreating and the Victorious Enemy marching full upon them with Ensigns displai'd However the lucky coming in of the Consul presently altered the Scene for as his Men were encouraged at the sight of him so the party he brought with him being very stout Men yielded them a more effectual assistance than might be expected from so small a number This and the news of the other Wings success renewed the Fight and thenceforwards the Romans bore all before them and the Samnites giving over all defence were every where either cut to pieces or taken Prisoners except those who escaped to Maleventum a Town that has since changed its name and is now call'd Beneventum 'T is Recorded That Thirty thousand Samnites were that Day killed or taken After this glorious Victory the Consuls led their Legions to besiege Bovianum and took up their Winter-Quarters before the Town till C. Paetelius made Dictator by the new Consuls L. Papirius Cursor the fifth time and C. Junius Bubulcus the second came down with M. Foslius General of the Horse and received the charge of the Army He being advertiz'd that the Samnites had taken the Fort at Fregellae left Bovianum march'd thither but the Samnites fled away by night so that he recovered the place without a blow struck and having placed there a strong Garison return'd into Campania with a particular design to take the City of Nola by force of Arms within whose Walls all the Peasants thereabouts and a vast multitude of Samnites sheltered themselves The Dictator having taken a view of the place that he might have the more open access to the Walls set all the Houses on Fire that were in the Suburbs along the Counterscarp and there they stood thick and were well inhabited and not long after that Town was taken whether by Paetelius the Dictator or C. Junius the Consul I know not for it is reported of the one as well as the other Those that ascribe the Honor on 't to the Consul add That he also took Atina and Calatia And that Paetelius was created Dictator only for the Ceremony of driving the Nail or Spike for appeasing the Wrath of the Gods by reason the Plague was broke out That Year Colonies were sent to Suessa and Pontiae the former a Town of the Auruncans the latter an Island of the Volscians situate within sight of their own shoar A Decree also passed the Senate for sending other Colonies to Interamna and Cassinum but the same was not done till the time of the next Consuls M. Valerius and P. Decius who created Triumvirs to manage that Affair and sent Four thousand to people those places The Samnite War was now pretty well dispatch'd but before the Senate was
to him and deck'd up accordingly in Garments and Arms of a colour suitable for Sacrifices The Dictator perceiving Junius had made them give Ground What says he in a rage shall Victory begin from the Left Wing And shall the Right where your Dictator commands in Person lacquey after anothers Fortune and not carry away the greatest Honor of the Day Thus he encourag'd his Men nor did the Horse give place to the Foot for bravery or the inferior Officers to the Commanders in Chief M. Valerius from the Right Wing and P. Decius from the Left both Persons of Consular Dignity rode up to the Cavalry placed on the respective Wings calling upon them to take a share with them in the glory of the Field by Charging the Enemy on the Flanks This new terror invading the Enemy on either side and at the same time the Infantry pushing on with repeated shouts utterly disordered the Samnites and put them to flight Now were the Fields covered with the Bodies of the slain and strew'd thick with the Armor which ere-while was so brave and glorious At first they took shelter in their Camp but that was too hot to hold them for before Night 't was taken plundered and made a Bonfire of The Dictator by a Decree of the Senate Triumph'd where the Armor taken from the Enemy made the best part of the show and seem'd so magnificent that the guilt Shields were divided amongst the Wardens of the Goldsmiths Company therewith to beautifie the publick Market-place And hence they say began the Custom of the Aediles to adorn the City-buildings in their solemn Processions when the Sacred Images and Relicks were carryed about for Pomp in Silver Chariots Thus the Romans indeed imployed these gay Arms of their Enemies to the honor of their Gods but the Campanians out of Pride and inveterate hatred to the Samnites were wont to Arm their Sword-players which was part of the Entertainment at their great Feasts with this attire and then in joke call them Samnites The same Year the Consul Fabius fought with the rest of the Tuscans at Perusia which City had broken the Truce where he obtain'd without much difficulty an indisputable Victory and had taken the Town it self by storm for he was come up Victorious to the very Walls if they had not sent out Commissioners to surrender it Having plac'd there a strong Garison and referr'd to the Senate the Agents that came from the rest of Etruria to supplicate for Peace He made his entry into Rome in Triumph for a more solid Victory than that of the Dictator himself Nor was a small share of the Honor obtained by the Samnites Conquest ascrib'd to the Commissary-Generals P. Decius and M. Valerius whom therefore at the next Election the People unanimously preferr'd the one to be Consul the other Pretor The other Consul was Fabius he being still continued in that Honor for his excellent Service in subduing of Tuscany But upon the Lot Samnium this Year fell to his Charge and Tuscany to Decius The former march'd against the City called Nuceria Alfaterna one of the furthest Cities of Campania beyond Vesuvius to this day call'd Nocera and though they begg'd for Peace he would not grant it because they had refused it formerly when 't was offered so that they were forced to surrender themselves at Discretion With the Samnites he fought a pitch'd Battel but the Enemy was soon put to the rout nor would 't is like the memory of that Field have been left upon Record but because it was there that the Marsians first appear'd in Arms against the Romans The Pelignians followed the Marsians both in their Revolt and their Fortune No less favorable was the Die of War to Decius the other Consul for he compell'd the Tarquinians for fear of his Arms to find his Soldiers Corn and beg for a Truce of forty Years He took divers Castles from the Volsinians of which some he demolish'd that they might not harbor the Enemy By carrying the War round about against all that made any resistance he rendered himself so terrible that the whole Tuscan Nation made humble Addresses to him for Peace but could obtain nothing thereof all that he would vouchsafe them was a Truce from Year to Year and for that favor he made them pay off his Army for that Year and give all his Soldiers two Coats apiece The Affairs of Tuscany being thus setled were again embroil'd by the sudden revolt of the Umbrians a People that had not yet tasted the Calamities of War any further than some small damage sustained by the Roman Armies march through their Country They having raised all their own Youth in Arms and solicited a great part of the Tuscans to Rebel had got together so great an Army that they began to speak very magnificently of themselves and no less contemptibly of the Romans boasting That they would leave Decius behind them in Etruria and march to rights to Rome and attack the City The Consul Decius having intelligence of this Design quits Tuscany and with long Marches hastens towards the City till he came into the small Province Pupinia not above eight miles from Rome where he waited the Enemies motions Nor had they at Rome slight apprehensions of this Umbrian Invasion but were somewhat frighted with their menaces as having experienced by the mischiefs the Gauls did them how unsafe and indefensible their City â—as against a Potent Enemy therefore the Senate dispatch'd away Orders to the other Consul Fabius That if without too great a prejudice to Affairs he could spare any time from the Samnites War he would speedily advance with his Army into Umbria The Consul readily obey'd and with long and weary Marches comes up to Mevania where the Umbrian Forces then quartered His unexpected arrival whom they thought far enough off and sufficiently embarras'd with the other War in Samnium put the Umbrians into such Consternation that some advised to retire to their fortified Towns others to relinquish the War altogether But one small Canton or tract of their Country which they call Materina not only continued all the rest in Arms but spurr'd them on to a present Battel so that they began to assault Fabius as he was entrenching his Army who seeing them come on so fast call'd off his Men from their work and as well as the time and ground would permit marshall'd them in order and having recounted their gallant Services as well in Tuscany as Samnium He bids them now go on at one blow to compleat their Triumphs and put an end to this little Appendix of the Etrurian War and especially not to forget to revenge those impious and audacious Speeches whereby they had threatned to attack and plunder the City of Rome The Soldiers received these Commands with such chearfulness that their loud Acclamations interrupted his Harangue and even before the signal given by the sound of Trumpets and Cornets they ran amain upon the Enemy as if they
had had to do only with Women or Children for wonderful it is to relate how at the very first they flew in amongst the thickest of them and wrested by main strength the Standards out of the hands of those that carryed them and afterwards carryed the Standard-Bearers themselves Prisoners to the Consul how they pull'd and hurried whole droves of armed Men as if they had been Sheep or Calves out of one Army into t'other and where-ever there was any resistance made the business was done not so much with their Swords as with their Bucklers thumping the Enemies shoulders with the Bosses of their Shields they tumbled them down before them abundance more were taken Prisoners than kill'd and the general cry throughout the Field was Down with your Arms so that in the very heat of the Skirmish most of the principal Authors of the War yielded up themselves and on the morrow and the days following the rest of the People of Umbria likewise made their submissions only the Inhabitants of Otriculum a Frontier Town towards the Samnites were received into Friendship upon their Parole and giving of Hostages Fabius thus a Conqueror in anothers Province returns again to his own Charge in Samnium and for his good Services as last Year the People continued him in the Consulship so this Year when Ap. Claudius and L. Volumnius were Consuls the Senate continued his Command of the Army notwithstanding all the opposition that Appius could make against it In some Annals I find that when this Appius put in to be Consul his Election was obstructed by L. Furius a Tribune of the Commons till such time as he had resign'd his Office of Censor However having at last got to be Consul the War with the Salentines then newly declared Enemies falling by Lot to his Colleague he remain'd at Rome busie to encrease his Fortune by the management of Civil Affairs since the Honor of the Wars was confer'd upon others Nor had Volumnius any cause to repent of his Province for he fought many fortunate Battels and took several of the Enemies Cities by Storm He was a free bestower of the Spoil amongst his Soldiers and this Bounty which of its self is an attractive and winning Quality he rendred yet more charming by his natural Courtesie and familiar obliging Behavior by which Arts as he gain'd the affections of his Soldiers so he rendred tnem willing to run any hazards or endure any Toil. Q. Fabius on the other part in Quality of Pro-Consul had an Engagement with the Samnites near the City Allifas where the work was not long a doing the Enemy was routed and beat into their Camp nor could they have held that if there had been Day-light enough to attack it however they were hem'd in before 't was dark and Guards kept all Night that none might escape In the Morning they began to capitulate and it was granted That all the Samnites amongst them should be let go passing under the Gallows only with a single Garment on But for their Confederates there was no such provision made so that they all to the number of 7000 were sold for Slaves Such as alledg'd themselves to be Hernicks were set apart and sent to Rome to be disposed of by the Senate who ordered them to be secured in several places amongst the Latines till enquiry might be made Whether they came as Voluntiers or were press'd to serve the Samnites against the Romans which whole matter the new Consuls P. Cornelius Arvina and Q. Marcius Tremulus were ordered to examine and report to the Senate But this strict Proceeding was very ill resented by the Hernicks who met in a general Dyet or Convention at Anagnia where all the Tribes of the Hernicks except the Alatrines Ferentines and Verulanes proclaim'd War against the Romans New Insurrections also happened in Samnium for Fabius was gone thence the Towns Galatia and Sora and the Roman Garisons therein being not only assaulted and put to the Sword but odious Cruelties exercised on the Bodies of such as were taken alive To revenge which Insolence P. Cornelius was dispatch'd thither with an Army and Marcius appointed to march against the new Enemies for by this time War was declared against the Anagnians and other Hernicks In the first place the Enemy seized all the Passes between the two Consuls and cut off all Intelligence so that they remain'd for several days together utterly ignorant of and solicitous about each others condition The same apprehensions spread throughout Rome to that degree that all fit to bear Arms that is from 17 Years of Age to 47 were obliged to take the Military Oath and two Armies listed to be ready upon any sudden emergency But after all this Hernick War did not prove answerable either to the present Terror or the ancient Glory of that Nation for having attempted nothing worth relating and being thrice one after another in a very few days space beat out of the places where they had Posted themselves they desired thirty Days truce that during that time they might send to treat with the Senate in consideration of which they yielded to raise the Roman Army two Months pay and Corn and allow every Soldier a new Tunick The Senate referr'd them back again to Martius arm'd with a special Commission to treat with them who received them to Mercy upon an absolute submission of the whole Nation The other Consul in Samnium though he continued superior in strength to the Enemy yet was shrewdly incommoded by the disadvantages of the Country for the Enemy had block'd up all the Roads and possessed themselves of all convenient Passes to cut off all Provisions nor could he though he every day challeng'd them to a pitch'd Field provoke them to it for 't was plain That neither could the Samnites endure a present Battel nor the Romans any long spinning out of the War But the approach of Marcius after his quelling the Hernicks to the aid of his Colleague put the Enemy upon a necessity of engaging considering that whereas they could scarce look upon themselves as a Match for one single Army if they should suffer both Armies to join they must needs be ruined Hereupon they advanc'd to meet Marcius and set upon his Forces on a sudden in the disorder necessarily attending an hasty March however he caused his Soldiers presently to dispose of their Baggage and make ready to Charge At the first Encounter the Shout was heard into the other Consuls Camps and by and by the Clouds of Dust seen at a distance gave him further notice who immediatly commanded his Soldiers to their Arms and leading them on in a running March charges in upon the flank of the Enemy whil'st they were in the heat of the former Engagement Crying out to his Men That it would be the greatest cowardize and disgrace in the World if they suffered the other Army to carry away a double Victory and should not assume to themselves the Honor of that War
these Agis is depos'd from the Government and one of the Ambassadours that were return'd was put in his room by a decree of the People Not long after Milo being sent by the King plac'd a Garison in the Fort of Tarentum and requir'd that he should guard the Town himself the simple multitude being glad of it for they thought that Strangers took all the pains and trouble whilst they had ease and security An allowance of Victuals was therefore order'd for the Soldiers and Money for Pyrrhus with all chearfulness Aemilius in the mean time being inform'd of the arrival of these forein Soldiers that he might take his Winter-quarters in places of more security resolves to carry away his Army into Lucania but he was to pass through several defiles which were environ'd with steep and unpassable Rocks on one side and on the other side with the Sea The Tarentines having intelligence of the Roman Generals design put to shoar with several Ships carrying Engines to throw Stones wherewith they gall'd the Roman Soldiers whilst they marched through these narrow Passes which were expos'd to their shot Aemilius seeing Valour could not prevail made his way through by a Stratagem placing in the Flank of his Army which was expos'd to danger those Prisoners which were in the Rear in compassion of whom whilst they fear'd to shoot their own Men the Tarentines spar'd the Enemies also These are almost all the transactions of this Campagn at Tarentum At Rome C. Fabricius Luscinus who in his Consulship had bravely defeated the Samnites Brutians and Lucanians enter'd the Capitol in Triumph and not many days after Q. Marcius the Consul had the same honour being return'd from Hetruria where he fought with good success what the reason was that brought him back from that Province the Hetrurian War being as yet not ended at such an inconvenient time for he trumph'd the 11th of March is not recorded I guess he was call'd by the Senate who being then much concern'd with the expectation of Pyrrhus drew from every part all their Forces to oppose him For then first of all whilst this terrible War forced the Romans to put out several Armies for their defence the common Subjects who were anciently exempt from warfare were listed and Arms were given them upon the public charge they being too poor to buy for themselves So that whilst the Legions were elsewhere employed several Squadrons of these being posted upon the walls and in the Market-place might guard the City Nor could all these Methods have prevented imminent ruin had not the fortune of a People design'd by Fate to be Sovereign of the World reserv'd for these dangerous times very great Men and perhaps the bravest of any that State ever had being not renown'd for Wealth or Parentage but for their Valour and contempt of Riches For this Age bred up the Curii and the Coruncanii persons not esteemed for Wealth or Extraction but of eminent Renown which they being persons of great integrity acquir'd by their experience in War and an equal probity of Manners doing good service to their Country both ways which against a King to be fear'd on either account had as great need of Men that would contemn his Gold as of such as would put back his Sword Pyrrhus in the mean while not tarrying 'till Spring as he was bringing with him an Army of 22 thousand Foot and 3000 Horse besides twenty Elephants and a company of Archers and Slingers met in the midst of his Voyage with a great storm wherein he was almost cast away the Navy being dispersed and several Ships wrack'd when the Admiral also was in danger Pyrrhus threw himself into the Sea and with much ado swam to shore his courage supporting his loss of strength and the good attendance of the Messapians who treated him being cast out upon their shore with all kindness and civility some of the Ships that had escap'd were recover'd by their means and a few Horsemen two Elephants and under two thousand Foot were got together With these Forces he marches towards Tarentum where Cyneas with his Men went out to meet him and waited on him into the Town where being receiv'd by the Tarentines with all expressions of joy he repos'd himself a few days in which time when he observ'd the manners of this People to be such that unless they were reform'd they could not be preserv'd by any body but would be like to undo their own defenders he took no more notice of it for the present till the Ships that had been scatter'd by the storm were arriv'd so that he had Forces enough Then he shut up their Galleries and Theaters where the idle youth spent whole days in walking and pastime and prohibited all Feasts and Clubs and retrench'd the excesses of their solemn Games After which he strictly muster'd their young Men commanding the Press-masters as he us'd to do to list Men that were big set and he would make them valiant These being mingled among his own Troops lest if they were separated from the rest they should mutiny were train'd by him with the same exactness of discipline none being permitted to be often absent from his Colours upon pain of death And as for those that bore Arms already he compell'd them for the greatest part of the day to keep guard in the Market-place The unwontedness of which usage to Men of soft effeminate lives was mighty troublesom so that they call'd it Slavery thus to be constrain'd to save themselves whilst they were willing to perish by their idleness and Luxury And that which offended them more was the rudeness of some of the King's Guards who taking up their Quarters where they fancy'd kept them against the Masters will and afterwards behaved themselves with the same incivility towards their Wives and Children Many therefore being weary of such a life left the Town and departed into the Country till the Gates were shut up and a Guard was set to hinder them Then the Tarentines understanding too late that they had received a Master instead of a Confederate with anger and murmuring deplor'd their condition and that more freely when they had assembled together upon some necessary occasions and besides their usual passion were heated also with Wine and some informed Pyrrhus of the same who sent for several that were charged for railing against him at a Feast But the downright confession of one Person among them brought off the rest saying We own our selves to have spoken these words and if our Wine had not been out we had said worse than this Then Pyrrhus who had rather have the fault imputed to the Wine than to the Men smiling at the matter discharged them But still mistrusting the humours of this people where he saw any Person esteem'd either for his Authority or Counsel by the Tarentines he upon just or pretended causes sent him away to his Son Ptolomy a Youth of fifteen years of age to whom at his
him near Centuripa in arranging his Forces at the River Cyamosus he play'd his game so cunningly that leaving a space between the Citizens and Mercenaries he commanded these to charge the Enemy in the front as if he design'd with the City Militia to attack them on some other side as soon as they were ingag'd Thus the Mercenaries surrounded by a greater number of the Mamertines were slain and whilst the Enemies were diverted by the slaughter of them he retreats with his Forces quietly and safely into Syracuse When he had in this manner clear'd the Soldiery of seditious Spirits and Male-contents he exercis'd the City Militia in their Arms with great diligence and rais'd new levies of Mercenaries and so having wrought himself into the favour and good liking of the people and remov'd all that could stand in his way the rest not daring to mutter against an armed and a watchful Man he manag'd the Government as he pleas'd himself Mean while the Mamertines incouraged by their late Victory negligently and in a contemptuous manner spoil'd the Country of the Syracusans Against these Hiero now secure of the fidelity of his Countrymen and Soldiers marches out with all speed and advances with his Army even to the Gates of the Enemies City then drain'd of men by reason of several Parties drawn out of it to piqueer up and down the Country and here he pitches his Camp The Mamertines alarm'd at this danger of their City posted with a Body of Light-Horse to its relief Whereupon Hiero decamping from their Borders takes a Town called Mylae and in it fifteen hundred men from thence having surpriz'd some Castles in his way he proceeds to Ameselum situated in the mid-way between Agyrium and Centuripa which place likewise though strengthned with fortifications and well garison'd he took and raz'd the Garison receiving quarter he forced to bear Arms under himself and divided the Lands belonging to Ameselum between the Centyripians and Agyrians And now being flush'd with these successes he makes an incursion into the Territories of the Mamertines takes the City Alesus upon surrender and brings over the Abaceninians and Tyndaritans voluntarily to espouse his Cause thus the next Towns to Messina towards both Seas becoming subject to Hiero for the Tindaritanes border on the Tuscan Sea and the Tauromenians on the Sicilians who were Confederates of the Syracusians at that time The Mamertines thus reduc'd to straits and difficulties under the conduct of Cios their Pretor march'd against the Enemy then incamped in the Plains of Mylea near the River Longanus When Battel was join'd and they fought a long while with doubtful fortune until a fresh Squadron charging the Mamertines in the Flank won a signal Victory and gave the glory of the day to Hiero. For Hiero before the sight began had ordered two hundred Messenian Exiles brave Fellows and mortal Enemies of the Mamertines together with a detachment of four hundred choice men of his own to go round about a neighbouring Hill called Thorax and by a sudden attack to disorder and break the Enemies ranks they having executed his Orders with vigour and resolution cut to pieces the whole Army of the Mamertines Cios in this desperate condition desiring nothing else but to die in the bed of Honour having been wounded in several places falls into his Enemies hands and being carried into their Camp confirm'd the predictions of the Entrails and Diviners by a contrary event than he had looked for For when he sacrific d before the Battel began the Soothsayers viewing the Entrails promised him that he should that Night lodg in the Camp of his Enemies which he interpreting as an Omen of Victory understoâ—d too late the Cheat and Delusion of an equivocal Prediction Being already cast down with thâ— disaster when he sees next day among the captive Horses that whereon his Son rode in the Battel imaâ—â—niâ—g that he had beâ—n kill'd he tore the Plaisters and bands from off his Wounds and expir'd his murmu◠〈◊〉 â—epâ—â—â—ing breath The Mamertines hearing of this slaughter of their men were quite cast down 〈◊〉 â—â—â—e ready to meet the Conquerour with the badges of submission and to yield themselves 〈…〉 had not a lucky hap unexpectedly interposed to their preservation It happened that Hannibal the General of the Carthaginians was at the sâ—me time in the Liparean Isles places adjacent to Sicily who being advertis'd of Hiero's Victory and fea â—ng lest â—pon the ruin and subversion of the Mamertines the Syracusian Power would become troublesom and intolerable to Carthage came straightway to Hiero under pretext of congratulating his success and 〈◊〉 having stop'd him from marching outright against Messina enter'd himself before him into the Town and not onely by words incouraged the Mamertines who had thoughts of surrendring themselves to maintain their liberty but likewise brought a Garison of his own men into the place Hiero finding himself out-witted by this trepanning and cunning Carthaginian return'd to Syracuse being too weak to undertake a Siege of so much difficulty as this was like to prove and being received with general satisfaction he was by the whole Army declared King which Title he afterwards retain'd by the consent both of his own people and of Foreiners Hiero being gone the Mamertines when they had taken heart again for a little while deliberating upon the present state of Affairs were divided into two factions One party was of Opinion that they must put themselves under the protection of the Carthaginians it being thought not onely convenient for several reasons but now their Garison was received almost necessary for them so to do The other reply'd That the Carthaginians were as much their Enemies as Hiero and doubtless design'd not out of kindness but desire of Empire to defend Messina as having for many years aspir'd to the Dominion of Sicily deterr'd from this their unreasonable resolution neither by the losses of Armies nor Navies nay not by the concern of their domestick Affairs and the African Wars If so be therefore that they should trust themselves to them who had so strong a Fleet and the best part of Sicily in their hands they must without all dispute become perfect Slaves and Vassals Therefore it would be absolutely against their Interest to call the Carthaginians to their assistance a tyrannical treacherous People who would impose a heavier Yoke upon their Necks than they had yet fear'd from the Syracusans As for the Punic Garison if it were purely sent on purpose to preserve their State from falling into Hiero's hand â—hey might dismiss it now the business was done in an amicable civil way but if any Sham was design'd they ought the more carefully to prevent the treachery of false Friends and for that reason address themselves rather to the Romans for protection a Nation victorious in Arms of approved fidelity and justice who would have neither power nor any pretensions to keep Messina in their own hands who had not one span of ground
increased with the number of the Ships Thus when the Galleys in the front stood nearest one another and those behind farthest asunder the order of these two Squadrons resembled the figure of a Wedg but when the third Squadron drawn in one Line filled the interval between the two former the figure of their Battalia was made Triangular The Ships belonging to the third Squadron tow'd along their Boats and smaller Vessels Last of all the Triarii being drawn in a Half-Moon extended out their Wings so as to inclose the rest before them Thus the Fleet being open before and close in the Rear seem'd like a Ships Stem being posted in an excellent order to defend it self and attack the Enemy When the Carthaginians Generals heard the Roman Fleet was coming and consider'd that their Town was weak and not tenable the People cow'd and fearful and their Neighbours wavering and dispos'd to Innovations they determined to encounter the Enemy being resolved to run any hazard rather than let them have a free passage to Affrica And when they had in few words encouraged their men bidding them remember they were to fight not onely for themselves but for their Wives and Children and therefore ought to do it with the greatest Valour possible they went on board and launch'd from shore having great hopes in their Seamen and Soldiers By this time the Romans came on and not far from Heraclea they engag'd with equal Forces The Carthaginians had agreed among themselves that Hanno the same that had been beaten before Agrigentum should command the right Wing and Hamilcar all the rest of the Fleet and having observed the Romans order of Battel they also divided their Fleet into four parts the left Wing being drawn in a Half-moon was order'd to lie near the shore but the rest of the Fleet stood in three Lines facing the Enemy Of these Hanno drew out the right Wing which consisted of the swiftest Galleys as far as he could into the main Sea that he might encompass the Enemy if the fight should begin any where else The Consuls charg'd without delay the Body of the Punic Fleet with their two Squadrons Now Hamilcar to disorder the Romans Battalia had order'd his men when they had joyn'd Battel immediately to retreat which they did and the Romans eagerly pursu'd them but they received no damage by reason of the swiftness of their Ships whilst the Roman Fleet as Hamilcar foresaw was put in disarray the Triarii and the third Squadron as yet not moving Which he no sooner saw but he gave the signal for his men to tack about and receive the Romans pursuing them and upon this arose a doubtful Battel rhe Carthaginians having the odds for swiftness of Ships and skill of Mariners but the Romans for strength of men Therefore so long as the fight was between the Ships rather than the Soldiers the Carthaginians prevailed but when once they came to grapple Ship to Ship then the Romans got the Victory whilst their Soldiers so good at handling their Arms and now in the sight of their Consuls bravely expos'd their lives endeavouring to signalize their Valour in the Action While things went thus on that side Hanno with the right Wing which had not mov'd yet bearing upon the Triarii attacked them from the Sea and distress'd them very sorely At the same time the Carthaginians left Wing changing their former posture and reducing themselves to a streight Line charged the Romans third Squadron which tow'd their Boats with their Beaks running full tilt upon the Enemy The Romans then disengaging themselves from those Boats they towed prepar'd for fight and here also arose a sharp Conflict Thus in three several places there were as many Naval fights as it were at a pretty good distance one from the other Having fought a long time upon equal terms and with doubtful fortune at length it happen'd as it generally does where men are equally engag'd at once in several places that that side which first defeats a party of the Enemies forces overcomes all the rest for Hamilcar being no longer able to withstand the shock drew off and the rest of the Punic Fleet was immediately routed Now whilst L. Manlius the Consul was busie in securing the Ships taken from the Enemy and towing them along M. Regulus seeing his men ingag'd in another place hasten'd to their aid with as many Ships of the second Squadron as had escaped without damage from the former service Soon did the Triarii apprehend their succour and taking heart again after they had desponded upon prospect of their danger began valiantly to encounter with the Enemy Hanno finding these make a stout resistance and himself pressed upon behind hois'd sail and saved himself by slight In the mean time L. Manlius seeing the Romans third Squadron driven towards shore by the Carthaginians left Wing directed his course thither when M. Regulus also came in who had now secur'd the Triarii and the Long-boats Thus was the Scene soon shefled and they were encompass'd themselves who had just before inviron'd the Romans whom they had once at their mercy pent up and inclosed and might have destroyed them to rights but for fear of the grappling-hooks not venturing too near they gave the Consuls time enough insomuch that they rescued their own men and also took fifty Ships of the Enemies with all the men inclosing them suddenly as in a toyl the rest being but few escap'd stealing away near the shore This Battel for variety of Accidents and the sharpness of the Conflict as also for the number of Ships lost may scarce be parallel'd The Carthaginians had sixty three Ships taken and above thirty sunk the Victors had twenty four sunk but none taken by the Enemy After this Victory being returned to Messina they spent some time there in refreshing the Soldiers re-fitting their Galleys and victualling their Fleet. During which time Hamilcar who would have hinder'd the Romans from going to Affrica and being not able to do it by force of Arms betook himself to this Intrigue he sends Hanno to the Consuls to desire a Peace thinking to gain time till the Forces he expected from Carthage were sent him When Hanno was come to the Consuls and heard some people crying out that it was fit he should be treated after the same rate as Cornelius Asina the Consul had been by the Carthaginians five years before If you do so says Hanno defending himself by a sly Complement then you will not be honester men than the Affricans And the Consuls presently understanding what was said commanded those to be silent who had discoursed of making Hanno Prisoner whom they accosted in a Language suitable to the Roman gravity telling him You are secur'd Hanno of any fear of this sort by the honour of the Roman Name But the treaty of Peace had no effect the Carthaginians not acting in earnest and the Consuls being more desirous of Conquest than Peace therefore they resolved no longer
Triumph over the Carthaginians and Sicilians hapned on the 7th of April But after all these mighty preparations of both sides whilst the Romans and Carthaginians were afraid of one another the Summer of the next year passed without any action that is memorable L. Caecilius Metellus and C. Furius Pacilus the Consuls having transported the Legions into Sicily did neither molest the Enemy nor were molested by them though Asdrubal the new Carthaginian General was arriv'd thither from Carthage with two hundred Galleys one hundred and forty Elephants and twenty A. U. 502 thousand Foot and Horse In this juncture the Senate held several Consults together and resolv'd to set out a new Fleet for by drawing out the War at length they saw they should exhaust their Treasury and besides their Legions were mightily dispirited after the defeat of Regulus and though the business should succeed prosperously by Land yet they plainly discern'd that as long as the Carthaginians were Masters of the Sea they could not be kept out of Sicily therefore they came again to their former resolutions and placing A. U. 503 their hopes in Shipping repair'd their old Galleys and built new ones Mean while Metellus being left at Palermo when C. Furius being return'd from Sicily had call'd the Assembly for Election of Consuls C. Atilius Regulus and L. Manlius Vulso were both of them made Consuls a second time and the Senate charg'd and commanded them to rig out a Fleet and to raise men for the service of it L. Metellus his Commission was prorogu'd to him and he was order'd in the quality of Proconsul to command in chief the Forces in Sicily Now when Asdrubal saw that one of the Consuls was absent with half the Army and bethought himself that the Romans had declin'd Battel though the Armies had fac'd one another in the Field whilst he could no longer endure to be reproached as a Coward by his own men he sets out from Lilybaeum with all his Forces and having had a hard Journey of it through the borders of the Selinuntians arriv'd to the Country of Palermo and there encamp'd The Proconsul was by chance then at Palermo to cover the Allies and Confederates in Harvest-time that they might reap and lay in their Corn. He being inform'd that there were some of the Enemies Spies lurking at Palermo commanded all the people of the Town to go out into the Field and there bad them take hold of one another by the hands and by asking such as he suspected for Strangers what they were and what business they had there he discovered the Spies And when he understood by them what the Enemy design'd perceiving the Carthaginians proceeded very rashly in this Enterprize he pretended fear and kept himself within the Walls of the Town the more to tempt the Enemies to a vain confidence Asdrubal being therefore more elevated marched forwards and as he went ravag'd and burnt the Country of Panormus destroying the fruits and products of the Earth and laying all waste to the very Walls of the Town But the Proconsul was not mov'd either with the loss or the disgrace who made account that if he should forbear but a little while he might quit scores with the Enemies but he chiefly expected that they should pass the River Orethus which runs upon the South-side of the Town for if this were done he promis'd himself an easie Victory over them Now to compass this he desir'd to have both the courage and number of his men despis'd by the Enemy and proceeded very timorously in all things placing but few men to guard the Walls This design succeeded as the Proconsul would have it whilst the Carthaginian General by his rashness and fortune too by a sudden accident further'd it For Asdrubal passed the River Orethus with all his Foot Horse and Elephants and his Army encamp'd by the Walls of the Town with that contempt of the Enemy whom they look'd upon as already beaten that they pitch'd their Tents without any Intrenchments about them thinking Palisadoes and Breast-works unnecessary things When the Sutlers and Merchants brought thither a great quantity of Provisions and much Wine the Carthaginian Mercenaries drinking immoderately fill'd all places with loud noise such as follows Drunkenness Then the Consul thought it seasonable to draw the Enemy to fight by sending out some parties of Light-Horse and the business succeeded so luckily that whilst one party following another issued forth at last Asdrubal's whole Army came out of the Camp Then L. Caecilius the Proconsul places part of the Light-arm'd men before the Town-Ditch commanding them to throw their Darts very thick among the Elephants if they should come nearer to them and if they were pressed themselves that they should retreat into the Ditch and again sally out from thence He commanded likewise the Tradesmen and Rabble of the Town to fetch abundance of all sorts of Missiles and to throw them over the Walls lest the Light-arm'd should want any He placed the Archers upon the Walls whilst he himself with the Men of Arms of the Cohorts stood in Battalia within the Gate which look'd to the Enemies right-Right-wing Mean time those that were engag'd one while being pressed by the great numbers of the Enemies retreated in good order and anon supported with fresh succours of their own men detach'd by the Consul to their relief stood the shock whilst the Masters of the Elephants enflam'd with emulation and willing to gain the glory of the day entirely to themselves without Asdrubals sharing in it charg'd the Enemies briskly overthrowing all that stood in their way and when the Romans retreated to the Town following the pursuit rashly they went on to the very Town-Ditch But here whilst Arrows were showr'd as thick as Hail from the Walls and the fresh men posted before the Ditch ply'd them continually with their Launces the Elephants enrag'd with the Wounds they receiv'd fell back upon their own men breaking the Ranks and disordering the whole Army The Consul when he saw what was done crying out that the time of his Victory long look'd for was come at last sallied at the Gate and here an Army of men drawn up in good order easily routed those who were cow'd and out of order A great number of men fell both in the Battel and in the flight too A certain accident belike which should have reliev'd the distressed contributing to their ruin for at the same time the Punic Fleet appeared to which as their onely Sanctuary when the multitude confusedly ran for fear many of them were trodden down by the Elephants others killed by the Pursuers and a great number as they swam or else tumbling down as they went a Ship-board in a hurry perished in the Sea And the Romans among their many great successes never gain'd either before or since so signal a Victory which inspir'd them with fresh Courage and struck such a terrour in the Enemy that made them quit not onely all
opportunity into their hands to execute their often baffled design of burning the Roman Engines they sallied out in three Bodies and threw Fire-balls and other combustible materials upon them the Timber whereof the Engines were made being very apt to take fire having been fell'd long before and dry'd in the Sun The Romans came together from all quarters to oppose the Enemy but they fought upon great disadvantage for the Carthaginians by the light of the flames the Engines now being set on fire and the violence of the storm were inabled to cast their Darts with greater strength and surer aim Whilst the Romans were hereby incommoded as much as by the Arms of the Enemies For the Wind bearing violently against them blew the smoak ashes and flames in their Faces and drove the Enemies shot with redoubled force upon them they in the mean while shooting faintly and at random being not able to take aim in the dark and the violence of the Wind brake the force of their Shot Thus it came to pass that all the Roman Engines used both for Battery and Mines were burnt to Ashes And hereupon they would have risen from before Lilybaeum as despairing of ever forcing the place had not Hiero by sending to the Camp great Recruits of Provision prevailed with them to continue the Siege After this forbearing all atttacks upon the place they fortified their Camp and resolved to leave the success to time The Besieged likewise having repaired the ruins and breaches of their Walls became more resolute to hold out for the future But at Rome this news was very unwelcome however they were resolved to be avenged on their Enemies for the damages susteined at their hands and one of the Senators who had spoken some words concerning Peace is said to have been kill'd in the Senate-house so steddily and firmly were their minds bent to the War Great preparations were hereupon made and ten thousand Seamen raised and sent over into Sicily where a great number of Saylors had been lost The Consuls this year were P. Clodius Pulcher and L. Junius Pullus though that this same Clodius was the Grand-child of Caecus is falsly reported by some Authors When Clodius was arrived in Sicily and A. U. 504 took the command of the Army before Lilybaeum he assembled the Soldiers and exclaimed mightily against the Consuls the year before saying That more like Besieged than Besiegers they had through Cowardize and Sloth squander'd their time at Lilybaeum doing nothing to the great damage and dishonour of the Roman Name For he was a hot-headed Man fierce of temper and very haughty one that vaunted mightily for his high Birth and Parentage and behav'd himself both in his words and actions like a Man that was transported beyond his Senses he never shewed mercy to any Offender never forgave any fault but punished the least with immoderate severity whilst he himself was guilty of most shameful Oversights and Errours and those too in the management of the most important Affairs For that very Method of the former Consuls at which he was so much offended just now we find imitated afterwards by himself For he also made a kind of Mole to stop up the Entries of the Port nay what was yet a more insupportable piece of madness he with a furious suddenness attack'd Drepanum and lost a brave Navy by his own precipitousness as much as by the valour and good Conduct of Adherbal He had persuaded himself and others that the Enemy ignorant of the reinforcement lately sent to the Roman Fleet might be surpriz'd at Drepanum Forasmuch as they would never believe that the Romans would have either Courage or Power to give them Battel by Sea In pursuance hereof he selected two hundred and twenty of the best Ships and manned them with the stoutest he could chuse among the Legionary Soldiers who very ambitiously strove to get themselves listed for this service thinking they went to take some certain booty which was not far distant Drepanum being situate but fifteen miles from Lilybaeum and silently in the Night weighed Anchor and had a lucky Voyage of it in the dark being undiscovered by the Enemy But at the break of day when the foremost Ships were descry'd from Drepanum Adherbal was much surpriz'd at this appearance and doubted not but the Enemy was coming on Now he had two things proposed to his choice either instantly to fight the Enemy or else to venture a Siege by permitting them to Land The last of which he dislik'd both as a kind of treachery and also as a thing dangerous in its consequence Therefore he assembled all the Seamen upon the shore and called all the Mercenary Soldiers together and in few words but those pat to the business told them How great their advantage would be to fight it out like men of Courage and if they refus'd to do so what dangers they must expect from a Siege They entertain'd his words with great acclamations and Adherbal order'd them immediately to imbark and keeping the Admiral Galley aboard of which himself was in their sight to row up after her As soon as he had given these Orders he weighed Anchor first himself sayling just under the Rocks that hang over the Port whilst the Roman Galleys at the same time enter'd into it from the other side Clodius finding he was not to deal with a cow'd Enemy as he fancy'd that would refuse Battel but one resolv'd to defend himself and stand the shock was much surpriz'd at it and hastily countermanded all his Ships intending to embattel them in the open Sea but his Fleet observ'd no kind of order but sailed on very confusedly So that some of his Ships had enter'd the Haven others were making up towards it and some got into the mouth of it Hence it was that whilst they all strove to retire the Ships in this hurry ran one against another whereby their Oars were broken off and great confusion arose among them till having got clear of the Haven as well as they could they immediately drew up in Battel-array close to the shore for the time would not permit them to chuse a better place The Consul himself who at first had brought up the Rear now tack'd about and sailing about before all the rest setled himself upon the left Wing of his Fleet. But Adherbal in the mean while having pass'd by the Enemies left Wing with five Men of War for no more came up just with him began to confront the Romans having the open Sea behind him and at the same time the rest of his Fleet coming up as fast as they could joined these at a just distance according as he had commanded then ranging all his Ships he advanced against the Enemy in good order And now the Flags being hung out from both the Admirals they fell on very furiously both ingaging upon equal hopes but the Carthaginians having the better fortune for tho the Romans exceeded them in number of
above all the rest there was one L. Bantius who having before been in the Conspiracy and consequently fearing the Roman Praetor was always contriving either to betray the Town or else to run away to the Enemy A stout young man he was and one of the bravest Cavaliers of all the Romans Confederates who being found half dead amongst the heaps of the slain at Cannae Annibal not only took care to have his wounds cured but also sent him home with very bountiful gifts in gratitude for which favours he was willing to yield up Nola into his hands and the Praetor having an Eye upon him plainly perceiv'd that his head was at work by all means to compass that alteration Now there were but two ways to deal with him either to cut him off by rigour or win him by Courtesy and he thought it a better course to gain unto himself so brave and valiant a Friend than only to deprive the Enemy of him Therefore sending for him he thus kindly accosts him I cannot but judge that you have many amongst your Fellow Citizens that envy you since no one man of your Town hath all this while given me an account of your Character and those gallant military Exploits you have done but 't is not possible any mans merit that serves under the Romans should long lye obscure or unrewarded several that were your Fellow Souldiers have of late inform'd me what a stout Gentleman you are how often and how bravely you have hazarded your Life for the honour and safety of the people of Rome and particularly how in the Battel of Cannae you gave not over fighting till having scarce any blood left you were beat down by the heaps of Men Horses and Arms tumbling upon you Therefore I applaud and wish all success to your valour which from me shall never want either Honour or Reward and the oftner you visit me you shall find it shall be the more for your dignity and profit and withal besides these fair promises gave him an excellent Horse and ordered the Treasurer to tell him out five hundred Bigats of Silver between fifteen and sixteen pound sterling and likewise commanded the Lictors to admit him to his presence without any waiting whenever he came to speak with him These Civilities of Marcellus did so charm the mind of this haughty young Gentleman that thence forwards of all their Associates no one did more strenuously or faithfully promote the Roman Interest Annibal having again removed his Camp from Nuceria to Nola Marcellus upon their approach withdrew his Army into the Town not that he was afraid to keep the Field but to prevent any opportunity of betraying the City seeing too many of the Inhabitants inclinable thereunto After this they began on both sides to arrange their Forces and face each other the Romans under the Walls of Nola the Carthaginians before their own Entrenchments thus there happen'd several Skirmishes between the City and the Camp with various success For the Generals neither hindred small parties that were eager to fight nor yet would give the signal for a general Battel whilst thus the two Armies were continually upon their Guard Marcellus was advertiz'd by the chief Nobles of Nola That there were secret correspondencies held by night between some of the inferiour Townsmen and the Carthaginians who had agreed That when the Romans were march'd out of the Gates they should seize their Baggage and Carriages and shut the Gates upon them and secure the Walls that being Masters both of their Goods and of the City they would let in the Carthaginians instead of the Romans Upon this advice Marcellus having thankt the Senators that gave it resolv'd before any mutiny should happen in the City to hazard the Fortune of a Battel At the three Gates that fronted the Enemy he drew up his Army in three distinct Bodies giving order that the Carriages should follow and the Lackies Snapsack Boys and weak or sick Souldiers to carry Palizado's for the Rampire At the middle Gate he placed the choicest of the Roman Legions and Horse at the other two the new-raiz'd men and those lightly arm'd together with the Auxiliary Horse The Townsmen were commanded not to come near the Walls or Gates and sufficient Guards appointed to the Carriages and Baggage to prevent any surprize thus prepared they stood within the Gates Annibal who stood in Battalia most part of the day as he had done several dayes before wondred greatly at first that neither the Roman Army came out nor any one in Arms appeared on the Walls but at last concluding his correspondence was discovered and that for meer fear they were thus still and quiet sends back part of his Forces into their Camp with order to bring out all the Artillery necessary for the storming the Town not doubting but if he assaulted them briskly the people within would quickly raise some tumult But anon when his Souldiers were all in a hurry every man about his charge in the Front and he was just advancing to storm the Walls on a sudden one of the Gates flew open Marcellus sounds a charge his men set up a shout and first the Foot and after them the Horse issue and charge the Enemy with all the violence imaginable By that time they had sufficiently terrified and disorder'd their main Body P. Valerius Flaccus and C. Aurelius two Lieutenant Generals issued forth at the other two Gates upon their Flanks and Wings The Snapsack-Boys Attendants and other multitude set to Guard the Baggage shouted and hallow'd as fast as the best of them so that whereas the Carthaginians before despised them especially for the smallness of their numbers they now fancied them to be a mighty Army I dare not indeed affirm what some Authors write That of the Enemy there were two thousand three hundred slain and but one man lost on the Romans side but be the Victory greater or less it was an excellent piece of service at this Juncture and I think I may say of the greatest consequence of any thing acted in all that War For at that time of day it was a more difficult matter for the Romans that had been of late so often baffled not to be overcome by Annibal than afterwards to overcome him Annibal seeing no hopes of making himself Master of Nola retreated to Acerrae Marcellus in the mean time causing the Gates of Nola to be shut and Guards set that none should pass forth sat judicially in the Market place to examine those that had held private Conference with the Enemy of whom above seventy being found guilty were Beheaded their Goods sold and the Money delivered to the Senate then marching away with his Army above Suessula he Encamp'd himself The Punick endeavour'd first to draw the Acerrans to a voluntary Surrender but finding them obstinate begins to besiege and storm the Town whose Inhabitants had more Stomach than Courage and therefore despairing to defend themselves as soon as they saw
was by P. Cornelius Sulla the Praetor introduced into the Senate-House where he requested the Fathers That they would be pleased to allow him the Command but of five thousand men with whom he did not doubt but within a few days to do eminent service For as he was well acquainted both with the Enemy and all those parts where the War is manag'd so he no less understood by what Arts and stratagems both our Generals and Armies to this day had been over-reach'd and trepan'd and would turn those very Policies upon the Enemy to their destruction I know not whether he were more conceitedly foolish in promising this or their Lordships more rashly indiscreet in crediting him as if to be a stout Souldier and a judicious Commander were the same thing and one required no more brains than the other but so it was that instead of five they committed eight thousand men to his Conduct one half Romans the rest Auxiliaries and he himself in his march in the Country levied a good many Voluntiers so that he came into Lucania near sixteen thousand strong where Annibal having followed Claudius to no purpose was at that time Quarter'd A man with half an Eye might have foreseen the success which should overcome Annibal or a Centurion one Army old experienc'd Souldiers the other all raw and new rais'd and a great part of them both undisciplin'd and scarce half arm'd yet as soon as they got sight of each other neither side avoiding the Combate they both drew up in Battalia and though there was such mighty odds the Romans maintain'd the Fight for above two hours and did not slinch as long as their General was alive to encourage them but when he considering the former reputation he had gain'd and asham'd to survive the present defeat hurling himself amongst the thickest of the Enemy was slain immediately all his Army was routed but so beset were all the passages with Horse that there was scarce any flying away insomuch that of all that multitude scarce a thousand escaped the rest some one by one means and some by another were all destroyed Capua in the interim is vigorously attacq'd by the Consuls and all necessaries provided for carrying on the Siege Corn was convey'd to Casilinum and there laid up in store at the mouth of the River Vulturnus where now the City stands the Castle which Fabius Maximus built was strongly Garrison'd to Command both the Sea and the River And into these two Fortresses both standing on the Sea side as well the Corn lately sent from Sicily as what Mucius the Praetor had bought up in Etruria was transported from Ostia that the Leaguer might not want provision all the Winter Upon the late loss sustain'd in Lucania the Army of Voluntiers who as long as Gracchus liv'd had done most faithful service as if they had been disbanded by their Generals Death ran from their Colours and dispersed themselves Annibal had Capua still in his thoughts and was not willing to abandon his Associates that were in so much danger but from the success he had had over one Roman Captains rashness he was encouraged to be dealing with another and sought occasion to ruine both the General and his Army For some Apulians brought him word That Cn. Fulvius the Praetor when he came first into those parts and attacqu'd the revolted Cities was very diligent in his business but afterwards what with too much success elevating him and too much plunder debauching his Souldiers both they and he were fallen into so much negligence and licentiousness that there remained no good Government or Discipline amongst them Hereupon Annibal who often before as well as but the other day had experience how insignificant any Army was under an unskilful Commander remov'd his Forces into Apulia The Roman Legions and the Praetor Fulvius lay encamp'd near Herdonia and upon advice of the Enemies approach they were all ready without any Orders to run out to fight them nor did any consideration so much retain them as an undoubted hope that theâ— might do it at their own pleasure whenever they list Annibal having notice what a bustle was in their Camp and that most of the Souldiers were mad for the Signal of Battel concluded he had an opportunity to do their business and therefore the night following plants three thousand light-arm'd Souldiers in some Villages adjacent and amongst the Woods and Thickets thereabouts who at a certain Watch-word were all to start out of their Coverts and also dispatch'd Mago with almost two thousand Horse to beset all the ways by which he thought they would endeavour to escape when put to flight Matters thus prepared by break of day he draws his Forces into the Field nor did Fulvius delay to meet him not so much out of any hope himself had of success as enforced to it by the importunity of his Souldiers As they went out to fight inconsiderately so they were drawn up as disorderly just as the Souldiers list they took their ground and as any Capricio or fear induc'd them left it again and posted themselves elsewhere The first Legion was marshall'd in the Front and its Horse on the left Wing being spread out in a vast length though the Field-Marshals opposed it remonstrating That behind there was no force at all but so shallow that the least impression of the Enemy would break through them but so far were they from considering any wholesom counsel that they would not so much as give it the hearing On the other side Annibal a General of parts vastly superiour came on with an Army like himself so that the Romans stood not their very first Charge and their Commander though for folly and rashness he equalled Centenius yet for Courage no way comparable when he saw the Field like to be lost and his men in a consternation gets on Horse-back and fled away attended with less than two hundred Troopers The rest of his Army being routed in the Front and charged by those in Ambuscade both on the Rear and either Flank were so miserably cut to pieces that of two and twenty thousand men scarce two thousand escaped so the Enemy easily possessed themselves of his Camp and what there was to be had When Intelligence of these Overthrows one upon the neck of another arriv'd at Rome it fill'd the City with fear and lamentation but somewhat alleviated when they considered that the Consuls on whom the main Chance lay had hitherto gone on with success to whom C. Laetorius and M. Metellius were dispatch'd with Orders That they should diligently rally the reliques of those scatter'd Armies and endeavour that they should not through despair yield themselves to the Enemy as happen'd after the defeat at Cannae as also to make strict search after those Volunteers that had abandon'd their Colours The same Commands were issued to P. Cornelius and likewise that he should make new Levies who set forth Proclamation in all Market-Towns and places of
were got up thither and charg'd the Romans in the Rear who being every way beset knew not against which first to make head or on which side they were best with a close pointed Battalion endeavour to break through The General in this extremity was not wanting either in Valour or to encourage his men both with his words and Example but exposing himself whereever he saw most danger happen'd to be ran through the right side of his Body with a Lance and that stout Troop of the Enemy that charg'd him seeing him fall from his Horse set up a shout and cry'd out The Roman General was slain This Voice once spread caused the Enemy to take themselves undoubtedly for Victors and the Romans to make no other account but they were vanquished Therefore having lost their Leader they began forthwith to fly out of the Field but as it was no hard matter to force their passage through the Numidians and other Auxiliaries lightly-arm'd so to get clear away from so many Horse and Foot almost as swift as the Horse themselves was almost impossible more being kill'd in the pursuit than in the Field nor had scarce any surviv'd but that it drawing towards Evening the night shelter'd their escape The Punick Generals were not wanting to improve this good Fortune for as soon as the Battel was over scarce allowing their Souldiers necessary rest they marcht with all Expedition to Asdrubal the Son of Amilcar not doubting but when they had join'd their Forces to put an end to the War There was mighty Joy and Congratulation at their meeting between the Generals and Armies for the late Victory and the cutting off so great a Commander with his whole Army nor did they in the like doubt but shortly to obtain another Conquest no less considerable The Romans had yet no tidings of this overthrow yet were strucken into a sad dumpish silence or secret presaging of bad news as commonly mens minds are wont to fore-give them when some sad disaster is at hand The General himself seeing not only that he was abandon'd by his Mercenary Allies but also the Enemy so mightily reinforc'd by good Conjectures and reason was rather inclin'd to suspect some misfortune had already happen'd than to hope for any good success to himself for how was it possible that Asdrubal and Mago should come hither with their Armies without fighting if his Brother were yet alive why had not his Brother either stopt their march or at least pursued them in the Rear Or if he could not hinder the Enemies Generals and Forces from uniting he would certainly have made hast to join his Brother likewise to withstand them Distracted with these thoughts he thought the only safe course he could take at present was to get away as far from them as he could and therefore one night unknown to the Enemy and so without any interruption he dislodg'd and got a pretty deal of ground of them But as soon as they found him gone in the Morning they dispatcht the Numidian Horse after who pursued him so violently that before night they came up with him and sometimes charg'd him in the Rear and sometimes on the Flank obliging them to an halt to defend themselves though Scipio encouraged them as the safest course they could take to continue their march and yet maintain their Skirmishes with the Enemy as long as their Foot was not yet come up But sometimes fighting and sometimes standing still they rid but little ground in their March and night approaching Scipio drew his men off from fighting and posted himself on a rising Bank a place not able to secure an Army especially already disheartned but the best and highest he could meet with thereabouts Here inclosing his Baggage and Horse in the middle and drawing his Foot about them in a Ring they made no difficult matter of repulsing the Numidians Incursions but when all the three Generals with their compleat Armies were come up 't was plain they could never maintain the place against them without fortifying it and therefore Scipio searched every way how he might strengthen it with a Trench and Rampart but the Hill was so naked of wood and the Soil so hard and stony that he could neither find Stakes for Palisado's nor Turffs for a Bank nor was able to dig a Trench nothing being there fit for his purpose neither was any part so high or steep but the Enemy might easily ascend and mount it the Hill on every side having a gentle and equal rising up to the top However to make some shew of a Rampart they took their Pack-Saddles with their Luggage fastned to them and piled them up round about to the heighth of a Mure and where they wanted Pack-Saddles they heaped together all sorts of Fardles and Baggage The Punick Armies easily advanced up the Hill but the sight of such a strange new-fashion'd Fortification put them to a stand as wondring what it should be But their Captains on all sides cry'd out and ask'd them what they stood still for and why they did not advance and pull to pieces that pitiful Bauble which even Women and Children would be asham'd to be kept off by Did they not know that the Enemy already taken as in a Pin-fold lay lurking behind those Fardles Thus the Officers swagger'd but in truth it was no such easie matter either to get over that Barricado of Packs or to remove them as they lay so close piled up however after a great deal of pains they did rid them out of the way and made room for the armed men to enter at several places at once then with no difficulty did they make themselves Masters of the Camp for what else could be expected when an handful of men and those already discouraged and terrified were to deal with vast multitudes and those too flusht with late success Yet a great part of the Souldiers flying into the next Woods escaped thence to P. Scipio's Camp where T. Fonteius his Lieutenant commanded in Chief As for Cn. Scipio the Roman General in this Battel some Authors write That he was kill'd on the Hill in the first Charge others that he with a few others fled into a certain Fort hard by and that the Enemy not being able to break open its Gates set fire to them and so burnt them down and got in and put both him and all that were with him to the Sword Thus fell Cn. Scipio in the seventh year after he went into Spain and the nine and twentieth day after his Brother lost his life nor was the Mourning less for their Deaths throughout all Spain than at Rome it self For the sorrow here was aggravated in part both for the loss of their Armies and of that Province and the publick Overthrow but the Spaniards lamented only for their Governours themselves especially for Cneus as having been longer amongst them and was both the first that gained their Affections and gave them a Specimen of
in strength and himself by like insensible degrees to grow weaker and that if he did not attempt something extraordinary all would be lost resolv'd to fight with the first opportunity To which Scipio was no less forwards both from the hopes his late success had given him as also because he was willing to engage rather with one of them first before their three Armies were join'd However lest he should be hamper'd with them all at once he had augmented his Forces for seeing there was no use for the Fleet no Enemy appearing upon the Sea-Coast he laid up all the Ships at Tarricon and added the Seamen to his Land Forces and Arms enough he had taken at Carthage or at least made by the Artificers afterwards With these Forces Scipio early in the Spring march'd from Tarracon for by that time Laelius was return'd from Rome without whom he would undertake no grand Expedition and march'd towards the Enemy His passage was all calm and every Nation as they pass'd courteously receiv'd them and amongst the rest Indibilis and Mandonius met him with their Forces Indibilis spoke for them both but not at all like a Barbarian foolishly and unwarily but with a modest gravity and rather as excusing his revolt as necessary than boasting of it as undertaken at the first opportunity For he said he knew right well that the very name of a Deserter was no less odious to those they leave than suspected amongst those with whom they join nor could he blame those that did so if it were not the bare name but the double dealing that occasion'd it Then he enumerated at large his good services for the Carthaginians and on the other side their Avarice Pride and all kind of injuries to him and his Countrymen so that hitherto they had only had his body but his mind was long since there were right and faith were observ'd just as those fly to the protection of the Gods who no longer are able to endure the violences and injustice of men That all he desired was that his coming over might neither be reckon'd a Crime nor an Honour but as from that day they found him so and no otherwise they would value him Scipio made Answer That in truth he would do so nor could he count those Fugitives who judg'd themselves not bound to that Alliance where nothing was inviolable nor any duty regarded either towards God or Man Then were brought forth their Wives and Children who were received with mutual tears of joy and for that day they were conducted to their Lodgings The next Morning they concluded the particulars of their Treaty and then were for the present dismiss'd to gather together their Forces with whom returning they thenceforwards quarter'd in the same Camp with the Romans until by their guidance they came up with the Enemy The Carthaginian Army which lay next them was that of Asdrubal near the City Baetula before his Camp there were Out-Guards of Horse on whom the Roman Van-Couriers though weary with their march before ever they chose their ground to encamp on did as it were in contempt make so brisk a charge as easily shew'd what heart there was in both Parties for the Carthaginian Troops fled in confusion to their Camp and the Romans advanc'd their Standards almost up to the very Ports and so that day their Stomachs being only whetted for a Battel they pitcht their Tents In the night Annibal retreated his Forces to a Mount which on the top had a good large Plain a River on his Rear and in the Front as well as on both sides a steep Bank there lay under this Hill-top another Plain lower than the other which was also enclosed with a like high-bank as difficult for assent as the former into which Asdrubal the next day when he saw the Enemy resolv'd to fight him sent down his Numidian Horse Slingers and Africans Scipio riding about through the several Squadrons and Regiments shew'd them the Enemy You see quoth he their hearts already misgive them they despair before hand to sight on even ground but take the advantage of Hills and Banks and 't is only in confidence of the place rather than any assurance they have in their Arms or their Courage that they adventure to stand before you but you remember Carthage had Walls far higher than yonder Mounds and Banks and yet the Roman Souldiers quickly mounted and got over them and suffer'd neither Hills nor Forts nor the Sea it self to resist the fury of their approaches Those altitudes the Enemy have posted themselves upon will only do them this service that they may run away down Hill but even there too I trow I shall lay a block in their way For presently he order'd two Regiments forth one to keep the Streights of the Valley through which the River runs the other to seize the Road that leads from the City by the winding side of the Hill into the Fields Himself led on the Van Couriers who yesterday beat off the Enemies Horse Guards towards their Light arm'd Squadrons that stood on neither brow of the Hill at first they were to pass over a rough uneven ground and met with no difficulty but that of the way it self but no sooner were they got within reach but a mighty storm of all sorts of Darts and other Weapons came down thundering upon them as thick as Hail who answer'd them again with a showre of Stones wherewith the ground being all over-spread it served them very conveniently for Ammunition and at this sport the Snapsack Boys Lackies and other riff-raff that followed the Camp being mixt amongst the Souldiers were as busy as the best the truth is the ascent of it self was very difficult and much more when they were so pelted and as it were overwhelm'd with Darts and Stones yet being enur'd as they were to climbe Walls and resolutely bent on the service the foremost Ranks did at last reach the top where having once got plain ground and sure sooting they found the Enemy who were light and nimble to run here and there and shift well enough for themselves as long as they charg'd at a distance not able to stand their ground in a close Engagement hand to hand but easily beat back upon their main body that stood on the upper Hill whither Scipio having order'd this Victorious Party to follow them divided the rest of his Forces with Laelius commanding him with one Brigade to march about on the right hand of the Hill and seek the easiest place to get up at whilst he himself with the other takes the left hand way and fetching a small compass fell in pell-mell and charg'd the Enemy on the Flank This somewhat discompos'd their Front being apt upon the sudden shout and alarm to turn their Wings and Ranks that way but whilst they were in this hurry to confound them quite Laelius was got up and whilst they retreat to keep him off and prevent their being wounded in the
Rear their Front is weakned and broken and so gave the Romans of the middle Battel opportunity also to break in which they could never have done considering the disadvantage of the steep Bank as long as the Enemies Ranks stood firm and the Elephants in their Fore-front but now great slaughter was made on all sides and especially by Scipio who charged through the Enemies they being as good as naked from the right Wing to the left nor had they any opportunity to escape for Roman Guards had beset the passages both on the right hand and the left and as for the Gate of the Camp their General and chief Officers flying that way had stopt it up and the Elephants were thereabouts whom being now frighted they feared no less than the Enemy so that there were slain eight thousand or upwards Asdrubal who before the Conflict had secur'd his Money sent the Elephants before and having rallied as many as he could of those that escaped out of the Camp made haste along the River Tagus towards the Pyrenean Mountains Scipio being Master of the Enemies Camp gave all the Booty to his Souldiers except such Prisoners as were of Free-born condition When the Catalogue was brought in of those that were taken he found they were ten thousand Footmen and two thousand Horse of whom such as were Spaniards he freely released and sent home but the Africans the Treasurer was order'd to sell for Slaves Then the whole multitude of Spaniards as well those that had before yielded themselves as those who were yesterday taken Prisoners applauding his Clemency and Nobleness with a general shout saluted him by the Title of King whereupon causing the Cryer to make silence he told them That he took the Title of Imperator General or Commander whereby his Souldiers called him to be the greatest of all others As for the Stile of King although in other places it be most Honourable at Rome it was odious and not endured however if they meant to express the bravest Qualities by that appellation they should find he had a mind truly Royal but desired them to be content silently to judge so and refrain using the word The Barbarians were not so stupid as not to be sensible of this Grandeur of Mind that he should as it were look down from some greater Elevation and Scorn upon that glittering Title which astonishes all other Mortals with its Charms Then he made several Presents to the Princes and Grandees of Spain and out of abundance of Horses that were taken desired Indibilis to chuse out three hundred and take them for his own The Treasurer going to sell the Africans according to Order found amongst them a Youth of a most comely Personage and charming Countenance and understanding that he was of Royal Descent carried him before Scipio who asking him who and of what Country he was and how he came in the Army being so young I am answers he with tears standing in his eyes a Numidian and in my own Country they call me Massiva being left an Orphan by my Father I was bred in the Court of Gala a King of the Numidians my Grandfather by the Mothers side When my Vncle Masinissa came over lately with a Body of Horse to aid the Carthaginians I attended him into Spain but never was in any Battel before being by him forbidden because of my youth but that day they were to fight with the Romans I unknown to my Vncle got an Horse and Arms and went into the Field where my Horse falling flung me down headlong and so it was my fortune to be taken by the Romans Scipio bid them set him by and proceeded with the Affairs before him which being dispatch'd he descending from the Tribunal took the Lad with him into his Pavilion and ask'd him If he were willing to be sent back to his Vncle Masinissa He reply'd with tears of Joy Ay with all my heart whereupon the General gave him a Gold Ring an Embroider'd Robe a Spanish Cassock with a Gold Button and a good Horse and Furniture ordering a Convoy of Horse to wait on him as far as he pleased and so dismissed him After this a Council of War was held and some advised to pursue Asdrubal with all diligence and expedition but Scipio reckoning that hazardous lest then Mago and the other Asdrubal should join Forces with him was content to send a Party to keep the Pass on the Pyrenaean Mountain and himself resolved to spend the rest of the Summer in receiving the Submissions of other States of Spain As he was on his Return to Taricon and passed the Forest of Castulo The other two Punick Generals Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo and Mago came out of the further Spain to Asdrubal too late for help he being already defeated but yet very seasonable to consult with touching managing the War for the future They conferr'd together how the Spaniards in each Province stood affected Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo only was of Opinion That the farther part of Spain towards Cales and the Ocean Sea were altogether unacquainted with the Romans and faithful to the Carthaginian Interest but both Mago and the other Asdrubal agreed That Scipio by his Courtesie had won all their Affections both States and private Persons and that there would be no end of Deserting and Revolts till all the Spanish Souldiers were either remov'd to the farther parts of that Country or carried into Gaul in Italy That if the Senate of Carthage had not granted such a Commission yet of necessity Asdrubal must into Italy not only because there was the Head of the War and on which depended the main Chance but also that thereby he might draw all the Spaniards far enough from the Fame of Scipio And since his Army what with running over to the Enemy and what with the late Overthrow was much diminished the same must be recruited not only with as many Spaniards as could be levied but also that Mago delivering his Army to Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo should cross the Seas unto the Isles of Majorca and Minorca with a considerable Summ of Money to hire Auxiliaries That Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo should march away with the Army into Portugal and not hazard a Battel with the Romans That out of the Cavalry there should be a draught made of the best Troops to the number of three thousand who should serve under Masinissa as a flying Army to assist their Allies in the nearer Spain and forrage the Enemies Towns and Fields And so the several Generals parted to put these Resolutions in practice This being the summ of what passed in Spain this year At Rome Scipio's Fame daily increased and Fabius though he won Tarentum rather by Craft than Valour yet had much Honour paid him for that Service The Name of Fulvius began to grow dull and Marcellus lay under some reproach not so much for that at first he was worsted as for that before the Summer was half over he
wherewith they had taken it certain Goods of theirs which the Senate had granted to them Scipio therefore supposing it to be his best way to keep up the publick Faith partly by Edict and partly by Judgments given against those who pertinaciously refused to do them Justice gave the Syracusans their Goods again That action of his was not only well accepted by them but by all the People of Sicily who for that reason contributed more chearfully toward the carrying on of the War The same Summer there arose a great War in Spain by the instigation of Indibilis the Illergetan upon no other ground than his contemning all other Generals in respect of Scipio For he thought he said Scipio was the only General that the Romans had now alive the rest being slain by Annibal so that they had ne're another now that the Scipioes were killed to send into Spain and that when they were prest in Italy with a more grievous War they sent for him to oppose Annibal That the Romans had nothing but the Names of Generals in Spain and that the old Army also was carried thence That all things were in a consternation and nothing there but a confused crowd of fresh-water Soldiers That they should never have such another opportunity to deliver Spain That they had been slaves till that time to the Carthaginians or the Romans not only alternately sometimes to the one and sometimes to the other but now and then to both at once That the Carthaginians were driven out by the Romans and the Romans might if all people would consent to it be as well expelled by the Spaniards and Spain being for ever freed from all foreign Dominion return again to its old customs and usage By these and such like Speeches he excited not only his own Country-men but the Ausetans also a neighbouring Nation with other people that border'd both upon him and them By which means within a few days 30000 Foot and almost 4000 Horse met as they were order'd in the Sedetan fields The Roman Generals also L. Lentulus and L. Manlius Acidinus left the War by neglect of the first rise thereof should grow upon them having join'd their Armies together march'd through the Ausetan Territories so unconcern'd as if the Enemies Country had been all at peace with them toward the Enemies Quarters and pitch'd their Camp three thousand paces distant from them And first they try'd by Ambassadors to make them quit their Arms. But soon after when the Spanish Horse had on a sudden attack'd the Roman Foragers the Romans sent out a Party of Horse from their Camp who engaged in a Battel of Horse though the event was not memorable on either side The next day at Sun-rising they appeared all in Battalia almost a thousand paces from the Roman Camp The Ausetans were in the middle the Illergetes in the right Wing the meaner Spanish people in the left and between the Wings and the main Body were wide spaces to let out the Horse at if occasion should be The Romans on the other side when according to their manner they had put their Army in a readiness imitated the Foe in this only that they also left wide Lanes for the Horse But Lentulus supposing that side would have the advantage of their Horse that first sent them into those gaping intervals in their Enemies Army commanded Ser. Cornelius a Tribune of the Soldiers to bid his men let their Horses have their heads and run into those open spaces in the Enemies Battalion whilst he himself having unsuccessfully begun a Foot-fight and stay'd only till he could bring the thirteenth Legion out of the Rear into the Front as a Recruit to the twelfth Legion which gave way and was in the left Wing opposite to the Illergetes when he had made the Fight pretty equal there came to L. Manlius who was incouraging his Men in the Van and bringing Reserves to places where they were lacking He told him All things were safe in the left Wing and that he had just sent Ser. Cornelius to scatter and destroy the Enemy with a storm of Horsmen He had hardly said so e're the Roman Horse charging into the midst of the Enemies not only put their Foot into disorder but also block'd up the way in such a manner that the Spanish Horse could not come in Wherefore the Spaniards quitting their Horse-service fell to it on foot The Roman Generals seeing their ranks broken their men in a consternation and their Ensigns wavering exhorted and begg'd of their Soldiers to set upon them in that amazed condition and not to suffer them to set themselves again in order The Barbarians could not have sustained so great a shock had not the petite King Indibilis dismounted with the Horsmen and posted himself in the Front of the Foot By which means the Fight continued very sharp for a great while But at last when those that were about the King who stood to it though half dead and was afterward stuck with a Javelin to the ground being overwhelmed with Weapons fell down they all began to fly most of them being slain because the Horsmen had not time to mount and because the Romans lay so hard upon them when they were already in so great disorder Nor did the Romans retire before they had made themselves Masters even of the Enemies Camp Thirteen thousand Spaniards were slain that day and about eight hundred taken but not much above two hundred of the Romans and their Allies fell and those most of them in the left Wing The Spaniards that were beaten out of their Camp or those that fled from the Fight being first scatter'd about the Country soon after returned each man to their own Cities Then being called to Council by Mandonius and there complaining of their misfortunes with a Reprimand to the Authors of the War they order'd That Ambassadors should be sent to deliver up their Arms and make a Surrender To whom since they laid the blame upon the Author of the War Indibilis and the other Princes of whom most were slain in the field and deliver'd up their Arms and themselves answer was made That they should be admitted to a Surrender upon no other Terms than this that they would deliver up Mandonius and the other Authors of the War alive If not that they would bring an Army into the Country of the Illergetes the Ausitans and the other Nations This answer to the Ambassadors was carried back to the Council Then Mandonius and the other Princes were seized and delivered to Justice The Spanish Nations were again at peace the Pay of that year was doubled and a supply of Corn for six months exacted with Campaigne Coats and Togae i. e. Gowns as the Romans wore them for the Army besides Hostages for almost thirty Nations By this means the Tumult in Spain being in a few days raised and allayed and that with no great trouble all the terror of the War was turned upon Africa
and fear he was moved by the authority of Charopus and resolved to try the event of what was fafourably offered to him And to prevent all suspicion he for the next two days continually provoked the Enemy planting his Men on all sides and putting fresh Men into the places of such as were tired Then he chose out four Thousand Foot and three Hundred Horse whom he committed to the Conduct of a Tribune of the Soldiers bidding him lead the Horse as far as the ways would suffer it and when the Horse could go no farther to place them in some Plain That the Foot should go which way the Guide directed them and when according to his promise they came upon the Heads of the Enemy they should give a sign by smoak but not set up a shout before they had received that sign and they might suppose thereby that the Battel was begun He likewise ordered them to march in the night for the Moon at that time happened to shine all Night long and in the Day time to refresh themselves with Victuals and Sleep delivering the Guide to the Tribune with a great many promises of a vast reward if he proved honest but bound at the same time And having thus dismiss'd these Forces the Roman was so much the more intent upon taking the Enemies Stations In the mean time when the Romans upon the third day made a sign with smoak that they had taken and were then seiz'd of the Hill which they designed the Consul having divided his Forces into three parts came and stood in the midst of the Vale with the strength of all his Men drawing the Enemies right and left Wings toward the Enemies Camp Nor were the Enemies more slow to meet him but whilst through their greedy desire of fighting they ran beyond their Fortifications the Roman was far too hard for them not only in courage and skill but in their sort of Weapons also But when the Kings Men many of which were wounded and slain retreated into places either naturally or artificially fortified the danger turned upon the Romans who went into places that were cumbersome and too narrow well to receive them Nor had they escaped thence without being punished for their rashness had not first of all a shout which they heard behind them and after that also the Fight which was by that time begun made the Kings Men mad with sudden dread Thereupon part of them ran away as fast as they could and part of them who stayed behind rather because they had no way to make their escape than out of any heart that they had to fight were circumvented by the Foe who prest upon them both before and behind The whole Army might have been destroyed if the Conquerors would have pursued them that fled away but the narrowness and roughness of those places hinder'd the Horse as their heavy armour did the Foot The King at first fled as fast as he could in some disorder and without looking back but when he was got forward about five thousand paces supposing by the roughness of the passage as it really was that the Enemy could not follow him he stopt upon a certain Bank and sent his men over all the Hills and Vales to gather the straglers into a Body And having lost not above two thousand men all the rest as though they had followed some Ensign met together and in a full Body marched toward Thessaly The Romans having pursued them as far as it was safe for them killing and spoiling the slain rifled the Kings Camp which even without any Body to defend it was very inaccessible and continued that night in their own Camp The next day the Consul pursued the Enemy through those very streights where the River runs between the Vales. The King came at break of day to a place called Castra Pyrrhi i. e. Pyrrhus's Camp which is in Triphylia a part of Melotis Thence the next day he went forward a great way fear forcing him to the Mountain Lingus The Mountains of Epirus are between Macedonia and Thessaly lying Westward from the latter and Southward from the former covered with frequent Woods though on the tops of them there are large Plains and constant running streams There the King for some dayes was Encamped but wavered in his mind whether he should go immediately into his own Kingdom or return into Thessaly But he at last being most inclined to send his Army into Thessaly went the nearest way he could to Tricca from whence he passed through the Cities that were in his rode as speedily as he might There he raised all the men that could follow him burnt their Towns and gave the Owners leave to carry all they could along with them making the rest free plunder to his Souldiers Nor could they have suffered any thing more severe from an Enemy than what they did from him though their Ally For what he did was tedious even to Philip himself though he however had a mind to deliver at least the Bodies of his Allies out of a Country that was likely in a short time to be the Enemies For that reason he laid wast several Towns as Phacium Iresiae Euhydrium Eretria and Palaephatus But marching toward Therae he was shut out wherefore because it required some stay if he would have taken it and he could not spend so much time he let it alone and went over into Macedonia For there was a report that the Aetolians were very near who having heard of the Battle that was fought by the River Aous and first laid wast the adjacent Country about Sperchioe and Macra Come as they call it went over thence into Thessaly and made themselves Masters of Cymine and Angea upon the first attack But from Metropolis as they were spoiling the Country they were repulsed by a concourse of Townsmen who came together to defend the walls Then going to set upon Callithera the more hardly endured the like effort of the Townsmen and having forced them that sallied forth back into their walls they were content with that victory because there was no very great hopes of taking it and went their wayes Then they took and rifled two villages called Theuma and Calathana gaining Achorrae by surrender Xyniae also was deserted by the Inhabitants in the same fright And this fugitive multitude of the Xynians light into the hands of a Guard belonging to the Athamanes which was set to secure their foraging by whom this disordered and unarmed rout were all killld Xyniae being deserted was rifled After that the Aetolians took Cyphara a Castle that lies very conveniently upon Dolopia Now all these things were done by the Aetolians on a sudden within a few Days nor did Amynander and the Athamanes after they heard of the Romans success lye still But Amynander because he durst not trust his own Soldiers desiring a small supply from the Consul went to Gomphi and the streights that divide Athamania from Thessaly Then going to Gomphi which
their Camp The next day about the same Hills there was an Engagement of Horse in which the Kings Party were put to flight through the signal performances of the Aetolians and forced into their Camp The Fields thereabout being planted with great numbers of Trees was a great hinderance to both of them as were the Gardens also in those Suburbian places besides that the wayes were streightned with heaps of Stones and in some places block'd up Wherefore the Generals both at once resolv'd to depart out of that Region and as though they had agreed upon 't both went to Scotussa Philip in hopes of having Corn from thence and the Roman that by getting there first he might have an opportunity to spoil the Enemies Foraging For a whole day the Hills running between them with a continued ridge all the way they march'd without seeing one another in any place The Romans Encamp'd at Eretria in Phthiotis and Philip upon the River Onchestus nor did they even the next day Philip having pitch'd his Camp it Melambium as they call it near Scotussa and Quintius about Thetidium in Pharsalia certainly know either one or the other where the Enemy lay The third day there was first some Rain and then a Fog as dark as night which put the Romans in fear of an Ambuscade Philip that he might hasten his Journey shewed no sign at all of fear though after the rain such a darkness covered the ground and therefore order'd his Ensigns to be born forward But such a thick darkness had enveloped the day that neither the Ensign-Bearers could see their way nor the Souldiers the Ensigns insomuch that the whole Army wandring in nocturnal maze as it were after uncertain clamours was all put into disorder When they were got over the Hills call'd Cynocephalae having left a strong Guard there of Foot and Horse too they pitch'd their Camp Mean while though the Roman kept in the same Camp at Thetidium yet he sent ten Troops of Horse and a thousand Foot to see where the Enemy was admonishing them to have a care of Ambuscades which that obscure day even in open places would hinder them from discovering When they came to the Hills where the Enemy lay both Parties being mutually frighted at each other stood still as so many Statues But soon after having sent Messengers back to the Generals at their several Camps and when the first terrour which proceeded from their unexpected sight of one another was over they no longer declined the fight The Battle was first begun by some few that ran out before the rest and after that augmented by fresh reserves of those that defended them who were beaten In which when the Romans who were by no means equal to the Foe had sent Messenger upon Messenger to their General to tell him how hard they were put to it five hundred Horse and two thousand Foot most of them Aetolians with two Tribunes of the Souldiers that were speedily sent recover'd their declining Fortune so that the Macedonians upon this turn being sore prest were fain by Messengers to implore the Kings assistance But he who expected nothing less that day than Battle by reason of the darkness that so universally over-spread the air having sent great part of his men of all sorts a foraging was for some time at a stand and knew not what to do though not long after the Messengers being very urgent with him now that the Clouds were dispers'd from off the tops of the Mountains and the Macedonians were in view who were forced among the rest into a very high Mountain where they defended themselves more by the situation of the place than with their Arms supposing be it how it would be that it was best for him to put all upon one push rather than lose one part by not defending of it sent Athenagoras who commanded the hired Souldiers and all his Auxiliaries except the Thracians together with the Macedonian and Thessalian Cavalry At their arrival the Romans were beaten off the Hill nor did they make any resistance till they came down into the more even Vale. But to hinder their flying in disorder the Aetolian Horse contributed very much They being then the best sort of Horsemen in all Greece though for Foot they were out-done among their Neighbours This news was told with more joy than the success of the fight would bear for many of them ran one after another back out of the fight and cry'd out that the Romans being consternated were put to flight which affirmation of theirs induced Philip though before he were unwilling and dilatory saying that it was rashly done and that he did not like the time nor place to draw all his Forces out into the Field The Roman also perswaded more by necessity than opportunity did the same He left the right Wing in the Reer having placed the Elephants before the Ensigns and with the left join'd to the Light-armour march'd up to the Foe telling them at the same time That they were to fight with the same Macedonians whom at the streights of Epirus when they were hedg'd in with Mountains and Rivers they conquering the natural difficulty of those places had forced from their Post and utterly routed with them whom formerly under the Conduct of P. Sulpicius they had overcome as they lay in the Avenue going into Eordaea That the Kingdom of Macedonia had been supported by Fame not by strength but that that Fame too was now at last quite vanished By this time they came to their own Party who stood in the bottom of the Vale and upon the approach of the Army and the General renewed the fight making a sudden Effort whereby they forced the Enemy to give way Philip with the Shield-men and the right Wing of the Foot the strength of the Macedonian Army whom they call'd a Phalanx march'd up as fast as he could to the Enemy Commanding Nicanor one of his Nobles immediately to follow him with the other Forces When he came first up to the top of the Hill and saw by some few Bodies and Arms of the Enemies which lay there that the fight had been in that place that the Romans had been beaten thence and were now giving Battle near the Enemies Camp he was exceeding glad of it though not long after when his men gave way and the consternation was turn'd the other way being uncertain whether he should secure his Forces in his Camp again he was for some time at a stand But when he had paused a while seeing the Enemy drew near and besides that they were all slain that turn'd their backs nor could be saved unless they were defended yea that he himself had not leisure safely to retreat he was forced before some part of his men were come up to run the risque of the whole business of the War and therefore placed his Horse and Light-armour that had been in the fight in the right Wing commanding the Shield-men and the Macedonian
cross'd over to Delus About that time the Consul Acilius attack'd Naupactum Contrary Winds kept Livy for some dayes at Delos that being the most stormy place among the Cyclades which are disjoin'd from each other sometimes with greater and sometimes with lesser streights Polyxenidas being inform'd by the Scout-Ships he had sent to cruise about that the Roman Fleet stood at Delos sent Messengers to the King who omitting what he was then doing in Hellespont return'd as fast as he possibly could with his Beaked Ships to Ephesus where he immediately consulted Whether he should run the hazard of a naval fight To which Polyxenidas answer'd That he ought not to be idle but that he should engage before Eumenes 's Navy and the Rhodians join'd the Romans for by that means they should not be much too disproportionate in number who were in all other superiour to the Foe both as to the swiftness of their Navy and the variety of their Auxiliaries For the Roman Ships as they were clouterly built and immoveable so also as coming into an Enemies Country were loaded with provisions but theirs would have nothing as leaving all things in peace round about them excepting Souldiers and Arms besides that the knowledge of the Sea Lands and Winds would be of great advantage to them though they would all be prejudicial to the Enemy who had no skill in them The Author of this Counsel moved them every one and he put his advice in execution too Having staid two days to make provision the third day with a hundred Ships of which seventy were cover'd and the rest open all of a smaller size setting out went to Phocaea There the King having heard that the Roman Navy was at hand because he resolv'd not to be present at that Naval Engagement he departed to Magnesia by Sipylus to raise Land Forces The Fleet went to Cyssus a Port of the Erythraeans as being a more commodious place for them to stay and expect the Enemy The Romans as soon as the Northwinds were fallen for they had blown for some dayes made over from Dolus to Phanae a Port belonging to the Chians lying toward the Aegean Sea from whence they brought their Ships about to the chief City and having taken in provisions went over to Phocaea Eumenes going to Elaea to his Navy some few days after with 24. cover'd Ships and more open ones return'd a little way from Phocaea to the Romans who were making ready for a Sea sight So going from thence with 150. cover'd Ships and almost 50. open ones they being at first blown toward the shore by contrary North-winds were forced to go in a slender Body almost one a Breast till when the wind was a little allay'd they endeavour'd to put over into the Port of Corycus which is above Cyssus Polyxenidas when he heard that the Enemy was at hand being glad of the opportunity of fighting himself extended his left Wing into the Sea bidding his Officers place the right Wing toward the Land and went forth with an even Front to the fight Which when the Roman saw he furl'd his Sails and lower'd his Masts and setting his tackling at the same time in order staid for the Ships that came after They were now almost thirty in Front with whom that he might match the left Wing he made all the Sail he could into the main Sea commanding those that follow'd to plant themselves opposite to the right Wing near the Land Eumenes brought up the Reer But when they first began to bustle in removing the tackle he himself also put the Ships forward with what speed he could And now they were all in view when two Punick Vessels went before the Roman Navy that met with three of the Kings Ships two of which as being of an odd number got about one of the other First therefore they broke off the Oars from both sides and then the Souldiers got on Board it where knocking down and killing the Defendants they took the Ship The one that was engaged on even hand when she saw the other taken ran back to the Navy before she was circumvented by all three of them at once Livius inflamed with indignation bore up to the Enemy with his Admirals Ship Against whom when those two that had beset the one Punick Ship came up with the same hopes he order'd the Rowers to let fall their Oars into the Water on both sides to keep the Ship steady and to throw harping Irons into the Enemies Ships that were hard by but when he had made the Fight like to a Land Battle to remember their Roman Courage and not think that he led Kings Slaves instead of men By this means far more easily than two before took one than one defeated and seized two Ships And now the Fleets were throughly engaged so that they all fought pell mell on every side Eumenes who came last when the fight was begun when he observ'd that the left Wing of the Enemies was put into a confusion by Livius himself set upon the right where the fight was equal Nor was it long before the left Wing began first to fly For Polyxenidas as soon as he saw himself unquestionably overcome in point of Courage by the Enemy immediately hoisted his Top-sails and ran for 't as fast as he could as they also did long after who were engaged near the Land with Eumenes The Romans and Eumenes as long as their Men could row and that they were in hopes of gauling their Enemies Reer pursued them with great resolution But when they saw through the swiftness of the Adversaries Ships being light that their own who were laden with Provisions could not make way fast enough after them at last they stopt having taken thirteen Ships with the Soldiers and Rowers in them of which they sunk ten Of the Roman Navy only the Punick Ship that was encompassed by the two at the beginning of the fight was lost Polyxenidas ran all the way till he came to the Port of Ephesus The Romans turned that Day at that place whence the Kings Navy came forth but the next Day made all hast imaginable to pursue the Enemy About the middle of their Voyage they met twenty five Rhodian Men of War with Pausistratus their Admiral So having joyn'd them they followed the Foe to Ephesus where they stood before the mouth of the Port in Battel array After they had made the conquer'd confess what they pleas'd the Rhodians and Eumenes were sent home but the Romans sailing toward Chius in the way to which they first passed by Phoenicus a Port in the Erythrean Dominions cast their Anchors in the Night and the next Day went forward not only to the Island but the very City Where having stay'd some few Days to refresh their Rowers more than any thing else they went over to Phocaea and having left there four five-bank'd Gallies for defence of the place the Fleet came to Canae where since the Winter was now at
whose Navy that he then had were likewise added six open Ships Accordingly he setting forth as fast as he could overtook those that went before him at the port of Megiste from whence when they came in one Body to Phaselis they thought best there to wait for the Enemy Phaselis is in the Confines of Lycia and Pamphylia standing a good way into the Sea and is the first Land that they can see who came from Cilicia to Rhodes besides that it gives you a sight of Ships a great way off and was therefore chosen as a sit place to meet the Enemy in But what they did not foresee through the unhealthfulness of the place the time of the year for it was now the middle of Summer and more than that a strange smell distempers began to be very rife especially among the Seamen For fear of which contagion going away they when they were past the Pamphylian Bay and had arrived at the River Eurymedon heard from the Aspendians that the Enemy was then at Sida The Kings men had sailed so much the slower by reason that the Etesiae Trade-winds that blow at certain times of the Year were against them blowing at that time as they constantly do from West Of the Rhodians there were thirty two four-bank'd Gallies and four three-bank'd The Kings Navy consisted of thirty seven great Ships among which there were three seven bank'd and four six-bank'd Gallies Besides these there were ten three-bank'd Gallies and the others knew from a certain Watch-Tower that the Enemy were near at hand Both the Fleets the next day as soon as it was light as though they had been that day to fight put out of their Port and when the Rhodians were past the promontory or Cape which from Sida runs out into the Sea they were presently within the Enemies Ken whom they themselves also saw The Kings left Wing which lay to the Seaward was commanded by Annibal and the right by one of the Kings great Favourites called Apollonius And now they had drawn their Ships all up one by another in a streight line The Rhodians came in a long Train of which the first was Eudamus the Admiral Chariclitus brought up the Reer and Pamphylidas commanded the main Body of the Fleet. Eudamus when he saw the Enemy in Battalia and ready to engage himself also put out to Sea commanding those that follow'd to keep their Ranks and put themselves in such a posture as directly to Front the Enemy That order at first made some disorder among them For neither was he so far out at Sea as that all the Ships to the Land-ward had room to marshal themselves besides that he himself made so much hast that with only five Ships he met Annibal The rest because they were commanded to place themselves Frontwise did not follow up The Reer to the Landward had no room lest so that whilst they were in an hurry among themselves the right Wing was now engaged with Annibal But in a moment of time the strength of their Ships and their experience in Sea affairs remov'd all terrour from the Rhodians For their Ships not only put out with great speed into the main Sea and each of them made room for those that came behind them to the Landward but likewise if any of their Beaks happen'd to meet with an Enemies Ship they either tore the prow of her broke off her Oars or running freely into their Ranks struck against the Poop That which most daunted them was that a seven-bank'd Gally of the Kings was sunk by a far less Ship of the Rhodians at one thump Wherefore now the Enemies right Wing was very much inclined to run away Annibal with his multitude of Ships prest hardest upon Eudamus who far excelled all the rest and was out at Sea nor had he failed to circumvent him had not the signal whereby it was their custom to call a dispersed Fleet into one Body been given from the Admirals Ship and all the Ships that in the right Wing had been Victorious come presently into their assistance Thereupon both Annibal and all the Ships that were with him ran away nor could the Rhodians their Rowers being great part of them sick and therefore the sooner tired pursue them As they were refreshing themselves with Victuals in the Sea where they halted Eudamus seeing the Enemy tow several lame and disabled Ships along with open-deck'd Vessels tied to them with Cables and somewhat above twenty sailing away entire commanded silence and from the Turret the Quarter Deck of the Admirals Ships Arise said he to his men and see a brave sight With that they all arose and viewing the distraction and flight of the Enemy cry'd out all with one Voice Let 's follow them Eudamus's own Ship was batter'd very much but he order'd Pamphilidus and Chariclitus to pursue them as far as they thought it safe They accordingly for some time follow'd them but when Annibal came near the Land fearing lest they might be Wind bound upon the Enemies Coast they return'd to Eudamus dragging the seven-bank'd Gally which at the first onset was disabled with much ado to Phaselis Then they went back to Rhodes not so glad of their Victory as accusing one another for that when they might have done it they had not sunk or taken all the Enemies Fleet. Annibal being disabled in one unfortunate Battle durst not even then go by Lycia when he desired as soon as possible to join the Kings old Fleet. And indeed to hinder him from so doing the Rhodians sent Chariclitus with twenty beak'd Ships to Patara and the Port of Megeste commanding Eudamus with seven of the biggest Ships out of that Fleet which he was Admiral of to return to the Romans at Samus to perswade the Romans by all the reason and authority he had to attack Patara The news of that Victory first and then the arrival of the Rhodians caused great joy among the Romans Now it was manifest that if the Rhodians were but once freed from the fear of Patara they would be at leisure to make all the Seas of that Country secure But Antiochus being gone from Sardeis lest the maritime Cities should be surpriz'd they order'd their men not to stir from their charge of Ionia and Aeolis They sent Pamphilidas with four close-deckt Ships Men of War to the Fleet that lay about Patara Antiochus not only muster'd up all the Forces of the Cities round about him but also sent Embassadours and Letters to Prusias King of Bithynia wherein he inveigh'd against the Romans coming over into Asia saying That they came to destroy all Kingdoms in general that there might be no Empire in the whole World but that of the Romans only That Philip and Nabis were conquer'd and he was the third King they aimed at and that as every man stood next to him who was last undone they would run like a continu'd conflagration through all Nations That from him they would make
quitted that vain enterprise they came the next Day to Teius and in the Port that is behind the City which they themselves call Geraesticum having moved their Ships the Praetor sent out his Souldiers to plunder all the Fields about the City The Teians seeing what havock was made sent Agents to the Romans with all the tokens of humility who clearing the City of all hostile words or actions against the Romans the Praetor Told them not only that they supplyed the Enemies Fleet with all sorts of Provisions but also how much Wine they had promised Polyxenidas Which if they would give to the Roman Fleet he would recall the Souldiers from plundering their Country but if not would look upon them as Enemies When the Embassadors had brought back this dismal answer the Magistrates summon'd the People to an Assembly to consult what to do Now it so happening that Polyxenidas was coming that way with the Kings Fleet when he heard that the Romans were removed from Samus and having pursued the Pyrates to Myonnesus had ravaged the Teian Territories whilst their Ships stood in the Port of Geraesticum himself cast an Anchor in a by-Port over against Myonnesus at an Island which the Seamen call Macris From thence enquiring thereabout what the Enemy did was at first in great hopes that as he had defeated the Rhodian Fleet at Samus by besetting the Ports mouth where they were to go out so he might now serve the Romans nor is the nature of the place much unlike but the Port by Promontories that almost meet each other is so enclosed that two Ships can scarce go out of it at once Polyxenidas intended to secure the mouth of it in the Night time and having ordered ten Ships to stand at the two Promontories who on both sides should flank the Enemies Ships as they came out to put his Soldiers out of the other part of the Fleet as he had done at Panormus ashore and so both by Sea and Land surprise the Foe Nor had this been a vain design in him had not the Romans when the Teians had promised That they would do as they were commanded thought it more convenient in order to take in their Provisions that their Navy should go into the Port that is before the City But Eudamus the Rhodian is also said to have found a fault in the other Port when two Ships happened to strike against each other in the narrow mouth of it and break their Oars And among other things this also mov'd the Praetor to remove the Fleet that there was danger from the Land Antiochus being encamped not far from that place The Fleet being come over to the City the Soldiers and Seamen belonging to Polyxenidas went on Shore without any Bodies knowledge to divide their Provisions and the Wine especially for their Ships when as it happened in the middle of the Day a Country Fellow who was brought to the Praetor told him That for the two Days last past there had a Fleet stood at the Isle of Macris and that a little before that time there were some Ships seen to move as though they were going away The Praetor being surprised with the relation ordered the Trumpeters to sound that if any of the Men were straggling about the Fields they might return sending the Tribunes into the City to bring the Soldiers and the Seamen into the Ships Thereupon arose as great a tumult as though it had been upon the sudden breaking out of a Fire or the taking of a City some running into the City to call back their Men and others running back from the City to their Ships though albeit for a while their orders were confounded by uncertain clamours which were increased too by the Trumpets at last they ran all together to the Ships They could scarce each one of them distinguish or go to his own for the hurry they were in and they had through their consternation been in great danger both by Sea and Land had not Aemilius divided them into several parties and gone first out with his Admirals Ship into the main Sea where he received them as they came after and placed them each one in their order front-wise whilst Eudamus and the Rhodian Fleet stood at the Land that the Men might get on board without any fear and every Ship come forth as soon as it was ready By this means they not only ranged themselves in the Praetors sight but the Rhodians brought up the Reer and the Fleet went out to Sea all in Battalia as though they had seen the Kings Men. They were between the Promontory of Myonnesus and Corycum when they saw the Enemy The Kings Fleet too coming in a long Train with two Ships a Breast put their Ships also into Battalia running out so far with their left Wing that they might be able to embrace and circumvent the right Wing of the Romans Which when Eudamus who brought up the Reer saw that the Romans could not even their Ranks and that they were just ready to be surrounded in the right Wing he put his Ships briskly forward and the Rhodian Ships were by far the swiftest in the whole Fleet and having even the Wing ran with his own Ship against the Admirals in which was Polyxenidas And now the sight began in all parts of both the Navies On the Roman side there were eighty Ships engaged of which twenty two were Rhodians The Enemies Fleet consisted of ninety save one among which there were Ships of the greatest Bulk three six-bank'd and two seven-bank'd Gallies In the strength of their Ships and courage of their men the Romans far out did the Rhodians but the Rhodian Ships them in the agility and skill of their Pilots as well as the dexterity of their Rowers But those were the greatest terrour to the Enemy who carry'd fire before them and that which at Panormus was the only cause of their escape was now the greatest moment toward a Victory For the Kings Ships for fear of the fire which came toward them avoiding to meet them with their Prows besides that they could not strike the Enemy with their beaks themselves also made a fair Broadside for the Enemy to hit for if any of them â—ngaged they were certain to be burnt so that they were terrified at the fire more than the sight Yet the courage of their Souldiers as it usually does proved of very great importance in the War For when the Romans had broken the main Body of the Enemy tacking about they went and opposed those that fought in the Reer against the Rhodians so that in a moment of time both the main body of Antiochus and the Ships in the left Wing being circumvented were sunk The right Wing continu'd entire and was terrified more at the misfortune of their Allies than at their own danger But when they saw the rest circumvented and Polyxenidas the Admirals Ship leaving her Allies set Sail immediately they hoisted their Topsails and there was
to inquire concerning any Poyson that was given in the City or within ten thousand paces thereof and C. Maenius through all the Towns and Burroughs above ten miles off before he went over into his Province of Sardinia The Consuls Death was most of all suspected For he was said to be destroy'd by Quarta Hostilia his Wife But as soon as Q. Fulvius Flaccus her Son was declar'd to be Consul in his Father-in-Laws room Piso's Death began to be a little more infamous and there were Witnesses who after Albinus and Piso were declared Consuls at the Assembly where Flaccus receiv'd a repulse said his Mother upbraided him saying 't was now the third time that he had been deny'd the Consulship and added that he should prepare himself to stand for within two months she 'd so order the business that he should be Consul Among many other testimonies to this purpose this saying also of hers which was verified by too true an event caused Hostilia to be condemn'd In the beginning of this Spring whilst the new Consuls were imploy'd in the Levy at Rome the one of them dying made all things go on so much the slower till they had held an Assembly and chosen another in his place In the mean time P. Cornelius and M. Baebius who in their Consulate had done no memorable exploit led their Army into the Country of the Apuan Ligurians The Ligurians who before the coming of the Consuls into the Province had not expected a War being surprised surrender'd themselves to the number of twelve thousand Then Cornelius and Baebius having first by Letters consulted the Senate resolv'd to bring down out of the Mountains into the Champaign Country a great way from their habitations lest they should hope to return supposing that they should never any otherwise make an end of the Ligurian War Now there was a Territory belonging publickly to the Romans in the Country of the Samnites which had formerly belong'd to the Taurasines into which they having a mind to carry over the Apuan Ligurians set forth an Order That the Ligurians should come down from the Mountains with their Wives and Children and bring all they had along with them Whereupon the Ligurians often times desired by their Embassadours that they might not be forced to leave the native seat where they were begotten and the Sepulchres of their Ancestors promising Arms and Hostages But seeing they were not able to prevail nor had strength enough to make a War they obey'd the Edict Of them therefore were brought away at the publick charge full forty thousand Freeborn People with Women and Children among whom there was distributed of silver a hundred and fifty thousand Sesterces to buy them necessaries for their Families Cornelius and Baebius those that brought them thither were made Overseers for dividing of the Land and giving each man his share Yet at their own request there were five persons allow'd them to advise with Having transacted the affair and brought the old Army to Rome they had a Triumph decreed them they being the first that ever triumph'd without making a War There were only some of the Enemies led before their Chariot because there was nothing taken to carry lead or give the Souldiers at their triumph The same year Fulvius Flaccus the Pro Praetor in Spain because his Successor came late into the Province drawing out the Army from their Winter-Quarters began to wast the farther part of Celtiberia whence they had not come to make their surrender By which means he provoked rather than terrified the minds of the Barbarians who having privately muster'd up a good number of men beset the Manlian Wood through which they knew the Roman Army would pass When L. Postumius Albinus his Collegue was going into the farther Spain Gracchus had charg'd him that he should perswade Q Fulvius to bring his Army to Tarraco That there the old Souldiers should be disbanded and the Supplement distributed and that he himself would order the whole Army besides that Flaccus had a short day appointed him by which his Successor should come This news made Flaccus leave off what he design'd to do and all in hast to carry his Army out of Celtiberia Whereupon the Barbarians being ignorant of the reason why he did so supposing that he perceived and feared their revolt and that they had got Arms privately together beset the Wood so much the more intently Into which when the Roman Army at break of day enter'd the Enemies arising from two places at once invaded the Romans Which when Flaccus saw he allay'd the first tumults by bidding the Centurions command them to stand all in a Body every man in his Rank and File and make ready their Arms and having put all their Carriages and the Beasts into one place he partly in person partly by his Lieutenants and Tribunes of the Souldiers as the time and place required set all his Forces without any fear in Array telling them that they had to do with persons who had been twice surrender'd had now indeed more wickedness and treachery in them but not more courage or resolution That they would make his return into his Country which before was like to be ignoble very famous and memorable and that they should carry to their Triumph at Rome Swords embrew'd with the fresh slaughter of their Enemies and spoils running down with blood The time would not suffer him to say any more For the Enemy came upon them and they were already engaged in the utmost parts and then the whole Army fell to it The Fight was severe on both sides but the fortune of it various The Legions fought very bravely nor did the two Wings behave themselves any worse but the Foreign Auxiliaries were hard put to it by men of like Armour who were somewhat a better sort of Souldiers and could not maintaâ—n their ground The Celtiberians perceiving that they were not equal to the Legions in a regular way of fighting and hand to hand made an impression into them in a body like a wedge At which kind of fighting they are so good that they cannot be endured what part soever they with their Force attempt And then also the Legions were put into disorder and the main Body of the Army almost interrupted Which consternation when Flaccus perceiv'd he rode up to the Legionary Horse and cry'd out Are you able to afford me no assistance Or shall this whole Army be ruined To which they making a general loud reply and saying let him tell them what he would have done and they 'd do it out of hand he bad them double their Troops the Horsemen of the two Legions and let their Horses go into the wedge of the Enemies wherewith they gaul our men which you will do with greater force of their Horses if you let them go unbridled upon them which we read that the Roman Horsemen have done many times to their great commendation They obey'd his command and pulling off
but rebell'd a little before the coming of Ap. Claudius beginning their War with a sudden attempt upon the Roman Camp It was about break of day when the Sentinels upon the Rampier and those that were upon the guards at the several Gates seeing the Enemy come at a distance gave the Alarm Thereupon Ap. Claudius having set up the signal for Battle and made a short Speech to encourage his men drew them forth at three Gates together The Celtiberians made such resistance at their coming out that at first the fight was equal on both siâ—es because all the Romans could not engage in those strait places by reason that they had not room enough But soon after thrusting one another forward they got without the Rampier so that they then could spread their Army and make themselves equal to the Enemies Wings by whom they were Encompassed and they broke forth so suddenly that the Celtiberians could not endure the shock of them Before seven a Clock in the Morning they were beaten and fifteen thousand of them either slain or taken with thirty two military Ensigns Their Camp was also that day seiz'd and the War made an end of For they that survived the Battle made their escape into their several Towns where they afterward lay quiet and were obedient to Government The Censors created for that year were Q Fulvius Flaccus and A. Postumius Albinus who survey'd the Senate chosing M. Aemilius Lepidus the High-Priest President thereof They turn'd nine out of the House of whom the most remarkable persons were M. Cornelius Maluginensis who two years before had been Praetor in Spain L. Cornelius Scipio the Praetor who had then the jurisdiction among Citizens and Foreigners and Cn. Fulvius who was the Censors own Brother and as Valerius Antias tells us a sharer with him in the same Patrimony The Consuls also having made their Vows in the Capitol went into their Provinces Of whom the Senate imploy'd M. Aemilius to suppress the insurrection of the Patavians in Venetia who according to the report even of their own Embassadours were through the opposition of different Factions engaged very hotly in a Civil War The Embassadours that went into Aetolia to suppress the like Tumults sent word back that the fury of that Nation could not be restrain'd But the Patavians were advantaged by the arrival of the Consul who having nothing else to do in that Province return'd to Rome The Censors agreed for paving of the streets in the City with Flint-stones and with gravel without the City being the first Censors that ever made Borders of stone to that kind of pavement They also took order to have Bridges made in many places and a stage for the Aediles and Praetors to set forth Playes upon with Barriers in the Circus where the Horses ran and Ovals to tell the several heats with They also caused the descent from the Capitol to be paved with Flint and the Portizo also that reaches from the Temple of Saturn into the Capitol as far as the Senaculum and Court above it They likewise paved the Exchange or Wharf without the Gate Tergemina with Stone and propt it up with pieces of Timber taking care also to repair the Portico of Aemilius and made ascent by stairs from the Tiber to the Exchange or Key aforesaid Without the same Gate also they paved the Portico going toward the Aventine with Flint and that at the publick charge from the Temple of Venus Those same persons took Order also for building of Walls at Calatia and Oximum where having sold certain publick places they laid out the money which they had for them in building of Shops round the Market-places of each City One of them also that is to say Fulvius Flaccus for Postumius said he would order nothing to be done with their money but what the Senate and People of Rome commanded built the Temple of Jupiter at Pisaurum and at Fundae and at Pollentia too caused the Water to be brought by Conduits and at Pisaurum order'd the street to be paved with Flint At these places he likewise caused a common shore to be made and the Market places to be all Encompassed with Porticoes and Shops as also three Januses to be made All these works were taken care for by one Censor who upon that score was mightily beloved of the Inhabitants This Censorship was also diligent and severe in regulating peoples manners and many of the Knights had their Horses taken from them When their year was almost out there was a Supplication for one whole day upon the score of the success which they had in Spain under the conduct and good fortune of Ap. Claudius the Pro-Consul at which they sacrificed twenty of the bigger sort of Victims There was likewise Supplication made another day at the Temple of Ceres Liber Libera for that they had news out of the Sabine Territories that there had been an Earthquake in those parts which had thrown down many Houses When Ap. Claudius was come out of Spain to Rome the Senate decreed that he should enter the City Ovant By this time the Consular Assembly came on which being held with great stickling by reason of the great number of Candidates L. Postumius Albinus and M. Popilius Lenas were created Consuls Then the Praetors were made viz. Nunerius Fabius Buteo M. Matienus C. Cicereius M. Furius Crassipes a second time A. Atilius Serranus a second time and C. Cluvius Saxula a second time When the Assembly was over Ap. Claudius Cento coming out of Celtiberia into the City Ovant brought into the Treasury ten thousand pound of silver and five thousand pound of gold Cn. Cornelius was inaugurated as Flamen Dialis Jupiters High Priest and the same year there was a Table set up in the Temple of the Goddess Matuta with this Inscription By the Conduct and good Fortune of Tib. Sempronius Gracchus the Consul the Legion and Army of the Roman People subdu'd Sardinia In which Province there were slain or taken of the Enemies above eighty thousand He having managed the publick affairs with great success retrieved and cleared the Revenues brought home the Army safe and sound and loaded with booty so that he return'd a second time in triumph to Rome upon which score he set up this Table as an offering to Jupiter There was also the Map of Sardinia and upon it several painted representations of Battles There were some other small Sword-prizes that year exhibited but there was one very signal above the rest set forth by T. Flamininus which he gave upon the account of his Fathers Death with a dole of Flesh a Feast and Stage-Playes But of that great show the chief part was that seventy four men fought in three dayes DECADE V. BOOK II. The EPITOME 3. Q. Fulvius Flaccus the Censor robb'd the Temple of Juno Lacinia of its marble Tiles to cover a Temple that he had dedicated But the Tiles were brought back again by order of Senate 11 12